Page 32 of The Widower's Nanny

“I challenge you, ladies, to a game of Sorry.”

Lilly and I join him at the table. I made more coffee and hot chocolate and I made my drink a mix of both. I also brought cookies and some cheese crackers.

Preston looks at my cup when I set it down. “What’s that?”

“Chocolate coffee.”

“Hmm.”

“Do you want me to add chocolate to your coffee?”

“No. Straight black is fine.”

I shake my head. “This is supposed to be a night of adventure.”

He sighs. “Fine.” He hands me the cup. “Ruin my coffee.”

I take it from him. “I promise you’ll like it…Or maybe you won’t like it. We’ll see.”

I take his cup to the kitchen and add some hot chocolate mix, then stir it in. I bring it back to him and watch him until he takes a drink.

He nods. “Alright. Not bad.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He opens the game box. “Let’s get this game started.”

I watch him set up the board. “Are you one of those guys who is ruthless when playing board games?”

“Me? Nah.”

Lilly laughs. “Daddy likes to win.”

I smile. “I bet he does.”

He looks at me. “Seems to me you beat my daughter at checkers.”

“It was a very close game. And I don’t believe in letting a child win just for the sake of winning. It builds character.”

“Exactly. I agree.”

“Hmm.” I look at Lilly. “You and I have to make sure your dad doesn’t win.”

She gives me a thumbs up. “We’re going to beat you, Daddy.”

“Yeah. We’ll see about that.”

We start the game, and I begin to see the competitive side of Preston. The cards aren’t going his way, and he keeps getting sent back to start. When Lilly lands on his square and sends him back, he squints at her.

“Wow.”

She shrugs. “You have to start all over.”

“Again.” He glances at me and I smile at him.

“I can see why you’re a successful businessman. You don’t like to lose.”

He laughs. “Who does?” He pats Lilly’s hand. “Good job, honey.”

---