Of course, most single men, especially those who notoriously played the field, weren’t in a position to drop everything and care for a baby. But Aiden Langford wasn’t most men. Didn’t he have a pile of money to throw at the problem? “I used to be a nanny. Past tense. That’s no longer my vocation.” She stopped short of admitting that she didn’t have the stomach for it anymore. “You’ll need to hire someone. I wrote down the number for the top nanny agency in the city for you. One phone call and they’ll send someone over to help you.”
“So I’m not only supposed to work with a complete stranger to take care of a baby, but the baby is supposed to accept that, too?”
He’d gone for the jugular with that one, although he seemed to be doing nothing more than making his case. The thought of anyone aside from his own father caring for Oliver made Sarah’s chest, especially everything in the vicinity of her heart, seize up. “I’m a businesswoman, Mr. Langford. I need to return to Boston and my work.”
“Business? What sort of business?” Although he was following the logical course of their conversation, Sarah couldn’t help but bristle at his dismissive tone.
“I run a women’s apparel company. It’s really taking off. We can’t even keep up with demand.”
“Good problem to have. Until your vendors get tired of waiting and move on to something else.”
Wasn’t that the truth. Half of her day was spent reassuring boutique owners that their orders would be there soon. “That’s exactly why I need to be back in Boston. And don’t forget that I have been caring for your child full-time for nearly a month. It’s time I go back to my life and let Oliver start his new one. With you.” That last part had been particularly difficult to say, but the fact that her voice hadn’t cracked only bolstered her confidence. She hadn’t even shed a tear. It was a miracle.
Aiden sat on the edge of his desk and crossed his arms. His suit jacket sleeves drew taut across his muscles. How was she supposed to hold her own in an argument when he was distracting her with his physique? “So, I’ll pay you for your time.”
Ah, so he did know how to throw money at a problem. He was just lobbing it in the wrong direction. A breathy punch of a laugh left her lips. “I’m not for hire.”
“I’ll pay you double whatever your going rate used to be.”
She huffed.
“Fine. Triple.”
“You’re a terrible negotiator.”
He shrugged. “I do what’s necessary to get what I want.”
“That would make me the most expensive nanny in the history of child care. I was paid very well for my services. I was very good at my job.”
“You’re only making my argument for me. Money is no object, Ms. Daltrey. If Oliver really is my son, he deserves the best. Sounds to me like that’s you.”
She shook her head. “No way. Absolutely not.” This was not the way this was supposed to go. She needed to put an end to Aiden Langford and his money-throwing, muscle-bulging ways.
Oliver fussed and rubbed his eyes, moving his head fitfully as he woke.
Sarah had spoken too loudly. Nap time was apparently now over. She stood and attempted to hand the baby to Aiden. “Here. Take your son. At least for a minute.”
Oliver refused, clinging to Sarah.
“See? He clearly wants to be with you. I’m a stranger to him. Would you really leave a baby with a stranger?”
She pursed her lips, calculating her best response. Of course she wouldn’t do that. But after the extensive research she’d done on Aiden, he didn’t really seem like a stranger. That, however, was not information she cared to share. Which meant she was back at nothing.
“Even worse,” he continued. “A stranger who doesn’t know how to change a diaper, or what to feed him, or what to do if he starts to cry.”
“No idea? I know you have two younger siblings. You never babysat?”
Aiden threaded his fingers through his hair, tousling it in the process. “No.”
Well, shoot. She couldn’t hand over Oliver to a man he didn’t know, especially not one who might not be able to care for him, even if that had been her plan. Her horribly simple plan. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to take Oliver to a hotel, either. He needs to get used to being with you. And you’re apparently going to need to learn how to take care of him.”
“Excuse me if I haven’t thought it out quite that far yet. This is still a new concept for me.” He blew out a breath, seeming deep in thought. “I guess the thing that makes the most sense is for you both to stay with me. Until we get things straightened out. And I can hire a nanny. I guess I have to buy a crib, too? I mean, really, this is a lot to pile on a person in one day.”
He wasn’t wrong. Maybe it would be in Oliver’s best interest if she stayed for a couple of days, even if it would make it exponentially more difficult to say goodbye to him. As for the to-do list to get Aiden up and running with the baby, it was a long one if she was going to be thorough. They would need time. With the bad hand Oliver had been dealt in life, she owed it to him to spend a few days in New York so he could be off to the best possible start with Aiden. That was exactly what she’d promised Gail. “Okay. We’ll stay at your place.”
“You’ll have to tell me what you want to be paid. I have no earthly idea how much money a nanny makes. Or even what a nanny does, other than everything a parent would do if they were around.”
She’d first said no to Aiden’s money on principle, but if she was going to help him with Oliver, she could get something from him that was far more valuable than a paycheck. She knew from her online snooping that he was a whiz when it came to growing companies. It was in his blood—the Langfords were one of the most successful entrepreneurial families in US history. Maybe he could help her solve the countless problems she was facing with trying to take her business to the next level.
“I don’t want your money. I want your expertise.”
“I’m listening.” He cocked an eyebrow at her, threatening to make her throat close up.
“Business expertise. I want you to help me with my company. Help me find investors. Help me figure out my manufacturing issues and widen my distribution.”
He nodded, clearly calculating. “That’s a tall order. Between that and me going through baby school, this is going to take more than a few days. We’ll need at least a week. At least.”
How long could she do this? Every minute with Oliver only made her love him more. She clutched him, kissed his head, taking in his sweet baby smell. We don’t have to say goodbye today, buddy. I guess that much is good. “Today is Friday. I’ll give you ten days. I teach you how to care for Oliver. You help me with my company.”
“I think I’d be a fool to say no. You have me in a corner here.”
“I mean it, though. Ten days and I’m out of here.”
“Like I said. In a corner.”
“Okay, then. I want to have a say in the nanny you hire, too. And I want to help outfit the nursery.”
Aiden