“No, you keep it. It was a little tight on me anyway. Looks good on you. But we should get you a few other things to take. We can’t send you to the fancy villa looking like a homeless waif.” Carrie told her about a thrift store nearby that usually had good deals. “And we’ll stop by a pharmacy to get some shampoo and things to get you by until your payday.”
“But I don’t have any—”
“I know, I know. Call it a loan. You can send it back to me care of the consulate after you get paid.”
Meredith felt slightly teary at the generosity. “Thank you so much.”
She waved a hand. “Hey, I’m enjoying this little adventure. I want to hear how it goes once you settle in with the family. Already I’m imagining you like Julie Andrews in theSound of Music.”
“I love that movie,” Meredith exclaimed. “Dad and I used to watch it every year around the holidays. But I sure hope I won’t be caring for seven kids.”
“Mrs. Warner did sound a bit overwhelmed.”
Meredith bit her lower lip. “I’m used to taming unruly children. I suppose I’ll manage somehow. At least Mr. Spencer didn’t seem as intimidating as Captain Von Trapp when he met Maria.”
“Or as grumpy,” Carrie added.
“I heard that Christopher Plummer wasn’t just acting either. Apparently he wasn’t too fond of children.”
“Do you play guitar and sing by any chance?” Carrie’s tone was teasing.
“I’m sad to say that I play no instruments, but I do love to sing. Not that anyone loves to listen to me. My dad used to kindly say that my voice reminded him of a foghorn.”
They both laughed, and afterward Carrie took Meredith to a shop that had a good selection of travel-sized personal products and other items she’d need to get her started. They also bought a touristy shopping bag to put them in. Next they hit the thrift store, where, after some diligent searching, they discovered enough pieces to mix and match and, Meredith hoped, get her through about a week without doing laundry.
By the time they got back to the Ritz, it was close to four, and Meredith was a bundle of nerves. Sitting in the lobby, she twisted the handle of her shopping bag tightly. What was she doing?
“Are you going to be okay?” Carrie asked for the third time. “You don’t have to do this. If you have any serious misgivings, just say so.”
“No…I think I’ll be okay. I’m just nervous.”
“That’s understandable. It’s a lot to take on.” Carrie smiled. “But it could be the adventure of a lifetime too.”
“Maybe I’ll write a book about it,” she said weakly. “I just hope it’s not a thriller.”
“Oh, honey. You make me feel like I’m sending the lamb to the slaughter.”
Meredith forced a laugh. “I’m being dramatic. No, really, I’ll be fine. I think I’m just tired. And maybe having a little culture shock.”
Carrie reached over and grasped her hand. “I’m going to be praying for you, honey. And I’m going to believe that God will bring good out of what has seemed evil.”
Meredith blinked, surprised but encouraged that Carrie had brought God into it. “Really?”
“Absolutely. I don’t think it was a coincidence that you came upon Faith at the coffee shop yesterday. Or that she brought you home to me. I think this is all part of God’s divine plan.” Carrie’s smile looked more sincere now. “But it takes some faith, doesn’t it?”
Meredith nodded.
“Oh, look by the door. There’s a guy holding a card with your name on it.” Carrie stood, waving. “Let’s go check him out.”
The young man only spoke German, but Carrie translated, explaining to Meredith that this wasn’t Mr. Warner, the family’s chauffeur, but a hired driver. Carrie paused to hand him her consulate card then explained her job. She insisted on walking Meredith outside to the car, which was a nice charcoal gray limousine. Before allowing Meredith to get inside, Carrie took photos of the front and rear license plates as well as the young man and his operator’s license. The man smiled and saluted her then opened the door for Meredith to get in, peering a bit curiously at her single shopping bag before asking Carrie about other luggage. Carrie explained that was it.
Once he sat in the driver’s seat, Meredith waved goodbye to her guardian angel, and they were off. As he drove through the busy city, which Meredith now watched with interest, she no longer felt nervous. In fact, she was amazingly relaxed, as well as relieved to be on her way. Of course, she then had a flashback to yesterday. Wasn’t that how she’d felt with Louise and her fancy car? But this was different. Wasn’t it?
5
The drive through the Austrian countryside, after city traffic thinned out, was amazingly peaceful with rolling green pastures and gently sloping hills that merged up into the jagged mountains. Little well-kept farms with tidy looking farmhouses. Red-tiled roofs and window-boxes overflowing with geraniums. Meadows dotted with wildflowers and cattle and sheep. All was picture perfect, charming and beautiful. Meredith regretted having no phone to take pictures but then realized she was probably seeing more just by looking. As they rounded a spectacular corner where she got a full view of the Alps in all their splendor, she felt ready to burst into song except she didn’t want to scare her driver or cause a wreck.
After about an hour, he turned off the main road onto a long driveway that led toward a rather large chalet nestled against a hill. Its white stucco with dark posts and beams gave it a Tudor style and fairy tale sort of charm. The leaded glass windows gleamed in the sunlight. It would make a lovely B and B—one that would be far too spendy for someone like her. And she gotto stay here for free? Well, not free. It was in exchange for caring foran unknown number of kids.
