The Guests on South Battery (Tradd Street #5)(23)

“But—” I started again.

“When can you start?” Jack interrupted. “We’ll pay you fifteen percent more than your last employer, and that will include room and board until your permanent living arrangements are decided. We’ll give you a generous vacation schedule, as well as most holidays off unless you choose to work.”

I stood suddenly, startling the dog and both babies so they all stared at me with the same wide-eyed look of surprise. “Actually, we have a few more questions, don’t we, Jack? And I think we should discuss further before we make any firm arrangements. . . .”

Jack stood, too, then gently took my arm. “Will you excuse us for a moment?”

He pulled me out to the foyer and set both hands on my shoulders. “We have Mary flippin’ Poppins sitting in there, and I’m afraid if we let her leave this house without a job offer she can’t refuse, somebody else will snap her up. She’s perfect—she’s qualified, has great references, you like her, and I like her. Heck, the kids already like her and did you see General Lee? When does he ever act like that with strangers? I trust his judgment on people more than I trust my own.”

“He likes Rebecca,” I said.

“Yeah, well, that’s because she’s related. He feels obligated.”

“Jack. These are our children. Shouldn’t we at least interview more people?”

“We could, but you and I both know we will never find as good a candidate as Jayne. I think she might even last more than a month.”

“But what about her comments about schedules and clothing? I don’t think . . .”

He put his finger to my lips, silencing me. “She seems solid and sensible, and very accommodating. I’m sure we can compromise. But please, Mellie. Let’s restore order to this household. Because if I don’t get these revisions done before the next century, there might not be another book.”

I stole a glance toward the drawing room. “Are you sure?”

“Almost as sure as I was when I decided I loved you.”

He was using his blue eyes to his advantage, but I enjoyed it too much to care. “Really?”

“Really,” he said, sealing the deal with a soft kiss on my mouth.

“All right, then. Let’s go hire a nanny.”

We started back, but Jack paused when his phone vibrated. “I’ve got to take this—it’s my agent. I shouldn’t be long.”

“Good news?” I asked. Things had been touchy since Rebecca’s husband, Marc Longo, stole Jack’s book idea—the story of a disappearance and murder that had happened in the twenties in my house—and made it into a runaway bestseller and Jack was dropped by his publisher as a result.

“I have no idea. I’ll let you know.”

I nodded, then returned to the drawing room. JJ was sound asleep on Jayne’s shoulder, softly snoring and drooling on her blue sweater, while Jayne, Sarah, and General Lee were all staring at the corner of the room. I turned my gaze to see what it was, praying it wasn’t another palmetto bug lying in wait to torment me or Nola.

The air shimmied, like fish scales right under the water’s surface, undulating and sparkling. I held my breath, watching as it faded quickly, almost as if it had never been. I would have thought it was my imagination if not for the lingering scent of roses.

I turned back to Jayne, who was reaching down to scratch General Lee behind the ears, something else he never allowed strangers to do. “There must be a bug or something in the corner. I couldn’t see what it was, but I don’t have my glasses on. I’m squeamish about bugs or else I would have gone in for a closer look.” She grimaced.

My gaze settled on Sarah, who was now frowning at the corner, looking as if somebody had just taken away her favorite toy. “I’ll tell Jack to pull back the curtains. We have an exterminator, but sometimes bugs will get in anyway—even in January.”

Sarah reached for me and I lifted her, pressing my nose into her soft hair and holding her close, thinking of every other reason in the world for her interest in the far corner of the room than what I was afraid it could be.

“I’m sorry to just walk in, but the doorbell’s not working again and nobody heard me knock.”

I looked up to see my mother, looking as beautiful and elegant as ever. She’d already removed her coat, but her gloves remained on her hands. “Hello, Mother,” I said as I approached to kiss her cheek. Sarah, recognizing the woman who spoiled her without censure, immediately leaned into Ginette’s arms.

“Come meet our new nanny,” I said, leading her to Jayne, who was trying to stand without jostling the sleeping baby. “Assuming she’s agreed to take the position, that is.”

Jayne smiled. “Yes, of course. You’re more than generous. And your children are just darling.” Her gaze traveled behind me, and her smile faltered.

“This is my mother, Ginette Middleton. Mother, this is Jayne Smith, our new nanny.”

Jayne extended her hand to shake and Ginette hesitated just for a moment before grasping the hand with her gloved fingers. “It’s nice to meet you. I apologize for the gloves, but I have a condition where my hands are always icy cold. I rarely remove my gloves, even in the summer.”

“Please, no need to apologize. And it’s a pleasure meeting you.”