It’s not like I could tell them all to fuck off in front of Gran. My brothers could be a handful sometimes.
“I disagree. I think it’s exactly what you need. I wonder who Travis, Sam, and Luke would side with. Maybe we should call them and find out,” Tyler continued conversationally.
This time, I chuckled.
We did this a lot, randomly giving opinions on each other’s lives. Things could get out of hand when we were all together. It had always been this way.
Declan and I were Mom’s “generals” only because Luke, the second oldest, had made it his mission to cause mayhem. The funniest fact was that he almost always convinced us to get into trouble—to this day, he still counted talking Sam and Travis into pranking Gran that they had chickenpox by painting red dots on themselves as one of his top ten achievements.
It was probably why Declan became a lawyer. He spent so much time getting us out of hot water that it was an obvious career choice. Sam and Travis, the youngest ones, were like a weird mashup between Declan and Luke. Depending on what the situation required, they were the troublemakers or the saviors. It had been fascinating to watch.
“I dare you to call them this early on Saturday,” I said. “They’re gonna bust your ba—”
I cleared my throat, stopping before I said “balls.”
Gran shook her head. “I’ll pretend I haven’t heard anything. But I think Tate’s got enough on his plate with the three of us offering our opinions. And I don’t think you can get ahold of Sam or Travis.”
That was true. Sam was on the other side of the world working for Doctors Without Borders. Clearly he’d followed his savior instinct. Travis was in the process of selling his hugely successful startup—and he was working nonstop.
Tyler only had so much time on his hands because he was the goalie for the Chicago Blades—the hottest hockey team since they won the Stanley Cup. He had summers off, but otherwise he was always busy.
Gran sighed. "Well, if you ever change your mind and decide I could handle it, I'm up for the job. I love my great-granddaughter and would adore spending more time with her."
I knew she did, but Gran was eighty-two, and no matter what she said, she couldn't keep up with Paisley for more than a weekend.
Checking my watch, I said, "I promised Paisley I would take her out on the boat today. Anyone want to come with us?"
"No, no. I don’t like boats. They make me queasy," Gran said. “I came to have breakfast with you all.”
Saturday was the unofficial get-together day of the Maxwells, but I suspected the news about the nanny also had something to do with these three dropping by unannounced for breakfast.
Declan clapped a hand on my shoulder. "As much as I like spending time with my niece, I've got a lunch date today, and I have to leave. I don't want to be late. Gran, want me to drop you off at home?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you, dear.”
“I’m coming with you, Tate. I don’t have anything better to do today,” Tyler said to me. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and end up with a date too.”
I stared at him, narrowing my eyes. “You’re not going to use an outing with my daughter and me to pick up women.”
Tyler smirked. “I can’t use you, that’s true. But women have a thing for hot uncles. For hot single dads too, I hear—not that it’s working for you.”
“Very funny. Don’t make me take back the invitation,” I warned.
“Paisley asked me earlier, and I said yes, so don’t even try it. You don’t want to disappoint your daughter, now do you?”
“Tyler. Behave,” Gran jumped in.
“Never,” he responded, walking over to Gran kissing her cheek. The man had no shame.
Gran laughed, shaking her head. “You six are responsible for every strand of white hair I have. And that goes for your parents too. I’d always hoped you’d all have boys just as rambunctious as you were to see what you put us through. There’s still time. And then I’ll sit back and chuckle as you try to outmaneuver their shenanigans.”
Neither of my brothers was seeing anyone seriously, so I doubted Gran’s wish would come true anytime soon.
After she and Declan left, I headed up the spiral staircase to my daughter's room while Tyler waited for us downstairs. She was lying on the bed, reading her favorite story, Snow White.
"Paisley?" I said. "Want to go out on the boat?"
She jumped to her feet. "Yes, Daddy." Running up to me, she laced her small arms around my legs and looked up at me. "And can we also walk along the shore and collect stones, please?" She was batting her eyelashes, making me laugh. Paisley looked a lot like the Maxwell side of the family. We all had dark brown hair, though she didn’t inherit my blue eyes. Paisley had my mom’s green ones, just like my younger brother Sam. My dad and other brothers had the dominant brown shade.
"Sure, Pea. Come on. Let's go."
When I got back, I’d have to look at a stack of applications to figure out the next steps, but it was only Saturday, and I had until Monday to tell the agency which candidates I wanted to interview. I was going to spend tomorrow looking at résumés before preparing for the week ahead. It was going to be busy. Summer was one of the peak times in the wine business, and I didn’t mind one bit putting in extra hours. Maxwell Wineries was my pride and joy. I got the wine bug from Dad. The two of us spent hours on the family vineyard when I was a kid.
As Paisley and I went down the spiral staircase, her laughter echoed throughout the house.
It was good that my family came and went whenever they pleased, and the door was always open to them. Between Gran, my parents, and my siblings, we never lacked company, but even so, it didn't entirely feel like a home.
Many years ago, I’d wanted a huge family, but I’d made my peace with the fact that it wasn’t in the cards for me. For now, I had one goal: find the best nanny for Paisley.
Chapter Two
Lexi
“Lexi, you don’t have to do this,” Dad said.
“Dad, we’re not having this conversation again. Besides, my interview is in half an hour. No way will I back down now. How is Mom feeling?”
“She’s taking it easy.”
“I’ll call you both after the interview. I have to get ready. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Good luck, hon. And thank you.”
“Love you, Dad. Bye.”
As soon as the call disconnected, I started getting dressed. My interview was at eight o’clock sharp. I checked the weather, to make sure it wouldn’t rain. I enjoyed Chicago in the summer. Most people didn't like the hot and humid climate, but I loved it. It felt like one long vacation, which was pretty appropriate in my case. As an elementary school teacher, I had summers off, and usually I occupied that time with long, lazy days in the sun on Lake Michigan. But this summer, things were a little bit different. I decided to take a temp job.
My mom was in and out of the hospital after undergoing two heart surgeries this past year, and the medical bills were piling up. My parents were both retired, and there was no way they could afford everything. Even though they didn’t ask, I offered to help. I put out my résumé, looking for any temporary job that would fit my qualifications.