The Holiday Nanny by Lois Richer

Author:Lois Richer [Richer, Lois]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-11-06T23:00:00+00:00

“Don’t you just love pizza, Grandma?” Silver grinned, displaying white teeth in a face plastered with tomato sauce.

“Probably not as much as you,” Amanda grumbled, dabbing at the mess with one corner of her napkin.

“I think we’d better head to the ladies’ room and clean up before we—go to the center,” Connie said. She’d been going to say “pick out a Christmas tree” but Wade’s shaking head cut off those words. “Come on, Silver.”

“I’ll go with you. Just to make sure I don’t look like her,” Amanda said. She rose and walked beside Connie while Silver skipped ahead. “Wade seems relaxed tonight.”

“Does he?” Connie tried to be totally focused on her charge.

“Yes, he does. And I think it has to do with you.”

“Me? What do you mean?” Connie helped Silver scrub off most of the mess, pretending she was busier than necessary just to avoid Amanda’s scrutiny.

“Did you ask him to invite me along tonight?”

“No! It’s none of my business whom he invites to a meal.” Connie frowned and twisted to stare at her. “Why would you think that?”

“He’s never asked me to do anything like this since…” Her voice dropped away.

“Amanda, this pizza thing was totally Wade’s idea,” Connie assured her, drying her hands on a towel. “Thank goodness. I was supposed to prepare dinner, because Cora wasn’t feeling well. I don’t cook well.”

“You’re kidding? You do everything well,” Amanda said.

“Not cooking. It terrifies me.”

“You know what, Grandma? Daddy said he used to come here when he was little and that his daddy always ordered olives on his pizza. I hate olives.” Silver grabbed her grandmother’s hand and tugged Amanda toward the door while dancing a happy little jig and humming “Silent Night,” accompanied by her ever-present bells.

Connie held her breath. Please God, don’t let anything spoil it. Let tonight be an evening to remember for all them—the first of many.

“It was nice. I haven’t had pizza since—in a long time,” Amanda substituted, with a quick look at Connie.

When the child raced over to her father, Amanda paused, her hand on Connie’s arm.

“I don’t want Wade to pity me,” she said to Connie, sotto voce. “I couldn’t stand that.”

“Why would he pity you?”

“Because I’m cranky and grumpy and bawling all the time,” Amanda sputtered. “Oh, fiddle.” She turned and hurried back to the ladies’ room while dabbing at her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Wade demanded, rising when Connie reached the table.

“Amanda had something in her eye. She’ll be back in a minute.” He frowned, his suspicions obvious. Connie ignored that. “Do you think I could have a little more coffee while we wait? It’s delicious.”

By the time they left the restaurant, it was later than Connie had expected. Privately, she couldn’t help worrying whether her father’s friend would wait for them. Silver picked up on her anxiety and threaded her small fingers into Connie’s as they rode to the center.

“Did you eat too much?” she asked sympathetically.

“No, sweetie. I’m fine,” Connie reassured, but Silver seemed to know she was faking.

“Are you sad about your daddy?”

“Not really.

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