It wouldn’t be a bad idea since she could answer his questions, probably better than Paige could. But had she required a nondisclosure agreement from the nanny? Eb had purposefully stayed clear of any mention of his ex. Had she gotten well known enough to need something like an NDA?
“Jeanie would be welcome to visit you. Do you know where she is?” When Rue shook her head, he asked, “Do you remember what her last name is?” His daughter’s chin trembled.
“Rue!” Grace called from the kitchen.
Like only a child could do, Rue’s eyes brightened. She planted a kiss on his cheek before wriggling to get down. He followed her into the kitchen. Without hesitation, she clambered into the seat next to Grace, who took two pancakes from a platter and put them on Rue’s dish. She’d already forgotten him and her nanny, chatting away to her new friend who was now pouring syrup over the food.
Eb glanced up and found both Sandra and the earl watching him.
“How many pancakes would you like?” she asked. “I’ve made scrambled eggs, and Nigel is heating the bacon. It’s the precooked stuff, so he can handle it.”
The earl harrumphed, but his mustache twitched like he was trying not to smile.
“I apologize for not coming sooner to help. I’ve never had a member of the English peerage make my breakfast before.” Eb grinned at the old man, who did chuckle then.
“One must learn to appreciate the serendipity which life grants us on occasion,” the earl said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“True.” Eb accepted the plate Sandra handed him.
Since the adults ate at the breakfast bar with the children, they kept the conversation casual. Eb would have to wait for when the kids weren’t there.
“Make sure you wash your hands,” Sandra said as the three youngsters slid from their chairs. “Your mom doesn’t want syrup all over the house.”
“The bathroom will need to be cleaned again when they’re done,” Eb observed, remembering the evening before.
“Every. Single. Time.” Sandra started gathering the dishes. “Until I started babysitting those two, I didn’t understand children tend to wear their food and make messes every waking moment.”
“So you’re an only child too?” Eb asked, collecting the silverware.
“Yep. My parents were told they had a better chance of getting hit by lightning than to get pregnant, so you can imagine their surprise when I came along. Are you getting used to your changed circumstances yet?” Sandra asked as she rinsed dishes and placed them on the counter in front of him to load into the dishwasher.
“Reacquainted, you mean.” His tone held a bitter edge, but it was gone when he added, “It’s finally sinking in. And I think you’re right. On Monday, I’ll see about a paternity test. Are you acquainted with any attorneys who can help me with the custody issue?”
“Not personally, but I’m sure Merry can make a recommendation. She was born and raised here, and her mom knows about everyone in town. We should be able to do some online research when we get back from shopping.”
“I appreciate your help with this.” Eb scanned the kitchen. “Is that everything?”
“Yep. We should get going.” Sandra hung the hand towel on a hook and left the room, calling, “Come on, kids. We’re going shopping for Rue’s bed. Everyone use the bathroom before we leave.”
“I get it first,” Alex cried, dashing away.
“Girls,” Sandra cautioned, when they ran after him. “You two can use the basement bathroom.” They scurried down the stairs.
“You really didn’t have experience with children before Walt married into this family?” Eb asked. “You do it well.”
“I’ve learned a lot by watching Merry. Before then, all I’d done was a little babysitting until I got old enough to get a job at sixteen.”
The children came running back, and Sandra pointed to their coats hanging on hooks near the front door. While Eb hurried over to help Rue button hers, the earl frowned at Sandra.
“Wait just one moment, young lady. You are leaving me?”
“You can come with us. Just grab your coat.” She turned and ushered the children out the door.
“Impudent girl,” Nigel growled. He rose from his chair and took his cane, wearing a scowl which couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes.
Eb hesitated, wondering if he should help the elderly man. The earl shook his head and waved Eb on, making his way to the closet by the children’s coat hooks.
“I shouldn’t get so much fun out of teasing him,” Sandra said to Eb when he joined her beside the large SUV. “He might be better now, but he spent most of his eighty-five years pampered like he’s something special. It’s good for him to be treated like a regular guy. Nigel will deny it, but he likes it.”
