There was light yellow paint on the walls and pretty landscape art. The chairs looked like something in a high-end parlor, not a waiting room. One that was slightly busy at the moment, too.

  She signed her name on the sheet and took a seat, not sure what or where she was supposed to go. Max just told her to show up on Monday, so she did…bright and early thirty minutes after they opened. She would have gotten here when they first opened, but figured that would look almost too eager.

  “Quinn Baker,” she heard after a few minutes, and stood up to make her way to the receptionist. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see your name on my appointment list today. Are you looking for a consult?”

  Quinn leaned in closer to make sure she wasn’t overheard. “I’m here for paperwork. I’m Max’s—sorry, Dr. Hamilton’s new nanny. Or housekeeper. Not sure, but anyway, I’m here for paperwork.”

  “Oh,” the receptionist said, her smile bright and a tad bit mischievous. “I didn’t know he hired someone already. Let me just call back to the business office.”

  Quinn waited and looked around the office a bit more at the patients in the waiting room writing on clipboards. None of them looked like high-end plastic surgery patients to her. She kind of expected to see big boobs and fat lips, maybe even a frozen forehead or two.

  “Quinn, Pamela will be right up. She’s the office manager. I’m Ava, by the way. I’m sure I’ll be talking to you. Jennifer used to call the office all the time. Of course, she liked using the house phone and calling the main line rather than Dr. Hamilton’s cell phone. Jennifer has this thing about leaving messages on cell phones.”

  “Thanks,” Quinn said and sat down.

  Ava seemed nice enough, young and friendly. Almost a little too chipper for Quinn, but she shrugged and continued on. She doubted she’d have much interaction with the office staff. If she needed Max—Dr. Hamilton—she’d call his cell. That’s what he told her to do.

  “Quinn,” another young woman said, walking forward and holding her hand out. “I’m Pamela, the office manager. Come on back to my office. Dr. Hamilton told me you were coming in, though he didn’t say you’d be this early.”

  “I figured I’d get it over with before I started my day.”

  “The best way to do things,” Pamela said, also smiling.

  Geez, was everyone overly happy in this office, or were they told to be that way?

  Quinn followed Pamela down a hallway, trying to take in the sight of the place. More soft colors and artwork on the wall. Several rooms that had beds in them that looked soft and relaxing at the same time. Nothing resembling a doctor’s exam room she’d ever seen before, not even on TV. This looked more like a spa in her mind.

  “What exactly goes on in those rooms? They don’t look like exam rooms to me.”

  “The rooms we just passed?” Pamela asked, and turned down another hallway where a few offices were located. “Those are rooms for treatments. Botox and fillers, chemical peels, age spot removal, things like that. It’s better to give the rooms a spa-like relaxing feel for the clients while they’re here.”

  Exactly what Quinn expected. She was trying not to feel out of place, wondering if Max was looking at her and deciding what work she needed done on her face or body.

  “So that’s all you do here?”

  “Oh dear, no. Max, and we call him Max, not Dr. Hamilton, as long as patients aren’t around. Anyway, Max doesn’t do any of those treatments. The PAs do.”

  “PA?”

  “Physician Assistants. We have a Medical Aesthetician on staff too. She does laser hair removal, age spots, skin treatments, and such. The PAs do the more invasive facial type procedures and tattoo removals along with scar reductions.”

  This was all over Quinn’s head. When she thought of plastic of surgery, she thought of lipo and boob jobs, that was it. “So what does Max do?”

  “He does all the surgeries. But we don’t just do the usual here that people think of. You know, breast augmentation and liposuction. Don’t get me wrong, he does those, too. Along with butt lifts, cheek implants…the list goes on and on. Really, Max does more serious medical procedures. People come far and wide for him. Breast cancer patients getting reconstruction, facial and body injuries, skin cancer reconstruction. Anything to minimize scarring. He’s also had training in hand injuries. You’d be surprised how many people cut their hands and damage nerves. He can do just about anything. He’s really talented, but those bigger surgeries are done in the hospitals. Just check-ups and smaller procedures are done here.”

  “Okay,” Quinn said, her head still spinning. At least it seemed Max wasn’t completely superficial with his work.

  Pamela leaned in and lowered her voice. “Don’t say this, but his talents are really wasted here. He moved from New York City and was part of a huge practice. I know he moved for the kids, and though this practice is growing faster than he can keep up with now, I still can’t believe he left the big city.”

  “I’m sure he had his reasons,” Quinn said politely.

  At least she knew where Max was from now. Jennifer had said they’d been here over a year and she had only agreed to stay that long.

  “Anyway,” Pamela said, waving her hand, “I’ve got your paperwork right here. It’s really only a few sheets of paper to sign. Everything else is online. If you want, you can fill it out right here, or you can fill it out at home.”

  Since she didn’t own a computer or have internet access, she said, “Might as well do it all now since I’m here, just in case I have any questions.”

  “Perfect. Here’s a few forms you need to sign and the background forms to fill out. Those get scanned, then filed away. The original forms go with you to the State Trooper barracks where they will scan your fingerprints. I’m just going to run and grab the extra laptop for you. I’ll be back in a second. Oh and before I forget, have you gotten a flu shot this year?”

  “No, why?” Flu shot. Please, that was the last thing she ever thought of getting.

  “All employees have to get one. It’s mandatory. I know you aren’t working in this office, but you will be around Max so it’s to prevent healthcare workers from getting sick also. One of the nurses can come in and give it to you, no worries.”

  “Okay.” It didn’t sound like she had a choice, so there wasn’t much more she could say.

  Quinn watched Pamela leave and picked up the forms, the dread creeping in. She’d been honest with Max on her history, but she didn’t think anyone else other than him would see her background. Would Max be embarrassed if his staff knew?

  “Hey, Quinn,” Max said from the doorway. “You’re here bright and early.”

  “I guess I was a little excited. Thank you again for the opportunity.”

  “We’re happy to have you on board. The kids are going to miss Jennifer, but no one is going to miss her cooking.”

  She was pleased that she’d won them over with such a simple meal. It gave her confidence for the rest of the job.

  “Uh, could I talk to you for a second…privately?”

  “Sure. Come in my office quick.”

  Quinn stood up to follow Max out when Pamela turned the corner and almost bumped into her. “Sorry,” Pamela said.

  “I’m just going to have a quick word with Quinn. She’ll be right back,” Max said.

  “No problem, I’ll be here,” Pamela replied as she sat behind her desk.

  “Is everyone so happy here?” Quinn asked when Max shut the door to his office.

  “That’s what you wanted to talk to me about?” he asked, grinning.

  She hadn’t meant to say that, not at all. She looked at him standing there watching her. He was wearing scrubs today and she wondered if that was the dress attire in the office. Both Ava and Pamela were pretty casual themselves, but not in scrubs like the rest of the staff she noticed walking around.

  “No, sorry. About the background check?”

  “Is there more you didn’t tell me?” he asked, narrowing his eyes and not looking real pleased.

  She rushed out fast, “No, not at all. I told you everything. I swear I did. And you’ll find out anyway. It’s just, I didn’t know anyone else was going to see these forms, and well…I didn’t know if you wanted anyone to see I might have a history. If I even do, which I might not.”

  He looked at her closely, held her stare, then nodded his head. “My staff can be trusted, but maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t want anyone to know. You can leave it off, that’s fine.”

  “Thank you. It’s just, when I sign it, it says that I’m acknowledging I don’t have a criminal record, and I really don’t know if I do. I don’t want to lie either.”

  “You’re kind of a straight arrow, aren’t you?”

  No one had ever said that to her before. Not even close. “I don’t know. I guess probably not, at least in most people’s eyes.”

  “In your eyes then. What do you think?”

  “I think I am, but did what I needed to in order to survive. Or to help my brothers and sister. Sometimes that meant breaking the law and that definitely doesn’t make me a straight arrow.”

  “Not in the eyes of the law it doesn’t, but I’m not the law.”

  She didn’t know what he meant by that statement. “Is it okay if I just leave the criminal part blank when it’s scanned here and then fill it in before I bring it to the station?”

  “Let me see it,” he said, reaching for the form. “It reads ‘to the best of your knowledge do you have a criminal history?’ Leaving it blank isn’t lying. To the best of your knowledge, you don’t have one. You don’t know one way or another if something that happened when you were a juvenile is there or not. You aren’t lying. Leave it completely blank, even when you turn it in. If anything comes up on your background check that doesn’t coincide with what you told me, then I’ll be rescinding my employment offer.”

  “That’s fair,” Quinn said, feeling the heat rushing to her face. She couldn’t lose this job. “Nothing will. I know that. It’s only the shoplifting. I promise.”

  “Okay, then we should be set. Jennifer said you were stopping out this week to work alongside her a few days? When are you finished working at the restaurant?”

  “I have an afternoon shift tomorrow and two morning shifts this week, then I’m done waitressing. And just two dinner shifts at the restaurant where I’m a line cook on Thursday and Friday.”

  “Then you’ll be full time with Jennifer next week?”

  “Yes, for the full week before she leaves. Is that okay? Is it too much having us both there? I can wait until she is gone if you want.”

  “No, no problem there. That should be plenty of time. There’s a lot she can show you, and things will come up last minute, too. You need time to move in also. Let Jennifer know if you need a moving service, and she’ll arrange it for you.”

  “I didn’t think I would move in until Jennifer left. Did you want us both there?”

  This was even better. With it being the last day of the month, her landlord was charging her by the week now, which was at a higher rate than normal, but still less than a full month as long as she only stayed two more weeks.

  “There’s plenty of room, don’t worry. Move in whenever you want.”

  “Thanks. Do you want to wait until the background check comes back?”

  “Do I need to?” he asked, eying her again.

  “No, nothing is going to change.” She knew that, but just wanted to throw it out there.

  “Then you can start to move in today if you want, for all I care. Though I doubt we can get a moving service with this late notice.”

  “I don’t need one.” I can’t afford it anyway.

  “Sounds good. I guess I’ll see you soon. Welcome aboard,” he said, holding his hand out to her.

  Take Care of Us

  Max watched Quinn walk out of his office and took a seat behind his desk to look over his schedule for the day. He’d seen several people in the waiting room and knew his nurses were prepping the outpatient procedure he had coming up.

  Leaning back in his chair, he had a few minutes to think about his conversation with Quinn.

  He really didn’t know what to make of her. She seemed to lack confidence in general—except when she was cooking the other night. And when she was inquiring about the job. That morning, she was all business.

  Yes, he completely thought of her as a straight arrow. He didn’t miss the embarrassment creeping up her face over her background. Though she’d broken the law in her life, it didn’t bother him. Not unless something else came back on her background check, but he didn’t think anything would.

  She just seemed so honest to him. From the first conversation he had with her, he noticed it. Direct eye contact, her light greenish-brown eyes staring at his, never wavering, never losing focus, and never looking away. Maybe confidence wasn’t the issue.

  Then the wonder on her face when looking at his house on Saturday night. How she watched the kids and sincerely talked to them, getting them to open up and help her with dinner.

  She wasn’t afraid to tell them they should learn to do for themselves. Not in a dictating way, but more in a you-will-be-a-better-person way. That’s what he wanted for his kids. He didn’t want them to be spoiled and privileged and expect people to wait on them, or hand them everything on a silver platter. Not like their mother expected.

  Davey was still struggling from the divorce and the move, he knew. He spent most of his time in his room. When he wasn’t in his room, he said very little and participated even less.

  Except Saturday night, Davey cracked the barest of smiles at one point, and almost looked excited when putting his own sandwich together while Quinn explained how certain foods enhanced other flavors.

  Lara, she was easy. Lara loved anyone who would listen to her, so Max wasn’t worried there in the least.

  The more he watched Quinn on Saturday and how the kids interacted with her, the more he warmed up to the idea of hiring her. Then on Sunday, when he called a family meeting, it was pretty unanimous they hire Quinn. Davey’s shoulder shrug was better than most answers Max received, so he took that as a positive.

  When he called Quinn late Sunday afternoon, he could hear the surprise in her voice, and then the excitement. Let’s not forget how many times she said, “Thank you. You won’t regret this. I promise you.”

  He didn’t think he’d have regrets hiring Quinn to watch after the kids and take care of the house. Nope, he really thought this was going to turn out just right…for the kids.

  Maybe not so much for him though, not when he woke up this morning and realized he’d been dreaming about her. Her long blonde hair that he’d been holding in his hand. The smell of her, clean and fresh, and the softness of her skin next to his. Well, then he started to wonder if he’d regret having her under his roof.

  It had been almost two years since he’d been with a woman. Not since before his divorce. He hoped it was just natural urges that caused that dream.

  Yeah, that’s what it was.

  At least he hoped, because now he had to live in the same house as Quinn. If he was dreaming about her before she moved in, how much worse would it be after? When he’d see her day in and day out. When she was walking around his house, doing his laundry, making his bed.

  His body started to stir. Oh boy, not good. Not good at all. What had he gotten himself into?

  ***

  “Hi, Lily,” Quinn said, answering her phone. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school right now?”

  “No, I got home about ten minutes ago.”

  Quinn looked at the clock on the wall in her apartment and realized she’d lost track of time while packing. “How’s everything going? Is everything okay?”

  “Why do you always think there is something wrong when I call? How come I can’t just call my sister to say hi?”

  Because Quinn was so used to taking care of everyone and everything, that she never expected anyone to call just to say hi. There was always some emergency situation or some fire to put out.

  “How often does that happen? Did you get in trouble?”

  Lily laughed on the other end. The carefree teenage laugh that she should have. One of a senior in high school getting ready to have fun and enjoy her life. Something Quinn never experienced.

  “Tess and Ronnie wouldn’t even let me call you if I was in trouble. I’d be grounded right now.”

  Tess and Ronnie Webster were Lily’s foster parents. Of the four of them, Lily hit gold. Quinn had wanted to take Lily in a few years ago, but she knew she’d never be able to. She didn’t have a steady full-time job, she didn’t have a good secure place to live, and she was barely able to keep her own head above water, just moving around looking for the next job. Even hiding from her mother when she needed to. She wouldn’t put Lily through that.

  Once Quinn realized that the Websters were the real deal—people who didn’t just want the monthly check and actually cared—she was able to breathe a little easier. As much as she wanted to raise Lily and try to keep their family somewhat together, she knew she couldn’t give Lily the life she was getting now.

  That Lily’s foster parents let Quinn be such a big part of her life was the icing on the cake, even if it was many states away, with Lily still in Chicago…the same as her brothers.

  “So not you then. Have you talked to your brothers?”

  “You know I’m not allowed to talk to Karl,” Lily reminded Quinn.

  Karl had spent a month in jail on pot possession. Not a serious drug, but he’d been caught enough times that the courts finally hit him with time. It was their hope it’d clean Karl up, and though it did seem to be working, Tess and Ronnie refused to let Lily have any communication with him, and Quinn really couldn’t blame them. They were only trying to do what was right by Lily.

  “What about Brett?”

  There was some silence on the other end, and finally Lily said, “Annie’s pregnant again.”

  “What!” Quinn said. There was the reason for the call. She’d been leaving messages for Brett for weeks and he hadn’t responded with much more than a few short text messages. “The baby is only three months old.”