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

by Ann Einerson

If you give a single dad a neighbor, he may be tempted to ask her to be his daughter’s nanny. And if he asks her to be his daughter’s nanny, he’ll start to have feelings for her. He’ll want to invite her over for dinner and take care of her when she’s sick, and then he’ll kiss her in the hallway and call her a “good girl” in the back of an art gallery because she’s all he’s been able to think about…

“I’m going to miss you.” She looks up at Marlow with pleading eyes. “Can I play with Waffles again soon?” I’m stunned speechless when Marlow crouches down in front of Lola and tucks a piece of stray hair behind her ear. “Of course, you can.” She shoots me a glare, daring me to say otherwise. “Besides, I don’t think I could keep him away now that he’s met you.”

When Eric puts his hand over hers, all rational thoughts leave me and I’m storming straight for their table to save her from him because I—well, I don’t know why.

I can’t help but wonder if she’s interested in someone here. If it’s Eric fucking Schultz, I can’t be held accountable for decking him in the face for touching her.

the emotional side of my brain is a lustful bitch, who wants nothing more than to march over to his house and demand that he kiss me again.

Taking care of Marlow brings me a sense of satisfaction that I’ve been missing. Now that I know what it’s like, there’s a part of me that yearns to be the one she trusts to heal all her wounds, the one to kiss away the pain.

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

I find myself wishing for the opportunity to build a family of my own. A family who will love me wholeheartedly, without conditions or stipulations.

We’ve admitted our feelings, but until now, we’ve let the logistics and a million reasons why we shouldn’t be together get in the way. That ends now.

I want to be the first person she shares her successes with and the one to hold her when she cries. Whether we have a day, a week, or a year together, I’m willing to take the chance. Because aside from Lola, she matters more to me than anyone else.

I walk us backward until she is pinned against the nearest wall, her eyes locked on me. I’m tired of dancing around the inevitable truth that Marlow and I belong together, and I have every intention of giving her a taste of what it would be like to be mine.

“Be mine, sunshine? The only person I want to be with is you.” “Dylan, I can’t promise—” “I know.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “All I’m asking is for tonight… and tomorrow. And the day after that. I’m fully aware that there’s a chance you’ll be leaving Aspen Grove soon,”

“Dylan Stafford, what has gotten into you?” she cries out. She has. Marlow Taylor has become a fixture in my life, and I never want her to leave.

I know exactly what he’s packing underneath, and I won’t lie. I’m ready for it.

“You’re a fucking masterpiece,” Dylan murmurs as he gazes down at me. “My masterpiece.”

As he carries me downstairs, I rest my cheek against his chest, inhaling the scent of mint and cedar, thinking this is what home must smell like.

if she’d let me, I’d spend the rest of my life worshiping her the way I did that night.

The time I’ve spent with him and Lola has made me feel loved, cherished, and content. After years of wandering like a lost soul, being with them feels like the home I’ve been searching for my whole life.

She’s like the sun, and we’re all lucky enough to be in her orbit, basking in her warmth. She deserves nothing less than unwavering support as she chases her dreams, and I’m committed to making sure she has it.

“For the love of god, woman, will you please start locking your door?” I’m not opposed to the idea of getting her an automated lock that I can manage with my phone.

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.”

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

“It’s such a long time. What if we can’t make a long-distance relationship work?” “It’s only three months,” I remind her. “That’s twelve weeks, a fourth of a year, or approximately ninety days. It pales in comparison to spending forever with you.”

We might not be ready for a proposal, wedding, or more kids, but that doesn’t stop me from conveying my desire for those things to her. She’s my end game, and whatever challenges we face, we’ll navigate them together.

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

I’m with a man who loves me unconditionally. A man who is giving me the chance to spread my wings and will be there waiting when I’m ready to fly home to him.

He tilts his head as if contemplating whether it’s worth complying before sitting on his haunches. Marlow rushes over to kneel down next to me and Waffles jumps in her lap, yipping with excitement. “I’m so proud of you, boy,” she croons as she scratches him behind the ears. I clear my throat. “What about me?” “You want a good scratch behind the ear too?” she taunts,

Getting a new neighbor didn’t turn out anything as I expected, but now I know what happens when a single dad gets a nanny for his daughter… She becomes their whole universe.