Page 6 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

“I know,” I tell her, glancing down at my laptop and the endless sea of rejection emails. “I just need a chance. A decent job that doesn’t come with strings attached or gossip from half the town.”

Reiner nods thoughtfully, his gaze flicking between me and Jane. “Well, have you considered doing something with kids? You’ve always been great with them. Could be worth looking into.”

I hesitate, chewing on my lower lip. “I’d love to, but every time I even mention wanting to work with kids, people look at me like I’m out of my mind. Like they can’t picture someone like me in a classroom. Shifters aren’t exactly welcomed with open arms.”

Jane’s expression softens, and she reaches over to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “Sonya, you’d make an amazing teacher. Don’t let a few closed-minded people make you doubt that.”

“It’s more than a few,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest. “And it’s not just about teaching. It’s about proving I’m more than what people think they know about me. I want to build something for myself, you know?”

Jane nods, and Reiner lets out a slow, understanding breath. “We get it,” Jane says. “And if anyone’s stubborn enough to do it, it’s you. Just don’t shut us out while you’re at it.”

“I’m not shutting you out,” I insist, though the words feel thin and insubstantial. “I just… I need to figure this out on my own terms.”

Jane squeezes my hand again before she says, “Okay. But promise me you won’t be too proud to ask for help if you need it.”

I manage a small smile, though it feels more like a grimace. “I promise. But right now, I’ve got to keep looking. This dream job isn’t going to land in my lap without some effort.”

Reiner leans back in his chair, watching me closely. “Well, if you’re serious about teaching, there are some programs that help with certifications. You could look into that while you’re job hunting.”

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it,” I admit. “But it’s tough when every paycheck is already stretched thin. I’m trying to make it work, though.”

Jane brightens a little, her optimism bubbling to the surface. “And you will. I know it. You’ve always been resourceful, Sonya. You’ll find a way.”

“Thanks,” I say, trying to keep the doubt from creeping into my voice. It’s nice to hear, but it doesn’t make the reality any easier. “But right now, I just need to get through today. One step at a time.”

Reiner nods, standing and pulling Jane up with him. “We’ll leave you to it, then. But seriously, if you need anything—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I cut in with a wry smile. “I’ll holler.”

Jane gives me one last hug, and Reiner claps me on the shoulder before they head out, leaving me alone with my laptop and the never-ending stream of job listings. I watch them go with a combination of gratitude and frustration settling in mychest. I know they mean well, but I’ve got to do this on my own. I’ve got to prove to myself—and to everyone else—that I can make it work without leaning on anyone.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself as I dive back into the search. There’s got to be something out there that’s more than just a stopgap, more than just another gig to pay the bills. I’m not looking for easy; I’m looking for something that makes me feel like I’m building a future. And I’m not going to stop until I find it.

An hour later, I’ve scrolled through so many job listings that they’re all starting to blur together into one giant, soul-sucking pit of rejection. My eyes burn, and the coffee I’ve been nursing for the past hour has gone cold, but I keep clicking, keep searching, because what else can I do? Every job I find is either minimum wage, requires experience I don’t have, or just plain sucks. I’m starting to think the universe has it out for me.

I blow out a breath and close my laptop, pushing it away like it’s personally offended me. “This is pointless,” I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair. “Maybe I should just take up knitting and sell scarves on Etsy.”

As if on cue, my phone buzzes with a notification. It’s a message from one of the community boards I’ve been keeping an eye on—half-heartedly, mostly—but at this point, I’m desperate enough to check anything that might lead to a paycheck.

Nanny Needed: Immediate Start

I blink at the screen, rereading the words like they might change if I stare long enough. It’s not exactly what I was hoping for—I was thinking more along the lines of a teaching assistant or maybe an office job at a preschool—but then again, beggars can’t be choosers. And it’s not like I haven’t babysat before.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab my bag and head out. The address for the interview isn’t far, just a couple of blocks from the coffee shop, and as I walk, I try to convince myself that this could be a good thing. Nannying is just a stepping stone, right? A way to make some cash until I can get one of those certifications Reiner was talking about. And if it means I get a little closer to my goal of becoming a teacher, then maybe it’s not the worst idea.

I turn the corner and spot the house, a modest little cabin with a neat front yard and a worn welcome mat on the porch. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves that have inexplicably decided to show up. It’s just a job inquiry, I remind myself. No big deal.

But the moment I knock on the door, it swings open almost immediately, like whoever’s inside was waiting. And standing there, looking like he just rolled out of bed and forgot how buttons work, is Jack Thomas.

Why the hell does he need a nanny? I didn’t even know he had a kid.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. Because of course it’s Jack. Of all the houses in Green Lake, of all the people who might need a nanny, it has to be him.

Jack’s face lights up with a lazy grin, the kind that says he’s already got a dozen smartass remarks lined up and ready to go. “Well, well, well,” he drawls, leaning against the doorframe like he’s auditioning for some soap opera. “Sonya Welsh, darkening my doorstep. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

I cross my arms, trying to ignore the way his gaze slides over me, half-amused, half-assessing. “Trust me, the pleasure’sall yours,” I snap. “I saw the post for a nanny job. I didn’t realize it was yours. I’ll be on my way.”

I spin on my heel, ready to leave and forget this ever happened, but Jack comes around me, blocking my path with that infuriating, effortless charm of his. “Whoa, hold up. You came all this way just to run off again? What happened to that tenacity I keep hearing about?”

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