Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 61 - Chapitre 70

Barbecue at the Bakers

**Kierra**“Mommy, this is a big house.”“It is, baby,” I agreed as we walked hand-in-hand to the front door of Jonathan Baker’s estate. The house was breathtaking, but it was the yard that captivated my attention. I’d never seen grass so green, and I felt like I was staring at a sea of soft emeralds of Kentucky Bluegrass.I paused once we reached the large, ornate front door, unable to find the courage to announce our presence. My eyes widened when Kiyah lifted on her toes and pressed the doorbell.“Thanks a lot,” I grumbled.“You’re welcome, Mommy!” she exclaimed, not picking up on the slight sarcasm. We didn’t have to wait long until the door was opened by an honest-to-God goddess.“You’re here!” the woman greeted excitedly.“W-we’re here,” I stammered, feeling slightly intimidated by the radiant woman. I nearly squinted when the sun caught the massive rock on her finger.Somebody loves this woman very much.“I’m Simone, and you must be Kierra and Kiyah. Oh, my goodness. She’s so a

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-26

The Crying Nanny

**Jonathan**I heard feet pattering and was tackled from behind. “Hi, Mr. Jonathan!” Kiyah greeted me excitedly, looking up at me.“Hi, Kiyah. It’s good to see you. I’m glad you could make it,” I said, easing her away from the barbecue grill.“Uncle Ant gave me this!” she exclaimed, shoving her popsicle towards me.“Uncle Ant, huh? Is that what he told you to call him?” She nodded and broke the popsicle into several pieces before slipping a bit into her mouth.“No fair. I want a popsicle,” Grant fussed as he joined us on the deck.“Me too,” Casey huffed.“Popsicle,” Daisy demanded, following closely behind Casey. She followed him like a shadow. It wasn’t surprising since Grant gave off “touch me and die” vibes like his Uncle Ant.“Okay, you guys can get a popsicle, but you need to meet Kierra and Kiyah first.”“Are they really going to live with us?” Grant asked, eyeing Kiyah cautiously. I knew that look very well. It was the same disapproving side-eye Eliza would give.“Yes, if every

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-27

Pulling the Trigger

**Kierra**“A-are you hitting on me?” I asked, staring down at Jonathan.He swallowed roughly and adjusted his glasses before standing. I smiled a little when I noticed his cheeks were as red as radishes. I watched curiously as he beat the imaginary dust off his clothes—buying himself time to respond.Jonathan shoved his hands into the pockets of his white linen shorts and rocked back and forth in his tan boat shoes, looking as if he were rushing a fraternity. I wasn’t knocking his style—it suited him and paired nicely with his clean-cut aesthetic.“Hitting on you?” he asked inquisitively through squinted eyes. “I-I wouldn’t. That would be in poor taste. You are objectively beautiful, and I don’t think a few tears and a snotty nose would change that.”“Well, if that’s the case, then I appreciate the compliment.”“Great. Because that’s what it was…a compliment,” he said, continuing to blush.Cute.“Since we’re paying compliments, how did you get your hands on that Rembrandt?”His eyes

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

The Interview

**Kierra**“Why do you want this job?”Is he serious? The money and free housing are enough for me to consider.“While the benefits package is impressive, working for you will allow me to remain a stay-at-home mother. I want to be present for Kiyah as much as possible while we continue to…transition. She seems like she has it all together, but sometimes her grief hits her like a Mack truck, and I want to be there to comfort her. I can’t do that working twelve-hour shifts.”I bit back a smile when he drew a smiley face on the page.“Thank you for your response. Next question: Have you ever worked in childcare before?”“I babysat for newborns to pre-teens throughout high school, but I feel that I gained the most experience after becoming a mother myself.”He nodded.“Do you have CPR and baby first aid training?”“I am CPR-certified. We had an incident once with Kiyah and a French fry. It scared me to death and had me rushing to sign up for CPR classes.”Jonathan sighed. “I had my own ch

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Moving in with the Bakers

**Kierra****A Week Later**“Kiyah! Seatbelt!” I warned in the rear-view mirror when I caught her bouncing around the backseat. She ignored me and jumped across the seat to the back driver’s side window. “That’s it. I’m pulling over, and then we’ll never make it!”“No! I want to see Mr. Jonathan and Granny and Case and Daisy,” she whined as she buckled her seatbelt.“Hey, Ki. Do you remember what I told you? Grant doesn’t like to be called Granny.”“But it’s funny,” she giggled.“I know it’s a little funny, but we have to remember to do what?”“Respect…balconies?”“Boundaries,” I corrected.“Boundaries,” she mumbled.“When someone sets boundaries, they are letting you know what makes them feel safe and respected. Wouldn’t you be upset if Grant called you KiKi?”I smirked when Kiyah seethed from the backseat.She hates being called KiKi.“Can I play on the trampoline when we get there?”“Maybe after we get settled.”“Did you pack all my toys?”I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Kiyah. I have your

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Welcome to the Family

**Jonathan**Kierra took off at breakneck speed to rescue Kiyah. I took a gulp from my wine and trailed her at a slower pace. My phone vibrated in my back pocket. I was surprised to see a text from Eliza asking if she could pick up the kids.Jonathan: No.Eliza: No? Why are you keeping the kids from me?Jonathan: I’m not keeping the kids from you. It’s not your weekend. You can pick them up next weekend.Eliza: I know I missed some weekends, but you don’t have to be an asshole.There she goes with the name-calling. I won’t let her bait me.Jonathan: Some? How about most.Eliza: Life happens. Things come up.Jonathan: You’d have to be the unluckiest person alive to have life happen to you every other weekend.Eliza: You won’t keep me from seeing the kids.Jonathan: Have a good day, Eliza.“Daddy, why are they crying?” Casey asked once I arrived at Kiyah’s bedroom.“I think they’re happy,” I answered, watching Kierra console Kiyah, who kept burying her face in her mother’s shirt. I shoo

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Late Night Gossip

**Jonathan**“Hello?” I whispered into the phone as I maneuvered around sleeping children to exit the media room. The rest of the day sped by as Kierra and Kiyah settled in. We ordered pizzas for dinner and watched The Little Mermaid before the kids passed out on their bean bag chairs in the media room. I thought about moving them to their beds, but the last thing I wanted to do was deal with four bright-eyed and bushy-tailed children at 10:00 at night.“How did the move-in day go?” Anthony asked. I immediately picked up on his suggestive tone.“Not how you think it did,” I drawled.“I’m shocked, considering how hard you were checking Kierra out at the barbecue.”I sputtered. “I-I was not.”“You weren’t? Let’s ask the jury. Simone?”“Don’t ask Simone,” I sighed, knowing she would corroborate his story.“Dammit, Anthony, I was just falling asleep. What do you want?” Simone mumbled softly.“Jonathan said he wasn’t checking Kierra out at the barbecue.”I overheard her tsk in the backgrou

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Late Night Chat

**Jonathan**“You’re too pretty to smoke,” I said, announcing my presence and sliding the door shut behind me.“There you go hitting on me again.”“That’s me being objective again.”“Of course you are,” Kierra chuckled, offering me a cigarette.“FYI, I’m not good with peer pressure,” I admitted, accepting the smoke.“Welcome to the dark side.”“Thanks. Where’s my welcome basket?” I asked, slipping the cigarette butt between my lips. I leaned in for the light.“I’m sorry, but I’m not as charitable as you.”I snorted. “Noted. I didn’t know you smoked.”“I don’t. Well, at least, not usually. I’ll have one every once in a while, when I’m thinking of him.”“Was Rory a smoker?”Kierra chuckled and ashed her cigarette. “He smoked like a chimney. If this job didn’t claim him, then the cigarettes would.”“You never know. Some people lived to be well in their nineties and smoked two packs a day.”“There are always exceptions to the rule.”“True. Any other vices I should be aware of?”“If I told

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Surprise Visits

**Jonathan**“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. I’m late,” I muttered, clearing the last stair while attempting to wrangle my tie.“Jonathan! You have two minutes!” Kierra yelled from the kitchen. “Grant, please sit and eat your breakfast. Casey, slow down before you choke. Kiyah, stop sucking down all that juice and eat. Daisy, you keep doing what you’re doing, sweetie,” I heard her tell the children as I entered the kitchen.“Good morning, everyone,” I rushed out. I was greeted by a cacophony of good mornings from the children as I searched the cabinet for my coffee travel mug.“Coffee and breakfast are on the kitchen island.”I turned to find my favorite stainless steel travel mug and a small blue lunchbox waiting for me.“Thank you, Kierra. You’re a godsend,” I muttered, unscrewing the lid.“There are two creams and two sugars in there.”“How did you know? I never told you how I liked my coffee.”“Grant told me,” she confessed as she wiped syrup from Daisy’s face, giving her the full mother

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-29

Playdate

**Kierra**It was August, and the sun was relentless. I was grateful for the shade the trees provided, and considered jumping in the pool for a late-night swim after the kids were down. Simone and I decided to pick up sandwiches and salads from a nearby deli and picnic at the park. We barely managed to get the girls to sit long enough to eat before they sprinted to the playground. The girls got along okay, with Kiyah sometimes playing mediator between Nori and Daisy and begging for them to “just get along.”My eyes wandered from the girls when I heard moaning from beside me. “That coffee cake can’t be that damn good.”“Better than sex,” Simone hummed as she devoured the cake.“Poor Anthony,” I laughed. “I’m surprised he didn’t try to join us.”“He would’ve if he could. He’s in physical therapy. But enough about him, how have you been settling in?”“Surprisingly well, if I’m being honest. I thought there would be some transition issues, but Kiyah has been getting along with Jonathan’s

Dernière mise à jour : 2025-08-30

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