Karen Smith – The Nanny Clause (страница 6)
“I’d give Emma five stars in everything she does. She’s an enthusiastic volunteer, and she doesn’t just do the work, she
“Did she give you references?”
“Certainly. I wouldn’t have taken her on if she hadn’t. Even volunteers go through a background check and vetting process. Her references are stellar. If I had to sum it up, I’d say she’s reliable, prompt and a problem solver, besides being patient with animals.”
That was all Daniel needed to know. Those recommendations would be a perfect résumé for a nanny. “Can you tell me if she’s volunteering tomorrow?”
“Actually, yes. She’ll be here after ten.”
Daniel knew exactly where he’d be headed after church tomorrow—to Furever Paws to find a solution to one very big problem.
The next morning after church, Daniel stopped at Furever Paws with Paris, Penny and Pippa. They’d been less restless in church today because they’d known they would be coming here afterward.
After they went inside, it took a volunteer a bit of time to find Emma. They were finally told that she was in the dog room, cleaning cages. Daniel and his girls went that way.
He rapped on the window and Emma saw him. She smiled and came out.
Penny asked, “Can we go in and play with a puppy?”
“I’ll let two out of their cages,” Emma said. “We have beagle puppies, who are adorable.” After she did that and the girls were engaged, Emma returned to Daniel. “I understand you wanted to speak with me.”
“I do. I’d like somewhere more private, but I know you have to keep an eye on the girls.”
“Yes, I do. If the puppies become overexcited or your daughters get too rambunctious, I’ll have to step in.”
Daniel had pulled a folded paper from his back pocket. He could see in Emma’s eyes that she was wondering what it was. “Let me begin by saying I talked with Rebekah about you.”
Emma’s mouth opened and she immediately asked, “Did I do something wrong?”
“Oh, no! Nothing like that.” He reached for her and clasped her elbow. “You’ve done everything right according to Rebekah. You’re a five-star volunteer.”
Emma smiled but gradually her smile slipped away. “I still don’t understand why you needed to talk with her about me.”
“You need a job, and I need a nanny-slash-housekeeper.”
Emma studied him for a long moment, and he saw wariness in her eyes. He didn’t blame her.
“Since my last nanny left, my sister Shannon has been watching the girls when I need her to. But the problem is... I’m taking advantage of her. She has a three-year-old and it’s hard for her to watch her toddler and my three kids. With the girls out of school now, she’s coming over to my house to watch them. She does her best, but it’s too much to ask her to keep track of everything going on in my house and in hers, too. Paris called me yesterday, and I had to run home to settle a few issues. My daughters are more important to me than any work, but I have to work to sustain us all. I’ve interviewed people for the nanny position,” he went on, “and I just can’t find anyone I like.”
“Why me?” Emma asked, maybe looking a bit interested now.
“Because from the first day I walked in here with Paris, Pippa and Penny, they related to you. You’re compassionate and caring and seem to be able to handle them better than I do. I know expertise when I see it.”
“I’ve never been a nanny. I was an office manager.”
“If you throw in compassion, kindness and firmness, there’s not much difference between an office manager and a nanny, don’t you think?”
Emma smiled at his wry tone. “I don’t know, Daniel...”
He handed her the paper in his hand. “This is a list of
When she still seemed hesitant, he added, “The job includes room and board. There’s an in-law suite. You’d have privacy when you need it.”
Emma studied the paper. “I’ll check your references and I’ll think about your offer. That’s all I can tell you right now.”
“At least you didn’t say
They couldn’t shake on it since they hadn’t made a deal yet, but he nodded. “We have a little time before we have to be at Shannon’s for lunch. Maybe you could spend it with my daughters?”
With no hesitation whatsoever, Emma nodded to the dog room. “I suggest we play with the beagle puppies with the girls.”
Knowing that could be a bonding experience, he opened the door to the room and let Emma precede him inside.
* * *
Standing in the cleaned-up and almost spotless kitchen on Monday, Daniel realized how happy he was that Emma had agreed to be his daughters’ nanny. She’d called him last evening to accept his offer. Daniel was ready for her...at least, he thought he was. The girls certainly were. Pippa and Penny were dancing all around, chattering with excitement. Paris wasn’t as noisy but she didn’t have a solemn look on her face, either.
He’d made sure there weren’t any dirty dishes in the sink. He’d made sure the great room was as straightened up as it could be. He’d told his daughters to at least give the room a half hour after Emma arrived before they messed it up again.
They’d laughed. They hadn’t thought he was serious.
He’d looked out the front Palladian windows for at least the tenth time when his cell phone buzzed. Taking it from his belt, he was concerned it was Emma telling him she’d changed her mind. But it wasn’t. It was his sister.
Without preamble, she said, “I still think you’re crazy to hire a stranger.”
He could imagine Shannon’s red curls flying and her lips, which were usually turned up in a smile, pointing downward.
“Good morning to you, too, sis.”
“You should have used an agency.”
“As I told you before, I tried an agency. The applicants they sent never could have kept up with the girls. You know how much energy they have.”
His sister was silent until she said, “Yes, they have energy, but they need it to be channeled in the right way. What makes you think this woman can do that? It’s not like she was a schoolteacher or worked in day care.”
“Working with animals is like working in day care,” he muttered.
“Don’t try to snow me,” Shannon protested.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll invite you to dinner as soon as Emma’s settled in. How would that be?”
“Sooner,” Shannon demanded.
“You know, you always were a bossy kid sister.”
“And you were always a know-it-all older brother.”
They both laughed. Thank goodness they could laugh. It kept them sane when the world turned upside down.
Suddenly he heard a car in the driveway. It was a compact blue sporty model. Just like Emma, he supposed—full of class and energy. “I gotta go. She’s here.”
“You can always call me if she doesn’t work out.”
“Bye, Shannon.” He ended the call and replaced his phone on its dock.
He watched as Emma stepped out of her car. He felt his pulse race a little faster as first one bare leg appeared and then the other. As she closed the driver’s-side door, his breath actually caught. She’d worn pale pink shorts—a respectable length—and a puff-sleeved gauzy white blouse. Her curly hair blew in the wind. He noticed her sandals had little jewel-like beads on them. Pippa would love that.
Emma stepped to the back door of the sedan and pulled out a messenger bag.
He told his daughters, “I’m going to help Emma bring her things in.” He hurried out the front door and down the walk then took the side path to the driveway. When Emma saw him, she smiled.
That smile.
Maybe he’d made a huge mistake. He was attracted to her even more than he’d realized.
On the other hand, he needed a nanny. He’d keep that attraction in check.
“Welcome to the Sutton abode.” As soon as he said it, he thought it sounded lame.
Emma didn’t seem to notice. “It’s good to be here. You can’t imagine how thankful I am that I found a job.”
“If you have other suitcases, the girls can help.”
The smile left Emma’s face. “One suitcase.”
He knew Lydia never went anywhere, even for just a weekend, without three suitcases. This was Emma’s life...in one suitcase?