Page 5 of The Manny

“Because she’s a child.”

“We all start out as children. So what?”

“Children need nurturing.”

“I don’t know that I agree. Too much coddling can make people weak.”

Maddening as this conversation was, it was useful insight into his mind. I wasn’t sure what to do with that knowledge, but it made sense now why he was acting so indifferent. It was a bit of a cliché, but, I suspected because he’d been unloved as a child, he had no understanding of what a good parent was. “Mia needs love too. Not just a roof over her head and a full belly.”

He frowned. “How could I love her when I don’t even know her?”

“You can learn to love her. By spending time with her and forming a close bond, those emotions should come.”

He sighed. “Look, I feel bad for Mia. I really do. But I’m not cut out to raise her. I’m stuck in this situation because of the law. You probably think I’m a heartless asshole right about now, but I’m not so heartless I’d put her in the foster care system. At least I’m stepping up and trying to take care of her. But I know my limitations.”

I winced. “Yes. I’m very thankful you didn’t just reject her outright.”

He watched me, his face tense. “I’m not a bad person,” he said quietly. “I simply don’t have the skills needed in this situation. That’s why I need you.”

Instinctively, I responded to his sincerity. “And I’m here because I want what’s best for you and Mia. But… you will need to dig deeper than you want.”

“Says who?”

“It’s just how it is.”

“And if I can’t?”

I grimaced. “Just because you’ve never needed to do this sort of thing before doesn’t mean you can’t succeed.”

“Maybe you’re not hearing me. I was happy with my life the way it was. I liked living alone, only worrying about myself. I wasn’t dreaming about the day I had a kid. Whether it’s her fault or not, Mia is going to be like a grenade being tossed into my world. I will be kind to her. If I can afford it, I’ll give her anything money can buy.” His jaw hardened. “But I don’t have the desire to be a doting uncle.”

I winced at his unfeeling tone. “Your attitude could be a problem for me.”

“In that case…” He shrugged. “Maybe we’re not a good fit.”

I stiffened at his implication. Did he not realize how lucky he was that I was available? I had clients on a waiting list for my services. If Bernice hadn’t been desperate to replace Charity, he’d never even have had the opportunity to hire me. “I’m sorry…” I tried to keep the astonishment from my voice. “Are youactuallysaying you don’t want to use me?”

“You yourself said if we don’t mesh well, it’s hard on the child.” His eyes glittered with irritation. “We’ve just met and you’re already trying to control me. Apparently you’re under the impression I’ll be working for you, instead of the other way around.”

“That’s not true.”

“I feel you’re being insensitive to my needs.”

“Oh really?” I laughed incredulously.

“Yes.” He emphasized the s.

“You do realize if I don’t take this job, you’ll be stuck with a girl who has only been working as a nanny for six months. This is a complicated case. You need someone with experience.”

“Someone like you?” He arched one dark brow.

“Yes.”

“There are other agencies.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Mia is arriving tomorrow morning. How would you possibly get someone in here that fast by using another agency? This is a long-term assignment. That’s not as easy to book.”

“I can get someone short-term, until I find someone… suitable.”

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