I said so.” Wasn’t that an appro priately parental way to dodge tough ques tions? “Now scoot.”
“My bag’s not packed yet.”
“Why not?”
“You didn’t tell me to.”
Royce sighed. “You’re ten years old, I shouldn’t have to tell you.”
Audrey Donovan stepped forward. “Jake, you know better.”
“Hi, Grandma. I’ll, um, go pack my bag.”
The woman crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Royce as if he were an escapee from the penitentiary. “How long has my daughter known you?”
“About a month.”
“She says you have some sort of government clearance.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I take it they check for felony convictions?”
“Among other things.”
“I don’t like Katy leaving Jake with someone inexperienced in child care. Do you know CPR?”
Did he know CPR? “Working in remote locations, I’ve even had to use it once or twice.”
Royce didn’t add that he’d flunked the baby Heimlich maneuver when Michael had been a toddler. He would never forget the panic in the baby’s eyes as he’d struggled to breath. How helpless Royce had felt.
And how he’d done possibly the worst thing—smacked Michael on the back hard enough to make the piece of hot dog fly out of his mouth. It could have just as easily lodged farther in his airway. After that, Royce had done everything in his power not to be left alone with Michael until way after he’d outgrown the choking stage.
Audrey’s eyes narrowed, as if she could read his thoughts. She continued to question his capabilities until Jake came out with his duffel bag.
“I’m ready.” His voice was glum.
“Why the long face?” Audrey asked.
“No reason. I just wanted to stay here with Royce. We played video games. You’d think he’d be really bad at it ’cause he only has one hand, but he’s pretty good. And he was going to play catch with me.”
“Time to go, Jake. You can see Royce… another time. I’ll lock up, you can go ahead and leave.”
Which he did, feeling as if he’d been dismissed in more ways than one.
On Monday, Katy replaced the phone on the cradle and started to pace. What in the world was she going to do? Sally had called her at work and quit without notice.
She’d hurried home to be there when Jake arrived. Then, she’d called the nanny agency and been placed on a waiting list. Apparently several high-tech firms had opened offices in the valley, their new employees creating a shortage of private nannies, especially those willing to work part-time. The story was the same at the second and third agencies she called.
Katy started to panic. She would have called her friend Karen, but knew she was on vacation in Cancun.
Flipping open her laptop, Katy started to check listings for nanny services.
She heard the door open and Jake ran in the apartment. “Mom, you’re home.”
Glancing at her watch, she tried to smile. “Hi, honey, I…got off work early. How was your—”
“Look who I found downstairs.”
Royce entered. His hair was windblown, his face tanned. It was good to see him looking so fit and healthy.
“Jake insisted I come upstairs with him. For a snack. I figured I’d make sure Sally showed up.”
“Thank you. That was very kind.”
“No problem.”
“I heard you on the phone with Grandma last night. About Sally taking so much time off.”
“That’s something I need to talk to you about, honey. Later.”
Jake had grown attached to Sally and Katy didn’t want to break the bad news with someone else here.
“I know Sally needs to be with her mom a lot.” Jake’s expression was earnest. “So I figured out a way she can do that.”
“Sally called a while ago. She had to quit to take care of her mom.” She held out her hand to him, determined to gloss over the very real challenges they faced. And the fact that Jake was losing another adult he’d come to count on. “I know it’s going to be hard, but we’ll get somebody new you like just as much as Sally.”
“We don’t need nobody new. We’ve got Royce.”
“Royce is a welder, not a babysitter.”
“He said he can’t be a welder anymore, ’cause it takes two hands.”
Katy couldn’t allow Jake to put Royce on the spot any more than he already had. The man had been very patient. “It’s out of the question, Jake. End of discussion. Now take your backpack to your room and start your homework.”
“But—”
“Now.”
“Yes, Mom.” Jake slung his backpack over his shoulder and trudged to his room.
“Wow, you’ve got that threatening voice down pat. I was ready to salute.”
“I’ve probably been too easy on him. Mostly because I understand that he’s looking for a father figure. His dad’s really dropped out of his life the past couple years. But I can’t let him continue to put you on the spot. You’ve been great. Absolutely great.”
Royce shifted. “So when will the new nanny start?”
“Good question. The agencies are having problems finding enough qualified people because of the high-tech boom. I’ll figure something out, though.”
I always do.
But this time, she had the feeling her luck had run out.
ROYCE STARED at the TV, but wasn’t paying attention. He kept thinking about Katy and the flash of panic in her eyes when she’d talked about finding a new nanny. He remembered how she’d said it was extra hard finding someone qualified who would work part-time and weekends.
So why was he concerned? It wasn’t his problem. Yet he couldn’t help but feel a bit protective of Jake and Katy. He’d never gotten actively involved in his neighbors’ business before, and that had been the beauty of being an expat. Royce could be as involved as he chose, because he knew he’d be moving on soon.
Royce resisted an idea begging to be explored. “No way. Not me.”
If
