Page 8 of The Widower's Nanny

“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” I swivel back and forth in my chair. “Is the guesthouse satisfactory?”

“Yes, it’s lovely. Thank you. It’s nicer than any apartment I’ve ever had.”

“Okay, then. Good. I guess that’s it. Unless you have any questions.”

She moves to the edge of her chair. “Just one. Mrs. Cartwright. She’s…”

I wave a hand at her. “Don’t worry about her. She’s been temperamental for as long as I can remember. It’s nothing personal.”

“Your mother said she’s been with the family for a while.”

“Yes. She was actually my nanny until I was five.Then, apparently, I was too much for her to handle. She became the housekeeper, and I was given a new nanny. His name was Ted. He was great and I still keep in touch with him.”

“That’s very sweet. I’d love to think that in twenty years or so, Lilly will stay in touch with me.”

“I guess time will tell. So…” I stand, giving her the cue that the meeting was over.

She gets to her feet. “I’ll come get Lilly at seven-thirty when it’s time for her bath.”

“Thank you.”

I watch Rachel as she leaves the room. There is a rhythm to the way she moves. Like she is walking to a song in her head. I shake my head.I should’ve insisted on a spinster who walked slow and deliberate. With a cane, perhaps.

I spend some time with Lilly until Rachel comes to give her a bath. Then I go back to my office to do a little work. When I hear singing that doesn’t sound like any music Lilly listens to, I get up to investigate. The singing is coming from the bathroom. I stop outside the door.

The song is about mermaids on an adventure to find pearls deep in the ocean.It’s Rachel. She’s really good too. Her voice is beautiful and enchanting. I am amazed.

I hear Lilly clap. “Sing some more.”

“Okay, but then it’s time to wash your hair.”

I quietly step back and go back to my office.That was a surprise, a pleasant surprise. I sit at my desk as the phone rings.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. What do you think about Rachel?”

“Um…too soon to tell.”

“You need to give her achance.”

“I know. I am.” I look at the clock on the wall. “It’s been five hours, Mom.”

“Alright, but you need to be nice to her.”

“I’m always nice.” When she doesn’t respond, I add, “I’m nice most of the time.”

“She’s going to be good for Lilly. You’ll see.”

“How’d you find her, anyway?”

“Through an agency. Don’t worry, she’s been vetted. She worked for a friend of the Parkers for two years until they moved to France.”

“Okay. I trust you did your due diligence before bringing her into my home.”

“She’s a lovely girl, Pres. Give her a chance.”

I end the call and lean back in my chair.A lovely girl. That, I noticed.

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