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  Jessie drew her chin in toward her chest. “Nee, surely not. She would have had the ‘say so’ otherwise she would not have given you the job.”

  “Jah, you’re right. I’m probably worrying about nothing. I hope Amy’s not mad with me. Anyway, it’s not my turn on the stall tomorrow. If I go there and have to leave right away, it doesn’t matter. In a way, I’ve got nothing to lose.” Olive noticed Jessie’s face was pale and more hair than usual was poking out from underneath her kapp. She looked a bit of a mess. “You go home, Jessie. I’ll be finished up soon; there probably won’t be many people interested in hiring a maid or a nanny this late in the day.”

  “I feel terrible for letting you down today, Olive.”

  “Nonsense. Family comes first. Go and look after that bruder of yours and make sure he stays on the ground.”

  Chapter 3

  “We're home!” Sonia called out in a singsong voice as she made her way into the house. “And someone better be home because someone forgot to lock the door again.”

  Sonia held the door for Leo as he toddled into the house with an oversized brown bag balanced in his arms. “Well, thank you kindly, good sir! You are such a big help bringing in those vegetables for me.”

  Leo’s face beamed in response as he looked up at her from under his blonde curls. Sonia noted it was near time for him to get another haircut. She would have to remind Blake to do that; she had done her duty long enough, looking after Leo every day for the past months.

  Leo pulled out an ear of corn from the bag he dropped on the kitchen floor. “Can I eat it?”

  “Maybe for dinner,” Sonia said. “I would love some good fresh corn too. We have to cook it first though.”

  “Hey there!” A deep voice greeted them.

  Sonia looked up to see her son striding down the hall.

  “I thought I heard voices out here,” Blake said.

  “Only a couple vandals out to rob you while you're busy in your den with the front door unlocked,” Sonia chided Blake lightly, as she gave him a peck on the cheek in greeting. “You need another pair of hands around here, honey. You're starting to get absent-minded.”

  “Working on that, Mom, but I’m home so that’s why I didn’t lock the door.” Blake took another bag of groceries from his mother. Then he leaned over to take the bag his son had dumped on the floor. “How'd you do today, champ? Want me to take that?”

  “No! I want it!” Leo hugged the ear of corn and shuffled his way out of the kitchen.

  Blake watched him leave. “He looks tired. What did you two get up to today?”

  “Leo made a friend at the farmers market.” Sonia chuckled at Blake’s perplexed expression. “He got a few good words of wisdom from a very nice lady. She was a young lady, and pretty too. I think it was good fortune for both of us that we went there today.”

  “Sorry to have Leo joining you on errands, Mom. I'm working to find him a good nanny as soon as possible. Now, I know that you said you’d look after him, but I also know it hasn’t been easy. I can see the tension on your face.”

  “Do I have wrinkles? Can you see any?” She pulled a mirrored compact from her bag. This was the worst news ever. In the afternoon daylight, she saw those pesky crows’ feet. Even the Botox hadn’t been able to eliminate them completely. When she had asked for more Botox on the crows’ feet, she’d found that the skin underneath her eyes had become wrinklier. All she could do was not think about them. Perhaps the answer was a full facelift. She swung around to look at her only son.

  “Mom, I will find someone. I’m sorry I’ve left you for so long with him.”

  “Oh, don't worry about that. You’ve got enough to think about. I’ve loved having him with me.”

  “Loved?” Blake drew his dark brows together. “I’ll get a nanny soon, okay?”

  Sonia waved his question away with a swipe of her hand then decided it was time to tell him what she had planned. He’d find out soon enough and this time she wouldn’t let him boss her about like he did his employees. She’d been reluctant to tell him because he had a history of flying into a temper when things went the wrong way. “Since you’ve just brought up the subject of a nanny, I've got some great news for you.”

  He folded his arms across his broad chest. “News?” He chuckled. “The markets had a good special today? I know how you love bargains. Did you buy another handbag?”

  “You can’t get the handbags I like at the markets, dear. I shop in New York City.” She rolled her eyes. If he paid more attention to her, he’d know where she bought accessories.

  “What’s the news then?” Blake asked now appearing to be half listening to his mother as he went in search of where Leo had run off to with the corn.

  “Oliff!” Leo crowed triumphantly as he ran out from his downstairs bedroom toward his father.

  “Oliff? What’s he trying to say, Mom? He’s been speaking so clearly lately—now he’s back to the baby-talk.” Blake’s eyes widened slightly and he caught himself with a relieved smile. “Oh, you bought olives at the food markets. I love olives.”

  “No!” Leo said, looking at his dad with a very familiar impatient expression. “Oliff is a lady.”

  “Yes. We found a lady called Olive at the markets didn’t we, Leo?” Sonia beamed as she took off her soft, pink leather jacket. “Now, I think it’s time for the cartoons, isn’t it, Leo?”

  “Mom, you know I don’t like him sitting in front of the television all day.”

  The diamonds on her fingers flashed as Sonia once again waved a manicured hand in the air. “Relax! It won’t hurt for a little bit. I’ve got something to tell you and I can’t tell you while Leo’s screaming the house down.” Sonia turned to her grandson. “Cartoons, Leo?” Leo made a dash for the living room.

  “Oh, no.” Blake managed to beat Leo to the remote for the flat screen, saving it from smudges of sticky fingers.

  Once the television was set up with cartoons and Leo sat transfixed by the colorful characters, Blake walked toward his mother. Sonia busied herself putting away the vegetables hoping he was going to accept Olive as a nanny. It was her only way to escape the boredom of looking after a child all day. Her friends only saw their grandchildren once or twice a month and that was what Sonia wanted. She smiled when she looked up to see Blake’s worried face.

  “What do you have to tell me, Mother?”

  “Before you get angry just hear me out. I hired a nanny and she starts tomorrow.”

  “What? You what?” Blake collapsed heavily onto one of the stools pushed up against the granite kitchen island. “Why so suddenly; couldn’t we have talked about this first?”

  Sonia turned, shut the refrigerator door and put one hand on her hip. “Do try to be more open-minded, darling. You’ve had those names from the employment agencies for months and you’ve done nothing about them.”

  Blake narrowed his eyes at her. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “You look just like your father when you stare at me like that.”

  “What’s wrong with my father?”

  Sonia rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started on that one. Anyway, you should have seen Olive with Leo. He was throwing things, jumping on things and running away and with a few quiet words from her, he turned into an angel. Did I mention she’s attractive?” She thought that might change his stubborn opinion. “When I found out she was looking for a job, it was obvious what the next step had to be.”

  “Was it?” Now his teeth were gritted.

  “Of course, darling. It simply made sense that she was the perfect person to look after him. Someone has to manage him.” Blake’s wife had been an artist and a hippie and her ideas had rubbed off on Blake. “I know you believe in him being a free spirit and all that and having that artistic flair, but he needs a firm hand and I can’t be that to him. I just want to be his loving grandmother, not his sitter.”

  “I know he needs firmness. When I said I wanted him to be able to think for himself, I meant when he
was older. I don’t know where you get the ‘free spirit’ nonsense from. I never said that, not once.”

  “He takes after you. You were a handful too when you were his age. I thought I could manage him every day and I want to, but I can’t. I’ve things to do, putting it simply, and looking after a grandson every single day of the week does not fit in with my lifestyle.” She watched Blake’s hurt expression. “At this stage of my life, I’m entitled to some me time. I’ve raised a child; I’ve been there, done that. I have no wish to do it all over again. I don’t know how many lunches and functions I’ve had to turn down.”

  Blake leaned on the kitchen island and rubbed his forehead. “I knew it would be too much for you. Thank you for trying. It means a great deal. But, you could have let me find a nanny.”

  “Do you have coffee made?”

  “No. Who is this person you hired?” Blake asked. “You always do this, Mother. You always decide what’s best for me without even asking me. Why couldn’t you have waited and asked me about it first?”

  “You would have said no.” Sonia tried to sound firm despite her son’s glowering expression. “Your new nanny is a lovely young lady. Olive Hesh is her name.”

  Blake sighed in exasperation. “The agency sent me loads of resumes, over a month ago. I could’ve chosen one of them.”

  “My point exactly. You don’t want a nanny, or you would’ve chosen one. You must be practical. Leo needs consistency in his life. Leo and I hired one for you. Problem solved!” Sonia smiled as she checked the coffee pot. “I know you were set on finding a perfect nanny, but as it turns out, she found us. It really couldn't have worked out more perfectly.”

  “Mom, I just wish you would have checked with me first. I can’t have someone I’ve never met look after Leo. I haven’t even had time to arrange the internal security cameras. I’ll have to call this nanny you found for me and cancel her employment.”

  “No, you will not!” He was pushing her about just as his father used to and she would not have it. He didn’t need to spy on Olive. Sonia knew that in her heart.

  He stared at his mother in disbelief. “Okay, to be fair, I’ll have her come for an interview first.”

  “Yes, yes, but then you’ll put the whole thing off. It would have taken over a year with you being the perfectionist you are.” Sonia poured two cups, waving him off as he tried to take over. “I've got this, sit back down. Come on now, just relax. She’s perfect for the job. You’ll love her. I personally guarantee it.”

  Blake took a slow breath while his mother poured his coffee. There were moments when his mother went too far with her controlling—even if well intended—ways. “Would you please start at the beginning? Where did you meet this woman? What are her qualifications? For whom has she worked previously? Has she worked for any of your friends?”

  His mother took a sip of coffee. “Leo and I were at the markets as I said. And he started into a fit about something or other. He was trying to drag me off to see something he’d spotted. I thought we would have to leave he was making such a scene. People were staring.” Sonia raised a finger to stop Blake as he opened his mouth. “Don’t start on his behavior; we’re talking about something more important at the moment.”

  Blake nodded and kept quiet.

  “Anyway, this darling young lady came over and started talking to Leo. She crouched down and chattered with him about how boring shopping can be and asked him what his name was. I couldn’t really hear too much of what they were talking about, but he took to her instantly. He was an angel the rest of our trip.”

  “She works there? So, she runs a fruit stall or some such, and you think she’s capable of looking after Leo?”

  “Now don’t huff and puff so. She explained she and a couple of friends are out of work and they set up a stall to advertise themselves in the hope of finding jobs.”

  “How industrious of them.”

  “Exactly what I thought. It shows that they’re hard working and you have to admire their resourcefulness.”

  “I don’t need a woman with entrepreneurial skills, I just need a nanny. Please tell me she has some experience at least. Does she have a degree in child psychology at least?”

  “She’s a nanny not an academic. You’ve got to be realistic. She was looking for a job as a housekeeper.”

  Blake pressed his lips together. He didn’t want to get too angry with his mother; she was genuinely trying to help. She truly believed that the girl would do a good job.

  “Leo doesn't usually take to people so quickly. So, I asked if he wanted her to look after him and he said yes. I did ask him after I asked her, of course.”

  Blake gasped and sputtered, ignoring the coffee that was growing cold in front of him. “Mother, I’m trying very hard not to get angry. I can’t get my head around the idea that you hired a strange woman that neither of us knows just because she spoke nicely to Leo. Even though he’s so advanced in many ways, he’s only just turned two and he wouldn’t know what’s good for him or who’s best to look after him.”

  “Oh, it was much more than that. I have a good feeling about this one. She will be an absolute dream. Don't worry about the salary. I'll pay her wages, so don't fret about the money.”

  “No, Mother. I can afford to hire a nanny for my own son.”

  “And fire her?” Sonia asked with a knowing smile. “Relax, darling. You can take over her salary after she’s been here a while if you like. I know you well enough not to leave her in your hands with your fifty excuses not to even try.”

  “I’ll need my police friend, Doug Briggs, to run a background check on her. What’s her name again?”

  “Blake James William Worthington, you’ll do no such thing. You can’t do something like that without asking a person. Anyway, she told me she has many brothers and sisters who she looked after. I think it was six she said she had. Maybe four, or it could’ve been six younger brothers and sisters. You can't get better on the job training than that. Those nannies you’re considering might never have changed a diaper in their lives. You can't learn about kids from a classroom and an exam. Papers don't give you a personality either.”

  “Mother, this is insane. I will not choose a nanny on someone’s personality. I hope you didn’t either.”

  “It's what people have done for hundreds of years. Find a nice woman who knows kids and hire them. It's not that difficult, dear. Millions of children have survived the process.” She smiled in that calm, stubborn way that told Blake that no matter what he said or did, the matter was settled. Nothing would change her mind or stop Sonia from having her way on this one.

  “Trust me, dear. I have a great feeling about this one. Mother knows best.”

  “Right,” Blake grumbled. He took a sip of his coffee, which had grown cold. He hoped this new excuse for a nanny would not prop his son in front of the television all day. His mother meant well, but how would he go to work tomorrow knowing that a stranger with minimal experience would be in charge of the most precious person in his life? It was absurd. “How about this? I’ll try her out for a day, but you must be here in the house the whole time and never leave her unattended with Leo. There’s no way I’m leaving a complete stranger with him.”

  “Okay.”

  “Good.” That would give him time to get his security team to hook up nanny cams throughout the house. He’d make a call and have them installed tomorrow evening when he was there to supervise the installation.

  “We have a deal then?” His mother stuck out her hand.

  He looked down at her hand and then up into her face. “Just for one day with you here and you’ll never take your eyes off Leo?”

  His mother nodded. “Absolutely, agreed.”

  “Deal.” He took her hand and shook it.

  Chapter 4

  Olive sat up in bed, stretched her hands over her head and yawned. She’d had a good sleep and was excited to start her new day, which would be her first day of work as a nanny. If Leo's father was as nice as
Leo's grandmother, working for that family would be wonderful. The accidental meeting with Leo's grandmother had to have been arranged by God, she reasoned.

  She exchanged her nightdress for one of her old dresses, a dark green one. She knew that playing with children could get messy and Sonia had mentioned she might have to do a little tidying and she wouldn't want to do that in her Sunday best. She brushed out her long hair, divided it into two sections and plaited them. Then she pinned the braids against her head and put on her prayer kapp. Normally, she let the strings hang, but since she was going on the bicycle today, she tied the strings under her chin. When she had pulled on her stockings and her shoes, she headed downstairs to do her chores before she set out.

  Naomi had the chores of collecting eggs and feeding the chickens, while she had the jobs of making a cooked breakfast for the family and doing whatever else Mamm told her.

  When she got to the kitchen, her father and two of her brothers, Elijah and Thomas, were back from the morning milking, sitting at the breakfast table waiting.

  Elijah sat with his hands around a mug of coffee. “Take extra time to get ready this morning, did you?”

  “Oh, I didn't realize I was late. Where’s Mamm?”

  “Should be down in a minute,” her father said.

  Olive wasted no time putting on the breakfast for the hungry workers who had already put in hours of work doing the morning milking.

  “Mamm tells me you’re starting work today, Olive,” Thomas said.

  “Jah, that’s right.”

  Dat frowned. “You didn't mention that over dinner last night.”

  “Oh, it's not a secret. Mamm knew. I don't know why she didn't say anything about it.”

  “Nervous, are you?” Elijah asked.

  “Um, maybe a little bit. I think I'm more excited. I’m nanny for a lovely little boy. He's very lively and his grandmother had a bit of trouble controlling him.”