He nodded. “My eight-year-old.”
“Can’t wait to meet her.” I smiled, hoping I wasn’t being too forward.
“If all goes well during this interview, then that would be the next step. But go on.”
I brought my thoughts back to the question. “And, well, it felt…really good to be there for these kids, give them an adult to look up to, one who was there for them when their parents couldn’t be.”
Another slight smile that suggested he liked my answer.
“It’s satisfying in a way I didn’t expect. And it made me think about my future.”
“How’s that?”
“Well, I didn’t just want rich kids to have access to nannies. I could’ve really used one when I was a kid—my parents weren’t exactly there for me when I was younger.”
I stopped the subject there, not wanting to get into anything too heavy. No need to mention how my dad was a drunk who spent more time getting plastered at the bar and cheating on my mom than paying attention to me and my brother. My mom did her best, but when you’re working two jobs, there’s only so much time you can actually spend with your family.
“So, I decided I wanted to start a nonprofit that could connect nannies with less fortunate families. Donors could contribute, and kids in need would get the care they needed.” I shook my head. “Anyway, that’s a long ways off. For now, I’m happy doing what I’m doing.”
“Very bold plans,” he said. “I like them.” He cleared his throat and leaned forward. “So, I have a series of questions for you, all about how you would handle various situations if you were to get the job.”
“Of course.”
“The first of which is—”
The chime of an intercom cut him off. “Yes?” he asked, pressing a button on his desk.
“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Ryder. But someone’s here to see you.”
“Who? Did you really schedule someone at the same time as my interview?”
“Nope. Someone very important. Should I send her in?”
He paused and then smiled. “Of course. Send her in.”
The office doors opened, and a small figure flew into the room.
“Dad!”
The girl was cute, with the same blonde hair and strikingly blue eyes as her father. I didn’t need to be told this was Willa. She threw her arms around Jason’s waist after he’d stepped around the desk.
“There’s my little sprout,” he said, returning the hug.
It warmed my damn heart. It was easy to see that they were crazy about each other. And something occurred to me—there wasn’t a ring on Jason’s finger. Was he a single dad?
Willa turned those blue eyes onto me. “Who’s this?”
“This is Ms. Flowers,” said Jason. “She might be your new nanny.”
“Call me April,” I said, getting up and offering her my hand.
She regarded my hand with a bit of hesitation before taking it.
“I’m Willa.” There was apprehension in her voice, and I could tell she was the shy type.
“Very nice to meet you, Willa.”
“Now, Sprout,” said Jason. “You want to tell me why you’re not in school?”