Free Kelly McClymer-Must Love Black by Kelly McClymer Page B

volunteer that they had actually had fun. In other words, I was going to have to get them on board with the idea of fun as a useful and practical method of relaxation and rest. So I gritted my teeth and said as brightly as I was able, “Today we’re going to have fun.”
    “Fun?” Rienne said.
    Triste sighed. “Father again?”
    Well. I hadn’t expected that. They already knew the secret reason I’d been hired. Would that make things easier? Or much harder?
    Rienne shook her head. “When will he learn?”
    I didn’t have an answer for that one. I also didn’t have to give a speech anymore about the value of fun. Apparently they’d already heard it. So I opted to wield the nanny hammer. “We’re going to town. End of story. It won’t be that bad.”
    Through the magic of the computer intercom system I asked Havens if we could get a ride into Bar Harbor. The chauffeur was busy taking guests to the airport, but we arranged for Geoff to take us at noon, when he had to run in for some gardening supplies anyway. The gardening store was right next to an arcade, so I led the reluctant twins inside while Geoff did his shopping. I’d passed the arcade a zillion times with my dad and was never once tempted to go inside. But something told me Mr. Pertweath would approve. Maybe it was the word “fun” stenciled on the window. Three times.
    Fun, apparently, requires a lot of coins and a lot of noise. The three of us stood watching the binging, trumpeting, chiming machines. I ignored the twins’ horrified but mute pleas to escape before my insane idea deafened them forever. Fun. Yep. It said so on the sign.
    Triste liked one game that involved shooting and fighting and required you to solve something to get to another level. Rienne liked the car simulator.
    And what did I enjoy? That Geoff came to rescue me after an hour. He probably just considered that he was picking us up to take us home. I definitely considered it a rescue.
    Of course, it wasn’t the rescue I’d expected. He strolled into the place, breathed in deeply, and headed straight for theDance Dance Revolution machine. You know, the one where you play with your whole body, trying to follow loud music and flashing lights. I’d never thought much of making a fool of myself by trying to keep up with insanely paced music and flashing signals. Seemed pointless.
    Until I watched Geoff handle the machine like a master—with a huge smile on his face. I couldn’t help but smile too.
    Apparently, Triste and Rienne were also impressed, because they stopped asking me if we could go and started watching Geoff dance. “How does he know how to . . . ?” Triste leaned forward. “Oh. I see.”
    Rienne also leaned forward, which was when I noticed I made three. I hoped Geoff didn’t let it go to his head that all three of us were enthralled by him. But I suspected, from the looks he flashed me from time to time, that he was. Typical guy.
    There was just something about him. Even when he started to glisten with sweat he didn’t stop dancing. Maybe because Triste and Rienne clapped when he cleared the steps without any mistakes. Or maybe it was me that spurred him on.
    Whatever, he danced till the end of the song and finished with a flourish and a bow. Then he held out his hand to us. “Who would like to join me for the next dance?”
    All three of us shrank back. Geoff laughed and challenged me. “Come on. You want to show the girls some fun, don’t you?”
    No. No, I didn’t. Really. I wanted Geoff to show the girls some fun and I wanted to take the credit for it.
    I looked at Triste and Rienne and tried to pretend I wouldhave been willing to get up on that contraption. “Triste, you try it.”
    She shook her head. “You first. You’re the nanny.”
    Darn. I
was
the nanny. Which meant one of my duties was to show them how to have fun. Too bad I’d forgotten how to let go and enjoy myself a long time ago. All I could think about was how stupid I was going to look