“That’s up to your sister to offer, not you,” Mom says, sliding water wings onto each of the boys’ arms. “Okay, off you go. Walking, no running on the patio!” Both boys walk as fast as they can and go through the pool gate.

“Hold it! Wait for my count!” Mom calls out. The boys stand at the edge of the pool at the shallow end and wait, giggling.

“Ready? One…two…three!” And they both jump in and start splashing around happily.

Mason looks at me, eyes twinkling. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t put you on the spot like that. Besides, I’d be looking for someone experienced.”

“Oh, Sam’s a very experienced babysitter,” Mom says.

“Oh? Uh, well, I’m sure she is. No offense, but I’d want someone who specializes in newborns and infants,” he says. “Someone with CPR certification, and, um, you know, someone who could recognize common newborn problems and issues.”

“She has child and infant CPR certification from the Red Cross,” Mom says, proudly. I give her the side-eye and she looks away.

Baby Drew squirms and lets out a cry. Mason takes the bottle out of his mouth. “Finished! That was fast.” He lifts the child to his shoulder and pats his back gently.

The baby has a pretty good burp. “Ahh, good one!” Mason and I say it at the same time.

We both smile. Then, to me, Mason says, “I didn’t realize there was such a thing as babysitting certifications. It’s cool that you know how to do first aid and CPR on babies and kids, though. I mean, hopefully, you’ll never need to use it, but it’s a good thing to have.”

“Yes. But, honestly, there’s only so much that can be wrong with a healthy baby. You know…they eat, sleep and poop.”

“They poop a lot,” Mason mutters, rubbing the baby’s back. “So how long have you been certified, Samantha?”

“I took the Red Cross certification course when I was fifteen. And a few others since then. I’ve babysat a lot. I prefer sitting for babies and newborns, actually.”

“Oh, really? And how old are you now?”

“I just turned twenty-one. But, I wasn’t planning on doing any babysitting right now, frankly. I’m taking the summer off.”

“Ah.” He shifts the baby in his arms and sighs. “Well, that’s cool. I need someone who’s willing to help with the night feedings, anyway. Someone to spell me off so I can get some sleep.”

I nod, seeing that he’s not convinced, but I don’t care. He’s probably thinking I’m too young or irresponsible or something, which is fine by me.

Mason’s a hottie and I feel sorry for him, but I don’t want to be babysitting, much less getting up at night with a newborn.

Even if the daddy’s a hottie…no. Nope. Nuh-uh.

The baby begins to fuss, squirming and stiffening his body, little hands clenched into fists.

“What is it, buddy?” Mason says. “You got more gas in there?” He places the baby over his shoulder and pats his back some more. Baby Drew quiets down for a moment, but soon begins wriggling and crying again, even louder this time.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Mason croons, and tries cradling the baby against his chest.

The baby’s head turns towards Mason, his arms and legs flailing away.

“He’s still hungry,” I say.

“He can’t be. He just finished his bottle. He drank it all.” Mason holds the empty bottle up to show me.

“How many ounces was that?” I ask.

“That was two ounces. That’s what the nurses at the hospital said to give him.”

“Did you bring any more?”

“I have another two-ounce bottle, yeah.” He’s already pulling it out of the bag. He flips the top off and puts the nipple into the baby’s mouth. The baby fastens and sucks frantically.

“You’re right,” Mason says. “He’s still hungry.”

“He’s just graduated to a bigger feeding, that’s all,” I say.

“Already?”

“At this stage, they’re growing faster than they ever will again, for the rest of their lives,” I say. “He’ll need more formula per feeding as he gets bigger, and then he’ll graduate to pablum and then baby food, and so on.”

Mason’s nodding. “Huh.” He smiles, his expression showing a dawning respect. “I…think I read that somewhere, but…” He shrugs. “There’s a lot to learn.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, grinning.

He stares at me for a moment. “So. Alright then. I know you’re taking time off, and I said I wouldn’t put you on the spot. But… I’m kind of in a bit of a spot here, myself. How about this…would you be willing to help me out for, say, a week or so?

“I…um…a week? I don’t…”

“I’ll pay you double the going rate, on account of the short notice.”

“Oh, heh. It’s not about the money, it’s just that I…”

“Plus a bonus. A big bonus. I could really use a helping hand while I get something permanent lined up.”

I look at his handsome face. He does look tired. He’s obviously been through a lot in the last little while. His voice sounds kind of desperate, too.

“How about just for a few days then?”

Poor guy! A few days…what’s a few days out of my life?

“I…alright. Okay.” Mom looks over at me sharply, raising her eyebrows.

“Really? Thank God. Do you think you could start right away? Oh wait…forget it. It’s Saturday, you probably have plans.”

“I…nah, nothing important,” I say. Shit! I’m probably going to regret it, but…something about Mason and his situation is getting to me.

Mom, who knows damn well I’m lying, lets out a squawk and then covers it up with a coughing fit.

“No? Great. So, you can start right away?”

“Um, ah…well, I’ll need to pack, and…”

“Right, sure. You want to talk payment now or later?”

“We can decide later.” I don’t want to discuss that in front of my folks, or my nosy little brother.

“Okay, no problem.”

I look over at Mom. She smiles at Mason and me but doesn’t say anything.

“So, I got a babysitting job, Mom,” I say, ironically stating the obvious.

“Who got a babysitting job?” Dad finally looks up from his iPad.

“Your daughter,” Mom says, and patiently explains what just happened.

“Oh, that’s good,” Dad says. “Let me know when you’re ready to sign the papers, Mason.”

* * *

Half an hour later, the papers are signed and duly witnessed.

I help Mom bring lunch out for everyone while Mason has a word with Dad about me coming to stay with him for a few days.

He knows I don’t need their permission, but I can tell he’s doing it out of respect.

Then he tells me a little about himself, so that we’re more properly introduced. His full name is Mason Grimmell, he’s a robotics engineer, he’s from California but moved here years ago. He runs a business from his home outside Johnstown.

Dad’s complete lack of concern about me going to stay with Mason is assurance enough for me that he’s a good guy. I don’t know his entire life story, but Dad probably does. And he’s okay with it.

Which means, so am I.

After lunch, Mason, now the sole, legal custodial parent of Baby Drew, prepares to take his son home.

Mom promises to email him a list of nanny recommendations. Mason and I exchange phone numbers, then he says his goodbyes to my parents, and my brother and his friend.

Then I walk them out to the car and watch as Mason carefully buckles his newborn into the car seat.

Drew is fast asleep again, and Mason fusses with the baby’s head, tilting it gently so that it leans comfortably on the padded armrest of the car seat.

Awww! My heart gets all melty, watching this gorgeous hunk of a man care for his tiny newborn so tenderly.

Not to mention…I can’t stop admiring Mason’s pecs, biceps and shoulders. They’re so shapely! His every movement shows off his well-defined muscles as they ripple under his skin.

Yum.

And his ass, as he bends into the car…? I’ve never seen such a squeezable pair of male buttocks.

“Okay, I think we’re good. You sure you don’t want to come home with me right now?”

I look up at his face. His words could be full of innuendo, but they’re not.

His tone is casual, but I detect something in his eyes. In the way he’s standing. A tiny bit of…fear?

Anxiety. The poor guy’s anxious. Of course he is! Taking care of a newborn is tough, demanding. Anyone would be nervous. It’s an unexpected situation, he’s doing it alone, and probably hasn’t got much sleep since the baby came home.

My heart goes out to him.

“I need to pack some things, get ready…you know.” I try to smile reassuringly.

“Right. I know. Okay. Well, what time should I expect you?”

“Well, what’s a good time for you?”

“Right now,” he says, laughing.

“Seriously, though. What time do you eat dinner? What time do you plan to bathe the baby and put him down?”

“Um…ah…dinner’s usually, whenever I get hungry. I don’t have a set time to bathe or put Andrew to bed, either. Does it matter?” He grins sheepishly.

“Well, kind of. I’ll come as soon as I’m ready. Maybe an hour? I’ll text you if anything changes. How’s that?”

“Great! See you then.”

* * *

Dad might be okay with my change of plans, but Mom is a different story.

She held her peace while Mason was here, but as soon as I get back into the house, she pounces.

“Samantha, what are you doing? All you’ve talked about since you got back from Vermont is having free time. Par-tay, par-tay!” She does a little dance, mimicking my enthusiasm. “Remember?”

“Yes, I know, I know! But hey, you were awful quick to brag about my babysitting credentials.”

“I’m proud of your credentials. It slipped out. I didn’t mean to push you into doing something you don’t want to.”

I sigh. “You didn’t. It’s okay, never mind.”

“But… you’re gonna skip Marie’s barn party tonight? The one that all her brothers are going to be at?”

“Argh! Don’t remind me!”

I go up to my room and start packing up some clothes. She follows right behind me.

“Samantha? Do you know who Mason is?”

“Yeah, he’s Dad’s client.”

She leans against my doorjamb and crosses her arms. She’s looking at me like she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop or something.

“And…?”

“And…he’s gorgeous?” I grin, and pull out two short babydoll nighties from my drawer. I stuff them into my bag, and then pull out two more and shove them in there, too.

“He is gorgeous, isn’t he?” She smiles. “But you know that’s not what I mean…hey!” She suddenly notices what I’m doing. “I thought you were going to stay a couple days. Why do you need four nighties? And all those panties?”

“I don’t know. Didn’t you say I should always make sure I have plenty of clean underwear?”

She laughs. “Yes, but, that’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Probably. I don’t know!” I shrug and throw some t-shirts into the bag. “So…okay, Mom. I’ll bite. Mason told me that people know of him, but that he’s not famous. Not that I give a shit, but, did he invent the internet or something?”

“No. He’s…he’s the only…” She stops, tilts her head, and purses her lips. “You know what? Never mind. On second thought, it’s a good thing that you don’t know.”

I shrug. “Maybe. It makes no difference. He’s cute, yes. He needs help. It’s not like we’re getting married, Mom. And he’s not Jack the Ripper. That’s all I care about.”

“True. Well, you can always ask him yourself. You’ll have to, if you want to know. There’s probably nothing to Google about Mason Grimmell.” She pauses, looking at me as if I should know who she’s talking about. I shrug, spreading my hands. “What I meant was, the fact that you don’t know who he is, means that you’re doing this out of kindness and not um, ah…self-consideration.”

“Well, it’s a sad situation and he seems like a decent guy. But there’s definitely some self-consideration. I’ll get paid double-time and a bonus! And, he’s not hard to look at.” I smile. “Besides, Dad’s totally cool with it.”

She smiles like she knows a secret, which, she apparently does. “Yes, your father’s known him since…well, for many years. I’ve met him quite a few times too. Mason is a decent guy. He’s trustworthy and discreet. He’ll take good care of you while you’re there.”

I gather my toiletries and finish packing, then change into yoga pants and t-shirt.

“All that aside…maybe there’s something else that needs to be said.” She hesitates, looking at me speculatively.

“What?”

“Just that…this isn’t a situation to take lightly. You wouldn’t want to start something that can’t go anywhere. He’s a lot older than you are, for one thing.”

“Really? How old is he?”

“He’s thirty-five. But he doesn’t look it, does he? Honey, he’s a grown man with serious responsibilities.” She pauses, puts her hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eye. “Listen. It’d be a bad idea to lead him on, or to get too attached to that baby.”

“Mom! I’m just babysitting, helping out for a few days.”

“Samantha.” She’s speaking kindly but firmly, like she does when she wants to make sure I’m listening. “I wasn’t born yesterday. I’m not saying you’re doing anything wrong, I’m just saying…there’s a child involved.”

“You’re reading too much into this. Yes, he’s good-looking but, I just feel sorry for him. Plus, it’s extra money.”

“He’s lonely, good-looking, decent and a single dad. And you’re a lovely young woman with a good heart who wants to help. I’m just saying, be careful. Don’t start something that all three of you might regret.”

“All three of us? Andrew’s a newborn. He won’t remember me a month from now.”

“No, but you’ll remember him.”