The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

“Mrs. Tuckerman—”

“You may call me Fayrene. Ah. Nice kitchen. Good appliances. Efficient positioning. We’ll want to move the coffeemaker and toaster over to this counter, of course, and I’m sure the cabinets and drawers could be rearranged, but it’s very workable. Where are the washer and dryer?”

“Through that door. Can I—”

Because she had poked her head into the laundry room, her voice was a bit muffled when she overrode him again. “I’ll need a brighter light in here. And a surface for pre-treating stains and folding laundry. A small table should fit nicely into that corner. Please see to that quickly. With a small child, stains are a constant battle.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed she—”

Fayrene closed the laundry room door and turned to face him. “I live only fifteen minutes from here, so I should have no problem being here by six forty-five each morning to prepare breakfast for you and the little girl. Is that early enough?”

“Plenty early. I—”

“I’ll have dinner ready by six, and I’ll leave shortly after that unless you have plans and need me to stay later to watch the child. I’m available most evenings except Sundays and Wednesdays, when I attend church services. And every third Tuesday evening of each month, my bridge club meets, so you’ll need to make other arrangements if you have plans. If six is too early for you to eat, I’ll prepare the meals and leave them in the refrigerator so you’ll only have to warm the food when you’re ready. I expect my duties to include cleaning, laundry, cooking and childcare, but I don’t do yard work or exterior windows.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to—”

“My sister said the little girl starts preschool tomorrow. When does she need to be dropped off and picked up?”

“The program starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. After that, there’s a day care program until early evening for the students with working parents.”

“I’ll pick her up at two. No need for her to stay later if the remainder of the afternoon is merely day care. I can do errands as necessary while I’m out, such as picking up the cleaning. I’ll need a safety seat for my car, of course. I assume she still uses one.”

“Yes, at her age and weight she’s still required to ride in a safety seat.”

“Very wise. I’m appalled at the number of people who allow children to ride in a vehicle completely unrestrained. Aren’t they aware that those precious little bodies are thrown like missiles in accidents? And as far as the excuse that their children don’t like being restrained—poppycock. Parents are supposed to be adults, not playmates. I don’t believe in taking any risks when it comes to a child’s safety.”

Okay, he liked that philosophy. He wanted to know that Isabelle would be watched over by someone who made her safety a top priority. “I completely agree. But—”

“I really should meet the child now, don’t you think? She needs to get comfortable with me before I pick her up at Miss Thelma’s tomorrow afternoon. I assume you’ll be taking her there on her first morning of school?”

“Yes. I’m sure there will be some paperwork they’ll want me to fill out.”

Because he had become so accustomed to having her interrupt him, he was almost surprised when she allowed him to complete that comment. And then, when she still didn’t speak, he realized she was waiting for him to follow through on her suggestion—or had it been a command?—that he take her to meet Isabelle.

He motioned toward the doorway, trying to regain at least a semblance of control over this bizarre interview. “Isabelle’s in the den with my business partner. Shall we?”

She nodded and swept through the doorway.

Caitlin and Isabelle were seated cozily on the big leather sofa in the den, watching a cartoon on television. Isabelle had apparently been educating Caitlin about the names of all the characters on the animated series. Nathan had heard her chattering as he’d approached the room.

Caitlin looked up when Nathan and Fayrene entered. Her expression when she spotted the woman looked very much the way his own must have earlier.

Before she could make the same embarrassing mistake he had made, he spoke quickly, “Caitlin Briley, this is Irene Mitchell’s twin sister, Fayrene Tuckerman.”

Caitlin stood to greet the woman. “It’s very nice to meet you. I didn’t realize you and Irene were twins.”

Fayrene nodded, but her attention was already focused on Isabelle. Her rather stern face softened with a smile warmer than Nathan had ever seen from her sister. “You must be Isabelle.”

Isabelle blinked. “You’re Ms. Mitchell’s sister?”

“Yes, her twin sister. That’s why we look alike.”

Isabelle cocked her head. “You don’t look exactly alike,” she decided. “Your smile is different.”

Nathan decided he had better intercede before the conversation turned too personal. “Isabelle, Mrs. Tuckerman is going to come help us out around here. She’ll pick you up at preschool tomorrow and stay with you until I get home from work.”

“You won’t mind that, will you, Isabelle?” Fayrene smiled confidently. “We’ll have a very nice time.”