CHAPTER 4

          He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I hope you won’t think of my curiosity as a lack of respect towards you. Since you talked about checking my past jobs, I thought it’s only fair for me to know all about your… Ehm… situation.”

          Blake nodded and Nicola felt calmer.

“You are right. Well, my little girl has had three nannies in the last two years. The first one had a difficult time following my rules, the second one liked to sneak her boyfriend into the house at night and the last one had a nasty habit of smoking... and I’m not talking about cigarettes only. She said it was therapeutic. I don't allow this kind of thing near my daughter.”

“I see,” Nicola added and shifted in the chair. “I can assure you, Mr. Echols, I don't smoke. I don't have a boyfriend, but if I did, I wouldn't be sneaking him into your home. It would be disrespectful not to mention completely unprofessional. Finally, I don't have a problem with following rules.”

          She grinned.

“As long as you don't have a rule that says I can't have a cheeseburger, French fries, and a Vanilla milkshake from time to time. The last couple I worked for… let’s just say they were health maniacs. I ate a lot of gross ‘healthy’ stuff. It was a nightmare.”

“You can eat the food you want,” Blake said. “Just don't share it with Iris.”

          He cleared his throat.

“Miss Rhymes, if it’s okay with you, I'd like for you to come to my house for a paid trial day. At the end of the day, if I'm satisfied with the way you took care of my baby girl, you will sign a contract.”

“All right,” Nicola agreed. “When would you like me to come?”

“Tomorrow,” Blake answered quickly. “Is that possible?”

          Nicola nodded.

“Tomorrow is just fine.”

“Wonderful,” Blake told her. “Now let's discuss what will happen tomorrow.”

          He checked his watch before continuing.

“I'd like for you to come at eight-thirty. Please, don’t be late. I appreciate punctuality. When you arrive, I'll give you a tour of the house and go over the rules with you. Once we're done, I'll introduce you to my little girl and all the staff. My housekeeper, Alma, will familiarize you with Iris's routine and help you in any way she can. Tomorrow evening, I'll let you know if you're hired. If you are, we'll discuss your duties, wages, hours, and the terms of your employment. Do you have any questions so far?”

“No, sir,” Nicola muttered. “Not at the moment.”

“If you think of any you can ask me in the morning,” he said as he stood.

          Blake walked around the desk, picked up a pen, and scribbled something on a piece of paper.

“Here’s my address and phone numbers.”

          Nicola got to her feet and took the scrap of paper from Blake. Sticking it in her purse, she led the way to the door.

“If you need to reach me, my e-mail is on the resume I gave you. As for urgent messages, you can let Daphne know.”

          He opened the door and stepped aside.

“I will see you in the morning, Miss Rhymes.”

          She smiled at him.

“Eight-thirty sharp, Mr. Echols.”

                                                                         ****

          Blake did something he didn't normally do. He went home at a decent hour that evening. It was a quarter after five when he strolled into the kitchen. Iris was sitting in her booster seat at the table nibbling on a chicken leg. Blake kissed her head and then sat down beside her.

“It seems delicious… Can I have a bite of your chicken?”

          Little Iris held out the half-chewed chicken leg. Blake took a tiny bite.

“Thank you, sunshine.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” Iris repeated.

“No. Say ‘you're welcome’.”

“You're welcome, Daddy,” Iris chirped.

“Good girl,” Blake said.

“Are you hungry, Mr. Echols?” Albert, the cook, asked. “Can I fix you a plate?”

“Yes, Albert, please. I’m quite famished.”

          He removed his suit coat and laid it over the arm of the chair beside him. He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up to his elbows. The cook set a plate in front of Blake.

“Let me know if there is anything else I can get for you, sir.”

          Blake picked up a fork.

“This looks great, Albert. Thank you.”

“You're welcome, sir.”

          After dinner, Alma assisted Iris with her bath and then watched as the little girl brushed her teeth. When Iris was ready for bed, Blake came into the room to read her a bedtime story. They settled on the bed and he began to read ‘The Sleeping Beauty’.

          By the time he was done with the story, Iris's eyelids were drooping and her chin was resting on her chest. Blake tucked her into bed and kissed her goodnight. Moving toward the door, he stopped when she called out to him.

“Daddy?”

“What is it, baby girl?”

“Stay, please,” she whispered.

          Blake returned to the bed and lowered himself onto it.

“Okay, I'll stay until you fall asleep.”

“Not… sleepy…” she mumbled.

          He knew better. Iris was stalling because she didn't want to go to sleep. Blake did what he always did when she was refusing to sleep. He stroked her hair. There was something soothing about the feel of his hand in her hair that made little Iris sleepy.

          Like all the times before, it worked like a charm. In no time, Iris was out like a light. Smiling to himself, Blake rose from the bed and quietly left the room. He headed downstairs to the living room where he found Alma doing her usual chores.

“Alma, I would like to speak with you, Bruce, and Albert.”

          The housekeeper stilled and looked at him.

“Bruce is in the kitchen with Albert.”

“Very well. Follow me, then,” Blake said, moving in the direction of the kitchen.

“Is something wrong, sir?” Alma asked as she followed him.

“No,” he replied. “Everything is fine.”

          He marched into the kitchen. Bruce and Albert were sitting at the table talking over cups of tea.

“Can I get you anything, sir?” Albert asked Blake.

“No, I’m fine. I wanted to talk with you all,” Blake said. “It will only take a few minutes.”

“We are listening, Mr. Blake,” Alma declared.

“I have decided to hire a nanny for Iris.”

          Blake glanced at all of them.

“Don’t get me wrong. You all have taken great care of my little girl, but Iris needs someone who can devote all their time to her. There is a person coming in the morning. Her name is Nicola Rhymes.”

          None of them spoke. They continued listening to him.  

“I haven't hired her yet. As for tomorrow, is just a trial day. I want you to watch her closely, see how she interacts with Iris, and help her if she needs it. You will be my eyes and ears. If you don't approve of Miss Rhymes, I won't hire her. Simple as that.”

“We've had nothing but bad luck with nannies,” Alma said. “Are you sure you want to hire another one? It's really no trouble taking care of little Iris. We all are happy to do it.”

“I appreciate everything you all do for my baby girl and me,” Blake continued, “but I have made up my mind, Alma.”

“Then we will help you any way we can, sir,” Bruce stated.

“Do you think she's the nanny you've been looking for?” Alma asked.

“I don't know, Alma. I just don’t know,” Blake said. “Only time will tell.”