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He wasn’t sure what that meant, but whatever. He wanted her to spit out the reason she’d invaded his quality time with the prettiest thing since bluebonnets… and then get the heck out of Dodge. “Okay. How may I help you?”
“I understand the situation. You’re taking care of your niece while Mrs. Finlay is away, but Charlotte is having some difficulties as I’m certain you’ve noticed.”
He arched a brow. “Well, they’re going through an adjustment having me taking care of them. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“She’s hitting other children, and she keeps wetting her mat at naptime.”
“Oh,” he said, wondering why the teacher hadn’t called. Didn’t they just have parent-teacher conference? Oh, damn. He’d missed it because of the stomach virus epidemic.
“Charlotte was out the last part of the week and no one was present for her conference. I figured a home site visit was in order, and as I am the principal of the lower school, I must address what is amiss with Charlotte.” She glanced around.
“It’s not as if Courtney is at a spa. Ben is near death, and I, an uncle she’s never seen before, have been left to care for her and her brothers. Whatever could be amiss in her world?” he drawled with an extra helping of sarcasm.
“Oh, dear,” Sister Regina Maria said, lifting a weathered hand to clasp the dangling crucifix lying against her charcoal sweater. “Her teacher told me Mrs. Finlay was out of town, but not that Mr. Finlay had been gravely ill.”
Lucas relaxed a little. “Charlotte’s adjusting to change. I can talk to her about the hitting, but I’m not sure about the mat-wetting. Perhaps those pull-up things? InModern Parenting,a psychologist suggested major changes can set potty-trained toddlers back. I’m certain it’s a phase.”
“You readModern Parenting?”
“When there’s nothing else around,” he said, shaking his head. “Look, I’ll talk to Courtney. Ben is tremendously better, and he may be moved to New Orleans the latter part of next week. I’ll make sure Courtney calls the school and sets up a conference with Charlotte’s teacher.”
Sister Regina Maria nodded, resembling a crow with beady eyes. From around the couch, Mittens strolled, curling about the woman’s feet. The nun bent and stroked the cat. Yeah, seemed about right. Like recognized like.
“That would be acceptable. Next time you need to inform the school when there is something of this magnitude ongoing in a student’s life. We do care, Mr. Finlay.”
“Note taken. My sister-in-law feels this is a sensitive issue, and I hope you will keep this conversation confidential. I appreciate your coming by on your day off,” he said, acknowledging the nun had her heart in the right place… even if she was unforgiving of taking up too much time in carpool line. It was the stupid harness in the car seat’s fault.
“Oh, today is not my day off, Mr. Finlay. For a woman of God there is no day off.”
“Right,” he said, motioning toward the door, wanting her to leave as soon as possible. But also concerned about Charlotte. He’d had no idea, though come to think of it, she wore different clothes home a few days in a row. He’d thought she’d spilled something on them and had to change into her play clothes packed in her pink Creampie backpack. Now he knew she was having a harder time than he thought… and he needed to check those plastic grocery bags he’d tossed in the laundry room.
Poor child. Her world had been rocked to such an extent, and she’d had no way to tell him. Well, other than hitting and pulling a Kermit on the plastic mat he sent with her every day.
“I’ll be in touch if there are any further problems,” the nun said, with a curt nod.
“I’m sure you will,” he murmured, sweeping a hand toward the door. “If there isn’t anything else…”
“That will be all, Mr. Finlay,” Sister Regina Maria said, giving Mittens a final pat, skirting the couch and marching toward the open doorway. “I have other problems to correct. Unless you need further instruction on carpool procedures?”
“I’ve gotten the hang of it.” He made a face behind her back but smiled when she whirled back toward him. “Yes?”
“Might I recommend procuring some help? This place isn’t fit for children. Healthy environments make healthy children.”
Lucas looked around. “They’rethe ones who did this.”
She gave him a wintery smile. “But aretheyin charge?”
Good question.
He was pretty certain they were, but perhaps a little spring cleaning was in order.
But he wasn’t admitting that to the wicked nun of the west.
“Have a good day, Sister.”
“You, too,” she said, stepping outside and clipping most efficiently down the porch steps.
“Oh, I intend to,” he said, grabbing the wine and flowers and relocking the front door.
