LITMIR.BIZ

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Ian felt hope for the first time in a while.

      “I’ve checked your references, and they are excellent. I know how picky Tom is, and he never would have recommended you if you weren’t good. Do you have any questions about the job?”

      Annie sat back again, scanning the living room. “What are my duties?”

      “I have a cleaning lady who comes in three times a week, but in between there may be light cleaning. I love to cook, but there will be times when I’m held up at the clinic. Tom told me you are a good cook.”

      “I like to when I get a chance.”

      “The kids will be out of school for the summer in six weeks. The older ones have some activities you’ll need to drive them back and forth to, but Joshua doesn’t yet.”

      “In other words, he’ll need to be watched closely,” she said with a chuckle.

      “Yes. One time he managed to climb to the top of the bookcase then couldn’t get down.”

      “Where will I be living?”

      “I have an apartment over the garage you can use. We have a breezeway that connects the garage to the house. You’ll have your own place but be close if needed quickly. Will that be all right?”

      “That will work perfectly. I’ll need Sundays off unless you have a medical emergency, and I’ll take off the other time according to the children’s schedules.”

      “That’s fine with me. I’ll supply health insurance and a place to live. Your starting salary will be five hundred a week on top of your benefits. After three months we can discuss a raise. Is that all right with you?”

      “Yes.”

      “When can you start?”

      “Monday. I’ll move in on Sunday. I’ll have my family help me.”

      Only four days away. “Great. Will you share Sunday-night dinner with us so I can introduce you to the children? I’m cooking.”

      “I think that will be a good way for me to meet them. A school day is always hectic with everyone trying to get where they need to be.”

      “I have a Ford Explorer you’ll use to drive the children. It’ll be at your disposal at all times.” Ian rose. “Let me give you a tour of my house, then the apartment, before you leave. I’m afraid it was a mess from the last nanny. The guy remodeling it will be through in a couple of days. We’ll only be able to peek inside because he’s refinishing the wooden floors today.”

      “Will I get to meet Joshua before I leave?”

      “Probably. When he takes a nap, it’s usually only an hour or so.”

      Annie pushed to her feet, looking around. “I imagine you don’t use this room much, or your children are neater than most.”

      “They don’t come in here often. The cleaning lady comes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. She has her own key, so she’ll let herself in.”

      “That’s good. If I have to do any shopping that’ll be the time to do it. Do you want me to go to the grocery store for you?”

      “Yes. I understand you did that for Tom and his wife.”

      Annie nodded as she followed Ian into the dining room. “If you plan some meals, you can add what you need to my list. With such a large family, I’ll probably have to go twice a week.”

      When Ian walked into the kitchen, he swept his arm wide. “Right before you came, this place was a disaster.” He crossed to the dishwasher and opened it. “I’ll have to empty this and refill it properly after you leave.”

      She laughed, a light musical sound that filled the room.

      Ian went to the utility room and swung open the door. “This is where I stuck all the mess I couldn’t take care of. I didn’t want to scare you away.”

      “Then, why are you showing me now?”

      He smiled. “Because I believed you when you said you like a challenge.”

      “I don’t scare easily.” Annie chuckled.

      “Good. The nanny who stole from me used to hide the mess rather than pick up. Sadly, I copied that method.” Ian gestured toward a door at the other end of the utility room. “That leads to the short breezeway and garage.”

      The next place Ian showed her was the huge den. “This is where the family hangs out the most.” He indicated the room full of comfortable navy-blue-and-tan couches, a game table, a big-screen TV and several plush chairs with ottomans.

      “I can see kids relaxing and enjoying themselves in here.”

      “The only other room downstairs is my home office.” Ian pointed to the closed door across from the den then headed for the staircase. “On the second floor I have six bedrooms. I had the first nanny staying in Aunt Louise’s room, but my kids got upset. I quickly renovated the area over the garage, but she was fired before she had a chance to move into the apartment.”

      “Those women give the nannies of this world a bad name. The ones I’ve gotten to know love children and go above and beyond.”

      At the last room at the end of the hallway, Ian stopped and gestured. “This is Joshua’s bedroom. I’m surprised he isn’t up, but he’s been getting over a virus or—” He eased open the door to find his son drawing on the wall.

      * * *

      After church on Sunday, Annie joined her large family at her twin sister Amanda’s house for the noon meal. When not working, Annie spent a lot of time with her twin. Annie had been thrilled when Amanda had married Ben last year. Amanda would be a great mother, and Annie knew her sister wanted children.

      The day was gorgeous with the temperature around seventy degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Annie made her way around back where her father stood talking with Ben at the grills, flipping hamburgers. With his thinning blond hair and the deep laugh lines crinkling at the corners of his brown eyes, Dad was no doubt telling her brother-in-law another Amanda and Annie escapade from childhood.

      The scent of ground beef saturated the air and Annie’s stomach rumbled. She scanned the yard, enjoying the sound of merriment from the children playing on the elaborate swing set. Her twin might not have children yet, but she spoiled her nieces and nephews.

      “Ah, it’s about time you arrived,” Amanda said as she put a Band-Aid on the youngest child’s knee. “We’re almost ready to eat. What took you so long?” She rose as her nephew ran back to play with the others.

      “I went back to the house to say goodbye to the Hansen family. The moving van will come tomorrow. They were heading to the airport when I left.”

      “Aren’t we supposed to help you move later today?” Her dad laid the spatula on the plate for the burgers and turned toward her. “Is everything boxed up?”

      Annie nodded. “Ben and Charlie’s trucks should be enough for the small pieces of furniture I have. After we empty my suite of rooms at the Hansen house, I’ll lock up and we’ll go to Dr. McGregor’s. Then the hard work starts. There are stairs on the side of the garage that we’ll have to climb with all the boxes.”

      Her youngest brother, twenty-year-old Charlie, came out of the house and clapped her on the back. “Remember, you promised me my favorite pie for helping. I’ve been thinking about that for days.” He rubbed his stomach in a circular motion.

      “I’ll bake you an apple pie this week.”

      Charlie’s dark eyebrows shot straight up. “Apple? Bah! Double-chocolate fudge is the only one I’ll accept.” Then he said to Ben, “I’ve been sent to find out when we’re going to eat.”

      Ben pressed the spatula down on each patty. “One minute, so get the kids to wash up inside.”

      As

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