“He’s little and doesn’t understand what’s going on. I’d like the change to be as easy as possible for him.”
“I can understand that.” She folded her hands in her lap.
“If I decide to hire you, what assurance can you give me that you’ll fulfill your obligation?”
In truth, there wasn’t anything. If the sacred vows of marriage didn’t stop his wife from ignoring her responsibilities, what could this stranger say to convince him? Kyle’s mother had put her own interests over what was best for her son, their son. Since her death, Justin found that buying the best child care possible was the only guarantee he
had.
“Dr. Flint—” She leaned toward him, earnest in her defense. “There’s nothing I can say to convince you of my sincerity, but I’m well qualified. I have a degree in early childhood development and the references I provided might help ease your mind. A short-term contract would probably be best. If either of us isn’t satisfied with the bargain at any time, a suitable notification period should be spelled out. Enough time for either or both of us to make other arrangements.”
That seemed fair to him, but he wasn’t ready to say so just yet. Instead, he asked, “What about your life in California?”
“I’m not sure what you want to know.”
“Do you have family? Friends? A house to be sold or closed up?” Someone special?
Justin found himself most interested in the answer to the question he hadn’t asked out loud. She was pretty. He was a guy and couldn’t help noticing. She must have a boyfriend and, if not, candidates were probably lined up around the block waiting to apply for the position.
Emma sat back and crossed one slender leg over the other. “I don’t have family. On top of being an only child, my father died when I was ten and Mother passed away a little less than a year ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” Her mouth pulled tight, but it looked like more than grief. “She left me the house, but I have a friend who will take care of it.”
He wanted very much to know if the friend was a man, but asking wouldn’t be professional. Before he could say more, there was a knock on his office door just before Ginny Irwin, the clinic nurse, poked her head into the room. “Dr. Flint, your first afternoon appointment is here.”
Since she could have relayed that information by intercom, Justin suspected she hiked upstairs to the second floor in order to get a look at the nanny applicant.
“Thanks, Ginny. I’ll be right down.”
“Okay.” She stared curiously at the young woman across the desk from him, then backed out, closing the door behind her.
“All right,” he said, “I guess we’re finished.”
“There’s just one more thing I’d like to say.” Emma picked up her purse from the floor beside her, then stood.
“What?” he asked.
“I want this job very much. And I’m very good with children.”
He would check that out for himself. “All right. I have one more interview.”
“Will you let me know one way or the other?”
“Yes.” He stood up and felt as if he towered over her, then hated that it made him feel protective. There was something vulnerable and fragile about this woman, but getting sucked into the feeling was a bad idea. “I’ll do a thorough background check and personally contact all the references you listed.”
“Good. I’d expect nothing less. And I’ll do the same for you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a live-in position, right?”
“It is. And light housekeeping will also be required. But my primary concern is the well-being of my son. If I get called for an emergency in the middle of the night, trying to find child care could be a problem. I need someone there.”
“So if I’ll be living under your roof, it would be a good idea for me to know something about you. That way, everyone feels better.” She shrugged then held out her hand. “It was very nice to meet you, Dr. Flint.”
Justin wrapped his fingers around hers and felt a sizzle all the way up his arm. That was enough to make him want the next job applicant to actually be Mary Poppins. He needed to hire someone right away. His current nanny was very close to leaving him in a real bind when she headed back to the Sunshine State.