Forty-five minutes late, Leo finally arrived at work. Claudia, the receptionist, looked at him sympathetically. "Tough morning?"

"New nanny."

Her eyes widened. "Again?" She shook her head. "Kids today."

Claudia had raised her children, but Leo had a long way to go. "Riley promised she'll like this one."

Leo grew anxious about his hasty decision to leave a virtual stranger with full access to his house and children. He had officially lost it. His life defined rock and a hard place. Riley liked her. The agency refused to send any more nannies. He had to work.

When he walked into his office, his assistant, Chelsea, was scrolling through her phone. He asked, "What did I miss?"

She waved her hand. "Nothing, it's been quiet. Just some guy, Niko Vi-til-ass called."

"Nik Vitalis! I've been waiting to hear from him."

"Well, you did." She handed him a slip of paper.

He was the studio exec he had been pitching Matthew Clark's books to for a movie deal. Was it good news he had called so early west coast time?

He dialed his number. "Nik, it's Leo."

"Hey. How are you? I've got news."

"Go ahead."

"I've got a producer and screenplay writer interested. How about you and your author come out for some meetings?"

"Yeah. I'll check his availability. How soon?"

"Within the next few weeks. These guys are fickle. If something better comes along."

"I get it. You'll hear from me soon."

He hung up. Oh shit! He knew a trip was coming but not so soon.

He set to work trying not to think about his problems. A tapping sound caused him to look up.

Zach Steele stood in his doorway. "Lunch?"

Leo shook his head. "I'll order in. I was late."

His friend sat down in front of him. "What was up with that?"

"Nanny."

Zach said, "Diane?"

Leo said, "No, you're way behind. I'll take a break if you want to order something and eat together in your office."

"Should I ask Lilli?"

Leo nodded. "I need her perspective, but tell her no Chipotle." Lilli would eat it every day. On the west coast it wasn't considered Mexican, but Lilli grew up in Maine.

Lilli and Zach were a couple but kept it quiet. They suspected Claudia knew, but she wouldn't say anything. She enjoyed watching the soap opera. Most of the young assistants were her kids' ages, so she mothered them.

"Pizza?"

Leo nodded. "Let me know when it arrives."

Thirty minutes later he sat in Zach's office with a greasy pie in front of them. Lilli bit into a piece. She wasn't a girl who worried about what she ate.

He told his story and Lilli stopped with her slice and inch from her mouth. "You asked a stranger to be your nanny."

His heart sped. "She looks innocent enough. She dresses very conservative like an old woman."

Zach asked, "How old is she?"

Leo shrugged. "Younger than she looks. Maybe thirty ish."

Lilli said, "Whoa! Don't the crazies on Criminal Minds always look innocent and prim and proper?"

Leo sighed. "You aren't helping. Riley likes her. Do you know how many nannies I've had, and she has hated them all?"

Zach's face was serious. "No, and I doubt you do either."

He would have to think. For some, he might remember the final straw if not their names. "Is it really so different from some stranger the agency sends?" She looked like she needed the work. "She's clean and articulate."

Lilli said, "We'll stop by and check her out. If we drive to work, we can drive you home."

Leo needed reassurance. "Friday night?"

Zach said, "If she lasts that long."

He buried himself in work after lunch. His phone rang, and distracted, he answered it.

"Mr. Nelson, this is Maureen from..."

"The school!" His heart kicked up a gear.

"Isla Gibson is here. Claiming to be your nanny."

"Yes. She is. I meant to call, but I got busy. I'm so sorry."

"You really need to notify us of your constant changes."

Even the school knew he couldn't keep a nanny. He was an awful father. How had he worried about the nanny but forgotten to call the school?

Just before five, he packed up his desk. He never walked out with his assistant, but did in order to catch the 5:20 train. The 5:45 was his usual one. Once on the street as he started his five-minute walk to South Station, he dialed his landline number. At least he remembered to place an online order for a phone for Isla. As the phone rang the third time, he felt his chest tightened.

"Hello."

Breathe. "Hi. It's Leo. Can you pick me up at quarter to six?"

"Yes. Of course."

If the phone rang, and she answered, his house was still standing. It was quiet in the background; maybe he should have asked to speak with Riley. Damn Lilli for putting ideas in his head.

At the station, his car was waiting even though it wasn't yet time. The driver's seat was empty. He opened the back door to deposit his overstuffed bag at Cody's feet. "Hi gang. How was your day?"

Riley frowned. "You didn't call the office and..."

He sighed. "I know and I'm sorry." As he slid into his seat, Isla looked straight ahead. "Did it go well for you, Isla?"

"Yes, thank you." She sat hugging her backpack. He wondered what was in it besides a word search book.

Cody's small voice filled the silence. "Dad, we made a cake!"

"And cooked dinner." Riley had lost her pout.

"Really?" He looked at the nanny, but she didn't look back.

Riley added, "And the floor isn't slippery."

"Now I'm impressed. I'll drop you at home, if you show me where."

"The diner's fine. I'll get some dinner."

Leo turned his head briefly. "You should eat the dinner you prepared. We'll drop you later."

His gut told him she had very little money. She needed his job and didn't argue, so he turned towards home.

As he entered the house, he sniffed. "What did you make? It smelled like the dye for Easter eggs."

"It's vinegar. I used it on the floor." Her timidness didn't scream danger to him.

"I'll change before dinner."

Upstairs he found clean folded clothes on his made bed, although he hadn't remembered taking the time to straighten his covers.

Downstairs the table was set and loaded with chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans. It was a traditional meal he hadn't had in a long time. His kids looked less enthusiastic.

"What did you help cook?" He put the question out to either.

Cody said, "I mushed."

Isla smiled. "Mashed."

She hadn't joined them. Leo pointed to an empty chair. "Please get a plate and sit."

She hesitantly did as suggested. Then he watched as she bowed her head over her food. Lilli must be wrong, she prayed. Leo didn't have a good relationship with God. A simplistic explanation was that religion caused him to file for divorce.

Both Riley and Cody talked as they ate. The meal was relaxed; only Isla looked uncomfortable. She was a mystery especially when she recoiled and stepped away as he brushed past her as he cleared the table.

"Could you drop me off at the diner?"

Riley whined. "What about cake?"

Isla smiled. "I don't eat sweets."

Leo didn't want her to feel uncomfortable. "Okay. Guys, let's go. Riley, do you have homework?"

She smiled. "I did it."

He looked from his daughter to the nanny. "You did?"

They both nodded. He smiled. Maybe it would work out, so he didn't question her request to drop her at the diner. She reminded him of a scared animal that he didn't want to spook.

When he reported to Lilli the next morning, she said, "Maybe she has been abused."

Remembering her reaction, it was highly likely. Did it worry him? After two nights, he had eaten better than he had in years. The other nannies cooked for the kids. They ate spaghetti and chicken nuggets. It was the meals he could easily cook himself. The second meal she prepared was meatloaf.

Cody was unsure about eating it, but Riley intervened. "Remember Isla said you have to try what you help make."

"What did you help with Cody?"

He motioned with two hands. "Mush. Don't eat it raw."

Leo laughed at the important life lesson and enjoyed the home cooked meal.

Vote for Cody. Mush! 🌟