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 greeted with a captivating combination of one blue and one green eye. She has a pert nose, full, inviting lips and her cheeks are flushed as she looks down at me. I’m struck by the thought that I’ve never met someone this uniquely beautiful.

I’m what my parents like to call a free spirit. I’ve always been easily distracted, impulsive, and constantly on the move. As college professors who ran their lives like clockwork, it was challenging to raise an exuberant child with a short attention span.

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

“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.”

“Believe it or not, Dylan, I do very well for myself,” she shoots back. “I offered to help because it’s the right thing to do. The only reason I’m not walking out that door”—she motions outside—“is because it would hurt Lola if I did.” I’m momentarily speechless. Despite not being a morning person, and having financial stability, she willingly agreed to this simply because my daughter wanted her to. It’s becoming apparent that I should refrain from making assumptions about her altogether, although it’s easier said than done.

“Dylan, what are you doing?” she murmurs. “Thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I say softly. It’s not the first time. I imagine she tastes like strawberries and pink lemonade, sparking my curiosity to test my theory.

Without a doubt, Marlow Taylor is a genuinely good person. She’s thoughtful, kind, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. I’ve spent so long avoiding emotional connections out of fear of getting hurt, and Marlow is the first person aside from Lola who’s made me truly feel in the past six years.

She’s slowly chipping away at my resolve without even trying, which might explain my impulsive reactions tonight. My physical attraction paired with the emotional pull toward her is an explosive combination, leaving me to question what would have happened if she hadn’t stopped me from kissing her tonight.

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

I rush to judgment more often than not, and Marlow doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment. I’m a cynical son-of-a-bitch with exacting standards and view the world through a critical lens. Whereas she is sunshine personified. An eternal optimist who brightens any room she walks into. When I’m with her, my surroundings appear sunnier, inspiring me to see things in a more positive light.

I’m captivated by this confident woman who views the world through a kaleidoscope of colors. God, it’s no wonder I’m falling for her when she’s so caring, generous, and cheerful. I admire that she marches to the beat of her own drum, refusing to let the world tell her who she should be. Little by little, she is making her way into my heart, and she’s completely unaware of it.

Marlow is different. We have an intense bond beyond physical attraction, and it feels like a magnetic force is drawing us together. She’s brought with her a renewed sense of hope, an emotion that’s long been absent in my life.

For the first time in a long time, I’m truly content. The internal noise inside my head is quiet, and I’m not concerned about sticking to a schedule, cleaning my house, or checking my work email. Marlow is teaching me by example how to live in the moment, and I’m grateful for it.

He lifts me into his arms, and I wrap my arms around his neck. 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.

“Don’t you get it? No one else can make me feel the way you and Lola do. Believe me when I tell you there is nothing better.” A blush creeps across my cheeks at my admission.

He places my hands in his. “I would have paid a million dollars for a Marlow Taylor original. But for this particular piece, I’d give up everything. It’s priceless because I’ll think of you and Lola every time I see it. You’ve brought color into our lives both literally and figuratively, and there isn’t a version of our future without you.”

you’re mine. Now and forever,” he vows. This might not be the first time he’s said those three little words, but they hold a new meaning. 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.