Page 45 of Nanny for the Doctor

Before I have time to process, Henry is hobbling over to me with a large iced coffee in his hands. He holds it out to me with a massive smile on his face.

“This is for you! It’s a double espresso caramel macchi…macchi…macchi something.”

I can’t help but smile at him, and I take the drink. “It’s macchiato. My favorite.”

Reed still stands at the door, another coffee in a drink holder, and I eye him.

“How’d you figure out my favorite drink?”

He nods his head, a guilty expression raising his eyebrows. “I asked your brother.”

“I see.” I set the caramel treasure down on the coffee table, glad there’s a coaster to absorb the condensation already dripping from the cup.

“I assume that’s how you figured out I was here.”

“Yup.” Reed chews on his lip before meeting my eyes again. “Can we talk?”

I hesitate a bit too long for Stevie’s liking, and she steps up behind me, putting her hands on my shoulders.

“Of course, she can. I’ll hang out with Henry. You want to fluff pillows, buddy?”

Henry eyes her like she’s asked him to watch paint dry.

“It means you get to punch them.”

“Oh! Heck, yeah.”

Stevie laughs, rolling her eyes for Reed and me before escorting the ten-year-old to the bedrooms.

I sigh. “Let’s chat outside.”

“Alright.”

Reed steps back onto the porch, and I follow him out, closing the door behind us.

As Reed walks up to the railing and leans against it, he mumbles to himself.

“Having a lot of important chats on porches today.”

“What?” I cock an eyebrow.

“Never mind.”

Tension on the porch is so thick I can almost feel it surrounding us, but then Reed clears his throat and looks up at me.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

He rakes a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry.”

I smile sarcastically. “Hmm? What was that?”

Reed releases a hard breath. “I’m sorry. I overreacted. I know you were only trying to help. I just…I wasn’t prepared for parenting advice or hearing about my fractured relationship with Henry.”

“Thank you. I honestly didn’t know if you had it in you to apologize.”

He looks briefly wounded but then nods. “That’s fair. I said a lot of stuff I shouldn’t, so I understand if you’re done with me, but…”

Reed’s eyes fall to the wooden deck beneath our feet as he steps on a particularly squeaky board. I can see he’s struggling with the right thing to say, but I amnothelping him through this.

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