Page 6 of Mountain Heart

"I've just been trying to watch my weight with Christmas coming up."

Rachel rolls her eyes. "You lookfine, Lily."

I feel my face flush. "I know, It's just you know how Mom always makes comments."

"Who cares what Mom thinks?" Shifting the tray onto the coffee table, Rachel leans over and gives me a playful pinch. "Deanthinks you look great."

My heart flutters in my chest at the mention of my boss, Dean's, name.

"Speaking of which, have you told her about the nanny thing yet?" Rachel asks.

"I'll tell her when the time is right," I reply nonchalantly, but inside, my heart clenches.

My mother's judgment goes beyond our looks and homes. It also affects our work lives. She attended university with the sole goal of finding a husband.

She didn't care about the lectures; she just scanned the crowd for a suitable mate.

She never understood Rachel's love for art or my passion for teaching. My job as a nanny is foreign to her; it goes against her strict societal norms. I've been evasive about my job so far, giving vague answers. But I can't keep it a secret forever. I dread the day I have to tell my judgmental mother I'm a nanny. It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it.

Rachel raises an eyebrow, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "The time is right, huh? Is that code for 'when I'm dating Dean'?"

"What? No! Dean is myboss."

She lets out a hearty laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're seriously trying to convince me, your big sister, that there's nothing there? I've seen the way you talk about him. You practically light up."

She isn't wrong.

In fact, the truth is, I'm hopelessly in love with Dean Watts.

I know it's silly. Dean is a decade my senior. He's intelligent, handsome and kind. Not to mention a great father to Ava. And me? I'm just... well, me.

A sigh, small and resigned, tumbles from me as I let my mind wander to the man who's quietly claimed my heart.

There's so much about Dean that I adore—the crinkles that appear at the corners of his eyes when he laughs genuinely, the solid presence of his arms when he carries Ava, the laser focus in his gaze when he's immersed in his work. It's these tiny details, these seemingly insignificant moments, that make my heart do a little dance and my lips curve into a smile.

A soft sigh escapes me as I think of Ava. I've fallen for that little sprite, too. She can turn even the most ordinary tasks into grand adventures.

Some people might look down on being a nanny, but for me, it feels like everything. And I'm trying to soak it all in as much as I can.

I know that it's just a matter of time before Dean meets someone else, and honestly, that's fine. I want him to be happy. For now, I'm satisfied with the way things are.

My only hope is to avoid the inevitable commentary from my Mom. She doesn't get it, and I worry that her words could burst this beautiful bubble I'm currently residing in.

"I promise, there's nothing going on between me and Dean." I quickly change the subject, "Anyway, how about your love life? Any new prospects?"

Rachel groans, rolling her eyes, "Non-existent. But I guess it's probably for the best. I have bigger fish to fry." Her eyes take on a mischievous glint. "Speaking of which, I think it's time you knew... I'm starting up my own design business."

A wide smile breaks across my face. "Wow, that's huge! I'm so happy for you." I know how much my sister has always wanted to explore her creativity beyond the confines of the elementary school art room. Even though she loves the kids she teaches, the administration's rigid rules have been making her miserable for years. This new venture is just what she needs.

"Thanks," Rachel says, her eyes softening with gratitude. "I've been wanting to branch out for a while now. After all, life's too short not to chase your dreams, right?"

She gives me a pointed look, a silent reminder that her advice applies to my unspoken feelings for Dean as well. But I choose to ignore that, focusing instead on her exciting news.

Casting a glance at the half-finished guest room, Rachel lets out a sigh. "Anyway, as thrilling as our love lives and career ventures are, we should probably finish up in there. Mom's going to have a fit if we leave it half-done."

I nod, rising to my feet.

"You're right. Let's get it done."

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