Sunny's Love - By Anna Kristell Page 0,3
out with the hotel to have someone stay with the children when I can’t be here. After we go home, I’ll have to begin interviewing for a new nanny. I really hate to put the kids through that. They’ve been through so much the last two years.”
“It can’t be easy for you, raising two young children alone.” Sunny gave him a sympathetic look.
“No, it isn’t, but I cherish them. I’ll raise them the way their mother would have wanted them to be raised, knowing the love of a parent who cares about them.”
“No one could ask for more than that,” Sunny replied quietly.
“I wonder where our dinner is. I’m starved. It’s been a very hectic day for me, as I’m sure it has been for you. I hope you like Italian.”
“Yes, I love Italian, as a matter of fact,” she said, accepting the glass of wine he offered.
After he had poured himself a glass, they sat down on the sofa and began to get acquainted.
“Tell me about Sunny Drake, receptionist, doctor’s assistant,” Chase began.
“There’s not much to tell, really.” She laughed, as he looked at her questioningly.
“Well, what’s your life like? What do you do for fun?”
“Not a whole lot to do around here, as I’m sure you’ve seen. I work for Dr. Rose and go home each evening. On the weekends, I might take in a movie or go out with friends.”
“No special guy in your life? I find that hard to believe.”
“Not at the moment. My old flame got married recently.”
“Well, he’s a fool if he let you go.”
“Tell his new bride that. He left me for her,” Sunny said, remembering the day Scott told her he’d found someone else.
“Well, his loss will be some other man’s gain.” Chase smiled at her again as he got up to answer the door.
After the delivery boy had gone they sat down to enjoy their dinner.
“This is delicious. Tell me about your restaurants. I’ve never eaten at one of them,” Sunny said as she took a bite of lasagna.
“Then you’re truly missing out. You’ll have to try one sometime. Just like the name, the food is a little taste of heaven. We’re planning to open one here, which is why I’m in Clinton this week. I try to bring the kids with me whenever I can.”
“I’ll have to try it out when it opens. That’s great you take such an active role in parenting with your busy schedule. That must be hectic at times.”
“It is, but I brought them into the world, it’s my responsibility to see that they’re happy, healthy children. They’ve lost their mama, so I want the rest of their childhood to be as painless as possible. And I love both of them more than life itself, so it’s not hard for me to juggle my schedule to accommodate them. Now, tell me more about you, Sunny. How long have you worked for Dr. Rose?”
“Three years, but that’ll soon be coming to an end. Dr. Rose is retiring next month.”
“Oh? And what will you do then?” he inquired, obviously interested in hearing her reply.
“I’m not sure. Dr. Rose has assured me I’ll be receiving a nice severance package, so I’ve not been in a big hurry to look for something. I’ll have to start looking soon, though.”
“Have you ever thought about becoming a nanny?”
The question caught her off guard. She hesitated for just a moment. “No, I’ve never thought about it.”
“Why don’t you think about it, Sunny? I can make arrangements for the next month until Dr. Rose retires. The job is yours if you want it. We can discuss salary and benefits later. I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed. I take care of my employees. Your schedule will be flexible, to a certain extent. I like to arrange my schedule so I can spend time with Ali and Brice. You’d be free during those times.”
Sunny was literally in shock. She didn’t know what to say.
“Think about it, that’s all I ask,” he urged.
“I don’t have to think about it. I accept.” She wasn’t one to make spur of the moment decisions, but this had just fallen into her lap and was too tempting to resist.
“That’s wonderful, Sunny! You’ve just helped me escape a gruesome task of interviewing potential nannies. Besides, the kids both like you already. I’ve seen firsthand how you were with Brice at Dr. Rose’s office and earlier I watched your interaction with Ali. And I have to say I was impressed both