Page 6 of Dilectio

I smile, thinking of all the children I've worked with. "I love seeing the world through their eyes. They have such vivid imaginations and unbridled enthusiasm. It's refreshing."

Ezra nods. "My daughter, Paige, is eight. Her mother and I are divorced, and she is struggling to adjust. What can you add to her life?”

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I think I can offer her stability, understanding, and patience. I have years of experience caring for children and understand the importance of a positive role model. I can provide her with guidance and love while helping her through this difficult time. How long have you been divorced?"

"Nearly three years."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Divorce can be a hard thing to go through, especially for children."

He nods. "Yes, it has been. But I'm confident Paige can move forward and get past this with the right person to take care of her when I can’t." He leans back in his chair. "Tell me about your non-childcare experience and how it makes you a better nanny."

"My past experiences have given me an understanding of how to work with different personalities and how to be creative when it comes to problem-solving." I talk about my experience with arts and crafts, how I worked at a summer camp since I was a teenager, and how I love reading books to children. I also tell him about my work as a massage therapist to supplement my income throughout college.

He says, "You've worked many jobs while in school. I saw your school transcripts, and your performance in class was mediocre. Your GPA at graduation was 2.5?"

I stiffen. "I had to work while in school to make ends meet. It's just me and my grandmother, and she needed my help."

"I understand that," he says gently. "But I'm looking for someone with a track record of excellence. Professionally and academically."

My stomach drops. "Not all of us grew up with money." I gesture around me. "I'm sure you didn't grow up poor. You probably had your parents' money to help you out." I point to my chest. "Everything that I have, I had to work for. No handouts."

His jaw clenches. "Just so you know, I work hard every day for my company and my family."

I scoff. "You don't know what hard work is like when you have the threat of an eviction hanging over your head."

His eyes narrow, and his face becomes unreadable. "You may be right, but I'm looking for the right person to take care of my daughter, and unfortunately, it's not you. Clearly, you have a problem with people from my social class."

I think about my ex and how he treated me like I was nothing. "You're not wrong." I stand up. "I'm not going to work for a privileged man who has no idea what it's like to grow up poor and who judges me for my GPA. I wish you luck in finding the right person for the job."

He stands up and gestures at the door.

Daniella bursts into the room, holding a piece of paper. "Ezra, Paige is missing. I found this note in her room saying she was running away!"

Ezra's face pales as he takes the note from Daniella. "What? We have to find her. Let's take a quick look through the house and property before calling the police. She might still be in the house!" He glances up at me. "See yourself out."

Ezra and Daniella leave the room, and I stand there in shock. I look around the room, still trying to process what just happened. I head to the front door, but something tells me to stay and help. A child is in danger. It doesn't matter that her father is a jerk.

I head up the grand staircase toward the bedrooms. I hear Daniella and Ezra searching the first floor. After walking down a couple of halls, I find Paige's room.

I step inside Paige's room and take in the details. The walls are painted bright, cheerful colors, and stuffed animals are scattered everywhere. I can almost feel Paige's presence in this room.

I start to look around for clues about where she might have gone, but all I find are her toys and dolls lying around. Then, I spot a drawing of a garden, complete with trees and flowers surrounding an old stone wall. It's sitting next to an illustrated copy of the novelThe Secret Garden.

I remember seeing a beautiful garden on the grounds when I approached the house. I take one last look around the room and head back downstairs, hoping this might be the break they need to find Paige. I return to the study and exit the double French doors that lead to the grounds.

The estate is breathtaking, with lush green lawns and blooming flowers. I follow a long path toward the back of the property. When I get there, I see an old stone wall surrounding a small garden.

I step inside and find her sitting on a stone bench under the shade of a Red Maple tree—a small backpack on the floor at her feet.

"Hi, Paige," I say as I approach her.

The little girl looks up at me. "Who are you?"

Paige looks at me with her big blue eyes. She has her blonde hair tied into two thick braids, and she's wearing a pair of bright yellow overalls with a white shirt. Her cheeks are pink from the sun, and a smudge of dirt is on her nose. I can smell the sweet scent of flowers in the air.

"My name is Quinn," I say softly. "I had a meeting with your dad.”

"All daddy does is have meetings," the little girl pouts.