Page 9 of Accidental Irish Daddy

It’s after one in the morning when I return home. I decided to stay a little longer at work since I’m down one job now. Though I hate it, staying a few more hours earns me a little bit more money for my trouble.

Quietly, I sneak in. The floorboards by the front door creak and I halt for a second, sucking in a sharp breath.

If Liam's sleeping on the couch and I manage to wake him, he’ll have my ass in a sling.

I get to the archway, looking into the living room.

Sure enough, he’s lying on his back, snoring like a buzzsaw. He’s in his dirty tank top and jeans. He’s got his mouth open and his arm over the side of the couch. I hope he throws up in his sleep and chokes to death.

I climb the stairs to the bedroom. The door’s unlocked and Bridget’s sleeping. She still has her clothes on…I guess she was trying to wait up for me.

I lock the door behind me and get ready for bed.

All I can think about is getting out of here. There has to be a way…

Pressed with the need to find another job, I grab my laptop, get in bed, and start checking out the job sites. I don’t know if I want to work for another hospital or home. Damn morality clauses might get me sacked again if old Liam finds out about it. Yet, the harsh reality is beggars can’t be choosers.

Sighing, I scroll through them, doing some digging, reading one job post after another.

Oh…hello…this is interesting.

In need of a home care nurse with experience in palliative care.

It looks like a private ad. Maybe some old rich dude looking to be taken care of in his final days?

Hell, I don’t care what it is. I’ll take what I can get right now.

I click on the “Apply now” button and start filling out the form.

Working out of somebody’s home might be better anyway. Taking care of just one person sounds like a dream come true.

Here’s hoping I’m the girl they’re looking for.

3

Aisling

“Woo!” I cover my mouth quickly, stifling my sudden burst of joy.

I had just gotten up when I got the call. I can’t believe it!

I applied for this job a couple of days ago and, honestly, I didn’t think I’d get a call back.

People call around to past workplaces sometimes, and if they called the hospital, then they’d find out.

I guess either they didn’t call, or they don’t care because they want to see me. I’ve got an interview and that’s the most important thing.

One foot in the door is a chance I’ll take.

Excited, I check the time scheduled for the interview again. It’s in about an hour and…oh, cripes. Bridget.

She’ll be home from school any second, and Liam hasn’t been home all day…I’m not sure I’d want to leave her here anyway with the way he’s been lately.

.It’s becoming more and more of a risk even when I have to work at night. My only saving grace is the fact that he usually drinks himself to sleep before I get home.

I’m going to have to take her with me, and that’s going to be tricky… Maybe I can have her wait in the car. Or maybe there will be a room or a parlor she can wait in while I do the interview. Either way, I can’t leave her here alone.

Oh, I hope I don’t blow it.

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