If Not For You

Chapter 2- Bold

Sam's POV

I sat on the ground painting with  my niece and nephew when I glanced at the clock.  It was almost time for my new dog sitter/housekeeper to show up.  I quickly went inside and made sure everything was in order.  I went and shut he room that contained all of my instruments and awards.  I didn't know if she knew who I was, but I wanted to keep it that way if she didn't.  People always treated me different when they knew who I was, it got old after a while.   Once I felt good about how everything looked I started to go back out to the kids when I heard the intercom ring.  It was her, I buzzed her in and then went to go check on the kids.  As I opened the back door River ran past me into the house.

"River, you know paint stays outsi-" I froze when I saw a woman staring down at her with a smile.  River had gotten paint on her jeans but she didn't seem bothered. She was not who I was expecting. She was tall, tattoos covering her right arm, a nose piercing, and a mullet like haircut.  She wore black skinny jeans with ripped knees, maroon doc martens, and a white t-shirt.  She had black eyeliner on which really made her blue eyes stand out.  "Oh, you must be Maeve?"

"That's me," She said with a smile as she shook my hand.  I looked down to realize I had paint on my hands as well and walked towards the kitchen. 

"I'm Sam, let me wash some of this paint off my hands and I'll show you around."

"Uh, the add didn't say anything about watching kids...don't get me wrong, she is adorable" She said as she tried to peek where River had run off to.

"You won't be watching them" I laughed

"Them?"

"Yeah, her twin brother is outside, hes not quite as wild as her.  I get them like once a week or so." I said as I dried my hands. 

"Once a week doesn't seem fair for visitation." She said plainly, I watched her face change quickly as she realized she may have come off and nosey. This is when It occurred to me that she thought they were mine, "Sorry, thats none of my business." She said shaking her head

"Oh, they aren't mine." I laughed, "They are my niece and nephew. My only kids are the ones running around in the backyard with four legs and fur."   She smiled shyly and walked around the side of the kitchen island. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."

"Do you always apologize this much?" I asked as I walked closer to her

"No actually." She said confidently

"Here, let me show you around the house while the kids are occupied." I showed her around the house and where she would be staying and she seemed impressed with everything.  After showing her the house I decided to introduce her to the dogs.  It was really important to me to see how they reacted to her.  She would be the one I trusted with them while I was gone and they meant the world to me.  We walked towards the back door and stepped out.  The dogs immediately dropped their toy rope and ran towards her.  She crouched to the ground as Tillie approached her.  

"Hi there!" She laughed as Tillie licked her face.  Tillie loved most people but I was still impressed, Jack however was the real test. 

"That is Matilda, but really she goes by Tillie.  She was a foster fail, I've had her about 6 years."  I smiled as I watched them interact.  I looked to see Jack stop a few feet away from her, he was very skeptical of new people I guessed due to his past.  She reached out her hand slowly and to my surprise he sniffed it for a moment before letting her pet him.  I let out a sigh of relief  "Wow, that is Jack, he never lets strangers pet him"