Chapter 6 - Nova

Nine hundred dollars a week was more than I had ever made in a single week. Even if the job only lasted a week, that was nine hundred dollars I could put toward survival. Maybe I could find another job from Friday through Monday and earn enough money to get a better car, or maybe fix the old rust bucket before I had to move on. 

“Um, okay. Sure, I can do that. But I’ve never been a nanny before.” I didn’t want him to think I’d worked with pups before.

Edge frowned, and I knew he was going to take back his offer. Finally, he ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “It would just be until I found someone else. All you have to do is keep her entertained, help her when she needs it, cook her meals, and take her to her physical therapy appointments.”

It was my turn to frown. Natalia’s wheelchair wouldn’t fit in my car. 

“I don’t drive a big car. Her chair won’t fit.” I looked at him and saw my hopes of a nine-hundred-dollar paycheck slipping away. 

Finally, he sighed. “I have a second SUV that is just sitting in the garage. When Natalia has appointments, you’ll use that one.”

My mouth dropped open. He was serious. 

“Okay, then. I guess I will see you tomorrow morning?” Tomorrow was Tuesday. 

“Actually, why don’t you follow us back to the northern packhouse in the morning so you know the way? We’ll leave here at eight. I’ll plan on going into the office after lunch.”

After Edge sauntered off, I stared out the window and tried to figure out why that particular male unsettled me so much. I know I’ve been out of a pack for six years, and the energy and aura surrounding alpha wolves were stronger than I remembered, but Edge made me jumpy, and I felt like I was waiting for something to happen. 

Blanche was shocked when I told her I would be Natalia’s nanny three days a week. She shook her head.

“Your poor car! You really need better transportation if you are driving to the northern territory and back. That’s almost a two-hour drive.” 

My stomach tightened, and my heart dropped. My car was already on its last leg. Maybe luck would hold out long enough for me to get a few paychecks so I could get a different car.

“I’ll just stay up there for those three days, then come back here, if that is okay with you.” Blanche was being so kind and offered to let me stay with her. It was just her couch, but it was better than the car.

She smiled and nodded. “You are welcome in my home anytime. I just wish I had a spare bedroom for you; that couch isn’t the most comfortable thing.”

“It’s warm and dry; I am not complaining one bit.”

I was rethinking that statement when I actually tried to sleep on her dilapidated couch. Several springs kept digging into me no matter which way I turned. Sighing, I took my blanket and pillow and curled up on the floor. It was more comfortable than the couch, even if it was a little colder. 

Morning came way too quickly, but I did get to take a warm shower and wash my hair. That felt absolutely heavenly. Blanche pushed a blueberry bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee toward me when I stepped into her kitchen.

“Breakfast of champions. I haven’t been shopping yet and didn’t know for sure what you liked.” Blanche looked embarrassed that she only gave me a bagel. I was more than grateful for the food and coffee. 

“This is perfect. Thank you, Blanche.” 

I ate slowly. I had learned that when my stomach wasn’t used to food, if I ate too quickly, it revolted. I suppose eating slowly gives it time to adjust. Blanche picked at her bagel and kept watching me. 

“Things have been really bad for you, haven’t they?”

My stomach rolled at that question.

“I manage to get by.” That seemed to be all I had ever done, just get by. 

I didn’t know what it felt like to walk into a grocery store and buy something without first calculating the cost and weighing it against other needs such as new underwear or gas for the car. I have never eaten inside a restaurant or gone to a movie. Those cost too much money. Even my mom never took me to a restaurant. I’ve been to plenty of bars, though, thanks to her. 

“I think things will start to turn around for you, Nova. Edge may be an asshole and a manwhore, but he is fair and will pay you on time.” 

That was a relief. I had been worried that he would back out of paying me after the first week.