Page 21 of Free to Fall

“Because I don’t think you’re ready for the ER, Laura. But that little girl still needs help.”

My eyes drift down at the urchin grinning up at me. “With what?”

Alice surprises me with her response. “She needs a medically trained nanny for the summer.”

I’m so stunned that laughter forms in the depths of my belly—something that shocks me because I haven’t felt the urge to giggle in so long. Another piece of my life stolen and given back. Still, I hold it back to question, “You’re telling me I went to med school and completed most of my residency to become a nanny?” I close the file so I can hand it back to Alice.

She lays her hand on top of mine, staying my movement. “Bailey’s nanny was a trained PA. You actually know her.”

When Alice gives me the name, I can’t help the curve of my lips as a flood of childhood memories surround me. Memories of when Bailey Payne’s same nanny chased me and Jon around the family farm when our parents would go out for the evening.

This little girl and I have more in common than she knows. Still, all I say is, “I see.”

“Her residual physical impairments leave her and her father in a difficult situation as Bailey’s now on summer vacation. This is a short-term assignment, Laura.”

I hesitate. “I appreciate their offer, but still ...”

“You’re going to have to maintain charts, and maybe this will ease you past the psychological roadblocks you’re facing as you round the bend in your own recovery. Think back to your first year as a med student. What did you do? Active listening, provide support, reduce feelings of fear and isolation.”

The file makes its way into my lap. I rest my hand over it protectively. “True.”

“Now, you can do that and push a little girl past her recovery milestones. Just think. Years from now, Bailey will be able to look back and thank you for being the catalyst that changed her life.”

“Has the chief cleared this?”

Alice nods. “Moser extended your leave of absence. He agreed to pay your health care coverage out of your hospital salary. Also, you’ll be receiving a salary from the Paynes.”

I sit up straight. “Now just a darn minute ...”

When Alice names the amount, my jaw unhinges. It’s almost three times my annual salary at the hospital. I gape. “For three months?”

“Like I said, the father’s desperate.”

I don’t give it another thought. “Get the administration to draw up the paperwork. I’ll accept their offer contingent on whether the Paynes and I have a good rapport. But you inform Moser I’m on his payroll.”

Alice’s eyes glint. “So to speak.”

I shrug my shoulders uncomfortably before agreeing. “So to speak.” I haven’t taken a dime of the hospital’s money since I haven’t worked, instead directing my salary to the victim’s fund. I advise Alice, “If I accept the job with Mr. Payne, he’s to do the exact same. I don’t want it. You know damn well I don’t need it. The families of the victims do.”

Alice’s smile is beatific. “Deal.”

Chapter

Nine

“I’m here to present to you a short-term solution for your nanny problem.” Keene saunters into my office without preamble a few days after he and Caleb enticed me with their original offer.

“Does it involve bringing Bailey to the office?”

“If this doesn’t work out, that’s on the table.”

My jaw unhinges. “You’re kidding?”

“No, but I’d start by flexing your work hours so you could be home as often as possible with your daughter. You know we believe in family first, whenever possible.” Judging by the seriousness of Keene’s expression, he means it.

I raise my eyes heavenward, clasping my hands together in prayer over my head. “What did I do to deserve this job?”

Keene rattles off, “You excelled as a CPA in the Army and were considered a forensic accounting savant at Fort Belvoir. Then the Agency recruited you before allowing us to lure you away with offers of copious amounts of money and benefits like a 401k match because our previous auditor had no clue what the fuck he was doing. Not to mention, there’s the fact I practically begged, considering I spent more hours doing your job than my own. Does that ring a bell?”

---