What in heaven's name was Carlisle thinking to hire a woman like that as Grace’s nanny?
“Wow, who was that?” Ellie asked, stepping into the daycare while she glanced over her shoulder at Grace and the woman.
“That’s Miss Kirk,” Alex said. “She got hired when Grace and her dad were in New York.”
“I feel bad for that little girl,” Ellie said, signing out her daughter.
“Mommy!” Ellie’s little girl squealed and ran up to the half-door as her mother opened it.
“Bye, Olivia,” Alex said, still looking glum.
“Bye!”
“See you,” Merry added as she considered her son’s sad little face. “Maybe you and Grace can work on your present together another night.” She met Millie’s gaze. “You probably can’t share Mr. Wyndham’s phone number, can you?”
“I’m sorry, but no.” The daycare owner arched a brow. “However, I think it’s widely known where the two are staying.”
Merry searched her memory. At first, nothing came to mind, but then she recalled the conversation with Trish at the hair salon. “Bart and Lizbeth’s place?”
“You didn’t hear it from me,” Millie said with a grin.
“We can leave a message for Mr. Wyndham,” Merry said to her son, “asking if Grace can come over for a play date. How about that?”
“Okay.” His little face now shone with anticipation. “Is Grammy coming for dinner? I can show her my present.”
“She’s bringing dinner to us. Pigs in a poke.”
He gave a little squeal of delight and ran for the door, the contents of the box he carried rattling as he did.
* * *
“Is that everything?”Carlisle asked as he met the gaze of each person at the table. When no one had anything to add, he said, “Let’s get back to work.”
His team rose and left the conference room. They were barely into the ski season but, at the rate development was going, they wouldn’t be ready to test the new transceiver until next year.
“Don’t look so depressed, Carlisle,” Gretchen Blaise said, entering the room.
“I didn’t realize you were back in town,” he said. “Did you finish filming early?”
“We did.” She sank into a chair across from him, looking tired. “So, tell me what has you in the dumps.”
Carlisle explained about the delay. “We’d hope to be further along by now, but the beacon range is shorter than we’d hoped.”
“I understand about wanting a wider range.”
“Do you disagree?” he asked, surprised at the almost resigned tone in her voice.
“No.” Gretchen’s expression turned sympathetic. “Most of the people who get caught in avalanches are climbers, backcountry skiers, out-of-bounds skiers, and snowmobilers. Cressy wasn’t any of those.”
“But an out-of-bounds skier did trigger the avalanche which killed her on the slope.” Carlisle took a deep breath to calm his temper. Cressy and Gretchen had been roommates at boarding school and loved each other like sisters. He knew she would never minimize his wife’s death. He asked, “So what are you truly saying?”
“That the people most likely to need your transceiver are also the ones farther out and harder to reach. The snowmobilers especially can cover much more terrain than even backcountry skiers. It’s like trying to find hikers who go out solo.”
“I understand the odds.” Carlisle put his elbows on the table and rubbed his temples. “I merely wish to increase their chances of surviving.”
“I know, and I agree. And I’m with you a hundred percent. Cressy was my dearest friend.” Gretchen gave his arm a squeeze. “I just don’t want you to beat yourself up over this. People will be people. They’re careless and thoughtless, but most of the time, they’re just clueless. You can’t save some people from themselves.”
“How’s your educational program design coming?” he asked, straightening.
