Chapter 3
994 Words
The doorbell echoed through the house. Ethan froze mid-step in the hallway, his hand tightening around the edge of the stair railing.
Lily’s voice rang out before he could move. “Daddy! Someone’s here!” She abandoned her toys, her little feet pounding across the hardwood floor.
“Wait, bug, don’t—” But she was already reaching for the doorknob with all the determination her small body could muster.
Ethan hurried forward, gently scooping her back before she could swing the door wide. “What did we say about opening the door?”
She pouted, her curls bouncing as she crossed her arms. “But I wanted to see who it was.”
Ethan exhaled, trying not to smile. “That’s my job, okay?”
When he opened the door, the woman standing on the porch nearly stole the words from his throat.
She was younger than he expected. Not a girl, there was a quiet maturity in her posture, a stillness in her eyes but, not much older than thirty. Dark hair fell over her shoulders, her coat damp at the hem from the drizzle outside. She clutched a canvas bag close to her chest like a shield.
“Mr. Cole?” Her voice was soft, cautious.
“Yes.” Ethan cleared his throat, suddenly aware of how his T-shirt clung to him after a morning of work around the house. “You must be… Miss Rivera?”
She nodded once, eyes flicking past him briefly before returning. There was a guardedness in her expression, like someone braced for disappointment.
Lily wriggled in his arms. “Daddy, who’s that?”
“This is Miss Rivera,” he said, setting her down gently. “She’s here to talk about… helping us out.”
Lily’s eyes widened with curiosity. She stepped closer, peeking around Ethan’s leg. “Do you like coloring?” she asked in a rush.
Maya blinked, then a small, surprised smile tugged at her lips. “I do. Very much.”
That simple answer was enough for Lily. She grabbed Maya’s hand with complete trust, tugging her toward the living room. “Come see my castle! I made it pink.”
Ethan started to protest, but Maya glanced at him, uncertain. He gave a small nod, though his chest tightened. Already, Lily was attaching herself.
He followed them into the living room, crossing his arms as Maya crouched on the rug beside Lily’s drawing. She didn’t hover or talk down to her, she simply looked, really looked, as though the picture of stick figures and lopsided towers was a masterpiece.
“It’s beautiful,” Maya said softly.
Lily beamed. “That’s me with the crown. And that’s Daddy.”
Maya’s gaze shifted briefly toward Ethan. Something unreadable flickered in her eyes before she returned her focus to Lily.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with the way her presence filled the space so naturally. He reminded himself this was just an interview, nothing more.
“Why don’t we let Miss Rivera and I talk for a bit?” he said, clearing his throat. “You can finish your castle.”
Lily pouted but nodded, settling back down with her crayons.
Ethan gestured toward the kitchen, and Maya followed. The silence between them was thick as they sat at the table, rain still tapping gently at the windows.
“So,” Ethan began, glancing at the papers he’d set out earlier. “You’ve worked as a housekeeper before?”
“Yes.” Her hands folded neatly in her lap. “Mostly private homes. Some childcare experience as well.”
He nodded. “References?”
“I gave them to the agency,” she replied. Her tone was even, polite, but something about the way her shoulders stayed rigid told him this conversation cost her more than she let on.
“And you’re comfortable with long hours? It’s just me and my daughter here.”
“Yes.” No hesitation.
For a moment, silence stretched. Ethan studied her. She didn’t fidget. Didn’t oversell herself. If anything, she seemed almost… careful, as though revealing too much would make the opportunity slip away.
Finally, he leaned back. “I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure I wanted to hire anyone. But my daughter…” He exhaled. “She needs more than I can give right now.”
Maya’s eyes softened, just slightly. “She seems wonderful.”
“She is.” His voice warmed without him meaning it to. “Too wonderful.”
Maya offered a small smile, then looked down at her folded hands again.
There was something about her quietness that unsettled him, not in a bad way, but in a way that felt… familiar. Like she was carrying her own unspoken battles.
He cleared his throat. “When could you start?”
Her head lifted, surprise flashing across her face. “I—whenever you need me.”
“Tomorrow, then.”
She nodded quickly, relief flickering in her eyes before she masked it.
From the living room, Lily called out, “Daddy! Miss Rivera, I drew you too!”
Maya glanced toward the voice, then back at Ethan. “She’s very sweet.”
“Yeah,” he said, though his chest ached at the thought of how easily Lily accepted people, how easily she could be hurt.
As Maya stood to leave, Lily darted over, thrusting the drawing into her hands. “See? That’s you!”
Maya looked at the third stick figure Lily had scribbled beside them, tears pricking unexpectedly at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them away before anyone could notice. “Thank you,” she whispered.
When the door closed behind her, the house felt different again.
Ethan stood in the hallway, Lily tugging at his hand, asking if Miss Rivera could come back soon.
He said yes, though a part of him wasn’t sure if he was agreeing for Lily’s sake… or his own.
- Writer
