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I needed this.
Patty had briefed me on the family. Some information I’d already known because when she came home to visit Eleanor and gushed about the girls, I would eat her stories up like it was my favorite meal. I drank up her day-to-day mishaps with Miss Mary and deep conversations with Sarah. I lived through their excursions and vacations and daily activities.
Yes, I was nervous, but a big part of me was excited to meet them because it felt as though I knew them already.
She waved to a guard, and he opened the gates to a well-manicured, elite subdivision. We drove up a winding road that led to a palatial mansion that had my jaw dropping to the ground. Lights highlighted the pillars of the mansion that framed the door, and the window-height shrubbery etched against the building was like lines against a painting.
“It’s just a house,” Patty said, noting my shocked reaction. “What makes a home is the people in the house. And I have no doubt you’ll grow to love these people.”
I bit my bottom lip. “Patty, I’m nervous.”
She placed the car in park and put a tender hand on top of mine. “You’ll do fine. Promise.”
I wished I were as sure as she was in me.
“Can you tell me what to expect? I don’t remember the last time I’ve been on an interview. I think it was at my last paycheck job at the Piggly Wiggly.”
Patty laughed. “So, yes, you will have an interview with all of them because Mason—he’s the youngest of the Brisken men—is the most meticulous with things like this. He’ll want a formal interview. But I imagine it’ll be normal questions and be a little laid-back. I’ve told them not to pry into things that they shouldn’t.”
“Okay.” My shoulders relaxed just a tad.
I pushed up the sleeves of my light-pink V-neck ribbed sweater. I pressed a sweaty palm down my dark-washed jeans and pulled my long blonde ponytail over my shoulder. I had worn my best attire today. I would have worn black dress pants if I had any. I knew that first impressions mattered, and I wanted to make a good first impression.
“The hardest test you’ll have today is the kid test.” There was a funny look on Patty’s face.
My brows flew to my hairline. “Kid test?”
“Yes. Sarah will go along with what her uncles and dad tell her. She’s sensible, and she listens to authority and will trust that the people who love her will make the right decisions.” She breathed out one long sigh. “Mary … sweet Mary, is a whole other story. She’s making this particularly hard—their search for my replacement. I think, in her mind, if they don’t find another nanny, I won’t leave, but we all know that’s not the case.”
“Gotcha.” I gave a shaky nod. “Impress sweet Mary who isn’t so sweet.” I bit at my pinkie nail and forced a breath out.
I can do this. I can do this.Maybe if I believed the mantra in my head, I could do this.
Patty shook her head. “She’s sweet when she likes you, and there is no doubt she’ll love you. Mary has this innate gift on how to read people, their intentions and their heart.” She tipped my chin with the lightness of her fingertips. “And you, Becky, have the kindest of hearts.”
The mansion door opened and shut and then opened again. For a brief second, a mini human peered out, and I saw a flash of blonde hair and electric-blue eyes. My eyes blinked wide. She was stunning.
The door shut again, and Patty stepped out of the car. “And that will be my Mary. We’d better go. She’s expecting us.”
With one big breath, I straightened and pushed back my shoulders, exuding confidence I didn’t really have.
Patty’s voice resounded in my head, and I made it my mantra.Be yourself. Be yourself. Be yourself.
I swallowed hard.
What if it wasn’t good enough?
* * *
When I entered the house, the three Brisken men—who were all tall and alarmingly good looking with dark brown hair and chocolate-brown eyes—stood in the foyer to meet me. I had to pause and blink, almost pinching myself as I took the three brothers in.
I swore I’d stepped into a magazine featuring the rich and famous.
“Hi. I’m Mason.” He offered his hand and I shook it firmly.
“I’m Becky,” I said.
“Let me take your bags.” He lifted my bags out of my hands like they were air.
