Page 42 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
Barb saw Jackie’s eyes darken for a moment and the sunny smile falter.
“I… uh…” Jackie cleared her throat. “I needed a fresh start, and my brother coaxed me into moving to Frisco, where he and his son, Max, have found one.”
“Reece?” Barb’s brows drew together. “Is Doctor Reece your brother?”
“Yes,” Jackie said, her smile becoming bright once again. “He moved here three years ago, and I moved here twoyears ago.”
“Oh!” Barb said, realizing she was keeping Jackie out in the cold. “Please come in.”
“You can look at my credentials first if you like.” Jackie’s grin widened. “I do understand having to be cautious in this world, even in a small town like Frisco.”
“It’s fine,” Barb said, standing back so Jackie could enter. “I just hope that my daughter isn’t contagious though.”
“No, she should be fine now,” Jackie assured Barb and sniffed. “Are you cooking?”
“Trying to reheat my breakfast.” Barb laughed. “I had visitors when it arrived, and then I had to feed Charlotte.” She glanced at her disheveled clothes. “I haven’t even had time to shower or get dressed yet.”
“Why don’t you introduce me to Charlotte, go have a shower, and let me order you a fresh breakfast?” Jackie offered. “If that’s bacon and eggs, there’s nothing worse than having to reheat them.” She shuddered.
“It’s okay,” Barb told her. “I’m starving, so reheated is going to have to do.”
She led Jackie through to the living room, where Charlotte had knocked off her blanket as she wiggled and kicked, gurgling at the bright creatures hanging above her.
“Hey, little one.” Jackie dumped her oversized purse, dropping to her knees beside Charlotte. “She’s gorgeous.”
Barb hadn’t thought it possible, but Jackie’s smile got even brighter.
“Do you mind if I get my breakfast?” Barb asked. “Can I get you anything?”
“Go ahead,” Jackie said. “I’ll watch this little cutie while you eat and then have a shower.” Her eyes met Barb's. “When you’re done, you can give me Charlotte’s schedule, feeding times, allergies, and everything else I need to know.”
“She is on medication,” Barb started to tell Jackie before realizing that her brother probablyalready mentioned that. “But then your brother already probably told you.”
“He mentioned,” Jackie confirmed, nodding. “Now, go eat, shower, and have a rest. You look exhausted.”
Barb stood staring at Jackie awkwardly. “I’m sorry, this is new to me—having a nanny.”
Jackie looked at Barb. “It’s okay, I understand. It’s tough to leave your kids with a stranger. But you can talk to Emily, who said she’d call around a bit later as I’ve agreed to look after all the kids if you don’t mind having them here today anyway,” she explained. “I thought it best if Charolotte stayed inside until she’s seen the doctor for her check-up, so I told Emily I’d speak to you about having the kids here.”
“As long as Charlotte can’t infect them, it’s fine with me,” Barb assured her. “I just worry about you with all those kids and…” She looked at the envelope she’d put on the table. “Youbeing so overqualified.”
“I work part-time at the local hospital,” Jackie told Barb. “Until they can offer me a full-time position, I just pick up work with them. When a nurse is ill, or I need to stand in for one in Denver.”
“I do feel better knowing my kids are with a nurse,” Barb admitted. “I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time getting full-time work.”
“It’s okay, and to be honest, I’m getting time to study as well and work with kids,” Jackie told Barb.
“I can see you really love kids,” Barb commented.
“I do.” Jackie nodded. “Growing up, it was just Daven and me. He’s a lot older than me, and we lost our parents at an early age, so we were brought up by our grandparents. While we had lots of friends, I always wanted to have a sibling my age. Then, I started babysitting when I was fourteen, and I loved it. Daven wanted to be a doctor like our parents and grandparents, but me… I knew nursing was my calling.”
“Excuse me,” Barb said as the oven pinged, and she quickly slipped off to get her breakfast. She was back ina few minutes with a tray, and she sat in the living room. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine,” Jackie assured her again. “I’ve already had a large breakfast at the lodge.”
“So you’re from a long line of doctors?” Barb ate while she got to know Jackie.
“Yes,” Jackie answered.
