Page 20 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

We head outside, where Jane is waiting by the truck, tapping her foot like she’s got somewhere better to be. She gives me a quick hug as Reiner loads the boxes into the back, and I can tell she’s about to start in on me.

“You know, Jack,” Jane says, her voice all sweet and innocent, but I know better. “I’m starting to think you’re holdingSonya hostage. She doesn’t even have time for brunch anymore. How am I supposed to hear all the gossip?”

I laugh, scratching my head. “Yeah, sorry about that. I’ll make sure she gets some time off her ‘captivity’ soon.”

Jane rolls her eyes but smiles. “You better. I miss her, you know? And she needs her girl time, too.”

I nod, glancing back at the shop and wishing I was back inside working instead of having this conversation. “I get it. I’ll talk to her. Make sure she’s getting what she needs.”

Jane studies me for a moment before she says, “You do that, Jack. And hey, take care of her, okay? She’s been through a lot. Just… don’t add to it.”

I swallow, her words hitting harder than I expected. I’ve always known Sonya’s been through her share of crap, but I’ve never known the specifics. Something about her ex, but don’t we all have one of those stories? Still, hearing Jane say it out loud makes it feel more real, more urgent.

“Yeah, I will. Thanks, Jane.”

Reiner finishes loading up, and they both climb into the truck, Jane giving me one last look that says she’s not done pestering me about Sonya. They drive off, and I’m left standing there with the noise inside the shop as a distant hum as my thoughts spin.

The job pulls me back, the routine of work grounding me just enough to keep me from spiraling. But as I pick up the torch again, the flicker of flame feels less like a distraction and more like a reminder of the heat that’s been building between Sonya and me. I can’t ignore it forever, but for now, I’ve got to keep my head down and try to make sense of the mess I’m in.

The rest of the afternoon drags on, and I can’t shake the guilt gnawing at my gut. Reiner’s words keep bouncing around in my head, making it impossible to focus on anything for longer than a few minutes. I finish up the last of the welding, double-checking the orders before locking up the shop. On the drive home, the sun hangs low, casting long shadows over the quiet streets of Green Lake to end the day.

When I pull up to the house, the sight of Sonya’s car parked out front tugs at something inside me. She’s always here, always ready to step up, even when it’s clear she’s running on empty. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own problems that I haven’t really thought about what this must be like for her. Jane’s right—Sonya needs a break, and I’m going to make sure she gets it.

I step inside, and the smell of something savory hits me immediately. Sonya’s in the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove with one hand while balancing Fiona on her hip with the other. She’s humming softly, some tune I don’t recognize, but the sound of it feels like home. Fiona’s babbling happily, reaching for the wooden spoon Sonya’s waving around, and it’s a picture that almost makes me forget the weight on my shoulders.

“Hey,” I call out, trying to sound casual as I drop my keys on the counter.

Sonya looks up with a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re back earlier than I expected,” she says, giving the pot a final stir before setting the spoon down. “How was work?”

“Same old,” I say with a shrug, crossing the room to take Fiona from her. She squirms in my arms, grabbing at my collar, and I can’t help but smile at the little burst of energy. “Shop was busy but manageable. I’ve been thinking, though.”

Sonya raises an eyebrow, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “That sounds dangerous.”

I chuckle, but the lightness fades as I get to the point. “I think you need a day off. You’ve been going nonstop, and I know you’re tired. You deserve a break.”

She blinks, clearly caught off-guard by my suggestion. “A day off? Jack, I’m fine. I don’t mind staying in the house, really. It’s not like I’m out digging ditches or anything.”

“I’m serious, Sonya,” I press, shifting Fiona to my other arm. “You’re doing way more than I ever expected, and I don’t want you burning out. You’ve got a life outside of this, and you should get to enjoy it.”

Sonya hesitates, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I appreciate that, but I don’t mind staying in. I like being here with Fiona. Besides, I know you’re tired, too. I see it. You’re up early, working late—you’re not exactly taking it easy yourself.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right. I’m exhausted, but it’s different. Fiona’s my responsibility; I’m her father, after all. But Sonya? She’s been thrown into this with me, and I’ve let her carry more of the weight than she should have to. “I know, but—”

“What if we compromise?” Sonya cuts in, her eyes meeting mine with a stubborn determination that’s become all too familiar. “Instead of a day off alone, what if we take one together? Share the load, spend some time with Fiona, and maybe—just maybe—relax a little without worrying about schedules or responsibilities.”

I’m caught off-guard by the suggestion, but as I mull it over, I realize it’s not a bad idea. A day off together means I still get to be there for Fiona, and it gives Sonya the break she clearly needs without leaving her feeling like she’s abandoned the job she’s taken so seriously.

“Yeah,” I nod slowly, a small smile forming as I consider it. “Yeah, that could work. A day off together sounds… nice.”

Sonya’s smile widens, and for a moment, the tension that’s been hanging between us eases. “Great. We’ll do it, then. No work, no stress. Just us and Fiona.”

“Deal,” I agree, reaching out to give her shoulder a light squeeze. “We’ll make it happen. I promise.”

We settle into an easy rhythm after that, with Sonya finishing up dinner while I keep Fiona entertained. The evening passes quickly, filled with laughter and the kind of quiet moments that make all the chaos worth it. But as the sun finishes dipping below the horizon and the house grows quiet, the reality of what we’ve agreed to settles in.

A day off together. No work, no distractions—just us, sharing the task of watching over Fiona. It’s the right thing to do, and yet there’s a part of me that can’t help but wonder if it’s also a risk. Spending more time with Sonya, with no distractions to keep my thoughts in check, means facing whatever this pull between us is head-on. And I’m not sure I’m ready for that.

Later, when Fiona’s asleep and the house is finally still, I find myself standing in the doorway to the nursery, watching the gentle rise and fall of her tiny chest. Sonya appears beside me, and I’m reminded of why we’re doing this. For Fiona. For the little girl who’s brought us together in the most unexpected way.

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