If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny (Aspen Grove, #1)

by Ann Einerson

The final touch is a pink sticky note with have a magical day written on it.

She’s off like a shot. “No running,” I call after her. “I’m just hurrying like you told me to,” she sasses back.

God, why is she so damn pretty all the time? Even with paint on her face, she’s stunning…

You could say I have a thing for pushing his buttons—it makes me positively giddy.

“You’re beautiful in whatever you wear, so a few extra layers won’t do you any harm, if you’re concerned about how you look.”

“You’re older than I thought.” “I’m thirty-three, not sixty, thank you very much.” “That’s ten years older than me,” she says in disbelief. “I have to say I’m impressed you don’t have any gray hairs yet… oh, wait, I found one.”

“I can assure you if Lola learns any more curse words, it’ll be because of your bad habits, not mine.”

“Good grief,” I mutter. If persistence were an Olympic sport, my mom would have a gold medal. She has a gift for pushing until you give in to her wishes. While I appreciate my mother’s caring nature, she goes overboard in her eagerness to help. You’d think I’d have mastered the art of saying no by now, but she makes it incredibly difficult to be the one to disappoint her.

Good morning, sunshine, I hope you enjoy your breakfast. Have a great day. -Dylan

“I have a confession,” I say softly. “What is it?” Marlow looks up at me. “Lola isn’t the only one I missed while I was gone.” “She’s not?” Her eyes widen at my admission. I shake my head, not able to find the right words. “Does this mean you’re finally ready to confess your undying love for Waffles?”

That’s why I instantly fell in love with Waffles. When I overheard a volunteer at the animal shelter call him hyperactive, his fate was sealed. He deserved to be adopted by someone who gets what it’s like to be judged for their personality, and lack of recognizing social cues, and who embraces his unique qualities. That’s one reason I’ve been hesitant to train him—I’m worried that he’ll lose what makes my sweet furball him if I do.

“For starters, I really want to kiss you, and if we’re being blunt”—I glance down the hall to make sure Lola’s still in the other room—“I want to strip you bare and fuck you.”

“Mark my words, Marlow Taylor, when we finally get a moment to ourselves, I’m going to do much more than kiss you.”

Your mom will stop at nothing until we get together, huh?” “I hope not,” I admit.

“That’s right, sunshine. I’m the one who owns your pleasure,”

It’s a compromise I’m willing to make for Marlow’s sake, but that doesn’t mean he’s allowed on the furniture, especially my memory foam pillow.

She’s like the sun, and we’re all lucky enough to be in her orbit, basking in her warmth.

In this moment, I realize that there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Marlow. I’m in love with her, and no matter how long she asks me to wait, I’ll do it. I will do whatever it takes to have her by my side for the rest of my life.

“I love you, Marlow Taylor. I love you so damn much, and I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you.”

“I love you too, Dylan Stafford.”

The jury is still out on that last one. Dylan’s adamant that Waffles will be sleeping in the living room. I give that arrangement one night before he gives in and lets Waffles stay in Lola’s room.

Dylan might think of me as the color in his life, but he’s the brushstroke and the canvas in mine.

Morning, sunshine, I love you & am so proud of you. I can’t wait until you’re back in my arms. -Dylan

complete with handwritten sticky notes I overnighted so they could include them in the delivery.

While I can’t be there in person to care for Marlow, I’m committed to showing her she is cherished and loved, even when I’m thousands of miles away.

“Now, enough chitchat. Go spend time with your family.” She doesn’t wait for my response before hanging up. My family. I love the sound of that.

but now I know what happens when a single dad gets a nanny for his daughter… She becomes their whole universe.