Chapter 17 #2
“For that reason, it’s hard to let you go,” he said.
“But I’m sure you must be eager to be on your way.
I know this wasn’t how you anticipated spending your summer, stuck with a couple of slightly spoiled kids.
You should be traveling about, seeing Europe like you’d planned.
” He pointed a finger up. “That reminds me, Mrs. Warner told me you received something from the US Consulate. I’m guessing it’s your passport replacement. ”
“Oh, yes, I’d heard it was coming.”
“And I will pay you for this past week, plus three week’s severance,” he said.
“So you should have enough to allow you some time to explore and relax before flying home to the States. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Warner plan to remain in the villa a few days after the children and I depart, just to put the house in order. Mrs. Warner said you’re more than welcome to stay and enjoy some down time here.
” He waved a hand. “I’m sure there are worse places to land.
I often wish I could stay longer.” His smile seemed sad.
“Just our way of showing our appreciation.”
“That’s so generous.” She fumbled for her bag, trying to locate a pair of sunglasses and hoping to conceal the tears welling in her eyes.
He was handing her the walking papers, and although she wasn’t surprised, she was drowning in overwhelming sadness.
She wanted to be alone and have a good cry—something she rarely did. What was wrong with her?
By morning, Meredith knew she needed to go as quickly as possible.
She appreciated the invitation to remain here, but the sooner she left, the sooner she might return to some kind of normal.
Not that she knew what that felt like anymore.
With this in mind, she went down to breakfast with a firm resolve.
After speaking to Mrs. Warner about transportation back to Vienna, she would attempt to choke down a cup of coffee and perhaps a bite of toast, but then she would gently explain her plans to the children, hug them both, and with her little bag of meager belongings, leave the villa.
Before she could make her announcement, Spencer was telling the children his plans.
“I have good news,” he began brightly. “Nanny Bosko has returned to the palace. She is free to help us again. Unfortunately, her husband has passed, but I think Mrs. Bosko is eager for something to fill her days, and I’m sure she cannot wait to see you two. ”
“Nanny Bosko?” Mishka’s eyes lit up.
“I don’t need a nanny,” Kat grumbled.
“Well, governess then. Anyway, she will be there waiting for us.” He cleared his throat. “And that brings me to the rest of my news. Grandmama wants us to come home as soon as possible. We will leave in a couple of days.”
“Leave?” Kat demanded. “Our holiday isn’t even over with.”
“Our time here is over.” Spencer’s tone was firm.
“But we were having such fun,” Mishka complained. “I’m getting good at football and tennis and swimming. I can’t do that at home.”
“There are ways.” Spencer reminded him of sports centers in Rotslavia.
“But I don’t want to go back. Not yet,” Mishka protested.
“Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do,” Spencer said in a firmer tone. “This is one of those times. Your grandmother says it’s time to go home. That means we will go home.”
Both children frowned in silence. Apparently one didn’t argue with the queen.
“I’m afraid it’s time for me to go too,” Meredith said quietly. “I was about to tell you that. I’m all packed and I wanted to say goodbye this—”
“No!” Mishka leaped from his chair so quickly that his plate slipped to the floor, shattering into a mess of porcelain and scrambled eggs. “You can’t leave us, Meri.”
“Miss Meredith needs to go,” Spencer told him.
“Why?” Kat demanded. “Just because we’re going back to Rotslavia? Why does that mean she has to go? Why can’t she go back with us?”
Although she was touched by Kat’s devotion, Meredith knew the right answer. “You have your old nanny,” she said gently. “She sounds like a sweet woman—”
“I don’t want my old nanny,” Mishka shouted. He balled his fists and turned to his father. “I want Meri.”
“I want Meri too.” Kat’s tone was matter-of-fact, but her creased brow and folded arms looked serious.
“Don’t let her go, Papa, please,” Mishka pleaded. “We need her.”
Moved by their loyalty, Meredith was tongue-tied.
She stood, twisting her napkin and gazing at the two angry children.
“I have loved being with you, Mishka and Kat. More than you can imagine and more than I thought possible. But your father is right. It’s time for everyone to go home.
” She blinked to hold in tears. “But I’m hoping we can stay in touch—through letters and things—” Her voice cracked with emotion.
“But, really—it’s time—to say good—bye.”
Unable to speak coherently, she tossed down the napkin and hurried from the dining room, sprinting up the stairs. In her suite’s bathroom, she did her best to mop up her tears and washed her face in cold water until she was able to take in some deep breaths.
Calm, calm, calm…
God’s ways were higher than hers. She believed that. So why was she being so juvenile about this? She hadn’t experienced this much emotion when David had abandoned her in Papua New Guinea, yet she’d claimed he’d broken her heart. So what was this? And what was wrong with her?
She was just gathering her thoughts along with the cheesy canvas bag packed with her few thrift-store belongings when she heard a quiet knocking on the door.
She hoped it was Mrs. Warner with an arrangement for her ride.
Instead she opened the door to see Spencer, wearing a sheepish expression, and Mishka and Kat right behind him, still looking rather feisty.
“Can we talk to you?” Spencer asked.
“Of course.” She waited, hoping she was done with tears by now and that they didn’t show.
“We have arrived at a small compromise,” he began. “If you are amiable to it. Actually, it was Kat’s idea, but Mishka and I agreed.”
“A compromise?” She tipped her head to one side.
“Mrs. Warner said you needed a ride to Vienna. And we are going to Vienna. What if we all go together? We can spend two or three days there. I have the suite at the Ritz with plenty of room. Would that be agreeable to you?”
Meredith felt uncertain. What was the sense of prolonging this agony?
“Please, say yes,” Mishka begged.
“We can have fun,” Kat suggested hopefully.
“You never got to see the good part of Vienna,” Spencer pointed out. “You had such a bad experience when you arrived. You really should give the city a second chance.”
“We can go on the Giant Ferris Wheel,” Mishka said hopefully.
“And see the Lipizzaner horses,” Kat added. “They’re so beautiful.”
“You do make it sound tempting.” Meredith had hoped to spend a little time in Vienna, and it was hard to turn down the Ritz. Not to mention a couple more days with the children. But still…
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Spencer smiled, and the children cheered. “I’ll give everyone until noon to get packed, and then we are off.” He produced two bags, one good-sized and one small. “Mrs. Warner said you may need these.”
Meredith felt slightly dizzy as she thanked him, took the luggage into her room, and closed her door.
Had she really agreed to this? Was she going to regret it?
It wasn’t too late to back out. She shot up a silent prayer, begging for direction.
What was the best route to take? Cut the ties before it hurt more?
But her phone was chiming. To her surprise, it was her father.
“Dad?” she exclaimed. “Is this really you?”
“It’s me, Meri. It’s late here. We had to stop in a small town in Oregon to pick up packages at the Post Office, and we’re spending the night in a cheap hotel.
I would’ve called sooner, but my phone was dead, and then I took a hot shower and fell asleep.
But I wanted to call before we head out in the morning. ”
“It’s so good to hear your voice. How are you? Staying well?”
“I feel better than ever. The first week was tough, but we’re pacing ourselves better now. Tom had a foot problem, but I think we got that solved. How are you? I read your text then read it again to the guys. We’re all curious as to how it’s going working for royalty.”
“Oh, Dad, it’s been wonderful and horrible.”
“That deserves some explanation, Meri.”
She launched into the whole story—how she loved these kids, and how their dad came back earlier, and how her job was supposed to end today, and then the prospects of going to Vienna with them. “The kids really want me to go.”
“And their father?”
“I don’t know. I think it’s Spencer’s way of appeasing them. But I’m worried it’ll just make things worse.”
“Worse for the kids? Or for you?”
She considered this. “I guess for me.”
“What is their father like?”
She briefly described Spencer, perhaps painting him in even better light than deserved, but nothing untrue. And perhaps what he would one day be. “I think he wants to be a good dad, but he just doesn’t quite know how.”
“Maybe you’re helping him?”
“I don’t know about that. Maybe.”
“Well, I’m no expert on these things, but I think you should go with the royals to Vienna, spend a little more time with this struggling family.
Really, what could it hurt? You may have an enjoyable time.
Take a risk, Meri. You’ve always been an adventuresome gal.
Maybe something unexpected will come of it. ”
She explained how she’d just been praying for direction.
“Seems like God was listening.” Dad chuckled. “That is, if you trust your old man’s judgment.”
“You know I do, Dad. More than anyone.”
“Well, I say go for it, Meri. And text me the details as they unfold. I want to read all about your adventure when we get back in range, which should be about a week—God willing and the creek don’t rise. Or wildfires.”
She laughed. “Okay then. If I’m really going, I better get packed, or they’ll be leaving without me.”
“Get to it, girl.” He told her he loved her and that she was always in his prayers.
“I love you too, Dad. I pray for all of you brave hikers every day. Be safe.”
After she hung up, she dumped out her flimsy canvas bag into the small case then opened the wardrobe.
Once she decided what would be useful in Vienna for a few days, she packed the items neatly into the bigger suitcase.
Part of her thought this was the stupidest thing she could possibly do, but another part of her felt excited and hopeful.
After all, Dad had given her a big green light. She was going!