Page 11 of The Double Play

I pass by Emmett in the doorway, nodding to him. In a house like this, I feel like I should bob a curtsy. Especially when the owner of the house looks straight out ofPride and Prejudice. He dips his chin in return. He’s a Mr. Darcy if I’ve ever seen one.

I thought working for the Lawsons kept me on my toes, but I have a feeling the Fosters will be a whole new ball game.

Chapter six

Emmett Foster

Aweekhaspassedsince Hazel was hired, and my parents are now officially in Europe. After months of planning–unbeknownst to me–they’re living out their dreams of traveling the world and leaving me behind to worry about June staying with someone I don’t know. Not that I fault them at all. I hope they have an amazing time, but that doesn’t change the fact that a virtual stranger is taking care of my daughter. That stranger may have been interviewed twice, gone through a thorough background check, come with glowing recommendations, and have had a week trial period with my mom present…but still. It’s a lot different leaving June with a nanny than it is leaving her with the woman who raised me.

The garage lights go dim as the door closes behind my car. Today was my first day of practice since my parents left, and I was jittery all day. My pitches were going wild, some even hitting the dirt before they could cross home plate. I made every adjustment Coach suggested and still struggled. I just couldn’t stop worrying about June. Hazel even sent me a check-in text halfway through practice, but it didn’t help. It just made me think of her all the more.

I get out and pull my duffle bag from the passenger seat with me. The sound of the door shutting echoes through the three-car garage. I shoulder the bag and walk to the door, inputting the code that unlocks it. Bracing myself for a disaster or tears, I walk inside.

Nothing.

The house is quiet, save for the sound of running water. I slide off my shoes and tuck them into the cubby beside June’s and–I pause–Hazel’s. The small white canvas sneakers throw off the usual image I find here. My mom tends to wear sandals even when it’s cold out, and she usually has at least one shoe hanging off the edge of the cubby because June always latches on to her when she arrives.

I follow the sound of the water to the kitchen, where I find Hazel rinsing dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. I hadn’t unloaded it yet today, so she must have done that too.

“You don’t have to do that,” I say and she jumps, the fork she was holding clattering to the wood floor.

She places a damp hand over her heart. “You scared me half to death!”

“I told you I’d be home by five-thirty.” I check my watch. “It’s five-thirty-one.”

Her green eyes blink at me. I glance at the still-running water, and she turns off the faucet, then dries her hands on the towel hanging from the drawer handle below the sink.

“I must have lost track of time. June has so much energy, it’s difficult to find time to do things like dishes,” she says with a soft laugh.

“As I said, you don’t have to do that.”

Her brow crinkles. “I didn’t want to leave a mess. Have I done something wrong?”

“No, at least I don’t think so.” I look around. “Where’s June?” I leave off the rest of my question:And why aren’t you watching her?

“She just went to the restroom before you came in. She was helping me with the dishes.”

Oh. That makes sense. I draw in a slow breath and let it out. I’m going to be left without a nanny if I keep acting paranoid like this.

“Okay,” I say.

With her face still scrunched in confusion, she turns back to the sink to continue the dishes. “Her homework is done and on her desk. Your mom told me you like to eat together when you get home early enough, so I didn’t make her dinner, but I did give her a snack around three-thirty.”

“Daddyyy!” June comes barrelling toward me, her hair in pigtails they weren’t in when I left her this morning. Each one has a tiny purple bow attached. She looks even more adorable than usual.

I catch her as she jumps into my arms and hug her tight. After being so worried all day, it’s nice to hold her. I know for certain she’s safe now.

“I had the best day ever!” she proclaims.

“Yeah? You’ll have to tell me about it.”

Over June’s shoulder, I watch as Hazel closes the dishwasher, a smile on her lips.

“I’ll be by tomorrow morning. The same time, right?” Hazel asks.

June wiggles out of my embrace, rushing over to wrap her arms around Hazel instead. “Don’t leave!”

Hazel lowers herself down in order to wrap June in a full hug. “I’ll be back soon, sweet pea. You’ll spend tonight with your dad, then close those beautiful eyes of yours and the next time you open them, I’ll be here!”

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