by Gina Wilkins
“He met a busty Amazon warrior woman at the same convention, so everyone left happy.”
“No wonder Alice was so taken with your mom. Alice loves sci-fi, too.” Looking bemused, Seth propped his chin on his fist and watched her fill two clear glass tea mugs from an instant-hot-water dispenser, one of her must-have kitchen conveniences.
“Milk or sugar?” she asked.
“No, thanks. Just tea. You must have had a fun childhood.”
She removed two canisters of tea from a cabinet, Earl Grey for Seth, an herbal blend for herself. “I did, actually. Dad was a physics professor at UALR, kind of an oddball but beloved by his students. He stressed the equal values of advanced education, independent self-reliance and quality science fiction as we grew up. He was also obsessed with roller coasters, so we spent a lot of time at amusement parks. Mom’s a CPA, and she worked full time for a big Little Rock accounting firm until Dad died and she became responsible for her mother. She was almost always home by four in the afternoons to welcome us home from school.”
“Unconventional.”
“Yes. But wonderful.” Smiling nostalgically, she carried the steaming mugs to the table.
“No wonder you all turned out so well.”
“Did you have a happy childhood?”
“It wasn’t a bad childhood. Nothing like yours.”
“You were an only child,” she remembered.
“Yeah. And both my parents were workaholics who focused on their careers almost to the exclusion of anything else. They hated amusement parks. Occasionally they paid a nanny to take me to one, but they’d never have visited one themselves. Said they didn’t have time. My earliest childhood memories are of watching them rushing around the house in the mornings, shoving bagels in their mouths while they gathered papers and briefcases and put on their suit jackets.”
Seeing her expression, he shook his head. “Don’t look so pitying. I had a good childhood. My parents loved me, though they wouldn’t have known how to play with me even if they’d had time. That was something I always wanted to change for Alice. I wanted her to remember playtime with me, even though I’ve made it clear that my work is important, too.”
He took a tentative sip of his hot tea. “Colleen’s more like my parents. Your sister the psychiatrist would probably have something to say about my ex-wife being very much like my mother, but we’ll let that slide for now. Anyway, she loves Alice very much and lets her know it, but she’s clueless when it comes to playing or relaxing or anything but work. They’ll spend their time in Europe visiting museums and historic landmarks. And Colleen will have the nanny take Alice on the more frivolous adventures while Colleen is in meetings.”
“And you won’t relax until Alice is safely back home with you,” she predicted over the rim of her mug.
He made a face. “Not for a minute.”
“How’s your search for a new housekeeper going?”
Seth heaved a heavy breath. “I’m trying to find time to interview a few. I’ve received several resumes, but I’ve got another crazy week ahead at work. Tomorrow would have been a good day to talk to people, with Alice at her grandparents and all, but I’ve been called in for a partners’ meeting tomorrow that’s going to take most of the afternoon. Maybe I can schedule some evening interviews later in the week, or next weekend. Unless…”
Something about his suddenly speculative expression gave her pause. “Unless…?” she repeated.
“Well, you did say you’re bored.”
She set down her mug. “You’re suggesting I interview housekeepers for you?”
His crooked, slightly sheepish smile made her heart trip over a beat. She wasn’t sure she could say no to anything in response to that smile. And wasn’t that a worrisome realization?
“Forget it.” His charming smile fading, Seth made a dismissive gesture with one hand, seeming to rethink his impulsive suggestion. “That was too much to ask. Just an impulse…you’ve done enough for our family already.”
“No, just a sec.” Now that she wasn’t dazzled by his smile, she could think a bit more clearly. “It’s not a terrible idea. You’re frantically busy, especially since you don’t have any help at home just now, and I’m going crazy sitting here with nothing to do. I wouldn’t feel comfortable hiring anyone, but I could weed out some of the more obviously unsuitable applicants and make a few recommendations for you.”
“Wow, that would be so… But no, really. Interviewing applicants is hardly fun. You should be enjoying your time off.”
“I’ve sat by the pool until I’m sick of my own backyard, and I’ve read every book I’ve bought during the past year. I’ve had lunch quite a few times with my mom and grandmother. I can’t think of anything else to do, frankly.”
He studied her with amused eyes. “Don’t know what to do with leisure time?”
“It’s not something I have a lot of experience with,” she replied with a shrug. “Nor interviewing housekeeper applicants either, but I figure it can’t be all that hard to talk to a few and set up appointments for you with some of the better ones.”
“Did you hire your housekeeper through an agency or on your own?”
“Neither. My mom sent her to me,” she admitted with a laugh. “They go to the same church, and my mom knew Carole was looking for someone to fill an opening in her client list. Carole has ten or twelve clients she cleans for, usually on a weekly or every-two-week basis. She likes variety, which is why I said she wouldn’t be interested in a full-time position for one client.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t try to steal your housekeeper away.”
“I appreciate that,” she responded with a smile. “I keep the house fairly neat—mostly because I’m not here enough to make a mess—but I hate doing the heavy cleaning she does twice a month.”
Picking up her tea mug again, she said, “I’d be happy to do some interviews for you, Seth. It seems like a helpful, neighborly thing to do.”
Her wording made him laugh and relax, as she’d intended. They needed to keep things light and comfortable between them for now. She had agreed to help him because she had the time and he needed the assistance. There was no reason for either of them to read any more into this plan.
He didn’t stay much longer. They discussed details of the housekeeper interviews while they finished their tea, and Seth gave her information on how to contact him at work if she needed him. She walked him to the door afterward, stepping out onto the porch with him as they finalized their plans for her to begin interviews on Monday.
“So if you can narrow it down to two or three good applicants at the most—or even to the one you think is best—that would be incredibly helpful,” he summed up, juggling his car keys in his hand. “A nonsmoker, willing to work five and a half days a week, and maybe an occasional evening when I have late plans and there’s no one else to stay with Alice. Holidays off and two weeks summer vacation. Plenty of time to handle personal business or errands during the day, as long as she’s on time picking up Alice from school and available to chauffeur her to activities during the summer. Someone good around the house, a decent cook and mostly someone who can be trusted with Alice.”
“Absolutely,” she assured him. “I’d never recommend anyone I wouldn’t trust implicitly with Alice.”
He smiled. “That’s why I asked for your help with this. I knew you’d understand my priorities.”
She returned the smile and repeated, “Absolutely.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Seth.” She rested a hand lightly on his arm to emphasize her words. “It’s settled. I’ll help you. Don’t give it another thought.”
“Thanks, Meagan. I’ll owe you big time for this.”
She laughed. “Don’t think I won’t collect someday.”
He shifted his weight, and she realized suddenly how close they stood. Her hand was still on his arm. She started to move it, but he covered it with his own before she could step back.
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“You can collect any time,” he said, his voice a little lower now, his gaze locked with hers.
“Oh, um…” Her mind seemed suddenly as dim and shadowy as the world beyond the porch lights. “Thanks.”
His smile deepened at the corners, and her heart rate sped a little faster. Seth was a nice enough looking guy, anyway, but when he smiled…like this…wow.
Still looking into her eyes, he lowered his head a little more. Very slowly, giving her plenty of time to draw back or turn her cheek, if she wanted. She tilted her face upward, instead.
His lips brushed hers lightly. It was a friendly kiss, neither demanding nor tentative. Yet when it ended, and he drew back to smile at her again, she felt very much as if they’d just stepped over an invisible line between friendly neighbors and something a little more…intimate.
“Good night, Meagan,” he murmured and turned away, leaving her hand grasping empty air. She lowered it quickly to her side, stepping into her house and closing the door without waiting to watch him drive away.
Chapter Six
Jacqui Handy was younger than the applicants Meagan had interviewed previously, and that was one of the initial strikes against her. Meagan’s preset images of the perfect housekeeper for Seth and Alice was an older woman, much like Nina. Gray haired, sturdy bodied, efficient and congenial—a walking TV housekeeper stereotype, she admitted to herself.
Jacqui was about as far from Meagan’s preconception as it was possible for her to be. In her late twenties, she was elfin delicate in build. Her face was dominated by dark eyes and a stubborn-looking, slightly-pointed chin, both features highlighted by short, spiky dark hair. She wore a scoop-neck white knit top with dark jeans and black flats. The garments were obviously inexpensive, but immaculately clean and neatly pressed. Her fingernails were short and unpolished and her hands, while slender and graceful, still looked as though they had known hard work.
“You understand that Mr. Llewellyn is looking for someone who’ll stay on for a while?” Meagan emphasized. “His last housekeeper was with him for several years, and would be still if she hadn’t been injured.”
“I understand that.” Jacqui’s voice was quiet, but not shy. She met Meagan’s gaze steadily, sitting up very straight in her chair in Meagan’s living room. “I’m looking for a full-time position. I’ve moved around quite a bit in my past and I’m ready to stay in one place. I’m good at housekeeping and I’m a good cook. I’ll admit I haven’t had a lot of experience with children, but you said Mr. Llewellyn’s daughter is a teenager? That shouldn’t be a problem.”
Intrigued, Meagan glanced down at the résumé again. Jacqui hadn’t exaggerated when she’d said she’d moved around a lot. According to the jobs she’d listed, she’d worked since she was a teenager, and in at least five different states. She had attached copies of three letters of references from former employers, all highly complimentary of her work ethic. She’d tried everything from retail to food service to hotel staff, but she’d started housekeeping three years ago, when she was only twenty-five. Her last position had been almost a year as a live-in housekeeper for an elderly man who’d finally had to go into a long-term care facility. In the most recent reference letter, the man’s daughter had written glowingly about Jacqui’s service and dedication to her responsibilities.
“You’ve certainly made a good impression in your former positions.”
Once again, Jacqui answered without looking away. “Not all of them. I gave you all the contact numbers and most of them will say good things about me, but some will say I’m stubborn and insubordinate. I’m pretty easy to get along with for the most part, but I don’t like seeing other people mistreated and I won’t put up with employers making passes at me or anything like that.”
Amused by her tone, Meagan bit the inside of her mouth for a moment before responding. “You wouldn’t have to worry about that from Mr. Llewellyn. His daughter and her welfare are paramount to him. He would never step out of line with someone he trusts with her care.”
Maybe she hadn’t known Seth long, but Meagan was confident she spoke nothing less than the truth. He would never risk hurting or embarrassing his daughter with inappropriate behavior. She wouldn’t doubt Jacqui had been subjected to unwelcome attention from former employers, but she was confident that wouldn’t happen should Seth decide to hire her. Which didn’t mean he wouldn’t find Jacqui attractive, she thought with another glance at the pretty young woman sitting across from her. He was a man, after all.
The doorbell chimed suddenly and repeatedly, interrupting the interview. Glancing at her watch, Meagan stood. “That will be Alice now. One of the grandmothers from her school has been giving her a ride home in the afternoons until Seth, er, Mr. Llewellyn hires a replacement housekeeper. She’s been spending time with me until her dad gets home from work.”
Jacqui nodded. “I’d like to meet her.”
“Of course.”
It was Wednesday afternoon, and Alice had come over every day that week. Meagan didn’t mind. She had offered, after all. She’d even gotten into the habit of having a healthy after-school snack ready. She remembered how hungry she’d always been at the end of a school day.
Carrying a heavy-looking backpack on one shoulder, Alice had already been home and changed out of her school uniform and into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Meagan knew the girl wore a bathing suit beneath the shorts. Alice worked on homework at Meagan’s kitchen table while she had her snack, but she always wanted a quick swim before she returned home. Meagan teased her about being part fish.
By unspoken agreement, they’d accepted that Waldo wouldn’t be a particularly good indoor house guest during these peaceful afternoons. Though she checked on him every afternoon as soon as she got home, Alice left the dog at home, waiting to play with him in the evenings after dinner with her father. She had said repeatedly that she couldn’t wait until school let out in June and she could spend whole days with her pet again.
Meagan had reminded Alice several times that she would be back at work next week, but she wasn’t sure Alice truly understood how many hours a day Meagan spent at the hospital. She hoped Alice wouldn’t be too disappointed when Meagan was no longer available every day for companionship. It would be a good thing if Alice bonded well with the new housekeeper, since they’d be spending so much time together. Someone who could take her to movies or shopping or for other fun summer activities, she thought, glancing thoughtfully behind her to where Jacqui waited.
She tried not to think about how much she would miss Alice. She had enjoyed getting to know the girl during the past three and a half weeks, but it would be hard to sustain their unconventional friendship once Meagan was back at work full time.
She introduced Alice and Jacqui, then discreetly watched them interact. Jacqui was as straightforward with Alice as she had been with Meagan. “I don’t have much experience as a nanny, but you look old enough to take care of yourself for the most part.”
Alice stood a little taller. “I can take care of myself. But I can’t drive yet, so I need someone to take me to things like my friends’ parties and dentist appointments and stuff. And I’m going to be on a swim team this summer, so I’ll have to go to practice real often. My dad’s going to try to be at as many swim meets as he can, but he can’t make all the practices.”
Jacqui nodded. “I could handle that. I was on a dive team, myself, at one of the schools I attended. I enjoyed it.”
“Yeah?” Alice looked intrigued. “I haven’t tried the fancy dives yet. I’m a little afraid of the high board. But I can swim laps pretty fast.”
“The high board’s scary at first,” Jacqui agreed. “But you get used to it once you know how to slice into the water.”
“You look pretty young.”
Jacqui didn’t seem to mind the blunt comment. “I’m twenty-eight. Older than I look.”
“How come you want to be a housekeeper? Most housekeepers are old, like Nina.”
Shruggi
ng, Jacqui replied. “It’s a good job. I like keeping things clean and organized and I like to cook. No boss hanging over my shoulder micromanaging my every move. Not a high pressure position. And I usually have some time for myself during the day to read or knit or something while food is cooking or laundry’s going. Why wouldn’t I like it?”
Alice’s face lit up. “You knit?”
“Yes. I make sweaters and scarves and hats. A friend owns a kitschy little boutique in Santa Fe, and she sells my stuff in her shop. And I make some sales over the internet. It’s a nice hobby for making some extra spending money.”
“Nina was going to teach me how to knit. We only had a couple of lessons before she broke her leg.”
“I could teach you, if your dad hires me.”
Alice turned eagerly to Meagan. “Can’t you hire her, Meagan? I like her.”
Meagan held up both hands quickly. “All I’m doing is interviewing and making some recommendations, Alice. Your dad wants to meet the top two or three applicants and decide for himself who to hire. Jacqui knows that.”
Jacqui nodded. “I’d want to meet him, too, before I’d take the job, Alice. You know, just to make sure everyone knows what to expect.”
Remembering her comment about employers making passes, Meagan suspected Jacqui would want to reassure herself that Seth wouldn’t be a problem in that respect. Even though Meagan had promised her that wouldn’t be an issue, Jacqui seemed like the type who would want to confirm for herself.
“I’m going to recommend you as one of the applicants for Seth to interview,” she said on a sudden impulse. “I’ll give him your number so he can set up a time to meet with you this weekend, if that’s convenient with you. He wants to make his decision by Sunday, if possible.”
“That would be great.” Jacqui’s dazzling smile made her look so pretty that Meagan had a momentary qualm about her decision. Not that she’d changed her mind about Seth’s behavior, but maybe that gray-haired senior citizen she’d envisioned would be a better choice, anyway.
