Page 4 of The Widower's Nanny

“Maybe for a minute, if you don’t mind.”

She holds the puppy up and I take it from her. The puppy looks at me, and I smile. “You are one cute puppy. And I think you’re going to be loved a lot.”

I snuggle the puppy for a moment, then give her back to Lilly. She looks at Preston.

“Can I go show her to everyone?”

“Of course. Thenbring her back outside to go potty.”

Lilly nods and heads into the house. I look at Preston. “Seems like the puppy’s a hit.”

“She’s been wanting one for a while. Unfortunately, some of her care will fall onto you when Lilly starts school in the fall.”

“That’s fine. I love dogs.”

“Good.” He sets the box aside. “I’ve got some things in the car for the dog, so I need to go get them.”

“Do you need help?”

“Um…sure. That’d be nice. Thank you.”

I follow him off the porch and around the house to his very nice car. He opens the trunk, which is full of dog supplies. He hands me the pink, furry bed and a bag of toys. Then he picks up a bag of puppy chow and another two plastic bags.

“I like to be prepared.”

“I see that.”

He closes the trunk, and we go into the house through the front door.

We set everything in the living room, then he turns to me.

“I guess we got off on the wrong foot.” He offers his hand. “Preston Michaelson.”

I reach forward and feel the warmth of his hand in mine. A soft, yet firm, handshake. “Rachel Flynn. Nice to meet you.”

He takes a few steps back. “My mother called me after she left today.”

I smile. “I hope it was to say she found me charming and up to the task.”

He doesn’t return my smile. “She said she approved ofyou.”

“Oh. That’s good…right?”

He nods. “We’ll see.” He leaves me to find Lilly and take the dog outside.

I watch him go.Hmm. Not a barrel of laughs, I see.

2

Preston

As I sit on the porch, I watch Lilly play with the puppy on the front lawn and think about Rachel. I don’t like the idea of having a nanny, but my mother could no longer do it. I had visions of Lilly being a lot more upset that her grandmother is no longer living with us but she seems fine. Maybe the finality of it all hasn’t sunk in yet. Or maybe, as I’d hoped, the puppy is a good distraction.

I think about Rachel standing below the porch, armed with a piece of firewood. I’m not sure why, or how, I managed to notice how attractive she was at that moment, but I did. Her big hazel eyes drew me in with every glance. And her auburn hair seemed to catch the sunlight just right, giving it a fiery glow. I guess the fact she jumped into protector mode so quickly is a good sign. Although it was a little extreme.

“Dad?”

“Yes, bug?”

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