Chapter 15 #2
She went about her morning routine, but when it was time to dress, she questioned her usual apparel of casual sporty clothes, which were good for playing tennis and soccer with the children but perhaps not what a respectable governess would wear.
Still, she wasn’t sure she cared. Why should she pretend to be something she wasn’t?
If the master didn’t like the way she cared for his kids, what difference did it make how she was dressed?
Besides that, Kat and Mishka would probably wonder if she showed up at breakfast looking like a proper governess.
Determined to let the chips fall where they may, she donned her jeans and T-shirt, put her hair in a not-too-neat ponytail, slipped on a pair of tennis shoes, and went downstairs.
To her relief, she was the first one to the dining room. The table was set with four places, and the coffee pot and sweet rolls were on the table. She filled her own coffee cup then slipped into the kitchen.
“May I come in?” she said quietly.
“Yes, of course.” Mrs. Warner smiled as she put a lid on pan. “How was your river trip?”
“Delightful.” Meredith smiled. “Well, until we got home.”
Mrs. Warner shook her head. “I’m afraid Master Spencer was a bit upset.”
“I didn’t realize it would be a problem. Or that he’d show up.”
“You and me both.”
“Do you know how long he’ll be here?”
“I haven’t a clue.” She turned down the gas on the stove. “He gave me no warning he was coming. Just showed up out of the blue. I suppose he wanted to surprise the children. And then they weren’t here. I heard him giving you hecky pecky over it last evening.”
“Is he always this worried about their welfare? I mean, he spoke of some security concerns. Is there any reason to be on hyper alert?”
“I wouldn’t know about that. But it’s not the usual.
Other governesses have taken the children on outings without the master getting all up in arms. I’ll admit I was taken a bit aback by all his ranting yesterday when he got here.
” She paused, tilting her head as if to listen.
“Speak of the devil. I hear him coming. Better not catch you in here gossiping with me.”
Meredith grinned. “I’m not worried. Thanks for filling me in some.”
“Out to face the lion.” She chuckled. “But he’s a toothless one.”
Pasting a confident smile on her face, Meredith returned to the dining room. “Good morning, sir.” She set down her coffee cup. “I hope you slept well.”
“You don’t have to call me ‘sir,’” he said in a slightly terse tone.
“Well, what should I call you? Prince Spencer? Master? Your Highness?” Okay, she sounded snarky, but she didn’t really care.
If he was going to sack her, she might as well get in her licks.
After all, what kind of father hires a nanny he’s barely met then leaves her alone with his kids for more than two weeks?
“Call me Spencer.” He picked up the coffee pot.
“Okay.” She nodded, feeling guilty for her attitude.
“And I’d like to apologize, before the children come down, for my behavior last night. That wasn’t very kind.”
“It was a little off-putting.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked at her with sad eyes, and her cheeky resolve dissolved.
“It’s okay. I realize you were worried. But if you don’t mind me asking, I’m curious if there is some kind of security risk I’m unaware of? Something I need to know for the welfare of the children.”
“I would like to talk to you about something…but not right now. I hear the children coming down.” He filled his coffee cup then sat down.
“Yes, all right.” She smiled stiffly. “Are we good then?”
“Yes. Good.”
She turned to see Kat and Mishka coming into the dining room.
She called out a cheerful greeting, and Mishka came over to give her a hug.
Kat mumbled a reply then took her seat. “It’s a beautiful day out there,” Meredith said to no one in particular as she refilled her coffee cup.
“Perfect weather for…well, for anything.” She glanced at Spencer, but his eyes were fixed on his phone. “Does anyone have any special plans?”
No one responded as Mrs. Warner set platters of eggs and sausage on the table, replacing the coffee decanter with a fresh one.
“I want to work on my backhand with you this morning,” Kat told Meredith as Mrs. Warner left. “Kalina thinks she can beat me, but I warned her only in her dreams.” Kat smirked.
“Who is Kalina?” Spencer looked up from his phone.
Kat explained about seeing her classmate on the boat but spared him the negative details.
“That’s right, you were on the river boat trip.” Spencer nodded to Mishka with a creased brow. “How did you do with that, George? I know you’re not particularly fond of water.”
“It was great, Papa. I was brilliant.” He beamed at his father. “Meri has been teaching me to swim. I’m not afraid of water anymore.”
Spencer’s brows arched. “You can swim?”
“He’s not quite doing a full stroke with breathing, but he can do a pretty mean dog paddle.” Meredith sent Mishka a grin and a wink. “And he treads water and floats on his back and stomach. He’s safe in the water.”
“That’s impressive.” Spencer sipped his coffee with a thoughtful expression then turned to Kat. “And you’re working on your tennis game?”
“Meri is coaching me in tennis and football,” she told him. “She’s quite good.”
“Maybe you’d like to play a match with me,” Spencer told her.
Kat looked surprised. “You have time to play?”
“I can make time.”
“You’re on.” She grinned. “But I’ll warn you, I’m getting pretty good.”
“She’ll give you a run for your money,” Meredith told him. “Mishka has been learning tennis and football too. He’s made wonderful progress.”
Spencer’s expression seemed to be appreciation mixed with suspicion, but his phone beeped, and his attention was diverted again. Meredith glanced at Kat, wondering if she was now questioning Meredith’s rule for no phones at the table, but Kat seemed focused on consuming a sausage link.
By the time they were finished with breakfast, Spencer and Kat were agreeing to meet on the tennis court at ten.
Mishka asked Meredith to play some football with him.
“I need the practice,” he said in a tone that suggested he wanted to appear older in front of his father.
Meredith smiled at him before complimenting him on his recent progress and assuring him they would meet there at ten as well.
She could tell by this brief interaction that the children’s time with their dad hadn’t been exactly abundant.
Memories of her own dad came to mind, and she shot up a silent prayer for him and his buddies on their long trek on the beautiful Pacific Crest Trail.