Page 9 of One More Baby for the Boss

“Well, that’s kind of sad,” Alex said. “He’s only a little kid.”

“He’s a complicated little kid. Has been ever since his mother died.”

“When did she die?”

“When Jack was two years old. That was before I was hired here, and Mr. Trenton never talks about it, so I don’t know much more than that. If you’re smart, you’ll keep your questions to yourself — Mr. Trenton won’t welcome them.” She said it kindly enough, but Alex could tell by her tone that she meant it.

They stopped outside a door. “This is you,” Dora said. She turned the handle and pushed the door open.

Alex gasped. She couldn’t help herself. “This is all for me?”

The room put the apartment over the diner to shame. It was probably twice as big as that apartment had been, with plush carpeting, a picture window, and an adjoining bathroom. Though she hadn’t explored that yet, Alex could see a marblesink and chrome fixtures. “This is so nice. Is this really where he puts the nanny?”

“Jack has never had a nanny before. This used to be a guest room, but they’ve repurposed it for you.” Dora pointed to the left. “Jack’s room is right next door to you, so you’ll be able to get to him if he needs you for anything. And you’ll be able to go from your own private space to his without having to travel too far. Of course, Jack has been told that he’s not to open this door, and you also have a lock for privacy.”

Alex hadn’t even been worried about that. The room was so luxurious that she found it difficult to imagine complaining about anything at all. “I’m sure we’ll be fine,” she said.

“Well, if you’d like to go next door, he’s in his room,” Dora said. “Of course, no one is expecting you to work today. You should feel free to take the time and get settled in. But Mr. Trenton has asked that you join him for dinner tonight — although, personally, I feel it’s not likely he’ll be home in time for the meal. Go ahead and eat whenever you want to. If he’s late, he’ll understand that.”

“What do I do about food?” Alex asked. “Should I go to the grocery store in town?”

“Oh, no, don’t be silly. The chef will make you anything you’d like. That’s what he’s here for. Just go down to the kitchen and tell him what you want for dinner.”

That made Alex feel a little awkward. Was she really expected to walk into the kitchen in this big, imposing house and order food as if she was at a restaurant or something? Maybe she would just be able to follow Jack’s lead. No doubt he was used to getting his meals, especially since he hadn’t had a nanny up until now.

“I think I will go and see Jack,” she said. “No time like the present.”

“Well, your things will be brought up and left in this room for you to unpack at your convenience,” Dora said. “And if you need anything — towels, instructions about how to use the TV remote — I’m the one you’ll talk to, because I’m the household manager.”

“Got it. How do I reach you?”

“You’ll find me.”

Alex doubted that. The house was much too big to count on being able to find someone any time you were looking for them. She didn’t believe it would be possible. It also made her worry about Jack, living here all this time with a father who seemed so busy. Without a nanny. Who had been keeping an eye on that poor child? It would be so easy for a kid that age to get into something he shouldn’t, to get himself hurt or something. She resolved to keep an eagle eye on him.

She left her bedroom and went next door. The door was closed. She listened for a moment, wondering if she might hear the sounds of play, but there was nothing. It was as if the room was empty inside. She hesitated, then raised her hand and knocked three times.

At first she thought nothing would happen. But then she heard a shuffling sound from within. A moment later, the door opened a crack and Jack’s tousled, dark head poked out.

“Hi, Jack,” she said, smiling. “Remember me?”

“You’re the pancake lady,” he said.

“Alex,” she said with a laugh. “My name is Alex.”

“Dad says you’re going to take care of me now.”

“Well, you and I are going to get a chance to spend more time together. I think that will be fun,” she said. “Don’t you think so?”

“Maybe.” He seemed a bit reserved — more so than she had expected based on the interactions they’d had so far. But Alex supposed she couldn’t blame him for that. Meeting a waitress at a restaurant was a different proposition from having a stranger move into your house. Maybe she ought to take it a bit easy on him until he adjusted.

“I’ll tell you what,” she said. “Today I just need to focus on getting moved in. I wanted to come by and say hello to you, let you know that I was here. But now I’ll head back over to my own room, and you can come and see me whenever you’re ready for us to spend some time with each other. How does that sound?”

“I’m not supposed to go into that room,” Jack said. “Dad said it was against the rules.”

“Well, it’s my room for as long as I’m here, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

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