Page 10 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

He looks at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. To my father, it probablyisanother language.

“There’s that Zoom thing you can do on your phone. Who the hell eats porridge and what’s Lady Ducks? This isn’tOliver Twist, Theo. The kids will be fine.”

He gives me that look, the same one that could get me to walk off a cliff as a kid if it meant getting this man’s approval. “I need you. The company needs you. Duty comes first sometimes. You know I want to retire next year…”

And, that’s where he has me. I’m the oldest son. I’ve always done what he expects of me even when it tears me in two and he doesn’t want to do this forever. It’s time for me to step up, to take on the role he’s spent years preparing me for, the CEO of Wolfe Media.

I nod and tell him I’ll give Mom a call. Maybe she can hire a better nanny than what I’ve managed to find.

And at least, when they’re with my mother, I know my kids will be cherished as they deserve even if their sweet mother is gone and their father’s doing his damnedest not to turn into the workaholic their grandfather is.

5-Quinn

If I ever need to compose my own epitaph, I'm goingwith 'Isa made me do it.'

Working past my fear of large gatherings to attend my college graduation? I did it because of Isa. She wanted to cheer for me.

First date after my last break-up? Isa made me go.

The nights at Sapphire? Isa. And she'd been thrilled to know that last trip had led to amazing sex even if the after part made her frown along with me.

So, the thing is, when I'm ready to retreat into my shell for good, Isa's the one dragging me out. When I think there's no way I can face a new, anxiety-laden situation, Isa's the one saying I can.

And when I'd wanted to curl into a ball and disappear the night of the crash, it was the knowledge that Isa might still be alive which made me shout myself hoarse until the emergency workers found us down that dark and snowy ravine. Don't think about that today.

"You've got this!" Isa cries enthusiastically over the Bluetooth as I'm driving towards my destination. In the background, I hear little Lucas mimicking his nanny with gusto.

"This is crazy. I'm no nanny."

"Not yet but you'll be an awesome one!"

I roll my eyes but she's got me smiling, too. "Here's my turn. I'll call you later."

"You'd better!"

There'd been openings at public schools but nothing had called to me strongly enough to work past my fear of the unfamiliar.

Then, Isa had heard through the Nanny Grapevine that Margaret Wolfe, some society lady Lucas's mom idolizes, was searching for a nanny for her two school-aged grandchildren.

In addition to the required background check, first-aid and CPR training and a willingness to commit to caring for the children full time as a live-in nanny, she particularly wanted someone with experience is education and counseling if possible.

According to Isa, it's not a typical expectation for a nanny but the income and benefits are more than equal compensation for it, more than I earned at Price Academy, and the opportunity sounds too good for even my fears to pass up. I've got an education degree and experience teaching. I can say I've spent my fair share of timeincounseling at least. Why not give it a shot? Two younger children inside their home should be simpler than dozens fo teenagers at a local high school, right?

I'm in a fancy suburb about an hour outside the city when I turn onto the street where the Wolfe children live. Except this isn't a normal neighborhood street. It's a private drive with a huge gate. Beyond, a neatly manicured lawn stretches an acre or more towards the house and...

"Holy shit."

I'd expected money, they're hiring a nanny after all. The family Isa works for while she's finishing her business degree are quite well off but this man must be absolutely loaded. The stunning house looks like something out of the movies, an enormous three-story colonial with red brick facade, gabled dormers, pale gray shutters and a cobblestone driveway.

I think of Isa's words from minutes ago."You've got this!"

I look down at my hands that very much want to tremble at the moment. "I'm not sure I've got this."

∞∞∞

Well, maybe I have got this. I'll be damned.

My hands aren't trembling at all as I'm greeted at the door by Mrs. Wolfe who explains that she's been conducting the interviews on behalf of her son with him being away in New York for business. She's a lovely, well-dressed lady around sixty, clearly very posh but approachable.

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