Page 7 of Wishing for Love

“I’d like to give the weekends off, but during the day when Elsie is in school, you’ll have that time to yourself.”

“Nice,” Jessie said. “But I’d have to live here? Is there a separate house on the property?”

“I’ve got a guest suite over the garage,” he said.

“Oh,” Jessie said, frowning. “Not sure how I feel about living in the same house.”

So far he’d already decided this wasn’t going to work anyway but would humor Jessie with a few more questions.

His mother jumped in and asked some things that he wouldn’t have thought of and it at least prepared him for the next one.

“Well,” he said. “That was a flop.” Jessie had left and was climbing into her Uber. “I guess I should have said they needed a driver’s license.”

“She said she’d get it back in six months from her last DWI,” his mother said.

He rolled his eyes. “I just don’t know how this is going to work. I need a miracle. I’m afraid this next person is younger and most likely will have a social life or won’t stay if she’s in a relationship. I don’t need someone temporary either.”

“You might have to take what you can,” his mother said. “Or pivot and not have someone live here.”

“I know,” he said.

Thirty minutes later the doorbell went off again and he opened it to see a younger woman standing there. Had to be in her twenties easily. His first thought was how attractive she was with her light brown hair and blue eyes. She was on the shorter side, dressed professionally, and had a wide inviting smile on her face.

“Crystal Winston?”

“That’s me,” she said, putting her hand out. “Phoenix Westerly?”

“Yes,” he said. She was dressed in nice pants and a button-down shirt. Flats on her feet. Jessie came in in jeans and a T-shirt. He didn’t realize the difference and might not have if Crystal hadn’t made an attempt to take this seriously. “Come into my office. This is my mother, Carolina. She’s going to be helping me with the interview.”

“Oh,” Crystal said. “You’ve both got a city name. I visited a city with that name in Mississippi once with a friend.”

His mother laughed. “Well, it’s not just the two of us. My husband is Austin and Phoenix is the oldest of nine. All my kids are named after cities.”

“That’s neat,” Crystal said, smiling. A genuine smile. “I’m the baby of six kids. I know what it’s like being in a big family.”

His mother looked at him. To her that would be a good sign. “Your resume says you are currently working at a daycare?”

“I am,” she said. “I enjoy working with kids. I babysit on the side. I’ll be honest and say it’s hard to make ends meet with one job. I like being with kids though. Not just watching them. That’s not fun. Maybe I’m a big kid myself, but it’s much better to interact with them.”

What he wanted to hear. “What are some of the things you like doing?”

“I’ve watched all sorts of ages at the daycare center, but the more activities the better. Keeping them engaged is the key. I like just about anything and am willing to try it all. I find letting the kids have the freedom to choose and express themselves helps them make educated decisions even at a young age. They have to learn somewhere.”

“They do,” his mother said, nodding her head. They were raised that way so his mother had to be eating this up. “Do you know how to cook?”

“I do,” she said. “We all had chores as kids and cooking was one of them. I like to bake more. Maybe that is something thatcan be done with the kids? One or two? Maybe more? You didn’t say. Can I ask for some background on the children or child that might be in my care?”

She went right to the kids and nothing else. Another positive sign.

“Just one child. Five years old.” He explained about Elsie. “So it’s an odd situation and we are all adapting.”

Crystal’s eyes got a little misty. “That is horrible and I’m sorry for your loss and what you both must be going through.”

He was touched to hear that. And see the sincerity in her eyes. She was young looking but much more mature than he expected.

“Thank you,” he said. “We are getting through it as best as we can.”

“I’m sure. It will be a long road. I had a child in my daycare who lost their father.”