Chapter Two

“Her name is Macayla Werner Kirkpatrick. 27-years-old. Widowed. Her husband, Daniel and 5 month-old son, Micah, died in a car accident three years ago. She has no living relatives and no criminal history. From what I can tell she’s just someone trying to make ends meet and make it from day to day.”

Kelley flipped through the pages Jade had given her passing them to Theresa when she was finished. “Well. I say that’s our girl. She said nothing’s keeping her here so …”

Theresa frowned. “That’s so horrible. I couldn’t imagine losing a child…” she wiped her eyes not wanting to get caught up in her own past. “Well… She sounds like a good candidate to me. I suppose that explains her lack of employment until recently. Did she seem like a NASCAR fan?”

“Well, I know she’s not a fan of Dale’s, or one of his rabid fans cause she didn’t recognize me. So I think we’re safe with her.”

“That’s good.” Theresa smiled. “Well, get in touch with her and get her out here as soon as you can. We’ll let her get acquainted with Dale and Kellen here and see how they get along. She and Kellen that is. Dale’s not going to like anyone coming into his life right now, whether it’s to help or not.”

Kelley nodded. “I’ll give her a call first thing in the morning. Maybe she can help him get through this… You know, having been there before.”

Theresa agreed, pretty sure that Macayla was far from through it herself. “Or they could help each other…”

---

Macayla paid the driver and turned towards the address that she’d been given, her eyes widening in shock at the mere size of the building. “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

She took a deep breath and walked through the doors in awe of her surroundings. Her gaze lingered momentarily on the black car with a large white 3 on the side just inside the door, before walking further inside to find out where she was supposed to go.

“May I help you?”

She looked over to see a young woman behind a large reception desk. “Yes, I’m supposed to meet with Kelley. I was supposed to be here at 1, I’m a little early.”

The woman smiled and made a quick phone call. “Mrs. Elledge will be right with you.”

Macayla smiled and turned to look at the various pictures adorning the walls, along with the trophies and memorabilia that seemed to be everywhere she turned. Growing up in North Carolina , she knew that it was the mecca of all things NASCAR but she really didn’t pay attention to it one way or the other. To her it was just a bunch of overgrown boys making too much money for playing with cars.

“Macayla?”

She turned around quickly and smiled at Kelley. “Hi. I’m sorry I’m a little early. I was afraid I was going to be late.”

Kelley just laughed and waved a dismissive hand. “I’d rather you be early than late. That’s my brother’s job. If you’ll just follow me I’ll give you a run down on your actual job. I had to withhold a little bit of information during the interview because of the situation.” They turned down a long hallway before stopping at a bay of elevators. “Are you a NASCAR fan?”

Macayla shook her head. “My husband was before he died. I never could get into it and then after he was gone… I just…”

“Understandable. Is it going to be a problem for you to work around it?”

Macayla looked at her cautiously. “I guess not. Never really considered it would be part of the job.”

She followed Kelley down a long hall and they stopped in front of two large doors. “She’s waiting for you Kelley,” the secretary said.

Kelley nodded and opened the door, allowing Macayla to enter before her. “Go on.”

She slowly entered the office surprised by the size and the small woman sitting behind the desk. Casting a quick glance back at Kelley, who smiled comfortingly and closed the door before joining her.

“Macayla, this is Theresa. Theresa, Macayla Kirkpatrick.”

Theresa stood up and shook Macayla’s hand, noticing her uncomfortable composure. “I promise we don’t bite Macayla,” she said with a smile, happy when the younger woman smiled back and sat in one of the chairs across from them. “How are you doing today?”

“I’m fine.” She replied, absently rubbing her hand on her pants. “Just a little nervous…”

Theresa shook her head. “Honey, don’t be nervous around here please. We’re just a bunch of rednecks with a bunch of expensive redneck toys. We’re by no means people to be nervous around.”

Kelley smiled and nodded for Theresa to continue, letting her know that they needed to get this out of the way before Dale got their with Kellen.

“Anyway. Our ad in the paper was just scraping the job we need you do to. There’s more to it than in the ad because of the obvious reasons,” she said motioning to her surroundings. “We’re hiring you as a nanny for my grandson. I’m not sure if you’re a NASCAR fan or not but I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.?”

Macayla’s eyes widened and she slowly nodded her head.

“Well. That’s who you’ll be working for or with. I’m going to be honest with you. Because of the obvious security issues and the high profile life he has, we did have a background check done on you. It was by no means a way of invading your privacy but we had to see what kind of person you were. I hope you understand that.”

She nodded. “I’m not trying to be nosy or anything but, why does he need a nanny? Where’s his mother?”

Theresa frowned momentarily. “Well, that’s another reason we hired you. His mother died about three months ago from cancer. Dale’s been taking care of Kellen on his own and it hasn’t been a problem but with the season starting back in a month, he’s not going to be able to keep a constant eye on him or take him everywhere he goes. So you’ll be in great need around the track, as well as at home. But the fact that you’ve been through a similar situation really got you this job more than anything. We hope that not only will you be able to help with Kellen but that you’ll be able to help Dale through what he’s going to go through over the next few months or maybe years.”

Macayla took a deep breath and looked at the floor, not sure if she was ready for this. Part of the reason she worked in a morgue was because it kept her from having to open up to people. The truth was, she hadn’t dealt with her loss and it had been three years ago. “To be honest with you… it’s not something that’s easy to deal with.”

“Honey, I know that more than anyone…” Theresa added. “If nothing else you can help each other through it. Dale’s very skeptical about this but he admits he needs help. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around him or any of us. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. We’re here to help you just as much as you’re here to help us.”

“You’ll be living at Dale’s house, which isn’t far from here. We’ve already got a room ready for you, next to Kellen’s and we’ve had to order you a coach for the track. It should be ready by Daytona because trust me, you’re gonna need it. Kellen will sleep at Dale’s every night but we’ll make sure you’re next to him so it’ll be easy for you to help him when he needs it. And he’ll stay with you during the races, qualifying, and practice. Plus any additional meetings or appearances he has.”

“He’ll want Kellen at some things,” Kelley jumped in. “But you’ll be there. So, anytime he’s not asleep in Dale’s coach, you’re gonna be with him.”

Macayla looked on with wide eyes taking in everything the two women threw at her, not at all sure she could handle it. But she sure as hell was going to try. She didn’t have much choice. If nothing else she was going to get her life back and quit living like it was chore. With a nod she looked over at Kelly. “I thought the ad said your name was Kelly James?”

“Well, I knew if there were any Dale fans looking at the want ads they’d recognize my name. Kelley Elledge. Dale’s my baby brother.”

“Alright, lets get this done,” Dale blared as he burst through the office with Kellen hanging on his hip, a smile coming to his chubby face when he saw his Aunt Kelley.

Kelley stood up, taking Kellen from his father and turned towards Macayla, giving her an apologetic smile. “You’ll have to excuse my brother. He skipped the manners line and went through the redneck line twice.”

“Damnit, Kelley. Would ya quit?”

“Dale, this is Macayla Kirkpatrick. She’s going to be Kellen’s nanny.”

Dale straightened to his full height, instantly on guard, as he took in the appearance of the woman standing in front of him. She was tall. Her chocolate eyes meeting his straight on as her posture mimicked his to a tee. Her honey-blond hair was cropped close at her neck, sticking out slightly around her ears giving her a Meg Ryan sort of cuteness.

He gave a short nod, smirking as she did the same. “You know anything about kids?”

Macayla looked at him like he’d sprouted a second head. “I’m not answering that question. I wouldn’t have been hired if I didn’t.”

Theresa stepped around her desk and put a gentle hand on Dale’s arm. “Can I talk to you for a minute? We’ll let Kelley stay in here while Kellen and Macayla get acquainted.”

She pulled him into the small lobby outside of her office. “What the hell is your problem Dale? Since when do you act that way?”

He shrugged and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “How do you know she’s not some fan trying to get her hooks into me?”

“Dale, we’re not stupid. She had no clue who Kelley was until today or who she would be working with. And we had Jade run a check on her.”

“So she’s got experience with kids?”

Theresa shrugged. “Well… yeah. She had a son. He was killed in a car accident a few years ago, along with her husband so don’t get all high and mighty thinking she just wants your body. She’s got nothing Dale. No family, nothing. Don’t be an ass.”

He looked at Theresa. “Fine.”

They walked back in the office surprised to find Kellen giggling loudly as he played with Macayla on the floor of Theresa’s office.

Kelley looked at Dale with smirk and shook his head. “So do you approve little brother?”

“Do I have a choice? Seems like Kellen’s made his decision…”

-next-

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