Page 53 of Bad Nanny

I knew exactly what it felt like to think your mom had come back. Hell, it still happened from time to time, when I’d see a woman and the resemblance would make me take a second glance.

The woman gave me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I assured her quickly as I knelt down.

“I want my mommy.” Delaney spun around, her face crumpled in grief as she threw her arms around me.

I wrapped her in a tight hug, rubbing her back. “It’s okay. Let it out.”

“I thought it was my mommy,” she managed to say between gasps for air.

“Shh,” I murmured softly into her hair as we stood there a moment longer. “Let’s go home.”

I scooped Delaney up into my arms and carried her back toward the room. Deciding it was best not to take her in, I peeked inside and caught Nora’s eye. She didn’t need me to say anything as she stood, grabbing my purse from where I’d left it.

“Everything okay?” Nora put her hand on Delaney’s back.

“Yeah, we just want to go home. I’ll text you later.” I gave her a one-armed hug, grunting as I tried to hold on to Delaney. Five-year-olds were heavy.

We made it out to the car, and I buckled Delaney into her booster seat. She’d calmed down a little but was still crying softly.

As I got into the driver’s seat, I pulled out my phone,seeing a text from Gabriel that he’d just gotten home and he’d see us soon. I considered not telling him about what had happened until we got home, but he would probably need a moment to freak out, so I texted him a brief summary.

“All right, Laney. You ready? Your daddy is home now.” I turned on my car and backed out of the parking spot.

Delaney didn’t respond and her crying got louder again. It was unnerving to watch her be so upset.

Ten minutes into the drive, a shriek of pure agony came from the back seat, and I was surprised I managed not to swerve.

“What’s wrong?” I glanced back quickly before returning my eyes to the road.

“Penelope! I lost her!”

“I’m sure she’s at the restaurant. I’ll ask Nora to grab her once we’re at home, okay?” I reached back and tried to pat her leg in reassurance, but she kicked at me.

“Go back, go back, go back!” She was practically screaming, and I cringed.

“We’re almost home. Penelope is going to be fine.” If she wasn’t, I’d just have to make a new one. “Hey, did I ever tell you about the time I took Penelope to the dog park?”

When she quieted down an octave, I launched into a completely insane story to distract her. It helped me calm my own nerves as well, until we turned down our street.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I pulled into the driveway, my stomach in knots. Gabriel was already standing outside, waiting for us, his face eerily lacking any emotion. Before I’d even put the car in park, he was at the back door, unbuckling Delaney from her booster seat.

“Daddy,” she cried, immediately throwing her arms around his neck.

“Josie, you’re done for the night.” Without even glancing my way, Gabriel lifted her into his arms and headed for the front door.

I sat there for a moment, feeling sick. Maybe I shouldn’t have convinced him to let me take Delaney, but she’d been doing so well, and I didn’t think there would be any issues. There was no way I could have predicted what had triggered her, but I still felt responsible. Gabriel trusted me to take care of his little girl, and I’d let him down.

I wasn’t sure where we stood now. Would Gabriel even want me to continue being Delaney’s nanny after this? My heart sank at the thought. I loved that little girl so much already; I couldn’t imagine not being a part of her life anymore. But I would understand if Gabriel decided to fire me.

With a sigh, I finally got out of the car and went to the front door. I wasn’t surprised to find it locked; he’d said I was done for the night, and I had my own entrance.

Still, it stung, and I blinked back my tears as I rounded the side of the house to my studio. Although, who knew how much longer I had to call it mine.

Chapter 18

Future Wife

---