Page 55 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

“Not fast enough.”

“Dad, you know faster isn’t always reasonable or effective. Gillian’s new but she’s got a good team and progress is happening. They needed a bit of guidance but it’s coming together. Why are you acting like this?”

“You undermined me in front of our subordinates.”

I held up a finger and asked him to let me finish what I was saying when he started yelling. “You undermined me by breezing into my meeting and then flying off the handle over a minor setback. It was unprofessional, Dad. Embarrassing to both of us, frankly.”

He grumbles under his breath and I catch the words ‘I’m still in charge’ but his cheeks are ruddy. He knows he was in the wrong.

I remember what Quinn said the other night about him not knowing how to face retirement. I think she’s right. But my father’s not exactly the kind of guy you offer a hug and ask if he wants to talk about his feelings. He’d rip my head off.

“Have you made any plans with Mom for February? She’d love getting away from the snow and cold for a bit.” It’s not subtle but I don’t really intend for it to be.

He eyes me with pursed lips. “She asked about the villa in Cabo. It’s nice and it's been a while since we stayed there.”

Nice is an understatement. So is ‘it’s been a while.’ The ten-million-dollar cliffside villa has five bedrooms, an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific and a private beach. It’s a dream vacation home but my parents, who bought it five years ago, have been there twice.

“It’s a great place.” The kids and Quinn would love it. “You should go.”

“Maybeyoushould go,” he says, sourly.

“Maybe I will.” I’m not sure where that came from but my mouth keeps moving as I take a fiendish delight in his shocked expression. “The kids will be out of school for winter break and we know I’ll be busy enough here in the coming months without you steering the ship. Might be nice to take off for a few days with them before the changing of the guard.”

I’ve not taken an actual vacation in years. Granted, we’ll have a new dog and I don’t know about flying her to Mexico but, the more I think about it, the more I’d like to go.And Quinn could come with us.

“The changing of the guard,” my dad repeats. Something shifts in his expression and I see a wistfulness in his eyes that’s rare. “A few days. It’s not a bad idea. You could make sure things are in order down there for me and I could handle things while you’re gone. I won’t lay anyone off or even threaten to. You should enjoy a break with them while they’re still kids, Theo.”

Something, he didn’t do all that much when my brothers and I were little. “I know I was a shitty dad to you boys and a shittier husband when I was younger,” he adds as if he’s read my mind.

“Dad, I’m not laying blame or-”

He holds up a hand. “No, I deserve any blame you’d lay at my feet. The drive to be tops would take over with me. Still does more than it should. But, you’re doing things your way and you’re doing well, son. I’m proud of you. It’s just damned hard letting go.”

“I can see why and thank you. So, you’ll take Mom to Cabo? After…”

Slowly, he nods. “I’ll take your mother in February.”

28- Quinn

I’m in love. We all are.

I’ve never had a dog, never quite understood people who go ga-ga over their dogs either. I do now. Theo brought Marilyn home a week ago and I’m already having a hard time picturing life without her.

The official version Theo gave the kids regarding Marilyn’s appearance was that Santa stopped by late one night and said he didn’t have room in his sleigh for dogs Marilyn’s size but he knew a good dog who was looking for a good home.

Jill nodded along, believing every word. Ryder smirked at his dad’s story but his eyes lit up as bright as Christmas morning the second Marilyn hopped out of the back of Theo’s SUV.

She’s a good dog, well behaved and affectionate. And there’s something socalmingabout Marilyn. Is that the training or was she born with it? I don’t know but I’ve never felt soseenby an animal… or most people. She gets me but doesn’t judge.

She shadows me during the day when everyone else is at work or school. My hand automatically finds its way towards those silky-soft ears multiple times a day. It makes me feel content but also confident.

Whatever I’m doing, if I start feeling anxious, she’s there, gently pressing against my leg with her powerful body while steadily looking up at me with those soulful brown eyes. It’s like magic and my lungs suddenly expand so I can breathe deeper. Marilyn seems to dig my belly rubs in payment.

A week and I’m in love with this dog. I’m not alone in finding joy in Marilyn’s presence either.

Ryder draws nothing but Marilyn lately. The art competition at school will be receiving a very detailed and colored sketch of a Yellow Lab. He won’t find out if he won until school’s back in session in January but Theo’s already said it’s getting framed and hung on the wall when we get it back no matter the outcome of the contest. When Ryder gets home from school, he goes immediately outside to play with her for whatever short daylight they have in December, laughing and playing chase and so carefree. The way a boy of nearly ten should be.

No matter how hectic Theo’s day has been, he’ll sit down with Marilyn by his side at the end of it and you’re guaranteed to see a genuine smile within a minute.

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