Late twenties? Even younger than he’d guessed. Seth studied Meagan skeptically across the table. “I was actually thinking of hiring someone older.”
She nodded. “I know. I was hesitant about her age at first, too. But, I think you should give her a chance. She’s…interesting.”
“Her age doesn’t even matter all that much. I liked her,” Alice insisted, her tone uncharacteristically stubborn. “And I’m the one who’d have to spend the most time with her, after all.”
“And I’m the one who will be paying her,” Seth responded firmly. “I’m the one who’d be trusting my daughter and my home to her care. I’ll interview her, but if I decide one of the other applicants is more qualified, you’ll just have to accept my choice. I’m sure all the top applicants are nice people. I doubt Meagan would recommend someone she thought you wouldn’t like.”
“Of course not,” Meagan confirmed quickly. “The two other women who top my list of recommendations are both very nice. Marilyn Keppler has a great sense of humor and a smile you can’t help but respond to. Theresa Washington is a little quiet, but I got the impression that she’s very capable and organized, both traits that were mentioned repeatedly in her reference letters.”
“But you’ll talk to Jacqui, Dad?” Alice repeated, still looking prepared to mutiny. “You’ll give her a fair chance?”
“I said I would, and I will,” he promised again, hoping this wouldn’t be a major problem. Alice had never caused him any real trouble, but she was just becoming a teenager, after all. According to those warnings he’d received from more experienced parents, he was going to have to brace himself for cold shoulders, slammed doors and it’s-not-fairs. All things he’d never expected from his sweet-natured daughter, but one never knew what would happen when hormones took over, apparently.
“I have some fresh sliced strawberries and angel food cake for a light dessert,” Meagan said, smoothly directing the conversation away from the potential quarrel. “Who wants some?”
“Sounds good to me.” Seth directed a look at Alice, who sighed lightly and nodded, accepting that the argument was over. For now.
They didn’t stay long after dessert. Saying she would feed and then play with Waldo, Alice dashed ahead toward home while Seth paused a moment to speak with Meagan at her door. “Thanks for feeding us again. Dinner was delicious.”
She smiled up at him. “You’re welcome. I enjoyed the company.”
“I owe you a few meals now—not to mention all you’ve done to help me in the housekeeper search.” He made a vague motion with the manila envelope filled with applications from all the women she had screened for him.
“It really wasn’t that difficult. I just chatted with a few women. The most suitable choices were fairly obvio
us.”
“You keep saying the top three are equal choices in your opinion. You’re sure you don’t have a personal favorite?”
She gave a little shrug and a wry smile. “I don’t want to influence your decision that much,” she admitted.
“This Jacqui that Alice likes so much—you said you put her in your top three?”
“I did. I think you’ll understand why once you meet her. I’m not saying she’s a better choice than the other two—but I do think she’s equally qualified.”
He smiled. “You sounded more like a lawyer than a doctor just then.”
“Heaven forbid.”
Chuckling, he tucked the envelope beneath his arm. “I was just thinking—since Alice is going to be at her grandparents’ house this weekend…”
Meagan lifted an eyebrow, and he finished hastily, “Maybe I could take you out for a nice dinner Saturday evening?”
She took a moment to think about it—mentally reviewing her calendar? Trying to figure out a way to politely decline?—and then she nodded. “That sounds nice.”
He smiled, wondering if there was ever an age when a guy didn’t get a little nervous about asking out an attractive woman. “Great. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done for me.”
A little frown appeared between her eyebrows and he spoke quickly again, not wanting her to think he was asking her out only because he felt like he owed her. “I mean, I’ll enjoy having dinner with someone, since Alice will be out of town and I…uh.”
No. He winced. That wasn’t a bit better.
Meagan laughed softly. “You lawyers have such an eloquent way with words.”
He smiled ruefully, knowing she’d just gotten him back for the crack he’d made to her. “Touché.”
“Good night, Seth. Tell Alice I’ll see her tomorrow.”
He looked at Meagan’s mouth, wanting nothing more at that moment than to kiss her smiling lips. But because he wasn’t entirely sure Alice wasn’t looking back at them, wondering what was keeping him so long, he restrained himself to a fleeting touch against Meagan’s soft cheek. “Good night.”