to disrupt the sleeping babies in their swings. Sitting beside me, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Sutton, I really think we need to take Candice’s advice and get a nanny. Two babies are a lot of work, and I can’t help out as much as I would like.”
“I just don’t like the idea of a stranger in the house,” I said stubbornly. This had been my excuse from day one. After letting Maggie in, I felt vulnerable. However, Mark was right: if I kept up this pace, I would likely burn out by next Thursday.
I heard a door slam, and then Brian called out, “Where are you guys?”
Mark winced when Evie started to stir. Before Brian could truly wake the girls, Mark hopped up to intercept him. They returned together to the family room moments later. Brian was sporting a contrite expression. Mark sat beside me, and Brian took the chair to the side of the couch.
“Sorry, Sutton,” he said quietly. “I don’t know much about babies.”
I smiled at him. “You’re fine. They’re still asleep.”
Brian cocked his head to the side. “Are you fine?”
Mark tensed. Clearing his throat, he said, “I would be careful here.”
Brian smirked at him. “I wasn’t about to say something cruel to my favorite sister-in-law.”
I grinned at him. “I’m your only sister-in-law.”
“Which only proves that you will always be my favorite,” he replied. “Anyhow, I only meant that you look tired. You both do, actually.”
Mark ran a hand over his face. “It’s definitely not a walk in the park. But we are making it through.”
I appreciated that Mark didn’t say anything about my stubbornness over hiring a nanny. However, it was past time that I got over it. “We need someone to come and help out,” I said. “Mark and I are thinking about a part-time nanny.”
In truth, we hadn’t discussed the hours of the new nanny, but Brian didn’t need to know that.
“Are you sure?” Mark asked with a hopeful glint in his eye.
I nodded. “Yes, it’s time. I just hope we can find someone out here.”
“I have an idea for you,” Brian said.
Mark’s jaw dropped open. “You? Since when are you an expert on childcare providers?”
Brian shrugged cockily. “I have skills you could never hope to obtain.”
While Mark scoffed at his little brother, I took in their similarities. They both had an olive complexion. But where Brian was bulky brute strength, Mark was built with leaner muscles honed from his nights running and his hours at the gym. Their flashing white smiles were eerily similar, as was the cut of their jawline. Both were extremely handsome men.
I couldn’t help but be happy that these two had been able to carve out a sibling relationship despite the fact that their father refused to acknowledge Brian.
“I think you should call Sadie,” Brian added.
“Who’s Sadie?” Mark asked.
“The Sunday School teacher?” I asked incredulously. “She works with Father Montgomery.”
Brian nodded. “I’m aware, but I have done a thorough search on the girl, and she’s clean. I also have ulterior motives, so hear me out. I think if you hire Sadie, the old reverend will feel threatened. It may be a way of drawing him out.”
“I won’t do anything that would put my twins in danger,” Mark said sternly.
Brian raised his hands. “I wouldn’t either. I will be here the whole time, even overnight. I just think that the sooner you can get this behind you, the better.”
“I don’t think so…” Mark began just as I said.
“I think we should.”
Mark turned to me. “Really?”
I nodded. “We have been living under a shadow for a year now, and Brian will keep us safe. You know that. Besides, you will be here as well.”
Mark’s lips thinned a little, and I knew in my gut that he hadn’t told me everything that was going on with the company.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I need to go back to New York to straighten out the Fredrick Brewer deal. It shouldn’t take me more than a few days.”
I blew out a breath. “It sounds like we'll need that help more than ever. I can’t expect Brian to get up in the night with me.”
Brian looked immediately panicked. “I’m not good with babies.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “You’re fine when you hold them. You are just quick to give the girls back if they cry or fill their pants.”
“Messy little monkey princesses, that’s for sure,” Brian said, watching the girls fondly.
Their thick dark hair was sticking up at all angles, and