“Buddy, I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can, okay?” I assured him. “It’s just for a little bit. I’ll come home in the evening—early evening, and I’ll spend the rest of the night with you. How’s that?”
“Who will stay with me?” Noah asked, with a frown.
“I’ll call one of your babysitters—”
“I don’t want them,” he said instantly.
I raised my eyebrows. “Buddy—”
“I want Krissy,” he said, without missing a beat.
I paused for a moment. “You want Krissy?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I thought you liked Emily?” I asked curiously.
“She’s not like Krissy,” he told me. “I love Krissie.”
“Love, huh?” I said, unable to suppress my smile. “That’s a strong word.”
“I know.”
My smile grew wider. “Okay, why don’t you try and get some rest. I’ll call Krissy.”
I left Noah lying in his bed with a smile on his face. I walked into the living room and dialed in Kristen’s number. Her first question was for Noah.
“How is he?”
“He’s okay,” I said. “Just a stomach bug. He’ll be fine.”
“Soup might help when he’s up to eating something.”
I sighed. “Kristen, I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Of course,” she said willingly. “Ask me anything.”
“I need you to come and watch Noah for me,” I said. “I have meetings the whole day, and I can’t miss them all. I would have called Emily or Elaine, but Noah is refusing to stay with anyone else. He personally requested you.”
“Really?” Kristen sounded exceptionally pleased.
“Yes.”
“Of course, I’ll come and stay with him.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, aware that I was taking advantage of the fact that she was my assistant. “I know you have tons of work yourself.”
“I’ll bring my laptop with me so that I can still work from your place,” she said. “Don’t worry; I’ll manage.”
“You’re something else; you know that?” I said, extremely grateful.
I couldn’t see her, but I knew instinctively she was smiling. “I’ll see you soon,” she said. “Oh, and I pushed back your meeting. It starts in half an hour.”
I smiled. “Bless you.”
Fifteen minutes later, Kristen was at my door, and I ushered her in with relief. “He’s sleeping now,” I told her. “Went out like a light, a sure sign that he really is sick. He never sleeps that easy when he’s healthy.”
She smiled. “I’ll keep you posted if there are any new developments.”