I remove my glasses, sliding them into the pocket of my coat. “Her name is Rowan, and the kids seem to like her. Even Presley.”
His mouth tightens. “Dana has decades of experience with kids. How much experience can a dog walker possibly have?”
“Certainly not decades, but she’s great with the kids. That’s all that matters to me. That, and she’s already made my life easier. She has no problem cleaning. Doing laundry. Things the nannies you hired refused to do. While she may not have the same amount of so-calledexperience, she has a natural talent for making my kids feel comfortable.”
He studies me, clearly unconvinced. Then again, I could tell him Rowan once nannied for the British Royal Family and he’d find something lacking about her.
All because he didn’t make the decision to hire her.
“I appreciate all your help in finding the last few nannies. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll talk to Dana. But so far, Rowan’s been more than great.”
I step past him before he can argue, that familiar sensation creeping in as I walk toward the nurse’s station. Even though I’m an adult, Robert still has a way of making me feel like I’m constantly falling short. Like I’m not good enough.
I shouldn’t care what he thinks. I try to tell myself I don’t.
But he’s Cora’s father.
I think a part of me will always want his approval.
Will always try to please him.
Will always try to prove that Iamgood enough.
And he’ll probably always make me feel like I’m inadequate.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I retrieve it. When I see Rowan’s name flash on the screen, my stomach drops, panic overtaking me.
I open the message, already bracing for disaster.
Rowan:
Thought you might like proof of life to ease your mind.
Below it is a picture of Jemmy holding up today’s newspaper like a hostage.
I can’t stop the laugh that escapes my throat. It feels foreign to laugh again after all this time.
Me:
Hope he’s not giving you too much trouble.
Rowan:
Never.
“That’s something I haven’t seen in a while,” a voice cuts through.
I snap my head up, clicking off the screen as one of the nurses approaches.
“What’s that?” I ask Nancy.
“You. Smiling. Did you meet someone?” she asks in a hushed voice, knowing all too well how Robert would react.
After all, Nancy is Cora’s best friend.
WasCora’s best friend.
I open my mouth, trying to formulate a response.
