2. Preston
2
Preston
A s I sit on the porch, I watch Lilly play with the puppy on the front lawn and think about Rachel. I don’t like the idea of having a nanny, but my mother could no longer do it. I had visions of Lilly being a lot more upset that her grandmother is no longer living with us but she seems fine. Maybe the finality of it all hasn’t sunk in yet. Or maybe, as I’d hoped, the puppy is a good distraction.
I think about Rachel standing below the porch, armed with a piece of firewood. I’m not sure why, or how, I managed to notice how attractive she was at that moment, but I did. Her big hazel eyes drew me in with every glance. And her auburn hair seemed to catch the sunlight just right, giving it a fiery glow. I guess the fact she jumped into protector mode so quickly is a good sign. Although it was a little extreme.
“Dad?”
“Yes, bug?”
“Is Rachel going to live in the house with us?”
“No. Rachel is going to live in the guesthouse.”
“But she’s going to be here all the time?”
“Yes. Is that okay with you? ”
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes. I like her. She’s pretty. And she’s funny. And we played a game, and she didn’t let me win. Grandma always let me win.”
“What game was this?”
“Checkers. I almost beat her. But I didn’t. And it was really cool. Because I knew she was trying to win and not…coddling me.”
“Coddling you? Where’d you learn that term?”
“I heard Mrs. Cartwright say it to Grandma. She said, ‘you can’t keep coddling that child or she’ll end up as spoiled as her father.’”
I frown. “Um… Mrs. Cartwright is a little…”
“Are you spoiled, Daddy?”
I think about it for a moment. I certainly was as a younger man. But time and life have taught me that the world doesn’t revolve around me. Losing my wife gave me a new perspective.
“I hope not.”
She smiles at me. “I don’t think you are. I think you’re perfect.”
“Thank you. And I’m glad you like Rachel. Maybe next time you’ll beat her at checkers.”
Well, that’s two votes for Rachel. I still haven’t made up my mind.
Lilly is sitting under the big maple tree in the yard with the puppy in her lap. I go to them and kneel beside her.
She smiles at me. “I love my puppy.”
“I’m glad, ladybug.” I kiss the top of her head. “So, what should we name her?”
She takes a long dramatic sigh. “I think I’ll call her…Cutie Pie.” She nods, then looks at me. “No wait. Precious.” She thinks about it. “No. Sugar. Because she’s sweet as candy.”
“Sugar?”
“Yeah. Is that a good name?”
I take the dog from her and hold it up so I can look into her eyes. “I think that is a perfect name.” I hand the dog back to her.
“Can she sleep in my room?”
“Well, for now, until Sugar is house-trained, she’ll need to sleep in the kitchen.”
“Aww.” Her shoulders slump, and she lowers her head.
“It won’t take long. Once she sleeps through the night, she can sleep in your room. But not on the bed.”
“She has to sleep on the floor?”
“She has a very fancy dog bed to sleep in. She’ll be fine.”
She runs a hand over Sugar’s back. “Okay. I guess.”
“I think it’s about time for dinner, bug.”
“Can Sugar come in the house?”
“Of course. Let’s show her the new bed. I bet she’s worn out from all the love you’ve been giving her.”
Lilly nods. “I have loved her a lot already.”
I smile. “Yes, you have.”
After getting Sugar settled into her bed in the corner of the kitchen, we go to the dining room. I glance at Laura when she comes in with three bowls of soup.
“Where’s Miss Flynn?”
“I don’t know, sir. I’ll track her down.”
Rachel comes into the dining room a few minutes later. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know I was expected at dinner.”
“Did you have other plans?”
“No, of course not.” She sits down in front of the third bowl of soup. “Mmm. This looks delicious. Better than the sandwich I was going to make for myself.”
“You’ll eat dinner with us and get Lilly ready for bed, then you’ll be free for the evening.”
“Okay.”
“You can make your own breakfast. Just be here by eight. That’s when I leave for work. Laura will see that the two of you get lunch.”
“Got it.” She nods.
I busy myself with my soup and Lilly picks up the conversation.
“Rachel, guess what I named the puppy.”
“Um…hmm. Let me think. Fluffy?”
She giggles. “No.”
“Cupcake?”
“Nope, I named her Sugar!” Lilly exclaims.
“Well, that’s perfect. I love it.”
“Because she’s so sweet.”
I clear my throat. “Lilly. A little less talking and a little more eating.”
She frowns at her soup. “But I don’t like this red soup.”
“It’s tomato soup.”
“I don’t like tomato soup, either.”
I glance at Rachel, who is holding back a smile. “Eat a few bites, please. You don’t have to finish it. Then you can eat your crackers.”
Lilly eats two small bites, then pushes the bowl toward the center of the table. I guess, technically, she did what I asked.
Rachel eats a spoonful of soup. “I love red soup.”
Lilly giggles and eats a cracker.
The remainder of dinner is a bit awkward. I’m not used to having a complete stranger in my home. And definitely not the attractive, female kind either. But Lilly helps keep the atmosphere light and playful. When we finish dessert, I ask Rachel to come into my office for a few minutes.
“Of course. Let me get Lilly situated in her room and I’ll be right there.”
I leave the table and head for my office. I need to get a few things straight with Miss Flynn.
The room is less like an office and more like a den or library. The home had belonged to my grandfather and he was an avid reader. He had massive bookshelves on two of the walls and they were still filled with his books. I’d never be able to read them all. But he always claimed he’d read most of them.
Knock Knock.
“Come in.”
The door is partially ajar. She gently pushes it the rest of the way before entering into the room.
“Have a seat.”
She sits on the chair in front of my desk. “Am I in trouble already? I feel really bad about the suspected intruder incident.”
“You’re not in trouble. I just want to talk about a few things.”
“Okay.” She clasps her hands in her lap and cocks her head at me. Once again I notice her auburn hair and angelic face. Her appearance is in contrast to her somewhat feisty attitude. She definitely isn’t intimidated by me.
“My mother might have told you that I’m not completely on board with the thought of having a nanny for Lilly.”
“She did mention you weren’t too happy she had to move back to the city.”
I sigh. “It couldn’t be helped. She has some health issues and we’re a ways out for her to get regular care.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. ”
“The other issue I have is the fact that you’re…so young.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I’m not that young.”
“Right. I know. What I meant was…when she mentioned hiring someone for me, I pictured someone older. More…”
“Matronly? A spinster perhaps?”
I can’t help but smile. “Do you really think it’s wise to mock your new boss?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not mocking you. I should’ve said grandmotherly.”
“Yes, more like that.”
She cocks her head again. “Why does it matter? Certainly someone of my young age can better keep up with Lilly’s enthusiasm.”
I point at her. “Fair point.” I lean back in my chair. “I assume Mom went over the schedule and what’s required of you on a daily basis?”
“Yes. Monday through Friday, eight to eight. You like to spend the weekends with her. It’s your one-on-one time.”
“Correct. The weekends are important to me.”
“I’m sure they are.”
“As is the couple of hours between dinner and bath time.”
“I will make myself scarce during that time.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” I swivel back and forth in my chair. “Is the guesthouse satisfactory?”
“Yes, it’s lovely. Thank you. It’s nicer than any apartment I’ve ever had.”
“Okay, then. Good. I guess that’s it. Unless you have any questions.”
She moves to the edge of her chair. “Just one. Mrs. Cartwright. She’s…”
I wave a hand at her. “Don’t worry about her. She’s been temperamental for as long as I can remember. It’s nothing personal.”
“Your mother said she’s been with the family for a while.”
“Yes. She was actually my nanny until I was five. Then, apparently, I was too much for her to handle. She became the housekeeper, and I was given a new nanny. His name was Ted. He was great and I still keep in touch with him.”
“That’s very sweet. I’d love to think that in twenty years or so, Lilly will stay in touch with me.”
“I guess time will tell. So…” I stand, giving her the cue that the meeting was over.
She gets to her feet. “I’ll come get Lilly at seven-thirty when it’s time for her bath.”
“Thank you.”
I watch Rachel as she leaves the room. There is a rhythm to the way she moves. Like she is walking to a song in her head. I shake my head. I should’ve insisted on a spinster who walked slow and deliberate. With a cane, perhaps.
I spend some time with Lilly until Rachel comes to give her a bath. Then I go back to my office to do a little work. When I hear singing that doesn’t sound like any music Lilly listens to, I get up to investigate. The singing is coming from the bathroom. I stop outside the door.
The song is about mermaids on an adventure to find pearls deep in the ocean. It’s Rachel . She’s really good too. Her voice is beautiful and enchanting. I am amazed.
I hear Lilly clap. “Sing some more.”
“Okay, but then it’s time to wash your hair.”
I quietly step back and go back to my office. That was a surprise, a pleasant surprise . I sit at my desk as the phone rings.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. What do you think about Rachel?”
“Um…too soon to tell.”
“You need to give her a chance.”
“I know. I am.” I look at the clock on the wall. “It’s been five hours, Mom.”
“Alright, but you need to be nice to her.”
“I’m always nice.” When she doesn’t respond, I add, “I’m nice most of the time.”
“She’s going to be good for Lilly. You’ll see.”
“How’d you find her, anyway?”
“Through an agency. Don’t worry, she’s been vetted. She worked for a friend of the Parkers for two years until they moved to France.”
“Okay. I trust you did your due diligence before bringing her into my home.”
“She’s a lovely girl, Pres. Give her a chance.”
I end the call and lean back in my chair. A lovely girl. That, I noticed .