Page 4 of Forbidden Hearts
Yeah, I know, who the hell has a house phone anymore? Well, when you live somewhere where having reliable cell reception reminds you of being a kid holding the antenna with tin foil on the end to get a picture on the television, you do what you must.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mr. Whitlock, this is Stephanie from the nanny agency.”
Good, she’s calling to confirm, and I can tell Sara to suck it. “Hi, Stephanie. I’m assuming we’re all set for tomorrow?”
She pauses, and my heart sinks. “About that . . . I know it’s a requirement to have a nanny who knows ASL.”
“Yes . . .”
“So, she just quit, and unfortunately, I don’t have another nanny with that capability. We could make it work. I’m assuming Olivia can write? She can jot down whatever she wants to say.”
Not a chance in hell. “No, thank you. I’ll figure something else out until you can find me someone who can use ASL.”
Stephanie sighs. “I’m really sorry, Mr. Whitlock. I have searched two counties and have come up short. I’ll continue to look, and if you find someone else, please let us know.”
Fuck, I’m sure there’s no solution for this in the binder.
* * *
“I’m sorry, Chief, I can’t make it today.”
“Asher, you’re the SWAT commander, you have to be here. There’s no one else who can take your place while Billingsly is on baby leave.”
I run my hand over my face, frustrated because I know this. I can’t call out, but I can’t leave Olivia with someone who can’t communicate with her.
I’ve called everyone. My sister is getting ready for finals and in the middle of a big case that she has to be in court for. Rowan said there’s some big cow crisis—also, I am one thousand percent sure that Sara would have my ass if I left her with him, and my other brother is at war, so he’s out.
I even went so far as to call her former nanny and ask her to leave her honeymoon and husband so she could come help me. That went over about as well as I thought it would.
My options are limited.
“I understand that, sir, but I can’t leave Olivia either. She comes first.”
He sighs heavily. “Yes, of course. You said the nanny quit?”
I re-explain everything about the service and Sara leaving. I have never called out. My job is not only something I love but also something I’m good at. When I was promoted to the SWAT commander, I took it very seriously. My men and women rely on me, and we’re a team. Olivia is my daughter, though, and I can’t leave her with someone who can’t understand what she’s saying. She doesn’t speak.
“Well, I have a solution for the both of us.”
“You do?” I ask, curious where exactly he’s going to find a nanny who knows ASL on short notice.
“Yes, actually, Phoebe came home two days ago from school, and she can sign.”
I laugh once. “No.”
There is not a chance in hell that Phoebe Bettencourt is watching Olivia. No way. Not after the last time.
“Why not?”
While he believes his precious daughter is great, she’s the worst babysitter ever. The last time I had her watch my daughter was six years ago, and I came home to find that Olivia had cut her own hair. Three-year-olds do not cut their own hair well.
“I think we both know why.”
“It was a long time ago, and she’s grown up since then.”
Yeah, and Sara lost her damn mind when I brought Olivia home with a new hairdo. “I’m sure she has, but I’m not trusting her with Liv.”
