Chapter 6

With the sun shining down on me, causing my skin to warm from the heat, I headed towards the church. My hands were stuffed into my front pockets of my cut off shorts. My cell phone was in my back pocket, which do doubt had unanswered texts from the one and only Alice.

I hadn't told her about this job interview, fearing that it may not pan out. Knowing my parents, it was likely to backfire horribly bad. I didn't want to admit that the fear that pushed my shoulders down was heavy and all consuming.

I had to get out of this small, nosey town. I wanted away from the life that my parents wanted for me. I didn't want to think about what would happen if this nanny job didn't pan out.

One thing was for sure, though. I would get out one way or another. I had to.

"Hey!" Peter's voice startled me out of my thoughts as he slowed his car down to crawl beside me. "What you up to?"

"Headed to the church," I answered, keeping my walking pace. I may have left early, but that didn't mean that I was gonna stop and chat either.

"Don't you have something better to do?" he asked.

"Not really," I shrugged. "Gotta do my part, or so my parents say."

"That doesn't sound fun," Peter said.

"So, what are you up to? Surely you have better stuff to do that stalk me."

"I ain't stalking you," he laughed. "I just happened to be driving back home from a job interview and saw you. Figured I'd stop by and say hi."

"I see," I said, not really sure what to say.

"What are you doing tonight?" he asked after a moment as we rounded a corner.

"Not sure," I answered. In my mind, I hoped I was home packing.

"Perfect. You should come out with me and Jasper. Alice will be there, too."

"I'll think about it," I said, giving him a tight smile. I already knew I wouldn't.

"Okay," Peter said, most likely already knowing what I would be doing. "I will get you go come out with me one of these nights."

Good luck on that.

"See you later, Peter," I said, giving him a small wave as I reached the church. Meeting his eyes, I could feel his calculating look bear into my back. He saw way more of myself than I wanted anyone to see. It was like he could see within my soul. I didn't want him to see me like that.

"Hey, Bella," he called before I at the door of the church. "I'm here if you need to talk. You know that right?"

"Sure," I said. I highly doubted I'd ever talk to this man about my little issues.

He gave me a small nod before pulling away.

With a deep breath in, I shook of the lingering feelings that Peter evoked in me.

Entering the church, I headed straight to where I knew where my parents would be at – dad's office. I found them right where I figured they'd be. Dad was working on this coming weeks sermon, and mom was typing away at another computer for plans about the next gathering.

"You're early," Mom said, seeing me in the doorway.

"Figured it'd be a good idea," I shrugged. It was just easier to get this all done and over with.

"Always a planner," Mom smiled. "Now, Esme had called me about her niece, the one we are meeting with today, and has many good things to say. And it sounds like the position would work good; you still be home quite often."

I gave her a small smile, mostly to appease her. Did she really think I'd come back weekly? I would the first few weeks, but after that I wouldn't be. If I got this job, I wouldn't be back very often at all.

"I don't know what I'll do with you gone so far away," Mom sighed, her eyes becoming misty at just the thought.

"What will you do when I go to college?" I asked. "You'll get to see me still."

"True," Mom said. "But my baby is getting so big."

Luckly, I was only about five minutes early. Lately, I was only able to handle small talk with my parents, as they constantly pushed the issue of me going to college, yet at the same time staying close enough to be an active person in the church.

Hadn't they gotten the memo that I didn't have to be church every week, seven days a week? Yes, I believed he Jesus died for me, but that didn't mean I liked to be around a bunch of people all the time. I hated having to pretend to be someone I wasn't sure I was anymore.

Maybe, graduating high school changed the view of the world. Maybe that was why I was so desperate to get out from under my parents' strict rules that had set.

"Hello?" someone called from the lobby. Her voice was soft, yet loud enough to be heard.

"Well, go on, Bella," Dad said, giving me a hand motion to go greet my potation employer. I was kind of surprised that he wasn't jumping up and greeting her first.

Turning, I quickly walked out of the office, knowing that my parents would be following me in less than three minutes, if that.

Once in the lobby, my eyes laded of who I assumed was Charlotte. She had sat down a baby carrier at her side as she looked around the building. Her long blond hair was in a side braid, pulling the pieces away from her face and out her way.

She wasn't much taller than I was, and had an air about her that was refreshing. Like a cold cup of water on a hot summer day type of air.

"Bella?" she asked as she spotted me.

"Yes," I answered, holding my hand out to her to shake. Her grip was firm.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she smiled, the smile reaching her light green eyes. "And this here, is Alec."

She turned the seat around, and the baby's eyes were wide open and taking everything in. His eyes were the same colors as his mothers. His head of hair was pitch black.

"He's adorable," I said, a real smile on my lips now.

Had I said that I loved kids? Because I do so.

"He can be picky," she said. "About everything."

"Aren't most babies at this age?"

"I suppose so," she laughed. "So, Esme said you have work with infants for a few years?"

"Yes. I have at least five years, watching babies in the nursery right here in this church," I answered. "And I'm not afraid to ask if I'm not sure about something."

"Good to hear," she said. "Would you mind holding him? Just to see if he likes you. Like I said, he's picky about who he likes. But if he likes you, then he's good about everything else."

"Sure," I said. "Who doesn't he like?"

"Well, his doctor for one," she laughed as she bent down and began to unbuckle Alec from the seat. "And my in-laws. He's not too pleased about them. But he loves his uncle."

Once Alec was out of his seat, Charlotte handed him to me. Gently, I accepted him. One hand supported his head, the other rested under his butt. Other than him grunting, he didn't make a sound as his eyes continued to looked around at everything.

"She's always been wonderful with kids of all ages," Dad said as he appeared next to me.

"Mr. Swan," Charlotte said, holding her hand.

They shook hands as I moved the baby to be cradled in my arms against my chest.

"I think he likes you, Bella," Charlotte said, watching me with her son closely.

I smiled down at him, my eyes meeting his. He was so little.

"How long are you thinking you'll need my daughter to watch your baby?" Dad asked.

"At least for the summer, possibly longer. I will be only working part time for now to keep the bills from piling up so fast. I'd love it if Bella can work longer than just the summer, but if not I'll find someone else when the time comes," Charlotte answered.

"She's going to college in the fall," Dad stated.

"Not a problem," she replied, not missing a beat.

"So then why hire her?" Dad asked.

Geeze, could he be friendlier?

"Esme had great things to say," Charlotte said. "And I'm hoping that Alec will be ready for daycare come fall this way. Or my sister can move closer to watch him for me by that time."

"Bella said you have a basement?" Dad asked, probably making sure I was telling the truth.

"Yes. There will be rules of no parting, no drinking, and no smoking inside or outside of my house. Not with infant. But I'm sure I won't have to worry about that at all with Bella here. All I expect is for Alec's needs to be met, along with getting him out of the house and becoming a bit more sociable than he is. Of course, a baby can't be that sociable, but at least around people every once in a while."

"When are you planning to need her to start?" Dad asked.

Sigh. I hated that he was talking about me like I wasn't standing right next to him. It was even sadder that I was used to him doing just that.

"That is up to her," Charlotte said, meeting my eyes. She gave me a soft smile, most likely catching on the fact that my father has pretty much taken over this meeting. "But I would really like you to start as soon as possible. I go back to work Monday. I'd like to have a trial day this weekend, just to see how you both handle each other."

"More warning would be nice," Dad gruffed out, hiding his annoyance.

"I can leave tomorrow," I said, talking over my father.

"Really? Because that would be perfect!" Charlotte said. "That'd give you plenty of time to know if this is a good fit, that's for sure."

"I don't think that'd be the best idea. We have a bake sale this weekend that she's in charge of," Dad said, rubbing his mushstash.

"I'll be back Saturday morning. With cookies," I said.

"She'll wait till Sunday," Dad said over me.

"Actually, Mr. Swan, it's up to Bella. She's eighteen, right? I'm sure she can decided herself," Charlotte said. "So, Bella, whenever you want to leave, you can."

I would so love to leave right now, but I had packing that would need to be done. And I'd have to call Alice and explain to her what was going on.

Man, Alice would probably not be too pleased about this. It wasn't like me to just decided last minute to move, even if it is turns out to be one of the best things I've ever done.

After exchanging cell phone numbers, Charlotte promised to text me her address once she got back home, I was left with a steaming father.