Page 20 of The Unconventional Nanny
"Big day?" Gracie looks around confused.
"The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our town. Our boy here has a big speech to give."
I shoot daggers at the old woman in hopes that she’ll shut her mouth, but no such luck. Gracie doesn't help either since she keeps asking questions.
"Oh yeah? How did Ang get so lucky?"
This is one of those times where I wish I was just another boring old resident.
"Ang hasn't told you who he is?"
Gracie raises her brows at me in question. When I don't answer fast enough, Bee takes that as carte blanche to tell my entire story.
"Ang is Angelo Creek. The great-great-great-great-grandson of the founder of Willow Creek. His grandaddy came here and set up a life. Named the town after his late wife."
The look on Gracie's face is exactly the reason I didn't tell her. People hear my history and automatically compare it to my life.
It's annoying and I hate it.
"Keepin' secrets, I see," Gracie teases.
Thankfully Everly chooses that moment to get everyone's attention, especially Bee's. For now, the conversation of anniversaries and founding fathers is put to rest while we eat and socialize with my daughter.
When the time comes to leave, Everly is barely keeping her eyes open. I lean closer to Gracie and whisper, "Would you like me to come back to the house and put her to bed?"
Gracie shakes her head as she straps my daughter into her car seat. "Nope, I got this. She's halfway there already, so I'm sure this’ll be a piece of cake."
I should tell Gracie that if Everly falls asleep on the short ride home, it's going to be a nightmare to get her inside. But she seems bound and determined to prove herself, so I'll give it to her. Besides, maybe my daughter will surprise everyone.
"I have to run out of town to see my mother, but I'll be back in time to pick the girls up from their after-school program."
With Everly firmly strapped in place, Gracie leans back out of the car and shuts the door before turning to answer. "Is the after-school program something you always send them to or just because of me?"
I smile, pleased that she’s concerned about my two other girls and how she would do watching all of them. "They go twice a week because their friends are there. It's a playdate without me having to get together with other parents."
She laughs. "I would never have guessed you like to avoid other parents."
"There's a lot you don't know about me yet," I say, then turn on my heel to walk away before I say something I might regret later.
"I guess I'll just have to crack your secrets, Mr. Angelo Creek."
Gracie gets the last word in as I climb into my SUV and wait for her to get into her car and drive off. Once I know they’re safely on their way, I head out of town.
The drive to visit Mom feels like two hours despite it only taking one. I enter the building and greet every nurse by name. They do the same in return. One of the reasons I chose thisassisted living facility is the friendliness of the staff. They take the time to get to know each family member of their residents.
"No girls today?" Clara asks as I approach my mother's room.
"No, not today. Everly should be napping for the nanny. Livy and Zoey are in school. I figured it was the perfect time to see how Mom's doing."
"You know your mama doesn't know how to be in a bad mood." Clara smiles. "But I bet she’ll be much happier once she knows you're here."
Yeah, she will be, and guilt eats at me. I try to visit at least twice a week, but it never seems like enough. That's why I need the facility I'm renovating in town to be done already. I secured Mom a spot as soon as I heard of the plans. Once it's open, I can visit daily, and much more often with my daughters.
"Hey, Mom," I greet her as soon as I walk through the door of her room.
Just like Clara said, Mom is smiling from ear to ear as she works on a puzzle. Due to her extensive RA, it's one of the larger-piece ones that Olivia brought for her.
"Ang!" Mom beams. "Come look how cute this puzzle is. I mean, I know the box shows the picture, but I just love all the colors. You need to be sure to show Livy I'm working on it."
