Page 12 of Nanny for the Doctor

“But you didn’t know that until, like, two minutes ago. I could have been anyone.”

I chuckle, but there’s little humor in it.

“You’ll be fine, and so will Henry. He’s quite mature for a kid his age. He’s seven now, but I swear you’d think he was seventy. I’ll try to be back by 6 p.m., give or take. You know, as long as I don’t have to pick up that double. Just enjoy the fact it’s not those twins. Okay?”

I cock a brow, gesturing to her head.

“Reed—”

“Oh, and before I forget, the emergency contacts list is on the fridge. Call me if anything happens. And don’t take the highway. Also, there’s a grocery list. I need you to do some meal prep after you drop Henry off at school.”

I hit the remote start button for the car and jog over to the driver’s side. Henry appears at the door near Mae, and I wave.

“See you later, bud! Love you!”

When I get inside and eye the clock, I realize I should have left fifteen minutes ago. I’m going to be cutting it close, but I might still make it on time.

Hopefully, they don’t start the meeting right at nine. I mean, I can’t be theonlyone who hits morning traffic.

The radio chimes on about a traffic jam on the highway, so I take a different route, and time seems to resume its normal pace.I can’t believe Mae is the nanny. What kind of luck is that?

I’m glad, though. I’ve known Mae for a while, and every time Johnny talks about her, he’s always gushing about how much the kids she works with love her.

I know Henry was nervous about the nanny being an older woman, too. So it’s a double win—a young nanny I know I can trust.

The trip down the stairs aside, I’m sure I’m leaving Henry in capable hands, which is great because I really need to focus when I get to work. This really is the best-case scenario.

Still, Mae’s words ring in my mind. I haven’t used a nanny before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s always been Aunt Heather to the rescue and, of course, my folks, who adore watching him during their retirement.

But they’re getting older, and I can’t keep putting this on Heather.

I’m sure Henry will be fine, though. It can’t be any weirder than meeting a teacher. Right?

Regret creeps up my spine, and I worry I should have stayed longer to introduce Henry to Mae properly. But I have this conference, and there’s no way around that.

It’s not like Iwantedto rush out.

The shock on Mae’s face plays over and over again in my mind, and I remember Heather’s words, too.

“I shouldn’t have waited so long to get a nanny. I knew I needed the help. Why didn’t I do it sooner?”

Hell, if I’d made the call when I should’ve, maybe I would have prevented Mae from getting that concussion. If she still wound up being my nanny.

I guess it did work out for the best, but as I pass through a green light, I promise myself to turn down that double shift if I can help it. I should be home to ask Henry how it went.

* * *

I arriveat the hospital in time to park and jog straight to the M&M conference. We do these conferences every month, so I don’t know why my heart keeps pounding even after I’ve caught my breath.

They’re important, of course, but I’ve been to enough of them now to be prepared. The entire hospital knows they need to examine procedures and effects as a regular part of our quality assurance.

I guess it’s just been a while since one of my cases was chosen. Everyone in the room knows I did everything possible to save my patient; sometimes, that’s just not enough.

Finding a spot in the middle of the lecture hall seating, I pull out the patient’s file I’ve been reviewing to correctly present what happened.

This is a teaching hospital, and while everyone does morbidity and mortality conferences, we take them especially serious here because they are, of course, teaching moments.

There are several cases on the docket today; mine is at the end as the most recent case added. It’s like waiting to be examined by a psychologist in front of everyone.

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