The Nanny's New Family (Caring Canines) (5 page)

“No, you’re not.” Jade quickly followed.

The sound of their pounding feet going up the stairs filled the house.

Ian came up behind Annie to help clear the dishes. “Ah, quiet. I’ve learned to cherish these moments. Is Jasmine going to be ready?”

“I don’t know. She had her dress on but no shoes, not to mention she hasn’t eaten breakfast.”

“I’ll be leaving right after you. I don’t know how long we’ll be at the doctor. He’ll probably run some tests.”

“How was Jeremy when he woke up this morning?” Annie hated seeing the concern and weariness on Ian’s face. She hated seeing what Jeremy was going through.

“Grumpy, which isn’t unusual, but when we talked about the seizure, I saw fear in his eyes. He rarely shows that. I tried to explain about what a seizure was, and he wouldn’t listen.”

“Denial. That’s understandable. When Becca, my friend at school, had seizures she fought it. Finally she learned to accept the situation. Being less stressed helped Becca lessen the symptoms.” Although she didn’t have epilepsy, Annie had been in her share of denial while recovering from her third-degree burns. And she’d been angry at the world, too.

“Do you think Jeremy knew something was going on?” she asked. “My friend had petit mal seizures for a while before she had her first grand mal. I’d find her staring off into space, but she just said she was thinking.”

Ian frowned. “It’s possible. He’s spent a lot of time in his room lately. I’d try talking with him, but he would just say his brother and sisters bothered him. I can remember going through a stage like that when I was a kid, so I thought it was that.”

“It might be.”

“It could explain some of what’s been going on.”

Annie caught sight of the clock. It wouldn’t do for the nanny to be late with the kids the first day on her job. Jasmine would never let her forget it if she didn’t leave on time. “I’ve got to go. I might have to get up earlier tomorrow instead of Jasmine.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be taking Jeremy to school today or not. It’ll depend on what happens at the doctor. I’ll keep you informed of what happens.”

“Don’t worry about the others. I’ll take care of them.” Annie went to the intercom and announced, “Time to go to school, everyone.”

She heard a shriek from upstairs, then a few seconds later, Joshua and Jade hurrying down the steps, each trying to be the first out the kitchen door to the garage. If only she could get Jasmine to buy in to racing her siblings to the car.

With a deep sigh, Annie mounted the stairs. Jasmine came out into the hall carrying her shoes, her hair a wild mess as though she’d teased it. She’d changed her outfit.

“I need more time. I can’t go to school wearing this. There’s a stain on the blouse. I just saw it.” The girl’s voice rose to a shrill level.

“You have two minutes to make it down to the car in the garage.”

Jasmine stomped her foot. “I have to look my best.”

“Your choice. I can bring you back if you want to change, but I’m leaving in ninety seconds to take the other two. They have a right to be at school on time.”

Jasmine charged into her room then returned with a blouse clutched in her other hand with her brush. “I hate you. You just don’t understand.” Tears filled her eyes as she marched past Annie, grumbling the whole way down the stairs, through the kitchen door and to the navy blue Ford Explorer. After Jasmine flounced into the backseat, she glared at Jade sitting in front.

Ian stood near the door from the breezeway, trying to suppress his grin. “I think I needed that. You know she won’t get out of the car.”

“I figured. Even if she changes her blouse and puts her shoes on, she would never go inside the school with her hair like that. I’ll bring her home and let her get ready then take her back. She’ll have to explain to the office why she was late.”

“We’ll need to compare our day this evening. I’m not sure whose day will be more challenging. Thank you again.”

For a few seconds Annie felt as though they were in this together—but not just as employer and employee. With Ian’s casual manner, it was easy to forget their relationship was strictly professional. “Nothing I haven’t encountered before.” Annie walked toward the vehicle, feeling Ian’s gaze on her. It sent a shiver up her spine.

* * *

Later that night, after putting Joshua down, Annie went in search of Jasmine. Her door was closed while her twin’s was wide-open with Jade sitting on the bed, listening to music. Annie rapped on Jasmine’s door. Silence greeted her. She tried turning the knob, but it was locked.

She went to the entrance of Jade’s bedroom. “Why is Jasmine’s door locked?”

Jade waved toward her twin’s room. “She told me she would go to sleep when
she
wanted.”

Annie felt an urge to march down to Ian’s home office and get a key from him to unlock the door right that minute. She curbed that reaction and instead said to Jade, “Thanks. She might go to bed when she wants, but she will be up earlier tomorrow.”

“This is gonna be so much fun.” Jade giggled and returned to listening to her music.

Annie neared Jasmine’s room and said, “If you want your beauty sleep, you should go to bed soon. Good night.”

Annie made her way downstairs to retrieve a key from Ian to have tomorrow morning. She knocked on his office door and he immediately said, “Come in.”

Annie stuck her head into the room, expecting Ian to be at his desk trying to catch up on his work. But the chair was empty. She stepped farther in and spied him at the French doors to the patio, staring out at the night.

“I need a key to Jasmine’s room. She’s locked the door.”

Ian turned, shaking his head. “How bad was it this morning?”

“She was an hour late because for forty-five minutes she refused to let me help her get the tangles out. When I took her to school, she said nothing the whole way. Tomorrow morning I’ll wake her up early. If I have to, I have a bullhorn I can use.”

Ian chuckled. “Thanks for the warning.” He went to his desk and opened the top drawer. “I have a key that opens all their doors.” When he pressed it into her palm, he added, “Keep it. It’s a copy. This isn’t the first time she’s locked her door. It also comes in handy with Jeremy.”

“How did it go with the doctor? Jeremy wouldn’t talk about it. He just stalked off and slammed his bedroom door.”

“He’s not happy with what the doctor told him.”

“Epilepsy?”

“There are a couple of more tests, but it looks like it, especially when Jeremy mentioned he’s blanked out for a few seconds several times.”

“Like what you told me when he got so angry at you in his room?”

Ian nodded, his forehead furrowing. “The doctor started him on antiseizure medicine today. I tried talking to him before bringing him home, but I got the silent treatment, too. I’m not sure what to do.” He leaned back against his desk, gripping its edge.

“The only experience I have is with my friend, but there was a time Becca went through an angry stage. She was so scared she would have seizures at school. She didn’t sleep at night, which wasn’t good for a person with epilepsy.” When Annie was eleven and this had happened to Becca, she’d been scared, too. She hadn’t known what to do at Becca’s first seizure. She’d hated feeling helpless.

“Yeah, I’ve been reading up on it. Stress and lack of sleep can lead to seizures. Did she get better?”

“Yes. When she did have a seizure at school, our teacher was great. Because she handled it matter-of-factly, the rest of us didn’t flip out. She sent me to get the teacher next door and asked the class to step out in the hall. I got to stay because she knew we were friends.”

Ian rubbed his chin. “I’m going to school tomorrow with you all, and I’ll suggest that to Jeremy’s teacher. If he knows there’s a plan in place, it might help him feel better. They need to know what is going on, what’s causing the seizures.”

“My twin’s husband, Ben, has a service dog. Ben came back from the war with post-traumatic stress disorder, although now he’s doing much better. Ben’s sister, Emma, trains service dogs. Emma’s first husband had epilepsy, and she regretted that he didn’t have the use of one.”

“A service dog for epilepsy?”

“Yes, I wish my friend had had one in school. Emma is part owner of Caring Canines right outside Cimarron City. If you’re interested, I could set up a meeting with her. That might be something that’ll help Jeremy adjust better.”

“We used to have a dog, but Aunt Louise was allergic to him so we had to give him away. A neighbor down the street took him. My children visit him from time to time and have asked me for another pet.”

“A service dog is devoted to one person, although everyone will interact with him.”

“So I should look into one for Jeremy and another dog for the rest of us?” Ian pushed himself away from the desk.

“It’s a thought. But first you need to convince Jeremy this will help him. We’ll meet with Emma Tanner, the trainer, and she’ll explain what the dog can do for him. Otherwise it won’t work well if he doesn’t agree to the dog.”

“There’s a lot to consider. There may be certain things my son will have to know and take into consideration, depending on how severe his epilepsy is, but I also want him to live as normal a life as possible. Jeremy was the most upset when we gave the dog away. In fact, for a long time he was angry at Aunt Louise, but she won him over.”

“Then she died. That’s a lot of loss to deal with, even for an adult.”

A flash of pain darkened Ian’s eyes. He frowned, plowing his hand through his hair. “I know. I think the only one not affected much was Joshua.”

As Annie suspected, it was evident that Ian had his own battles with grief to fight. “Speaking of Joshua, has he always been adventurous?”

“From the second he could move around.”

“On the way home from school today, he told me all about his day. I also got a little out of Jade but nothing from Jasmine. I know they can be difficult, but you have precious children.”

Ian’s eyes widened. “Where have you been all my life? I needed you six months ago. Of course, Tom would never have let me persuade you to come work for me instead.”

The heat of a blush singed her cheeks. “There are other good nannies.”

“Not from my perspective. So if you’re planning to leave, please let me know. I’ll offer you a deal you can’t refuse. I never had this kind of conversation with the other nannies. Yes, with Aunt Louise, but not them.”

Annie turned away, uncomfortable with compliments. The Hansens certainly had told her how important she was to the family, but for some reason it was different when Ian said it. She felt special and appreciated. “I’m going to check on the kids, then I need to get my own sleep. I’m getting up extra early so I can get Jasmine moving.” Annie started for the hallway.

“Tomorrow, if Jasmine isn’t ready, I could always carry her to the car then into the building.”

At the entrance Annie turned around, not realizing Ian was only a few feet behind her. His nearness sent her heart beating faster. He was so close she caught a whiff of lime, most likely from his aftershave lotion.

Ian smiled, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll check on Jeremy. I don’t want him to run you off with the mood he’s been in.”

Out of all the children, Annie most identified with Jeremy because after the fire she’d felt what Ian’s son was experiencing: angry at the world. “He won’t run me off. It takes more than an angry kid to do that.”

“Like what?”

Not feeling needed
. But Annie wasn’t going to tell Ian that. She shrugged. “Back to what you said about Jasmine—I considered that myself, but I’d rather the children decide to get in and out of the car. Taking a child kicking and screaming into a place will do more harm in the long run. At an earlier age, it might be the answer, but Jasmine is eight. Not only would it set her up for her classmates to make fun of her, it doesn’t get to the root of the problem.”

“That makes sense. Jasmine has always taken longer to get dressed than the others, but lately it has been worse. She won’t even accept help. I remember she used to let Aunt Louise brush her hair. Now no one can touch it.”

“Interesting. I wonder what made her change her mind.”

“I’m not sure. Nothing she’ll tell us.”

“Maybe Jade knows. They may be very different in personality, but they’re close.”

“Yeah, they’ve always had a special bond. I should have thought about that.” On the top step Ian angled toward her. “Why didn’t I?”

“It’s tough being a single parent with one or two, let alone four kids. Don’t beat yourself up. Good night, Ian.” Annie parted from Ian and made her way toward Jasmine’s room.

Using the key, she unlocked the door and peeked in to see if she was in bed. She was, and Annie backed out. After checking on Jade, who was asleep, too, she walked to Joshua’s room and slipped inside. She found him lying on the floor. Gently she scooped him up in her arms and placed him on his bed. When she began to straighten away from him, his eyes slid open halfway.

She brushed his hair away from his face and smiled at him. “You were on the floor with no covers.” Then she kissed him on his forehead. “Good night.”

“Annie, are you gonna leave us?”

“I don’t have any plans to leave.”

Joshua sighed and rolled over onto his side. “Good. All the others did.”

As she backed out of the room, Annie’s heart constricted at the need and longing in his voice. The best thing Ian could do to help his family was to find a wife. The kids needed a mother. As much as she could see that as a solution for him, she couldn’t visualize him with a wife. The thought bothered her.

Chapter Five

T
he next morning, as Annie took the breakfast casserole out of the oven and placed it in the center of the table, Jade and Joshua came into the kitchen.

“It smells great. What is it?” Jade asked as she sat down.

“It’s a recipe along the idea of French toast minus the syrup.”

“Can I put syrup on it?” Joshua took his chair, staring at the dish.

“Try it first without. If you need syrup, then it’s fine with me.” When Joshua reached for the serving spoon, Annie added, “Wait until everyone shows up.”

“Jasmine probably won’t be down for a while. She’s having trouble with her hair. I told her we need to shave it off, then she won’t have any problem.” Jade poured milk into her glass and Joshua’s.

Joshua giggled. “That would be funny.”

“No, it wouldn’t be.” Annie headed back to the counter. “Jade, could you help me put the rest on the table?” When she handed the girl the pitcher of orange juice, she said, “Jasmine used to let Aunt Louise help her with her hair. Do you know why she doesn’t want help anymore?”

Jade nodded and took the drink. “The first nanny we had kept pulling her hair. When Jasmine screamed, she didn’t care.”

“Why didn’t Jasmine say anything to your dad?”

“We just started pranking her. She didn’t stay long.”

“If you have a problem, you should tell your dad. I may have something to deal with the tangles.” Annie followed Jade to the table and set down a tray of cut fruit.

When Ian came into the kitchen with Jeremy, Annie retrieved from a counter a spray bottle and brush she’d brought from her apartment and walked toward the door. “Start without me. I’m going to check on Jasmine.”

“Jasmine’s not ready. I told her we would be leaving in twenty minutes,” Ian said.

“I know.”

Annie found Jasmine in the bathroom, struggling again with her hair. “I got something for your hair. It was great for my sister. She had the same problem.”

When Annie put the bottle on the counter, Jasmine scrunched up her face as if she wasn’t sure about it.

“Try it and see. It works best when your hair is wet, but it still helps in dry hair to get the tangles out without a lot of pulling.”

Jasmine tried brushing the back. She winced and cautiously reached for the bottle.

“Do you want me to spray the back and make sure it’s all covered?”

The girl studied Annie in the mirror. “I guess, but I don’t want you touching my hair.”

“I won’t unless you ask me, but it might make it better if I lift the hair and spray underneath, too. Okay?”

Jasmine clutched the brush but nodded warily, keeping her stare on Annie in the mirror. “It didn’t used to be this bad.”

“The longer it gets, the more tangles.”

Jasmine’s eyes grew round. “I love my long hair. No one is going to cut it.”

With the patience she’d learned to cultivate as an aunt, Annie said, “I love your long hair, too.”

“You do? Jade told me I should shave it off.”

“She was kidding. Each person has to find what works for her. Shorter hair can be easier to manage, but as you see, my hair is long.” She captured Jasmine’s look in the mirror. “So here I go.”

She sprayed the liquid on Jasmine’s hair then took the detangling brush out of her pocket. “I got this, too, for you. Between the two you should be able to manage.”

Jasmine looked stunned. “When did you get this?”

“This morning at the twenty-four-hour drugstore.”

“For me?”

Annie smiled. “No sense pulling your hair out. If you need any help, I’ll be downstairs eating breakfast. We leave in fifteen minutes.”

The child stood still as Annie left. She hoped this helped Jasmine because she would have more important battles to fight with her.

When she reentered the kitchen, the kids and Ian were halfway through their breakfast. Ian saw her first. “How did it go?”

“We’ll see.” Annie sat, dished up part of the casserole then scanned the nearly empty plates at the table. “Do you want me to make this again sometime?”

All of them, even Jeremy, said yes.

“Great. It’s easy because I make most of it the night before.”

Jade finished first and hopped up.

“Jade, don’t forget to take your plate to the sink.” Annie ate a bite of the casserole.

“But I never—”

Ian scooted back his chair and picked up his dishes. “That’s a good idea. Isn’t it, kids?”

A few mumbles followed his question. Each one took his or her plate to the counter next to the sink and shuffled out of the room while Ian poured some more coffee.

“It was almost civil this morning except for a couple of outbursts from Jeremy.”

“Is he concerned about going to school?”

“Hopefully when I talk to his teacher, he’ll feel better.”

“I hope so.” Annie noticed Jasmine standing in the doorway, dressed, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. “You have a little time for something to eat.” She remembered the child complaining all the way to school the second time yesterday that she was starving. “Five minutes.”

Jasmine hurried to the table and looked at the casserole. “It’s cold.”

“There’s fruit if you don’t want to eat it cold. You should have been here on time, when the casserole was hot,” Ian said.

While his daughter stared at the slices of fruit, Ian went to the intercom and announced they were leaving in four minutes. Suddenly she stuck a fork into a slice of pineapple and scooped up some grapes, then began stuffing them into her mouth. She never sat but started toward the hallway.

“Jasmine, please take your plate to the sink.” Ian took a sip of his coffee.

“It’s practically clean. All I put on it were some grapes.”

“It will still need to be washed.”

Jasmine snatched it up and rushed to the counter, then into the hallway to get her backpack and jacket.

“I haven’t seen her move that fast in a long time. Did she let you do her hair?”

“No, but I gave her a couple of things to help with the tangles, and they obviously worked.”

“Why didn’t I think of that? Aunt Louise used to sit patiently and work her way through the tangles, but once, when she drove the kids to school, she got a ticket for speeding.”

Annie chuckled. “They’re girlie products—a detangler spray and brush. Most guys don’t have hair long enough to tangle like hers.”

“Jade’s hair never tangles as bad as Jasmine’s, but then Jasmine is a restless sleeper. I should take her to get it cut. Jade’s been talking about cutting hers.”

Typical of a man to think of the practical solution. “I wouldn’t advise you to do that. Jasmine loves her long hair. All she needs to do is learn to handle it.”

“That’s why it’s good to have a woman around. My solution would have been taking her in for a cut.”

“Kicking and screaming all the way.” Annie chuckled.

Ian finished his coffee and set the mug on the counter. “Why can’t she be more like Jade? Jade isn’t nearly as dramatic as Jasmine. My biggest concern for her is getting a sports injury.”

“I notice Jade’s going to softball practice this afternoon.” She pointed to the schedule she had put up on the kitchen wall. “You might take a look at that and make sure I’ve included all the activities.”

As the four children poured into the kitchen, Ian said, “I’ll take a look at it tonight and add anything of mine I need on it.”

“Everyone ready?” Annie led the siblings to the garage.

* * *

Except for Joshua, everyone was silent on the trip to Will Rogers Elementary School. Ian took his own car.

After parking, Annie felt Ian’s youngest clasp her hand and tug her toward the building. “I wanna show you my room.”

Annie glanced back at Ian and the other three walking behind her. What Joshua had said to her last night still touched her. And yet there would come a time when she would have to leave. She felt a heaviness in her chest.

After Annie met Joshua’s teacher and saw where he sat in his room, the next stop was Jade’s class then Jasmine’s across the hall.

Jasmine’s teacher smiled and said to her, “So glad you’re here early today, Jasmine. But you don’t have to come to the classroom until the last bell rings. I know some of your friends are in the hallway by the back door.”

Jasmine put her backpack at her desk and hurried out of the room, passing Ian, Annie and Jeremy in the corridor making their way to his class.

Suddenly the boy stopped, looked away and said, “Dad, I don’t want anyone to know about what happened. I’m taking the medicine. I won’t have another one.”

“Mrs. Haskell needs to know. We won’t know about the medication’s effectiveness until you’ve been on it awhile.”

Jeremy’s mouth dropped open. “You mean I could have a seizure at school?”

Ian nodded. “Not all your tests are back yet, and even then seizures can be unpredictable.”

“Then, I don’t want to go to school. Not until we know what’s going on.”

“You only have six more weeks, Jeremy. Nothing may happen during that time.”

Fear washed over Jeremy’s face. He backed away from Ian and Annie then whirled and raced down the hallway and out the door.

When Ian started forward, Annie touched his arm. “Let me see if I can find him. You need to talk to his teacher without Jeremy. He’s scared.” She knew that feeling well. Pain from her burns and fear of the unknown had flooded Annie when she woke up in the hospital after the fire. “I need to get some rapport with Jeremy. Let me try. We’ll find you in a few minutes.”

Later Annie found Jeremy in the parking lot by Ian’s car. With his hands crossed over his chest, he slouched back against the Explorer. He saw her and turned away, but he didn’t run.

Annie took that as a good sign. “I told your dad I would find you because he needs to talk with your teacher.”

“Why? It’s none of her business.”

“Yes, it is. You’re scared, but—”

He folded his arms over his chest. “No, I’m not. I just don’t want other people knowing my business.”

“I know how that feels.”

“No, you don’t. I saw a kid at school have a seizure once, and there were a couple of boys laughing.”

“Did you laugh?”

Jeremy shoved off the car, his arms ramrod straight at his sides, his hands fisted. “I’d never do that. You don’t know me.”

“You’re right. I don’t, but I’d like to, Jeremy. I’m here to help you and your family.”

“Yeah, until you find something better. Then you’ll be gone just like that.” Jeremy snapped his fingers in her face.

“I’m not leaving. I had five other job offers and chose to be with you all.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have. I’d rather you leave now than later.” Jeremy charged past her and hurried toward the building.

Annie followed, hoping he’d at least go to class. She was a little disappointed at how the conversation had turned out because she knew it wouldn’t be easy for her to establish a connection with Jeremy. But she would keep trying. If Amanda hadn’t with her after the fire, no telling where she would be today.

At the door into the school, Ian stopped Jeremy and talked quietly to him. Annie stood back, praying Jeremy would go into the building. She could remember how she had built up in her mind all kinds of scenarios if someone saw her scars. She could take a lot of different reactions, but pity was the worst.

When Jeremy stomped toward the entrance, angry but going in the right direction, Ian signaled for her to join him. At Jeremy’s classroom door, Ian paused for a few seconds, nodded his head then went inside.

“Mrs. Haskell, I wanted you to meet Annie Knight. She’ll usually be dropping off and picking up my kids. I’ve given you her number in case you can’t get hold of me.”

Annie shook the middle-aged woman’s hand. “I’m so happy to meet you. I want you to know I can be here in twenty minutes if there’s a problem.”

“I’m glad to meet you, too, Annie. I’ll talk with Jeremy and reassure him,” the woman whispered. “I’ve had other students with seizures, and I know what to do. We have a nurse who will be summoned. He’ll be fine.”

As Annie walked with Ian to the car, he said, “I guess all we can do is wait and see. I would like you to check into Caring Canines, if you don’t mind, since you know one of the trainers.” He paused at the trunk of the Explorer. “My family needs help.”

“You’ve got it. I can set up a meeting with Emma Tanner.”

“Let’s keep it quiet. Until I know if this is going to be the best thing for Jeremy, I don’t want to say anything to him. I’ll have my receptionist call you with times I have available. I do know that noon to one is usually free because my staff goes to lunch.”

“I should know something tonight.”

After Ian drove away from the school, Annie decided to pay Amanda a visit. She had met Emma at only a couple of combined family gatherings. Besides, she needed to talk to her sister.

* * *

A few days later, Ian shook Emma’s hand. “I’m so glad you could meet with us.”

Annie stepped forward. “It’s nice seeing you again.”

“Please have a seat.” Emma indicated two chairs across from her in the training room. “Amanda told me you’d like to look into getting a seizure dog for your son.”

“Since I asked Annie to contact you—” Ian glanced at Annie and smiled “—I’ve done some research on it. I want to give Jeremy everything that can help him. He isn’t dealing well with the idea of having epilepsy.”

“So he’s been diagnosed?” Emma asked.

Besides Annie, whom he told on the way to Caring Canines, no one else knew, not even Jeremy, that the doctor had confirmed it this morning. “Yes. It appears he’d been experiencing a series of petit mals before he had his grand mal.”

“What do you want from a seizure dog?”

To cure his son, but that wasn’t a possibility. Seeing Jeremy even more vulnerable the other night when he’d had his seizure heightened Ian’s own feelings of helplessness. “One that can alert people if Jeremy has a seizure, stay with him, help him adjust and be a companion, because right now Jeremy needs that. His life, especially in the past six months, has been disrupted again and again. He needs a dog to calm him down. Stress may have been a factor in what triggered his grand mal.”

“I have a dog I’m training, but he needs a couple more weeks with me. I could use Jeremy helping me if you think he would like to do that. After school? What do you think?”