And the woman even had a white minivan. Seriously? Could this situation look more textbook?
I hurried after them toward the van, groceries still cutting into my fingers, when something caught my eye—sitting beside the open trunk was a cleaning caddy. Not something I usually saw with grocery deliveries. And Charlotte was happily rifling through bags like this was a routine part of her Monday morning.
A new thought nudged in.
Is it possible this woman actually knows them?
Maybe Theo had a housekeeper he forgot to mention. Honestly, it would explain why his place had been so impossibly clean for a single dad with a demanding job and a three-year-old tornado.
“Do you, um… do more than deliver groceries?” I ventured a guess. “Charlotte seems pretty comfortable with you.”
The woman laughed. “I clean the house and prep meals every Monday and Thursday to help Mr. Archibald out.”
“Oh okay, that makes much more sense.” Relief washed over me. “Sorry, I didn’t realize. I’m just watching Charlottethis week since the nanny quit, and Theo didn’t mention a housekeeper coming.”
“No problem at all,” she said.
We carried the bags inside, setting everything on the massive kitchen island. She held out her hand. “I’m Jessie.”
“Nora,” I said, shaking her hand. “It’s really nice to meet you. And I’m glad Charlotte doesn’t run outside with just anyone.”
“No,” Jessie said with an amused shake of her head. “Charlotte and I are good friends.” She glanced toward the table where Charlotte had already climbed back into her booster seat to continue with her playdough creations. “It’s very nice to meet you too, Nora.”
Jessie began putting the groceries away with practiced familiarity, moving around the kitchen like she knew every drawer by heart. I hesitated, unsure if I should offer to help, but this was clearly part of her job.
“I guess I’ll let you get to your work,” I said. “And I’ll get back to mine.”
“Perfect,” Jessie replied with a quick smile.
But when I sat back down at the table, I pulled out my phone to text Theo.
Me: Hey, do you have a housekeeper you forgot to mention?
Me: Just making sure I didn’t let a friendly serial killer into your house.
He must have caught a slow moment in court because he replied almost immediately.
Theo: I do. Sorry for not giving you a heads up. But if she’s in her thirties with dark brown hair and calls herself Jessie, then you’re safe.
I exhaled, relieved.
Me: Okay, good. Also, do I need to stay home while she’s working, or is it fine if I take Charlotte out? I noticed the library has story time this morning and thought she might like it.
Another quick reply.
Theo: You’re fine to leave. Jessie should be there most of the day and has a key to get in and out if needed.
Me: Perfect. Thanks. And good luck in court.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and looked over to see Charlotte carefully pulling her playdough cake out of the plastic oven, her face lit with excitement.
“How did Bandit’s cake turn out?” I asked, leaning closer to admire the blue and green masterpiece she set proudly on the table.
“It’s perfect,” she said, her eyes smiling.
“You did a really good job,” I told her. “I think he’s going to love it.”
She nodded, solemn and satisfied.