Page 18 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

Violet

Violet pulled into a driveway long enough to fit a dozen cars. The house looked nothing like the Townson’s home – cold. Vacant. Instead of stone, this home was modern with a structure that resembled a contemporary eco-friendly design.

Before getting out of the car, she whispered a silent prayer for the meeting to go well. After she’d turned down the Townsons’ offer to travel abroad, Violet realized Mrs. Townson was spiteful as well as jealous. A month had passed since she’d told the agency she was available to work and this was only the second job opportunity she’d received.

She clenched her fists. Violet had done her job and through all the parties and overnights, she’d managed to steer clear of Mr. Townson. Yet, it hadn’t been enough.

Looking at the double doors before her, she hoped this meeting would be different. She wasn’t given much informationabout the family other than they needed a nanny for their five-year-old daughter. According to the agency, the job was hers, except for this last formality. The pay was perfect and she’d met all the requirements. Meeting her prospective employer was the last hurdle.

Violet knocked on the door and waited. When no one answered, she lifted the metal knocker again but the door swung open, snatching the ring from between her fingers. “Hi,” she said to the little girl dressed in a ballet outfit and pink tutu. “Are your parents home?”

She expected a shy shake or nod from the child but what Violet received was a guarded stare.

“My mommy is not here.”

“Oh.” That was not a good sign, especially because mothers tended to be the ones that did the hiring. She exhaled. Any hopes of getting hired today were beginning to dim. “Is there an adult home?”

“Jack. He’s our cook and Beth is our housekeeper.” The child tilted her head. “Are you here to clean something?”

Violet choked. “What about your father, is he home?”

The child turned, twirling further into the house. Was she supposed to follow or wait?

“Aren’t you coming?” The girl executed another ballet move.

“Do you always answer the door?”

“Sometimes,” the child said, “when Daddy and Beth are busy.”

“You know, not everyone on the other side of the door is friendly.” Violet understood being excited and the anticipation of seeing someone that made you happy. She suspected opening the door was a constant surprise for the girl.

“Daddy doesn’t let mean people come over, silly.”

“Okay.”

“My aunt Candice and uncle Alexie are nice and my aunt Katya is only mean to Daddy.”

Violet frowned. “Don’t you like your aunt?”

“Aunt Katya is the best, but sometimes I wish it were my — ” The child clamped her mouth shut.

A sadness washed over her face that tugged at Violet’s chest. She wanted to hug the girl, folding her tiny frame into her arms. Instead, she asked, “What’s your name?”

“Maddie.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Violet.”

Maddie cocked her head to the side, as if exchanging their names had somehow made Violet visible. More real than a stranger she didn’t have to remember. “Why do you want to see my daddy?”

The unflinching question wasn’t meaningless. Violet sensed the importance of her answer in Maddie’s cautious tone. The last thing Violet needed was to lose this job before she’d even had the opportunity to meet her potential employer. Some children enjoyed having nannies while others rebelled against the idea. Violet didn’t know which category Maddie fell into.

“Maddie!”

Violet stood still. She recognized that voice. It belonged to the man who’d kept her awake and restless through sleepless nights.

“In here, Daddy.”

Daddy…She glanced at Maddie, then at the man whose presence made her mouth dry. It had been months since she’d seen him, but Violet recalled the sharp edge of his muscular jaw. The champagne on his tongue when his mouth had slanted over hers. And she remembered the hollowness that consumed her when he didn’t call.

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