Page 2 of My Orc Nanny
Joshua sneezed, and I sighed, opening my eyes.
Right.
Self-pity was well and good, but I had to get shit done.
I patted Tova again. “It’ll be okay, honeybear. We’ll figure something out.” And if I can’t, Ms. Rios was an understanding sort. “How about you go and get your stuff ready? Do you need a backpack today?”
“Nope! No homework!” My daughter pulled away and did a little spin, showing off the way her favorite pink leopard-print dress twirled. “Just the last-day-of-school party!”
“Okay, well, why don’t you bring it anyhow, in case Ms. Rios has something to send home with you? And get your brother’s stuff too—Benjamin Thomas Wood!”
Tova ran to the bottom of the stairs and called up, “Benny! Mom’s using your middle name, you’d better come!”
How could that kid not want to go to school on the last day of classes? I would’ve thought he’d be thrilled!
Shaking my head, I pulled Joshua away from my shoulder long enough to check on him. “You okay, buddy?”
His bright red cheeks told me he wasn’t. How was I going to take care of him when?—
Right on time, my phone rang. I’d already slipped it into the pocket of my slacks, so I hoisted Joshua back onto my shoulder and fumbled to pull it out.
My boss. Great.
The man wasn’t a bad boss, but he didn’t seem to understand the concept ofschool mornings are hectic.
“Good morning, sir.” I managed not to sound exasperated. “What’s up?”
“Just making sure you’re all set for the ten o’clock appointment with Butch Holdings. We can’t afford any more delays; not if the building projects the mayor wants are going to move forward on time. You have all the info you need?”
“Yes sir, but…” Joshua sneezed again. “Can I send the information to you? Or maybe Cindy? My youngest is sick, and?—”
“Hannah.” His voice was steely. “When I hired you, you assured me you had plenty of childcare options.”
“He has a fever, sir.” I couldn’t just foist him off on someone!
“Be that as it may…” He sighed. “No one else knows this portfolio, Hannah. The bank needs you here for the meeting, and the meetingwillhappen at ten. So you will be here by ten. Is that understood?”
There was an impliedor else, and I couldn’t afford to lose my job. I mean, I wasgoodat it, so they couldn’t fire me, but my boss could make my life miserable. I closed my eyes, thinking how much shit single moms put up with. “Yes, sir.”
He hung up without acknowledging my agreement.
I frowned down at my phone, trying not to feel hopeless.
If only that Help Wanted ad had born fruit. It had been Benjamin’s teacher’s idea, actually, to hire a nanny, after I complained to her about the upcoming summer months. I had the money, after all…just not the time.
But Eastshore Isle was a small town, and it wasn’t like there were an excess of qualified nannies sitting around. I’d been hoping that, starting on Monday, I’d be able to hire a temporary babysitter from the high school population…
That didn’t help me today.
“Benny!” I called again. “We’re leaving soon! I have to stop by the bake shop! Get your butt down here!”
“Butt!” giggled Tova, dancing toward the kitchen. “Butt, butt, butt!”
My temples were pounding. MaybeIwas getting sick.
Telling myself it wasn’t fair to snap at her because I was frustrated with her older brother and worried about her younger brother, I slid my phone back into my pocket and turned to the kitchen to find myself something to pack for my lunch.
The knock on the door stopped me.
