Page 5 of Holiday Hire

I insist, "I'll do it."

Evelyn snickers. "Sure you will."

"Stay out of it," I snap.

She adds, "They have to do their homework. Plus, you're horrible when it comes to school stuff."

"I said to keep your nose where it belongs."

"She's right. The boys' schoolwork can't suffer," Dad declares.

"I'm good not doing homework while you're gone. No offense, Phoebe," Wilder states, then gives her his dazzling smile.

"Not funny," I warn.

"I don't need to do homework either," Ace proclaims.

Phoebe laughs and replies, "You're both doing your homework. But don't worry. We'll make it fun."

"Homework is never fun," Wilder mutters.

"It will be with me," Phoebe claims.

I clench my jaw, breathing through my nose, my heart racing faster. I assess Phoebe again, wondering how my mother could be so off base with her judgment. This woman is wild; I can tell. Surely, she won't be a good influence on my boys. They'll run right over her.

"She's very qualified," Mom says, as if she can read my mind.

"How?" I question, truly curious how this stranger could handle my sons, who are starting to push the boundaries any chance they get.

Phoebe's voice is confident when she smiles and states, "I've taught art for the last three years."

"Three years! And art! That's a lifetime of lessons there," I sarcastically declare.

"Alexander!" Mom reprimands.

"What? It's a fair assessment."

Phoebe straightens her back, narrowing her eyes on me, divulging, "Not really. I started babysitting when I was twelve. I nannied through college for a family with five children, and the parents were absent."

"I'm not an absent father," I snap.

She tilts her head. "I didn't claim you were."

I stare at her, and tension builds around the table, but mostly between the two of us.

Sebastian clears his throat. "Why don't you give her a chance?"

I jerk my head toward him. "Since when do you stick your nose in my business?"

He holds his hands up. "Mom and Dad interviewed her, so she must be overqualified."

Surprise hits me. I turn toward Dad. "You interviewed her?"

"Of course."

I ask Sebastian, "How did you know? You were outside with us."

Guilt fills his expression.

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