“How about that,” I chuckle. “Didn’t think a five-year-old had the power to take you out.”
“She’s superhuman.”
And showing off her bottomless pit of energy by running down the hall, waving her hands wildly in the air. “All clean!”
Which prompts me to open the fridge. “Cheese and crackers?”
“Yummy in my tummy!” Ronnie leaps onto the seat beside Frankie. “Are you hungry?”
The reluctant nanny forces herself to sit upright. “I’m too tired to eat.”
My daughter frowns. “Do you need more coffee?”
“Always,” Frankie mumbles.
I pause the snack prep to pour her a fresh cup, sliding it across the counter. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”
She curls her upper lip at the plain dark roast I brewed. “Thanks.”
“Problem?”
“Nope.” She sips from the mug, her swallow audible purely for my benefit. “Hits the spot like a cold sore.”
Ronnie sighs. “This is boring. Oh, oh! Frannie, let’s have a Barbie pool party.”
The redhead blinks at her through bleary eyes. “How about a nap?”
“What? No.” Her giggle mocks the suggestion. “That’s silly.”
“I’m not cut out for this,” Frankie grumbles under her breath.
My smirk takes great pleasure in her misery. “Where are the scissors that’ll snip you free?”
She glares at me, but it lacks her usual wrath. “I misplaced them somewhere between Ronnie’s dentist office and the ball pit.”
“Frannie,” my little girl whines. “I wanna keep playing.”
“She needs a break,” I say gently. “And you have to eat.”
Ronnie bounces off her stool. “M’kay.”
Frankie’s jaw drops when my daughter twirls to the table. She pulls out a chair, plopping down in her usual spot. Our typical routine has gone a bit sideways, but there’s always time for snacks. I choke on a laugh while delivering her plate and a glass of milk. Ronnie doesn’t hesitate to dig in, clearly ravenous after a morning full of activities.
“Thanks, Daddy.” My little girl gives her approval with a double thumbs-up.
“You’re welcome, cupcake.” There’s an added pep in my step as I return to the kitchen, facing the redhead who’s busy stammering.
“How…? What…?” Frankie rubs her temples. “Did you arrange the cheese and crackers into a smiley face?”
“Ronnie appreciates the added effort I put into the presentation.”
Her dazed stare is comical. “Who even are you?”
I scrub over my mouth, exhaling heavily. “We’re not opening that box. My backstory isn’t your business.”
“If I’m taking this job, I want to know who I’m working for.”
That gets a bullish snort from me. “Strong morals and dependable character traits are suddenly important to you?”