“Desperate!” Martha stomps over to grab her wrap, “Mrs. Flannagan, I believe we’ve overstayed our welcome. You’d do well to remember, Savannah, you’re as desperate as the rest of us. Though I’d wager that soiled spinsters like yourself are no threat.”
Mrs. Flannagan watches her stomp out of the sitting room and to the front door. “Please forgive her, she’s young. Give our excuses to Mr. and Mrs. Ward. You can pick up the dresses next Thursday at my shop.” She hands the baby back and sighs before leaving.
Daisy returns to find Savannah murmuring to herself and pacing with the baby in her arms. “Did Mrs. Flannagan just leave?”
Clara returns, just in time to hear Savannah’s explanation.
“That girl is disgusting,” Clara hisses.
Daisy sighs and sits on the couch. “No, she’s only telling the truth. Rumors spread quickly. I’m rather afraid of how Anika and Delaney will be received when we return to church.”
“We will just make sure she is surrounded by the Ward family,” Savannah snaps. Glenn isn’t the only one that can promise to protect their new family members.
Anika glances around the study and is not surprised to find a room that looks like the man. Dark wood paneling with bookcases full of books. A leather sofa and two sitting chairs flank a large fireplace with a wood coffee table. A large bay window overlooking the back garden has a large mahogany desk with two chairs facing it.
Dr. Parker takes a seat at the couch with the other men opposite her and draws papers out of his black case. He hands one copy to Glenn and one to Anika. “Anika these are the documents we discussed. They detail the arrangement for you to stay on with the Ward family as their nanny for two years. Would you like me to read them to you?”
A soft smile curves her lips as she looks at him. “I can read, Dr. Parker.” At his surprised look, she laughs. “I often forget that no one knows me or my history. I was educated by my parents. I can read, paint, sew, play the piano, and I can even shoe a horse if I need too.”
Allen laughs out loud at that quip, nudging his son. Glenn smiles at her and asks, “Where are you from, Anika?”
Anika takes the papers from Dr. Parker and begins to scan them, “Virginia.”
No one moves for a moment, as that bit of news settles between them. “Is that going to be a problem?” Anika asks Glenn.
“Of course not. The war is over, but I wouldn’t spread that around. It could cause trouble for you and Delaney.” Glenn explains.
“I understand.” She lifts the contract and begins to read.
The first page details the duties of a Nanny and live in wet nurse for twin boys. She is to be paid thirty dollars per month for each child. That is sixty dollars a month! Her eyes widen at the number, and she glanced at Dr. Parker, before glaring at Allen and Glenn. The real caveat is on the last page, where she finds the deed to property! One hundred acres, with a small house for her to do as she wishes.
“Are you serious?”
“Is it not enough?” Allen asks softly.
“Not enough,” Anika stares at them incredulously. “This is unthinkable.” She leaps to her feet, “I’ll not take your charity. We agreed that I would be hired as a...”
“Charity!” Glenn leaps to his feet, ignoring the warning hand from his father. “You saved my sons lives woman. What price would you put on Delaney’s life?”
“Don’t you shout at me!” Anika surprises them all by facing Glenn’s anger. Turning to the two men, she points to the door. “You need to give us a minute please.” Both men look at them and then hurry towards the door.
“Anika are you sure?” Dr. Parker glances uneasily at Glenn. His angry outburst is a shock to him.
“I’ll be fine, Glenn won’t hurt me, he promised my daughter.” Glenn stomps to his desk and pours a glass of whiskey, downing it quickly he savors the way it burns.
“We’ll be right outside the door,” he says. When the door clicks shut behind them, Glenn spins around to stare at her.
“Anika, you will let me do this for you and Delaney.”
“I understand that you feel like you owe me, Glenn, but I owe you just as much. I will accept the pay, and the title of Nanny is very generous of you. The land and house are unacceptable. I won't consider it.”
“Then you’ll not have the job,” Glenn snarls and turns back to the desk to pour another whiskey.
Watching him drink in anger is the final straw for her. “I will pack our things, and we will leave with Dr. Parker tonight,” she snaps.
“You would leave us?” Glenn turns in shock and stops her with his next words. “Anika, I’ve watched you with my boys. You love them already and its only been four weeks. How can you walk away from them?”
“That’s not fair, Glenn.” Tears fill her eyes, “I do love them, but did you even think what people will say when you put me up in a house?”
Slowly, he sets the glass down on the desk and walks to the chair to sit down. Running a hand over his tired eyes, he sighs heavily. Exhaustion beats at him, and a headache that won't stop.
“To hell, with people, Anika. The house and land are from my parents. It was the original homestead. It needs a lot of work, but I thought, with time we could fix it up and I, they want you and Delaney to be taken care of.”
“I’m sorry. I do not have the luxury of not caring what people think. I must think of Delaney. I should’ve asked for clarification before I flew
