(Jayden)


    I''m trying not to feel like we''re auditioning for the next season of Who Wants to Join the Brennan Circus. And I''ve already taken two calls from our afternoon shortlist saying they''ve taken other positions. That leaves two for this afternoon''s session.


    The first is Eric, a fresh-faced twenty-something with dreadlocks, wearing a tie-dye hoodie and Birkenstocks. He walks in like he''s about to lead a yoga retreat, and I immediately have doubts. "Thanks foring in, Eric," I say, extending a hand.


    Eric gives me a two-handed shake and beams. "Namaste, Mr. Brennan. Your aura is very weing."


    Winona shoots me a look, her eyebrow practically climbing into her hairline.


    "I''ve worked as a live-in nanny for two families," Eric says, his voice calm and measured. "I focus on mindfulness practices for children-teaching them to ground themselves, manage their emotions, and find inner peace." Anne furrows her brow. "And how do you handle structure? Rules? Boundaries?"


    Eric tilts his head, thoughtful. "Children don''t need rules; they need understanding. I believe, given enough time, they wille to see what they''ve done wrong and adjust their behavior."


    Winona leans back, lips twitching like she''s holding back augh. "Interesting approach."


    When Eric leaves, Winona lets out a long breath. "Inner peace? Adjust their approach? With our kids? He''ll be eaten alive."


    Anneughs. "By breakfast time."


    The next candidate glides in, and she''s impossible to miss. udia is tall, curvy, with tinum blond hair. Her crimson dress hugs every inch of her body like it was painted on.


    Her stilettos click against the wooden floor, and her smile is almost as dazzling as her cleavage, both aimed squarely at me.


    "Mr. Brennan," udia purrs, extending a perfectly manicured hand. "It''s a pleasure to meet you."


    Winona clears her throat loudly, drawing udia''s attention. "And Mrs. Brennan. A pleasure, of course," udia adds with less enthusiasm.


    As we dive into questions, udia leans forward, her gaze locked on mine, her voice oozing with charm. "I believe children thrive with a nurturing presence. And I''m excellent at providing... personal attention."


    I can feel Winona''s eyes burning into the side of my face, but I keep my expression neutral. "That''s an important quality," I say seriously while waiting for Winona''s p up the side of my head.


    "I also have experience as a fitness trainer," she continues, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "Perhaps I could assist with... family health goals? Being physical is a passion of mine."


    I nod and nce at Winona. I shouldn''t goad her, but this process is doing my head in. I need some fun.


    Winona''s lips thin into a tight smile. "How versatile."


    When udia finally leaves, I exhale, leaning back in my chair. "She''s got a lot of assets to consider," I say, unable to resist.


    "Yes, and two of those assets came in the door five minutes before the rest of her did. She''s out," Winona says tly, tapping her pen against the table.


    Anne stifles augh.


    "I think we should give her another interview." I grin at her. "She clearly has skills."


    Winona narrows her eyes. "This is a nanny search, not an audition for The Real Housewives of Brennan Acres. Now stop teasing me and let''s get down to a decision."


    "I guess we need to look over this morning''s list again or make a new list for another day." I''m not sure I can do this again, but I will. For my family.


    "You have to get to Brussels, we


    don''t have time for another list. Maybe we bring more than one on board?" Winona starts to clean up the coffee mugs when Henry''s wailes through the baby monitor.


    "I''ll get him," she says and heads for the nursery.


    I sigh, standing up and stretching. "Well, that was a waste of time."


    Anne


    find


    the dishwasher. "We''ll


    the Som Might take a v


    let


    In the meantime, I''m here


    for as long as needed." belongs to


    "I can fly back when we get another list together."


    Winona is back, Henry squirming in her arms. "It''s way too quiet. Where are the kids?"


    Anne frowns, ncing out the back door. "They were in the yard a minute ago."


    We all rush out to the backyard. Nothing.


    "Bobby! Abbey! Sarah!" Winona calls, her voice sharp.


    No answer.


    "They wouldn''t go far," I said, though my chest tightens with every passing second of silence. "They know better than to go into the wooded area alone," Winona said, gripping Henry tighter.


    But as we near the tree line, faintughter carries through the air.


    We followed the sound, pushing through the brush until we get to the clearing.


    And here they are. With twoplete strangers.


    Bobby leans over the shoulder of a tall guy with messy brown curls and a NASA t-shirt, both of them focused on a Nintendo Switch.


    Abbey sits cross-legged beside a


    petite woman with cropped silver hair andbat boots. The woman was sketching something in al notebook, Abbey''s eyes wide as she points at the page.


    Sarah is standing behind her looking just as transfixed as Abbey.


    The two strangers look up as we approach.


    "Hey!" the guy says, raising a hand. "You must be the parentals. Cool kids you''ve got here."


    "Who the fuck are you?" Winona demands.


    "I''m Kit," the guy said. "And this is River. Gus told us to swing by."


    "Gus?" I echo, confusion swirling in my head.


    As if on cue, Gus emerges from behind us, his grin wide.


    "Pop Pop reporting for duty!" he announces, scooping Henry out of Winona''s arms before she can protest.


    "Wait a second," Winona said, narrowing her eyes at him. "What''s going on here?"


    "These two," Gus said, nodding toward Kit and River. "I found your nannies."


    River and Kit exchange a nce.


    They look as surprised as we feel.