Page 1 of Single Daddy Doctor Dreamy

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LUCY

The sign for Everwood looms over the road, faded but still charming. “Welcome to Everwood—A Place to Call Home.” It’s as quaint as I remember. The redwood trees lining the street feel like old friends, and the sea breeze, salty and cool, drifts through the cracked window of my little car. This town is practically frozen in time. After living in New York City for the last 4 years, I’m not sure whether I’ll find that comforting or suffocating.

As I navigate the streets, I pass landmarks from my childhood. The diner where Aiden and I used to get milkshakes, the library I practically lived in during high school, and the park where I scraped my knee a hundred times trying to keep up with Aiden and his best friend, Joel Anderson.

Everwood, nestled about 40 miles east of Eureka, is surrounded by towering redwoods and rolling hills that seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon. It’s a place where time moves a little slower, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, and where the air always carries a hint of redwoods, pine trees and earth. The single main street is lined with small businesses, most of them family-owned and untouched by chain stores or big-city influence. A general store, a post office, a tinycoffee shop, a nice little bed-and-breakfast and a hardware store form the backbone of the town’s economy, while a scattering of dairy farms and pot farms as well as ranches dot the outskirts. Everwood sits in the western part of Humboldt County, California where growing pot is legal, with the proper licensing and is a large contributor to the local economy.

Growing up here was both idyllic and stifling. Without a high school in Everwood, I spent my teenage years riding the bus into Eureka every morning. The journey, nearly an hour each way, was both a blessing and a curse. I’d sit with my headphones on, staring out the window as the bus wound through the forest, the morning sun filtering through the trees like something out of a dream. I’d lose myself in music and daydreams, imagining a life far away from here. But by the time the bus pulled into Eureka High, the enchantment would fade, replaced by the humdrum reality of teenage life.

Still, there were moments of magic. The friends I made in Eureka gave me a glimpse of the world beyond Everwood, while the town itself held onto my heart with its quiet charm. I remember coming back from school on foggy afternoons, the bus headlights cutting through the mist as we approached the familiar curve in the road that meant I was close to home. Sometimes, if Aiden was home from college, he’d wait for me at the bus stop, and we’d walk together up the road to home.

This place is woven into me, a big part of who I am and of the dreams I’ve chased. Driving through its streets now, I’m reminded of all the reasons I left—and all the reasons I’ve come back.

Joel. The thought of him sends a flicker of warmth and nerves through me. Aiden’s childhood partner-in-crime turned brooding doctor. Back then, I had a stupid crush on him. He was the gorgeous jock in high school that all the girls liked, and I was the goofy 12-year-old with a huge crush. But now, he’s my new boss. My ridiculously hot, very single dad boss. And I’ll be living in his house as a nanny for his two kids. My stomach twists with nerves.

I pull up to Joel’s house, a Craftsman-style beauty perched on the edge of a cul-de-sac. It’s more polished than I expected, with a manicured lawn and freshly painted shutters. Clearly, Joel’s got it together, unlike me, the failed New York model turned babysitter.

Before I can dwell on my insecurities, the front door swings open. Joel steps out, tall and commanding, his dark hair slightly tousled like he’s been running his hands through it. He’s wearing a tight-fitting black T-shirt and jeans that show off his incredible physique. I believe me when I say, it’s not a dad bod! I swear the air gets heavier.

“Lucy,” he calls out, his deep voice carrying across the driveway. “You made it.”

I hop out of the car, attempting to shake off my nerves. “Hey, Joel.” My voice is breezy, but my heart is pounding. His green eyes lock on mine, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. At that moment, my thoughts are so NOT professional.

He strides over, his steps confident but not rushed. He’s got the same serious, quiet energy he always had, but there’s something else now. A weight, maybe. Fatherhood. Life.

He reaches for me, and we exchange an uncomfortable hug. “Let me help you with your bags,” he says, grabbing my suitcase before I can protest.

“Thanks. Is Aiden here yet?” I ask, partly to fill the silence and partly to figure out how much time I have before myoverprotective brother starts grilling Joel. He clearly was not happy when he found out that I was moving into Joel’s house to be a nanny for his boys.

“Not yet. He’ll swing by later. Come on inside.”

I follow him up the steps and into the house. The interior is warm and inviting, with a blend of cozy furniture and practical design. It smells faintly of coffee and vanilla. Joel sets my suitcase by the stairs just as two small whirlwinds barrel into the room.

“Dad! Dad! Did she bring a dog?” the older boy, Miles, I’m guessing, shouts, skidding to a stop in front of me. His brother, Finn, trails close behind, clutching a stuffed dinosaur.

“No dog,” Joel says, ruffling Miles’ dark hair. “This is Lucy. She’s going to help out around here.”

“Hi, Lucy!” Miles says, his grin wide and gap-toothed, his eyes sparking green, just like his dad. Finn peeks out from behind his dad’s leg, his blue eyes curious. “I’m Miles, and this is Finn. He’s shy.”

“Hi, Miles. Hi, Finn.” I crouch to their level. “I don’t have a dog, but I do have a bag of gummy bears in my purse. Think we could share?”

Finn’s eyes light up, and Miles whoops, “Yes!” He grabs Finn’s hand and drags him closer.

Joel sighs, but there’s a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t have to bribe them, you know.”

“It’s not a bribe; it’s an icebreaker,” I shoot back. Joel’s mouth twitches, and I feel a small surge of victory.

Just as I’m about to grab the gummy bears, Miles decides to show off. “Watch this!” he says, climbing onto the couch. He leaps off, attempting a dramatic somersault, but his landing is… less than graceful.

“Miles!” Joel snaps, rushing to check on him. Meanwhile, Finn giggles and tries to imitate his brother, only to topple over into a pile of cushions. I can’t help but laugh.

“Well, at least they’re enthusiastic,” I say, trying to keep a straight face as Joel assesses the chaos.

“Welcome to my life,” he mutters, lifting Finn onto his feet. Miles bounces back like a rubber ball, grinning as if nothing happened.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway draws our attention. Joel’s expression hardens slightly. “That’ll be Aiden.”

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