Page 5 of Silver Fox Daddy

“Get a grip, Lucan. This is a potential employee. Not just someone to scratch an itch.”

My thoughts are interrupted as the office door opens.

“Daddy! Look what I got!”

I watch as he runs around the desk and I help him into my lap. He proudly pulls up his sleeve and shows me a Band-Aid with a cartoon character. “I was good!”

I look over at Sylvia, and she nods. “He was in excellent spirits today. If I were you, I would ride it while it lasts, Ryan. Go ask Mr. Green to make you a snack. Tell him I said to make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a juice box. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay.”

“Good job, champ.” I hold up my fist and he bumps it with his own before getting off my lap. I watch him go and feel a twinge at the family resemblance.

“Did you have any luck today?” Sylvia asks.

I groan and she laughs. “I’m beginning to think I should have listened to you, Sylvia.”

“Was it that bad?”

“Not all of them. The first two were more college kids looking for a quick summer babysitting job. One of them even had the audacity to ask for weekends off as she goes out with her friends on weekends. I had one teacher and then the last one is not even a consideration. I wouldn’t want her dancing in my club much less anywhere near Ryan.”

“Wow! So, what was wrong with the teacher?” Sylvia inquires with a skeptical look on her face.

I smile again at the memory of the young woman who had sprawled unceremoniously at my feet. But I wipe it off immediately under Sylvia’s scrutiny.

“Nothing, actually. She has a good resumé and four years’ experience in the field. I gave it back to her to fix a few things but I gleaned enough to know that she works with special needs kindergarten. I’m sure Ryan will be a walk in the park after dealing with children with challenges.”

“She sounds absolutely delightful. Short-term for the summer, but delightful,” Sylvia says.

“I thought so as well,” I admit. “I told her to come back tomorrow morning to meet Ryan. I want to put her in the playroom as usual and see what happens from there.”

“Is there any way to get her in the afternoon, instead? Dr. Swaby said that he will be having some slight reactions by tomorrow morning and may be a bit cranky. You know how he is with his skin and anything out of the sorts on it,” Sylvia suggests.

“Well, a trial by fire is best, don’t you think?” I consider.

Sylvia nods in agreement. “I’m going to make sure he’s not driving Mr. Green bananas with exactly how many peanuts need to be on each side of the sandwich and that no crust residues remain.”

I think about Ryan and the challenges we have been having as he grows older. Sylvia has been with him almost from birth and is his live-in night nanny. But for the life of us, we cannot seem to keep a daytime one. Ryan can be a handful. But hopefully, Summer Madison is the answer to our prayers.

As predicted, Ryan is a mess the next morning. I watch through the two-way mirror as he pouts and drags himself when Sylvia takes him to the playroom next to my office. I turn on the intercom.

“I want my moogie!” Ryan shouts.

“Moogie is being mended, dear. You’ve almost ripped his ear off, so Emily is fixing it for you.”

“But I want my moogie. NOW!!!” He dissolves into a fit of tears and throws himself on the carpet. Sylvia kneels beside him and he flounces slightly. But she begins to run her fingers through his hair and whisper softly and he visibly calms down. She looks over at the mirror where she knows I’m standing and gives a slight smile. It tells me that he is calmer. But how long would that last once we introduce a new element in his space?

On cue, Gerald pokes his head through the office door. “Summer Madison is here to see you, sir.”

“Send her into the playroom please,” I tell him.

I stand by the mirror and watch with anticipation. A minute later, the playroom door opens and Gerald enters, followed by Summer. I cannot help but catch my breath. She is a beautiful woman. Her blonde hair is in a ponytail this morning. Rather than a dress, she is wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I have to admit that I miss seeing her legs again.

Sylvia stands and walks over to her with a smile. “Hi. I’m Sylvia Newland, Ryan’s night nanny. You must be Miss Madison. Mr. Forbes told me to expect you.”

“Yes. Yes, I am. And this is Ryan?” Summer asks with a soft smile.

I smile a little. She remembered his name.

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