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Cara giggled. “Hi, Lucy. Do you remember me?”
Lucy nodded. “Daddy said you’re my new nanny.”
“Yes! Is that okay with you?”
Lucy smiled wide, the loose tooth still proudly front and center. “Depends on what games you know how to play.”
“Games? Oh boy, do I know games.”
I could think of a few games I’d like to play with Lucy’s new nanny.
My daughter laughed. She was ready to get busy playing. My heart swelled. “Before you start on any games, let me give you a rundown on everything.”
“Perfect.”
I led Cara into the kitchen. “Lucy’s school starts at eight most days. I pack a lunch for her the night before and I’ll leave that in the fridge for you. Important to note, Lucy is allergic to peanuts.”
“Does she have an EpiPen?”
I nodded. “There are several throughout the house. Easiest access is this drawer here.”
“Got it.”
“On days off, you two can go on any outings you like. We have memberships at most of the museums and the park is right nearby.” I rattled off the rules and systems without pausing. Cara wasn’t even taking notes, but I could tell she was cataloging everything in her brain. “Is that all clear?”
Cara nodded. “Yes. What’s your screen time policy?”
Ah, yes. Forgot that. “Limited through the day, but while you’re making dinner, she can have as much as she likes. Which reminds me, if you can start dinner before I get home, I can finish it up and you can take off.”
Cara smiled. “Okay. That’s the only question I have for now.”
“Great.” I looked from Cara over to Lucy in the doorway of the kitchen. “Well. That’s it, then.”
“Great.”
“Great!” Lucy twirled in a circle. “Game time!”
My chest tightened. “Well, come say goodbye to me first.”
“Oh! Right!”
We went back into the front hall. Cara hung back while Lucy and I hugged goodbye. I squeezed her tighter than I had in a long, long time. “Daddy, you’re squishing me!”
“Yes, I am.” I kissed her on the cheek, relishing her giggle, and then put her back down on the ground. “You remember the rules, yes?”
Lucy stood at attention with her hands behind her back. “Be the goodest girl ever.”
I chuckled.Not quite, but that’ll do. “Yes. And Cara, if you have any trouble, you can call my office number whenever. Don’t worry about me, I’ll —”
“Thank you, Wesley, but I think we’ll be okay. I have a good feeling.” Cara and Lucy exchanged a smile as if they had known each other forever.Huh.
I snapped my mouth shut. There was that confidence I saw in Cara Smith shining through. I had to admit, I liked the look of it on her. “Well, alright. Have a good day, girls.” Saying that sent a pang through my heart. I had always said that before leaving Lisbeth and Lucy when Lucy was only a baby. I hadn’t said it in…well, years.
I’d missed it.
Throughout my drive to work, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from racing. At least Lucy and Cara seemed confident with the situation. I, on the other hand, had been questioning my intuition all night long, tossing and turning. I hadn’t even asked Cara for a background check. What if she was some sort of criminal? Or a corporate spy? I had let my mind run away with improbable scenarios.
Calm down, Wes. It’ll be fine. Your sixth sense hasn’t been wrong in a long time.
