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…

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

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.

“It might be thirsty, so make sure you keep it in water so it doesn’t wilt.” Lola looks up at me. “Daddy, will you get my flower a drink?”

Today is going to be the start of something wonderful.

I’m concerned that Lola’s fascination toward our eccentric neighbor might be contagious.

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

I’ve had all these preconceived notions about Marlow Taylor, and I’m beginning to wonder what others might be wrong.

“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.”

“Marlow’s coming in the morning, and I hate waiting. If I go to sleep now, she’ll be here sooner.” A lump forms in my throat. Lola never acted this way with Kendra, or anyone else for that matter.

“Dylan, what are you doing?” she murmurs. “Thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I say softly.

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

“That’s a damn shame.” Dylan brushes his thumb across my cheek. “You should be reminded every day of how exceptional you are.”

Morning, sunshine, I hope you’re feeling better. These are for you. P.S. They take less time to heat up than a corn dog. -Dylan

“You’re so pretty,” Lola sighs dreamily. “Daddy, don’t you think Marlow’s pretty?” She tilts her head toward Dylan. “Yes, she’s very beautiful.”

Lola moves in between us, taking hold of both of our hands, leading us along.

“If you have a problem with Marlow being here, why don’t you take it up with me since I’m the one who invited her,” Dylan says loud enough for everyone to hear. Oh dear.

I squeak in surprise when Dylan pulls me toward him, turning me around so my back is against his chest, his hand possessively on my hip. “There, now your daughter has plenty of room.” He gives Sarah a terse smile.

“I know what it’s like to be judged for doing things differently than others. As a kid, I wished more than anything that I had someone willing to be patient and see things from my perspective.” Marlow tucks her hair behind her ear. “I want to be that person for Lola. She deserves nothing less.”

Marlow possesses a unique gift for recognizing the positive in people, and my daughter is no exception. She consistently showers Lola with sincere compliments and words of encouragement, and I couldn’t be more appreciative.

I’m captivated by this confident woman who views the world through a k...

“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.”

“Hey, Marlow.” “Yeah, lolabug?” “I love you,” Lola whispers as she wraps her arm around Marlow’s waist.

“That’s incredibly thoughtful of you.” My voice trembles as tears well in my eyes.

“Damn, sunshine.” He squeezes me tighter. “I’ll buy you flowers every day, if it makes you happy.” I’m falling hard for this man.

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

“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.”

“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.”

“So, let me get this straight. Even though you weren’t particularly fond of me when we first met, you took it upon yourself to shovel my driveway and mow my lawn without being asked?” She appears genuinely perplexed. “I liked you from the beginning, sunshine.” I drop a kiss to her sweet lips. “I just wasn’t ready to admit it to myself.”

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

Tears threaten to spill as I hold my little girl in my arms after three months of separation. I’m never letting her out of my sight again.

The next time she wants to go to Paris or anywhere else, we can go as a family because I can’t bear the idea of being apart from her again.

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.