Athena realized Dr. Applegate was staring at her and mentally shook herself from the moment. “Your wife,” was all she said.
“Yes. My late wife.” He gestured toward the chair again.
She lowered her eyes, pushing back the wave of sadness she felt at Mackenzie’s losing a mother who so clearly and deeply loved her. The artist who captured that emotion was obviously very talented.
Athena sat and waited, hoping this was not going to be a repeat of the grilling session she’d endured at her interview.
“Mackenzie likes you.”
Her face relaxed and she smiled. “I like her, too.”
“You’re a natural with children.”
“I wouldn’t say that has always been the case, but your daughter is wonderful, and an absolute joy to be with.”
He nodded. “She’s been through a lot.”
“I realize that—and I’m sorry.” She could see he was going to object—so many people did when the event had been difficult or hard or sad. It seemed completely logical to her to be sorry that something bad had happened to someone—it didn’t mean she thought she was responsible for it.
He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it. “I have to go out of town for a few days.” His eyes went to her eyebrows, which had creased slightly. “If you’re not comfortable, I can cancel it.”
“I’m surprised, but Mackenzie and I can handle it. I wouldn’t have thought that in light of the fact that I’ve only just arrived, but we’re comfortable with one another, and I think she’ll be okay with it.”
“I agree. I would never have thought I’d even consider it, but then I didn’t expect her to take to you the way she has,” he said frankly.
“It’s not always easy to understand why God leads the way He does, but in this case, it feels very clear that He is orchestrating this for reasons that He may or may not reveal. Truthfully—I’m honored to be part of Mackenzie’s journey, and I don’t take the responsibility lightly.”
“I’m aware. I appreciate that. I wouldn’t leave you with her otherwise.”
She nodded, waiting.
“I don’t really need to recount the terms of our contract, but I want to hear how you’ll approach these days with her. How you’ll handle it if she does miss me more than we realize, and what you’ll do if there’s an emergency.”
It was her turn to scrutinize. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He shifted in his chair, but kept his eyes locked on hers.
She hated to admit how those eyes impacted her.
“I think it’s natural to want to understand how you’ll approach these possible situations as you and I have only just met.”
“You did a thorough background check, and you grilled me for four hours on these very topics. Do you need me to repeat myself?” Her eyes never wavered.
“Apparently, yes.”
The corner of her mouth quirked up. “All right then. It’s Monday, so approximately how many days do you think you’ll be away?”
“Hopefully no more than two.”
“Mackenzie has school each day, so we’ll have breakfast together each morning, and I’ll take her to school. I’ll pick her up at the end of the day, and on Tuesday she has ballet at 3:30 p.m. After that we’ll come home, have a snack, maybe go for a walk, and get her homework done before dinner. Then we’ll read, or dance, or maybe another activity of her choice. Beyond that, our schedule will only vary with the after-school activity, which as you know on Thursday is an open afternoon. If you’re not home by then, I’ll see if I can set up a playdate with a friend here at the house or at the community play ground.
“She’s going to miss you, so we’ll talk about that whenever she needs to and for as long as she needs to. Other than that, I’ll keep her busy with the activities she loves most, and make our early days together as positive and happy for her as possible. With respect to an emergency, I will call 9-1-1 if needed, first. Then call, you, making my way down the list of emergency contacts—which, by the way, are organized in priority order in my Evernote iPhone app, which is always with me.
“Your turn,” she said, her eyes never leaving his. “Is there anything else I need to be aware of that we haven’t discussed?”
4
FOUR
“But Thea, I don’t want to!” Mackenzie whined.
“Hmm. I think we’ve already been over that one. I love that you want to spend the day with me—and I would love nothing more—but I promised your dad I’d take you to school each day that he’s away and keep your normal schedule. Do you think I should break a promise?”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Okay then, how about you get ready for school. I’ll make your bed for you and have a surprise ready by the time you’re downstairs. Deal?”
“Deal,” she agreed quietly.
“Ready…set…go!” she said with as much excitement as she could muster, turning to jog out of Mackenzie’s room toward the kitchen. It worked. She heard little steps pattering behind her toward the bathroom.
Phew, I averted that one, but how many more will there be and when will he be home? Dr. Applegate was already a day later than he expected and managed to avoid the question of what he was doing or when exactly he’d return during his daily call. He masterfully managed Mackenzie’s questions about it, as well, and there was no point in pushing the topic further.
She resolved to find some fun activities to fill their weekend with, in the event he didn’t return. It was supposed to be her weekend off, but she couldn’t complain. How many women were paid for a full-time job that in reality required very few hours during the day. Her time was her own during the six hours Mackenzie was at school. And Dr. Applegate had a housekeeper, so apart from fixing meals, cleanup, and making beds, everything else was taken care of by outside staff.
She spent her days at café’s or at the library—although she realized she may be slightly paranoid—she didn’t want to chance that Dr. Applegate may be tracking the search activity on the home Wi-Fi.
She wasn’t exactly sure of what he did when he traveled, but from what she had gleaned on the Internet, he worked part-time for the government in some capacity. What if he was a spy? Or a consultant with the FBI—or CIA? He certainly had the intensity for it, and if she didn’t know better she’d think he had the ability to also read minds. When he nodded—it wasn’t as though he were agreeing with her—but rather that he acknowledged she was telling the truth.
Add to that, eyes that seemed to reach into her soul, and other parts of her that had remained dormant for a very long time, and you had a rare situation where she felt like she was out of her league.
* * *
He clicked on the app and waited for the connection.
“Is that a nanny app?” his colleague, Tucker Paxton asked, looking over Thor’s shoulder.
“I swear, Tucker, would you let me know when you’re in the room, rather than stalking up behind me?”
“You’re losing your edge, my friend. Fatherhood has changed you.”
“Indeed it has.”
“So—is it a nanny app?”
“If you must know, it’s a home technology system connected to a variety of devices—the door locks, security cameras, lights, Wi-Fi, and a few other things.”
Tucker whistled. “Is she a runner? She looks good, and those freckles. Jeez, Thor, your nanny is pretty.”
“She’s not my nanny, and yes, she is pretty. Most importantly, Mackenzie likes her, and she’s a good judge of character. They connected right away.”
“That must be a huge relief for you. So the move is going well?”
“As well as can be expected. I think it was the right decision.”
“For whom?”
“For both of us—we’re a package deal.”
“Do you still have a security team?”
“I do, although it’s more of a skeleton crew now.”
“Do they tail the nanny?”
“Initially
they did, yes. It appears she mostly goes to the library or a café when she’s not home or with Mackenzie.”
“Avoiding the home Wi-Fi, huh?”
“Do you think so?”
“Not sure. What’s her background?”
“She’s a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in communications. Her father is dead, her mother and sisters live in the same general vicinity in Massachusetts, and beyond that, her history seems unremarkable.”
“Then why would a beautiful young woman with a master’s degree from an Ivy League school want to nanny in Sweet Grove, Texas?”
* * *
“Hey, Mackenzie, over here!” Athena yelled to get her attention. School buses were everywhere, and her nose wrinkled at the diesel fumes and noise. Something else bothered her, too, but she couldn’t quite place it.
Relief flooded her when Mackenzie reached her side and she knelt down for the hug that had become part of their daily school-pick-up routine. Only to be replaced by searing guilt at how difficult it would be to leave her some day. Darn Dr. Applegate for being away longer than expected. It was Friday, and she still hadn’t heard whether or not he would be home tonight.
When the prickling sensation coursed up her spine, she looked around but couldn’t see anything unusual. She quickly locked Mackenzie’s seat belt into place, and scurried around the car to head toward the ice cream parlor. Maybe not a wise choice for a Friday afternoon—but a necessary one for both of them. She’d called two of the moms she had met during ballet practice to arrange for an impromptu gathering with some of Mackenzie’s friends. Fortunately, they were women she actually enjoyed being with, so it was something to look forward to and would be a bonus for both of them.
When they reached the parlor, the others had already arrived, and Mackenzie raced with glee toward her friends. They had pulled two tables together, so there was plenty of room for everyone.
No sooner had they sat down, than a thin woman with blonde hair piled high walked into the parlor, looked around and immediately headed toward their table.
“Oh, Mackenzie my dear! How wonderful to see you! I’ve missed you!” she gushed.
“Oh. Hi, Miss Daisy,” came the flat reply.
Ahh, so this must be the Daisy Dr. Applegate was talking to.
“Do you all mind if I join you?” she asked without bothering to wait for a response and snapping her fingers for the attendant behind the counter to grab the nearby chair for her.
Athena groaned inside. Some things you just knew without knowing why.
“So, Mackenzie, how are you? And how’s your dad?”
“We’re good.”
“Where is your dad? Oh! You must be the new nanny! How nice,” she said in that condescending I-don’t-really-mean-what-I’m-saying kind of way.
She had to save Mackenzie, so she decided to engage with the woman, even though she didn’t want to. “Yes, I am the new nanny—and you are…?”
“I’m Daisy Chandler, one of Sweet Grove’s newest and best real estate agents. I helped the Applegate’s find their new home and…well, get settled, if you know what I mean.”
Athena refused to take the bait. “It’s great to meet you, Daisy. I’m Athena Gregory—the nanny.”
“Yes, well I figured that much. Oh, hello Shay and Margot, how are you?” Daisy asked without waiting for a reply. “Sooo, Mackenzie, how is school?”
Mackenzie tore her eyes away from her friends. “It’s fine, Miss Daisy. Hey Abby and Jayleen, let’s go check out the arcade machine.”
Athena couldn’t help admiring the skill with which Mackenzie managed the situation with Daisy. She is her father’s daughter.
“Oh, well I just thought I’d stop by to see how Mackenzie is doing. I’m sure I’ll hear from her dad as soon as he’s back in town,” she stated to no one in particular as she rose from the table.
It didn’t warrant a response.
5
FIVE
“Daddy!” Mackenzie exclaimed as she raced toward the man who walked through the open door, closing it swiftly behind him.
“Zee!” he said, using her new nickname and opening his arms as she leapt into them. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and held her tight, eyes closed as though he wanted the moment to last forever.
It nearly brought tears to Athena’s eyes. He was glad to be home, and his daughter needed him. It was time for her to give them some time alone.
“Hey, Athena,” he offered casually.
“It’s Thea, Daddy,” his daughter corrected.
“Ah, yes. How could I forget?”
“Welcome home, doc.” Athena smiled. “I think I’ll retire, if that’s all right.”
“Yes, yes of course.” His eyes flickered with a question, but he didn’t ask. Was that guilt she saw course across his face?
At least he had the decency to act semi-sheepishly, she thought as she moved toward the stairs. It was incredulous that he hadn’t called to let them know he was coming home.
“Wait!” Mackenzie exclaimed, her voice nearly filled with panic.
“Zee, it’s okay.” Athena turned back to the little girl. Her eyes flew to Dr. Applegate, and his eyebrows raised at her unasked question, it was clear neither of them expected this. “What’s the matter?” Athena asked as she walked toward Zee.
“I don’t want you to leave,” her tearful voice whispered.
Athena fought her own tears back. “Zee, I’m not leaving, sweetheart,” she said as she took her little hands. “I’m just going to my room to read for a bit. Why don’t you take your dad to the living room and show him what we’ve been working on while he’s been away, and I’ll see you in the morning. Maybe, just maybe, there’ll be pancakes waiting for my favorite sleepy-eyed girl,” she said with a wink.
“Okay.” Mackenzie brightened. “You’re okay?” she asked.
“Of course I am.” Intuitive little bugger, isn’t she?
Thea could feel Dr. Applegate’s intense eyes on her, and a blush rising in her cheeks. “I’m more than okay, Zee, and thank you for a wonderful day.” She paused just shy of hugging the little girl still held in her daddy’s arms.
He let Mackenzie down, and she raced into Athena’s hips and wrapped her little arms around her as far as they would reach.
“Thea—I love you.”
“I love you, too, Zee. I love you very much.” Her body welcomed the little girl and she picked her up to hold her tight, willing the tears not to fall. Then pulled back to give Mackenzie a smile.
“Thea, you have tears, too. Why are you sad?”
Good grief! From the mouth of babes.
“I’m not sad, Zee. Have you ever heard the expression ‘tears of joy’?”
The little girl nodded.
“Then that’s what these are. I’m happy your dad is home, and you can show him all the things we’ve been working on while he’s been gone. Now run along.”
She put Zee down and turned as the heat in her face reached scorching, taking the stairs two by two, well aware that Dr. Applegate’s eyes still followed her.
“Come on, Zee, let’s see what you’ve been cooking up while I’ve been gone,” she heard, just before she reached her door.
* * *
“You had a successful trip?” Athena asked as the doctor walked into the kitchen where she was starting breakfast.
“I did—thank you. And Thea, I’m sorry. It took longer than expected, and I neglected to let you know I was coming home.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she studied him, trying to read him. How could his surprise arrival home have been anything but intentional? “What do you have planned for the day? Or do you need me to take Zee?”
“Goodness no. You’ve done enough and now I owe you two additional days off. Why don’t you head out, and I’ll take care of breakfast for Zee and me?”
She marveled at how quickly he had adopted the nickname she’d given his daughter—yet not surprising in light of how mu
ch Mackenzie clearly loved it.
“No, but thanks. I promised Zee I’d have something special ready for her breakfast, and I will. You guys went to bed late last night?”
“Yes. Given I was away all week, I thought it best to let her stay up late and have extra time with me. She fell asleep watching the Disney movie, but it was still time well spent.” He paused a half-second. “You don’t have to call me Dr. Applegate, you know.”
“It’s how I think of you.”
And then she saw that look cross his face, that I’m-in-professional-mode-now-and-I’m-going-to-analyze-you look.
She put both hands on the counter and leaned forward, her eyes laser-focused on his. “Not everything needs to be analyzed, Thor. If you prefer that I call you by your first name, I will. It’s not like we’ve had time to discuss it yet.”
Her zing got through.
“Fair enough; and yes, please call me Thor.” His eyes turned thoughtful, and looked as though he was going to ask a question, but they were interrupted by the pitter-patter of steps.
“Daddy!” Mackenzie squealed as she raced into his arms.
“Good morning, sleepy head. How are you?”
“Great! I had the best dream ever, Daddy. We got a puppy!”
He cringed, and tried to cover it up with a smile. “Did you? That does sound like quite a dream.”
“Can we, Daddy? Can we get a puppy? I promise I will feed it and make sure it has water, and we could get a fence so the puppy doesn’t get hit by a car, and I can walk it. Thea can help me walk it, and it will be so much fun, won’t it, Daddy? I will take care of it, I promise.”
“We’ve talked about this, Mackenzie. My schedule is unpredictable and if we get a dog, it needs to be during a time I can be here, too. Do you understand?”
“But we have Thea now, Daddy. She can help, too, can’t you, Thea?”
“You know, Zee, that’s really something between you and your Dad. It’s his home, and your home, and although I live here now, too—this is not really my permanent place so I can’t be part of that decision.”
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