Free Small-Town Nanny by Lee Tobin McClain Page A

his ears, confirming his satisfaction with the arrangements he’d made for Mindy. He stopped in the kitchen to look at the mail, and the sound of voices drifted his way.
    He heard his nephew, Xavier, explaining the finer points of Chutes and Ladders to Mindy. That meant Xavier’s little sister, Baby Emmie, must be here, too, but he didn’t hear baby fussing or cooing; apparently she was sleeping or content.
    The low, steady murmur of women’s voices let him know that his sister-in-law and Susan were both in the room with the kids.
    â€œI know I can talk them into it,” Susan was saying doubtfully. “The payment will just be a week late, maybe ten days. It’s tips versus wages, that’s all. I expected to have a little more money by now.”
    â€œTroy and I could probably loan you the—”
    â€œNo! Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”
    Angelica made some sound as if she was comforting a baby, which she probably was. “What’s your mom going to do with your brother away?”
    â€œEnjoy her freedom. And I’m hoping I can send her a plane ticket later in the summer.”
    â€œThat’s so nice she’s coming to visit you!”
    â€œOh, she’s not visiting me,” Susan said, sounding alarmed. “I want her to be able to go to New York to see some shows, or to a nice spa. Coming to see me would be nothing but stress.”
    â€œI doubt that. You’re her daughter! Or...are things bad between you?”
    Sam took a step closer and leaned on the counter, eavesdropping unabashedly. Mindy and Xavier argued a little in the background. Sam could smell the remains of a mac-and-cheese lunch. He saw the tell-tale blue-and-white boxes in the trash and shook his head, a grin crossing his face. Susan hadn’t claimed to be a cook.
    â€œI’m...a bit of a disappointment to her.”
    â€œI’m sure—”
    â€œDon’t feel bad, it doesn’t bother me anymore. I know she’s really just upset about her own life. She had a vision for me to do a better job than she did, to be a perfect wife who made her husband happy, but I’m not falling into line.”
    â€œWell, considering that you don’t have a husband at all—”
    â€œExactly.” They both laughed.
    There was a little more murmuring and the sound of a baby fussing, then some quiet shuffling.
    Sam felt bad about eavesdropping, knew he should say hello to let them know he was here, but if Angelica was feeding the baby, he didn’t want to intrude. Quietly, he grabbed a fork and the pan of leftover mac and cheese and picked at it, thinking about what Susan had said.
    Wages versus tips. Of course, she’d been expecting to make speedy cash as a waitress. He needed to bump her paycheck forward rather than waiting the customary two weeks to pay her.
    â€œYou should just ask Sam to advance you the money,” Angelica advised as if she was channeling his thoughts.
    â€œNo way! That wouldn’t be right. This is a job, and you don’t ask for special favors in a job.”
    Sam got himself a glass of water, making some noise about it, to warn everyone of his presence.
    â€œDaddy!” Mindy called, and ran to him.
    â€œHey, sugar sprite. Having fun?” He swung her up into his arms, feeling that odd mixture of joy and concern that was fatherhood for him.
    â€œYeah! Xavier is here!”
    â€œGo back and play with him,” he said, putting her down. “I’m going to change my clothes, and then I’ll want to talk to Susan a couple of minutes.”
    He’d move her payday up, no matter whether she protested or not. And as he trotted up the stairs, an idea came to him: he’d send her mother a go-anywhere ticket. It was a benefit of his airline program and frequent flyer miles; it wouldn’t even cost him anything. And it would help out proud, independent Susan.
    Which, for whatever reason, was something he very