Read Hip Check (New York Blades) for Free Online

issue, but Esa felt as if she were challenging him, waiting for him to dispute some aspects of her job. She needn’t have worried.
    “How much do you want?”
    Michelle looked uncomfortable. “There’s usually a ballpark—”
    “How much do you want?” Esa repeated, trying not to sound desperate. “Look, you’re doing an extraordinary thing, helping us out on such short notice. I want to show you my gratitude.”
    “Fifteen hundred dollars a week,” Michelle said, quoting a price even higher than she was earning with the Karles. “Plus all of the expenses I incur caring for Nell.”
    “Done,” Esa said, immediately feeling lighter.
    “I’d love to meet Nell.”
    “No problem.”
    Michelle got up from the kitchen table, expecting Esa to do the same. But he didn’t move. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
    Esa looked bewildered as he took another sip of coffee. “Why?”
    Michelle stared down at the kitchen floor. She needed a moment to collect herself before answering his asinine question. Finally she raised her head to answer, “To introduce us? So you can observe whether Nell and I are a good fit?”
    Michelle couldn’t decide whether Esa was unruffled or uncaring when he murmured, “I’m sure the two of you will get along fine. Her room is down the hall on the left.” He gave her a small smile and started reading the paper.
    Run
, Michelle’s instincts told her.
Don’t take this job no matter how much he’ll pay. Run far and fast. This guy’s a selfish, unfeeling idiot
. Which, unfortunately, was all the more reason to take the position. No little girl should have this putz as her primary caregiver.
    * * *
    Michelle put her
ear to Nell’s bedroom door, knocking lightly. It was important to respect children’s privacy, especially in a situation like this, where the kid didn’t know you. Michelle didn’t want to overwhelm Nell or put her immediately on guard.
    She heard a small voice pip “Come in,” so she slowly opened the door. Michelle could tell that Nell had been on her stomach, reading, but was in the process of sitting up now that Michelle had entered the room.
Polite
, Michelle thought.
    The first thing that struck Michelle was how gorgeous the little girl was, with gleaming blond hair and big blue eyes that were big enough to contain more than their share of pain. Not a trace of her uncle in her looks.
    Michelle introduced herself with a small smile. “Hi, Nell. Is it okay if I come sit on the edge of your bed?”
    Nell nodded.
    Michelle approached the bed and sat down quietly, extending her hand. “I’m Michelle.”
    Nell shook her hand, though she did look mildly apprehensive. “My name is Nell.”
    Michelle cocked her head thoughtfully. “I know. I like that name. You don’t hear it very often.” She glanced at the book Nell was clutching in her hand, holding it as tightly as another child might hold a security blanket. “What’re you reading?”
    “
Little Women
,” Nell answered reluctantly.
    Michelle lit up. “I love that book! Who’s your favorite March sister? Mine was Meg.”
    “I like Jo,” said Nell, her clutch on the book loosening a bit.
    “How come?”
    “Because she has adventures. And no one tells her what to do.” Nell looked at her shyly. “Why do you like Meg?”
    Michelle sighed. “Oh, because she was beautiful. I was a little envious of her. I was kind of envious of them all, you know? Because I don’t have any sisters.”
    “Me, neither.”
    “I do have a brother, though, named Jamie.”
    “My friend Casey has two brothers,” Nell shared tentatively. “Nigel and David. David plays football and Nigel is a trainspotter.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Their room smells.”
    Michelle laughed. “Are they teenagers?”
    “Kind of. Yeah.”
    “Teenage boys aren’t always the best with hygiene.”
    Michelle scootched a tiny bit closer to her. “Do you know who I am?”
    Nell looked at her blankly. “One of Uncle Esa’s