Baby for the Billionaire(52)

“Is she intelligent?”

“Highly.”

Annalise nodded. “She needs to be challenged intellectually, as well as physically, in order to help her stress level. In other words, she needs to engage in activities that will allow her to cope with her grief and confusion and work through them at her own pace. It would help to have a daily schedule that doesn’t vary, so she knows that every day she gets up at the same time, eats at the same time, goes to bed at the same time, all of which gives her a feeling of security.”

“She doesn’t have that right now.”

Annalise lifted a shoulder in an expressive shrug. “Because she’s so young she may not be able to verbalize her fears and concerns. It would help to find creative outlets that allow for that expression. Painting or coloring, games that require organization, regular exercise, other children she can socialize with so she can just be a quote-unquote child for a while.” She paused. “Does she have nightmares?”

“Yes.”

Annalise nodded, as though not surprised. “She may also revert to behaviors she exhibited at a far younger age, such as thumb-sucking or bed-wetting.”

“I haven’t noticed any of that, so far.” Well, except for one not-so-minor detail that he’d neglected to mention—her refusal to speak.

Annalise leaned forward. “As I said, continuing with a counselor is vital. He can help you and Isabella’s main caregiver develop some strategies to assist in her recovery.”

Annalise was right and he knew it. He glanced down at his list of questions and moved on to less complicated issues. “I’m sure my assistant mentioned that this job is five days a week, daytime shift.”

“Will you be hiring a nighttime caregiver?”

“I did that right after I brought Isabella home from the hospital. Mrs. Walters will arrive at the end of your shift and cover until I get home. She also stays overnight when I’m out of town on business. If I needed you on an occasional night, would that be a problem?”

“Not at all.”

So far, so good. He tapped a finger on the list of questions and moved on to the next issue. “Do you have a first-aid certificate?”

“Yes, as well as a criminal-convictions certificate.”

He flipped through the file until he found them. The first-aid certificate was recent and, as expected, she didn’t have a criminal record. “Do you have any problem with my running a background check?” The slightest hesitation combined with a hint of worry passed over her features. His gaze narrowed. “Problem?” he asked coldly.

She shook her head. “No, I can see where you’d need to do that. I’d just appreciate some time so I can warn my friends and relatives.”

“Warn?”

She sighed. “Alert. Is that a better word for it? I’d like to call them first and ask for their cooperation, so they’re not taken by surprise.”

“Fair enough.” If she really was hiding anything, his private investigator would find it. He moved on. “Do you smoke?”

“No.”

“Are you involved in an intimate relationship?”

Again, she hesitated. “How is that germane?”

He studied her curiously, wondering if he’d hit on something. “I need to know if you have any obligations that may interfere with your ability to give Isabella your full attention.” Or prevent her from becoming his temporary wife. “I also need to know about anyone who may come into regular contact with my niece so that I can have them checked out.”

“Of course.” She inclined her head and another curl escaped, this one just behind her left ear. The shiny black ringlet bounced against the long line of her neck, providing an irritating distraction. “No, to answer your question, I’m not in an intimate relationship.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “What about a casual relationship?”

A hint of color marched along the sculpted curve of her cheekbones. “I’m not in any sort of relationship at all.”

He fought the satisfaction her response elicited. “How do you get along with your family?”

He’d caught her by surprise again. “There’s just my father, and we get along fine.”

“How often do you see him?”

Her brow puckered in bewilderment. “Once a week. Sometimes more often, now that I’m back in South Carolina.”

“Does he live in Charleston?”