had said Jake was looking for a father figure. Royce had failed his own son, but maybe, just maybe, he could step in and make a difference for Jake, if only in the short term.
Royce grabbed his keys, locked the door and took the stairs to Katy’s place. He knocked immediately, afraid he might change his mind. His idea was totally out of the norm for him, but somehow right.
Katy opened the door and motioned him inside. She was talking on the phone.
“Yes, I understand,” she said. “There’s no way you can find a replacement on such short notice. I’ll be there Thursday evening as planned. But I’m going to need some comp time to spend with my son.”
Her shoulders sagged as she clicked shut her phone. “Hi, Royce.”
“Hi. Still no luck finding a nanny?”
“No. I’ve called everyone I can think of. I tried to get out of the show this weekend, but no luck. That’s the problem working for a small house. I do several different jobs and can’t be replaced on a moment’s notice. We tend to have more auctions in the spring because the weather’s good.”
“Job security.” He smiled to lighten her mood.
“That’s one thing, I guess. Normally my mom could step in and take Jake for the weekend, but she’s working mandatory overtime because of a big sale at the store.”
“I might have a solution for you.”
“Really? Have a seat.” Katy gestured toward the couch and he complied. She sat in an easy chair.
Royce plunged in before he could have second thoughts. Or thirds. “Actually, it was Jake’s idea. I’m not working right now and I can easily arrange my physical therapy around Jake’s school schedule.”
“I didn’t think you’d seriously be interested.”
“Only on a temporary basis, until you find another nanny. One who’s qualified and all that.”
Her shoulders straightened. “I’d pay you, of course.”
He grinned. “Of course. I have to admit, I could use the cash until I get my disability claim worked out. My investments are long- term and I can’t access my funds right now. But that’s not the reason I suggested the plan. Jake’s a great kid. I’d like to do it.”
“It might just work. You’re right here in the building. Jake likes you. I…trust you.”
Royce loved seeing hope spark in her eyes. He felt good that he’d been the one to help put it there.
Katy placed her hand on his arm. His left arm, just below the elbow. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked.
Royce was mesmerized by the sight of her hand so close to his injury. He realized it was the first time anyone outside the medical profession had touched his damaged arm. It was a shock to find out how much he missed that contact.
“Positive.” He’d never felt so sure of something in his life. And that scared him.
CHAPTER SIX
WHEN THE PHONE RANG on Friday, Royce checked the caller ID display, half expecting it to read “unknown caller,” the digital trick employed by some telemarketers.
Instead, it read “Garner, Katy.”
“Hi, Katy. What’s up?”
“I was just calling to see how it went yesterday.”
“Fine. No problem. Jake’s an easy kid to be around. As a matter of fact, he insisted on loading the dishwasher.”
“Most of the time he’s very good.”
He thought he detected a smile in her voice.
“Most of the time? Now you’ve got me worried. Does he grow fangs during the full moon?”
Her chuckle was warm and made him smile.
She said, “I have the feeling this might be the honeymoon period.”
“Honeymoon?”
“As in, he’s on his best behavior because he doesn’t want to scare you off.”
“Hey, it takes a lot to scare me. I’m not totally unaccustomed to ten-year-old boys.”
“Not much recent experience, though, huh?”
“It’s coming back to me. Piece of cake.”
If Saturday afternoon went just as well, he would be home free. Jake’s grandmother would take him for the two nights and Royce would watch him during Audrey’s Saturday shift at work. And Katy would be home Sunday. Not a bad arrangement as long as it was temporary.
“Good. I’ll stop by with your pay Sunday night if I don’t get in too late.”
“Sounds good.” Not only to have some much-needed cash, but to see Katy, too.
“HOW ABOUT WE PLAY some video games?” Jake asked, controller already in hand. “Since Grandma can’t get here till seven.”
“Just for a few minutes. We still need to clean up our mess in the kitchen.” He’d shown Jake how to make his own Rice Krispies Treats.
Both Friday and Saturday afternoons had gone surprisingly quickly. Royce idly wondered why he could spend time with Jake and enjoy himself, but hadn’t been able to do the same with his own son without getting restless.
Royce suspected the answer was complex. As long as he thought of being responsible for Jake as a job, he didn’t get that panicky, hemmed-in feeling he’d gotten during Michael’s early years. He’d loved seeing the boy, but Royce’s mind had quickly strayed to the next job, next adventure.
But it looked as if there might not be any new adventures for him.
Royce pushed away the thought. It would be too easy to lose hope completely. Picking up the second game controller, he proceeded to give Jake a run for his money.
“Royce?”
“Huh?”
“D’ya ever get scared?”
If only the kid knew. It was hard to remember a time when he hadn’t been scared. But he would guess it had been roughly seven months ago. “Yeah, sometimes.”
“My mom gets scared. She tries not to show it, though.”
“Like scared of spiders? Noises in the dark?”
“Nah. Like if people come to the door and she’s not expecting them. Or weird things, birthday parties.”
Royce chuckled as he maneuvered the joystick. “Okay, I have to admit, clowns kind of freak me out. Maybe I’ve seen too many bad horror flicks.”
“Clowns
