Page 46 of Curvy Nanny for the Grumpy Single Dad

“Good morning, Lena. How are you feeling?”

“Good.”

The doorbell rang and Dotty sighed, her gaze shot from the sausage patties on the stove to the direction of the door. “Are we expecting company?” She asked with a sigh.

“I’ll get the door,” Lucy offered. “You focus on breakfast.”

“Bless you, Lucy.”

She laughed. “Just remember me when you’re adding cheese to the biscuit sandwich.”

“Well look at you,” a familiar voice said. “Even prettier in person.”

Lucy’s laugh sounded loud and genuine. “I could say the same about you, Sam. Cheryl, you’re looking youthful. Come on in.”

I sat taller and set my coffee down just as Lucy entered the kitchen with my parents close behind her. “Mom. Dad. This is a surprise.” They hadn’t called or mentioned anything about a visit, which immediately put me on edge.

Mom laughed and moved forward to wrap me in a suffocating hug. “It’s good to see you too, Dante.”

“You look good, Mom. Dad you look…tan.”

Dad laughed and pulled me in for a back-slapping hug before I could even get to my feet. “Sunshine is good for the soul, my boy. Looks like you could use some, you’re as tense as a corpse.”

Dotty laughed from her spot at the stove.

“Grandma! Grandpa!” Lena slid from her chair and rushed to my parents excitedly. “You’re here!”

It was a minutes’ long love fest as Mom and then Dad hugged and kissed Lena, and chatted about how happy they were to see each other. “You’ve gotten so big!” Dad lifted Lena high in the air and she giggled.

“What’re you doing here?” The question was abrupt and harsh, which wasn’t how I meant it.

Lucy laughed, but tried to stifle it with a cough. “Need some help Dotty?”

“Sure. Let’s just do family style.”

I watched Lucy as she brought a plate of biscuits to the table followed by more plates and silverware to accommodate my parents. Coffee mugs came next followed by maple syrup and strawberry preserves. “All right, is everyone set?” She surveyed the table like a professional and flashed a smile at my parents.

“We’re good, honey.” Mom flashed a smile and looked around the table with a frown. “You aren’t eating breakfast with us?”

“No,” she said and maintained her bright but professional smile. “You guys should catch up over breakfast. Just give me a call when you’re done and I’ll come grab Lena, unless I should stay to help her?”

“Oh no,” Dad insisted. “We can handle one little squirt.” He winked at Lucy and she smiled in return.

I watched her walk away powerless to stop her, equally powerless to make her stay. “What?”

Mom stared at me as if she wanted to say something. Instead, her lips curled into a knowing grin. “Nothing. How are you, son?”

“I’m fine, Mom. Working a lot and spending the rest of my time with Lena. How are you guys?”

“Good. Missing our son and granddaughter,” she answered and tickled Lena. “Figured we’d swing by for a visit before you could tell us you were too busy.”

“I wouldn’t,” I began, but stopped. “Okay maybe I would, but I’m glad to see you.” Things at work were incredibly busy, especially today. “But I’m afraid that I can’t skip work today. Tomorrow, however, is all yours.”

“Perfect. Today we’ll hang with Lena, maybe take her to the zoo, if that’s all right.”

“Of course it is. I’ll let Lucy know.”

“Let Lucy know what?” She appeared as if I’d conjured her up, smiling in skintight jeans and soft pink tunic.

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