“There’s a lady coming to supper today and I want you to let me know whether you like her or not.”
“Why?”
“If you like her, I may marry her so she can be your new mama.”
Her brown eyes met his, and for a moment she didn’t say anything, then asked, “Is she nice?”
“I think so.” He wished he knew what she was thinking.
“What’s her name?”
“Miss Regan Carmichael.”
“Is she old like Aunt Minnie?”
“No.”
“Do I have to say I like her even if I don’t?”
“No. I want you to tell me the truth.”
“Truly?”
“Truly, I don’t want to get you a mama you don’t like. Mamas are very important to little girls.”
“Felicity says her mama yells at her a lot.”
“I won’t get one that yells at you. Promise.”
“Okay. Will she live here with us?”
“Yes.”
She went quiet again.
“Do you have any more questions?”
“No.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when she arrives.”
She nodded and turned her attention back to the view.
A terribly nervous Regan prepared herself for her dinner with Dr. Lee and his daughter. Would the child like her? Although Regan wanted her to, there was no guarantee. Removing her curling iron from the small brazier, she rolled it into her bangs. Once that was done, she gave her mirrored reflection a final look. Her hair was pulled back and coiled demurely at the base of her neck. In her tan, slim-fitting bodice and matching full skirt, she looked fashionable but not overdressed. Limiting her jewelry to a pair of small jet ear bobs, the color of which matched the small row of buttons on her bodice, she hoped to make a good impression.
“Are you ready?”
Regan turned to see Spring standing in the doorway. “Yes.”
“Nervous?” Spring asked.
“Very.”
“You’ll do fine. Anna will love you. My grandfather probably won’t, but don’t let him scare you. When he growls, growl back.”
Regan wasn’t sure about that tact but tucked it away. Picking up her handbag and a wrap to ward off the evening chill on the ride back, she drew in a calming breath and followed Spring outside.
Her first impression was that Anna was tiny. She wore a gray smock topped by a blue apronlike overdress. Two long braids framed her small brown face. She was holding her father’s hand, and the moment Regan met her dark eyes they immediately dropped shyly to the small brown boots on her feet.