Page 2 of The Widower's Nanny

She laughs. “That will be quite a task.” She gets into her car. “Good luck, Rachel.”

Good luck?

I watch her drive away while I consider what that might mean, then I go find Lilly. She is in the kitchen with Laura, helping her make cookies.

Lilly smiles at me while she stirs a large ceramic bowl with a big wooden spoon. She is wearing an apron with the words “Cook’s Helper” embroidered on it. “We’re making chocolate chip cookies.”

“Yum. My favorite.” I tell her.

Laura goes to the stove to pull out a sheet of cookies and lets out a yipe. She sets the cookie sheet on the stovetop and runs her hand under some cold water.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh yes, I’m fine.” She examines her new burn, then smiles at me as she dries her hands. “I’ve got the little miss for a while if you want to go make yourself at home and get a feel for the place. There’s a lot to take in.”

“Thank you. I think I’ll do that.”

I wander around the yard, checking out the many flower beds and trying to identify the flowers. Everything on the property seems to be in pristine shape. It is lovely, and I am excited to be here. This is going to be a great change of pace for me. I loved the family I worked for in the city, but I love being in the country. It reminds me of the summers I would spend riding horses with my grandma and grandpa, although this is much bigger than their cozy farmhouse.

Lilly seems like an angel. Everyone is friendly, except for Mrs. Cartwright. But apparently, her grumpy nature isn’t just for me. The last hurdle will be Mr. Michaelson. Bea had wished me good luck. I guess I’ll see soon enough what she meant by that.

When I hear a noise coming from behind the house, I peek around the corner. There is a man there with his back to me. He is holding a big box, and he isn’t anyone I’ve been introduced to. He doesn’t look like a delivery man; even if he was, he wouldn’t be delivering to the back porch. I look at the pile of firewood next to me and pick up a piece, then approach him from behind.Just in case.

“Excuse me?”

He turns around and nearly drops the box. “Who are you?”

I am briefly taken aback by the tall man with dark hair and gray eyes. He can’t possibly be there to cause trouble. “I’d like to ask you the same question. What are you doing on the Michaelson’s back porch?”

He sets the box down and studies me for a moment. “You meanmyback porch?”

Oh no. “Your back porch?”

“Why don’t you put the weapon down, Miss…?”

I look at the piece of firewood in my hands, then set it down. “Sorry.”

He folds his arms across his chest. “Who are you?”

“I’m Rachel Flynn. If this is your porch, then you’re Mr. Michaelson, and I’m your new nanny. I’m also really sorry about the firewood and I hope you don’t fire me. This is my first day…and we’re in the country…and, well, I thought maybe you were an intruder.”

He scowls at me. “I look like an intruder to you?”

I shrug. “Well, not now.”

“And just what were you planning on doing with the firewood? If I were an intruder, I highly doubt that would stop me. More than likely, it’d just annoy me.”

“I was just…” I take a breath. “Can we start over?”

The box he set down moves, and we both look at it. He opens the top and pulls out a fluffy, white puppy.

“I’m Preston Michaelson.” He holds up the dog. “And this is for my daughter, Lilly. I thought it might help make the transition easier.”

The puppy is so adorable! And the man holding the puppy isn’t so bad himself. I notice my gaze is lingering a little too long.Get it together, Rachel. “Transition?”

“My mother has been taking care of Lilly since she wastwo.”

“Oh. Of course. Well, if it’s any consolation, Lilly seems to like me well enough. Even though it’s only been a couple of hours.” The puppy wiggles in his hands and tries to lick him. “The puppy is very cute though, and I’m sure she’ll love it.”

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