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“I know, honey,” I humor her as she takes one of my briefcases up to her room.
Kenna was in bed at the time and I didn’t know exactly how to comfort the kids about her leaving.
I think I’ll ask her about it today.
The kids don’t usually get up until seven, unless I wake them up early, and it’s only six, so I’ve got time to chat with her.
When I walk downstairs, I see her in the kitchen, humming along to some song on the radio and shaking her hips, and I clear my throat, trying not to watch her.
“Oh!” she says, flustered and putting down the spatula in her hand. “Sorry, I hope it’s okay to use your kitchen—”
“You can use it anytime you like, you know that,” I say easily. “But you don’t have to make a full breakfast every morning.”
She flushes, turning to look at me with wide blue eyes. “But I want to give back, somehow. You’ve done so much for me, Derek.”
I look at her only for a moment before looking away again, my cheeks heating up. I’m sobadat this, the social interactions that come from small talk, but I can make this business, and that’ll help.
“I need to talk to you about something,” I say, and Kenna turns off the stovetop.
“I’m finished anyway,” she says, turning around and wiping her hands on a towel before tossing it on the counter. “Would you like me to make you a plate?”
I shake my head. “I’ll make it myself.”
“I’ve already got it ready,” she complains. “And I made coffee. I’ve finally figured out your crazy coffee machine.”
I laugh. “All right, then,” I say awkwardly, sitting down at the table.
She makes me a plate and brings it to me with my coffee, lots of cream and sugar. I guess she’s figured out how I like my coffee after spending a week here.
“Thank you,” I murmur, and Kenna smiles, sitting across from me at the dining table with her own plate.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” she asks.
I sigh. “The kids are asking why you have days off, and I think they’re just getting really used to having you around all the time. Maggie seems okay with it, but Eli’s getting really attached.”
Kenna frowns. “Is that a bad thing?”
I think about it for a moment and tilt my head. “I don’t know. After their mother left, I don’t want them to have to go through that hurt of being abandoned again. And so far it’s been okay, because most nannies don’t last longer than a day or two, but...” I trail off.
“But I’ve been here a week and you are afraid of them getting attached and me leaving them one day out of the blue,” she says quietly.
I look up at her, surprised at her insight on the matter. “Exactly. It’s kind of tricky.”
“It is,” she nods. “But at the same time, I think him being attached to me isn’t a bad thing. I’m going to be his nanny for at least six months.”
I clear my throat again. “About that...would you be willing to extend your contract? Things have been going so well and I could boost your pay—”
“Oh, God, no,” she says, and I’m stricken for a moment before she waves her hands, shaking her head. “I mean, not no to extending the contract. No to more money. You pay me way more than enough.”
“Still, if I can help your transition back to school—”
“It’s only one semester,” she says with an even smile. “I’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. This is a dream job for me, really, so I’m not going anywhere.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Thank God, because, Kenna, you’ve really been a miracle around here.”
I’m telling the truth. The kids are on a better schedule with eating and activities, bedtimes and wakeups are going way more smoothly, and the most important thing is that they’rehappy. Even Maggie, who has the tendency to push people away, hasn’t done that to Kenna.
Kenna blushes and looks away. “I’m really glad. I think they’re amazing kids, and you’re an amazing father, Derek.”
