v

n with a stooped posture, into my home office, gu

little success, so my hopes aren't exactly high as

ed to find someone good. There's no point in hiring a nanny just to regret the choice later. I

ask you about yourself, let me expl

sp. She holds her handbag in her lap,

time working, and don't always have the time to devote to keeping an

That's fair

say. "He's not my son-he's my nephew. I became his guard

ything else about it-I generally prefer to avoid the subject altogether, bu

our loss," says

h and nod in a

decide to loo

. "Brandon was very young when I stepped in, and my personal assist

gly. "Then it got

s getting more perceptive and curious, and I think I need

fect sense. Five is a wonderful age for a chi

he wishy-washy uncertainty I've seen from a lot of oth

child's development," she goes on. "Activities that can shape

mising. This woman is sharp, organized, and careful. I take a peek at her resume, sitting on my desk-years of

k that's exactly what we need," I tell her. "I can't

, and I pause mid-sentence, glancing over. B

inside. "Hey, there's the little m

the stranger. She waves back, though I notice that she does

stiffly. "Come closer. Let

utching his teddy to his chest. He glances

you," the older woman s

hand, confused. His g

and she snaps, "Look at me when I'm talk

k-he's just a shy little kid. There

ly reluctant, and sees the stern frown on her face. His wi

own at him. "There's no need to cry. I'm just trying to te

it seems to get worse. A surge of protectiveness flares in me, and sud

is isn't someone who can be kind or understanding with hi

up from my desk. "I've se

surprised, glancing b

e door, and Brandon moves to stand behind my legs as I hold it ope

action with Brandon, deepens. She doesn't question i

she turns to sneer at me. "If you spoil that chi

, "but as I will not be needing your serv

her purse, and marches down

The tears have dried from his eyes, and he

say, scooping hi

that?"

out around here, but she's not the right person

e we're making some

. "What do you say you and I go out for a walk?

w cupcake shop that opened up around the corn

et him down, and he reaches up a small

rmly, and

he front door. Brandon leads me throu

ge, wolf-like creature with sharp teeth, flattens its ears at Brandon as it go

les Brandon. His hands fly up to c

t my heart. I crouch down to face

n't have to cry. It's

his bout of crying is about the dog, or about the way that woman snap