Curveball Page 8

  “We have one more interview, right? Maybe she will be our Mary Poppins.”

  “I don’t want Mary Poppins,” Kristin told him. “I always thought she was kind of curt and creepy.”

  “What?” Wes said in surprise. “Julie Andrews? Flying with an umbrella, songs, dances, dancing penguins? Come on.”

  “Read the books, Wes. She’s not quite the same,” Kristin said as she stirred her coffee mindlessly.

  “Okay, so she doesn’t have to be Mary Poppins. She just must be not Martha Stuart. I have faith the next person will be great. Who is it?”

  Kristin picked up the folder from the table and flipped it open.

  “Melissa Palmer,” Kristin said as she looked over the resume. “She’s only twenty-two, but she has nanny experience from all through college, got her degree nursing, and is CPR, and First Aid certified.”

  “See, she seems good,” Wes said as he cleaned up the coffee mugs.

  “We thought Martha Stuart was going to be the one, too. How do we know that Melissa isn’t a Satan worshipper or wants $100,000 a year to work for us?”

  Wes walked towards Kristin and gently tugged her out of the chair. He gave her a deep kiss, the kind that always made Kristin stand on her tiptoes and lose her breath.

  “Trust me, this will all work out. Have faith,” Wes said softly. “What time is she coming today?”

  “Two o’clock,” Kristin sighed, reaching up for another kiss.

  “Let’s get some pastries from the bakery delivered here before she comes,” Wes said. “We’ll put out this great spread, dazzle her, make sure Molly loves her, and she will be begging for this job. And if all that doesn’t work, I can take my shirt off and start swinging the bat a bit or go outside and chop some wood while she watches.”

  Kristin stepped back and laughed heartily.

  “Really? Shirtless wood chopping is going to win her over?”

  “It always works in romance novels, doesn’t it?”

  “How many romance novels have you read, Mr. Martin?” Kristin asked.

  “Well, none,” Wes replied. “But I did flip through a copy of Fifty Shades that someone left on a plane once, so I get the gist of them,” he said proudly.

  “Not really the same thing,” Kristin said as she hugged Wes. “We’ll go with the pastries, but you can keep your shirt on while she is here.”

  “Okay, but don’t blame me if she doesn’t want the job,” Wes cracked.

  Wes started looking up a food delivery service to bring pastries, but Kristin stopped him.

  “Thank you,” Kristin said to him.

  “For what?” Wes asked, putting his arms around her again.

  “For this. For everything. For all you do for me, and for us, as a family. You’re an amazing man.”

  Kristin went in for another kiss, and her hands began to unbutton Wes’ shirt.

  “Wow, and I didn’t even have to chop any wood,” Wes said as Kristin finished unbuttoning his shirt and ran her palms over his chest.

  Wes tried to return the favor and began to unbutton Kristin’s blouse, but as soon as he had two buttons undone and there was just a hint of Kristin’s lacy bra showing, Molly began to fuss.

  “Looks like you’re on duty, Mr. Martin,” Kristin whispered.

  Wes smiled and began to button up his shirt.

  “You order the pastries, and I’ll take care of Little Miss Interrupter,” Wes said as he swooped Molly out of the bassinet.

  ****

  Wes made sure to have everything ready for two o’clock, setting out the food, making coffee and tea, making sure Molly was changed, and straightening up anything that might need it. The doorbell rang right at two, and Kristin and Wes both stared at each other before Wes got up and moved to the door.

  Wes opened the door, and before him was Melissa Palmer. Melissa had long brown hair with brown eyes to match. She wore a brown leather jacket with fringe that reminded Wes of the kind Davy Crockett wore in all those Disney movies of long ago. She wiped her black boots on the welcome mat before extending her hand to Wes.

  “Mr. Martin. I’m Melissa Palmer. It is a real privilege to meet you. My father and I watch Pirates games all the time, and you were always one of my favorites.”

  Wes shook Melissa’s hand and invited her into the house. She slowly walked around, taking note of the Christmas tree that decorated the living room.

  “Your tree is beautiful,” Melissa said as she unzipped her jacket to reveal a black Foo Fighters t-shirt underneath.

  “A Foo Fighters fan, I see,” Wes said, pointing at her shirt.

  “I love them,” she said, looking down at her shirt. “I’ve seen them in concert about a dozen times, and they get better all the time. Do you like them?”

  “I do, but I’ve never seen them in concert,” Wes said. “My Hero was my walk-up song for a few years.”

  “That’s right!” Melissa squealed. “I forgot all about that.”

  Wes led Melissa into the kitchen, where Kristin sat sipping some tea.

  “Kris, this is Melissa Palmer. Melissa, this is Kristin Arthur,” Wes said, giving the introductions.

  Kristin extended her hand, but instead, Melissa leaned in and gave her a hug.

  “Oh, okay,” Kristin said as she hugged Melissa back.

  “it’s so nice to meet you, Ms. Arthur. I’ve been down to the library a bunch of times. You have done amazing things with the place since you got to Chandler.”

  “Thank you, Melissa,” Kristin said as she broke the hug. “You can call me Kristin.”

  “Thank you, Kristin,” she said with a smile.

  “Can I get you coffee or tea, Melissa?” Wes offered.

  “I'll have some tea, please,” Melissa said, “but let me get it. Kristin, do you want some?”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you,” Kristin said as she and Wes watched Melissa go over to the stove and pour hot water into two mugs.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I carry my own teabags,” Melissa said, reaching into her bag and pulling out a Ziploc bag holding a variety of teas.

  “I order it right from a plantation in India. It’s a bit more expensive, but there is nothing like the flavor. Chamomile, okay?”

  “Yes, that’s perfect,” Kristin said as Melissa brought over the mugs.

  “Oh, and this must be Miss Molly,” Melissa said as she saw the baby in the bassinet. Before Wes or Kristin could even say anything, Melissa had picked Molly up and was holding her. Molly sat quietly in Melissa’s arms before she sat down in the chair across from Kristin and Wes.

  “So, what do you want to ask me?” Melissa said with a smile. She lightly hummed as she looked down at Molly, and she sat peacefully looking up at the young woman.

  “Well,” Kristin said as she tried to compose herself after being caught off guard, “I see you have lots of experience as a nanny.”

  “Yes, I worked with two families over the four years I went to the University of Pittsburgh to get my nursing degree. The first family, the Millers, I worked with for only a year before they moved from the area. I helped them with their two young children. I then worked as a live-in with the Olivers for three years. They had four children, including a newborn, when I started, right up to a teenager. I got my bachelor’s in nursing with a specialty in pediatrics, but then my father got sick, and I came back to Chandler to take care of him.”

  “Is your dad Derrick Palmer of Palmer’s Plumbing?” Wes asked.

  “That’s right,” Melissa answered.

  “They’ve done the plumbing at the farm for years,” Wes told Kristin.

  “We have,” Melissa answered proudly. “I used to work at the office, answering the phones when I was in high school.”

  “I didn’t realize your father had gotten ill,” Wes said seriously.

  “Well, he did about two years ago. He had a lot of headaches, and then they found a tumor, and well, he couldn’t work anymore and needed regular care, so I came home. My brother Tommy took
over the business.”

  “How’s your Dad doing?” Kristin asked solemnly.

  “Oh, he passed six months ago, peacefully and at home, the way he wanted it.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Kristin responded.

  “Thank you,” Melissa said, reaching out and taking Kristin’s hand. “We were prepared for it. It’s taken a while to clean up his stuff, clear out the house and put it on the market, but it’s finally done. Tommy has his own place with his wife and family, and that old house was too big and lonely for just me. So here I am.”

  “How come you don’t just go back to nursing?” Wes asked.

  “I suppose I could, but I’m not quite ready to yet. I wasn’t sure what I would do, but I always had fun working as a nanny, and Ms. Andrews down at the staffing services office already had my name in case any nursing jobs came up. When she told me about this one, it sounded like the perfect fit, isn’t that right, Miss Molly?” Melissa smiled into Molly’s face and gave her a kiss.

  “It feels like she needs a change,” Melissa said as she felt Molly’s diaper. “Do you want me to do it?”

  “Um, sure, if you’d like,” Wes said. “Let me show you where the changing table is. I think we are out of lotion in there, though. Let me run upstairs and get another bottle.”

  “Oh, don’t bother,” Melissa answered. “I have an ointment in my bag that is gentle, hypoallergenic, and is calming. I can use that if it’s okay?”

  “You bet,” Wes answered. “Follow me.”

  Wes directed Melissa into the master bedroom where the changing table was. After Melissa walked in ahead of him, Wes turned to Kristin and mouthed, “Mary Poppins.”

  Kristin tried to stifle her laugh as Wes’s phone rang.

  “I have to take this,” Wes said. “It’s Tom Killian.”

  “Go downstairs, I’m fine,” Kristin told him. Wes nodded and went down the stairs closing the door behind him.

  Kristin sat and sipped her tea until she heard Melissa gently singing in the bedroom. Kristin got up from her chair and walked over to the bedroom door. She peered in and saw Melissa changing Molly. Melissa turned to see Kristin there and smiled at her and waved her to come over.

  “What were you singing?” Kristin asked. “It sounded so familiar.”

  “Ha,” Melissa said as she closed the fresh diaper around the baby. “It’s a little embarrassing. It was “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars. I find that babies don’t really care so much about what you’re singing if it’s in a voice and melody they like. There, all clean, Miss Molly.”

  Melissa snapped the buttons on Molly’s onesie and picked her up, holding her. She turned and could see Kristin’s face.

  “I know Miss Andrews said you had some surgery, and that’s why you needed help now. I’m sure it’s not easy for you. Have you held her since you’ve been home?”

  Kristin shook her head no and felt tears welling in her eyes.

  “Let’s fix that,” Melissa said softly.

  She took Kristin by the hand and led her over to the bed.

  “You sit,” Melissa said as she guided Kristin down.

  “I’m not supposed to…” Kristin tried to say.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Melissa reassured her. She placed Molly gently into Kristin’s arms and then came around on the bed and sat behind Kristin. Melissa put her legs on either side of Kristin and pulled her close so that she put her arms underneath Kristin’s to support the weight of the baby.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” Kristin said as she cradled Molly, and Molly cooed back at her. Melissa used her arms to lift Molly closer so that Kristin could kiss her and rub her cheek on hers. Tears flowed from Kristin’s eyes as she sat, and Kristin and Melissa both hummed Bruno Mars.

  Wes came back upstairs and into the bedroom and saw the two women there.

  “Is everything okay?” he said as he rushed around to the side of the bed so he could face Kristin. He saw her crying and smiling.

  “Everything’s fine,” she said with a laugh. “Give her whatever she wants, but do not let her leave this house without hiring her.”

  9

  Comfort and routine quickly settled in at the Martin household. With Melissa there to assist Kristin while she healed, the stress melted away, and everyone was content. Christmas was joyful since it was Molly’s first holiday, and even though she was too young to really grasp what was going on, Wes made sure to lavish her with all kinds of toys and stuffed animals. In contrast, Kristin made sure to get a few practical items along the way. Wes also outfitted Izzy with everything she could want or need for college, including a couple of University of Pittsburgh hoodies that he hoped might sway her decision.

  A quiet New Years’ celebration with just the family took place, and immediately following that day, Wes took up full work mode as the new manager of the Wild Things. There was a lot to do, going through potential roster players so that Tom Killian could make contract offers and bring in some new blood that might put them over the top for the coming season. Long days at the team offices, combined with Wes’s training and practice he would do at the batting cage facility he had at home, meant he didn’t see much of anyone during the day or even at night. More than once he arrived home past nine or ten at night when Molly was sound asleep, Kristin would be in bed and Izzy was up in her room.

  Once February rolled around, things shifted gears once again. Kristin had recovered and received clearance from her doctors to go back to work. She still had to use caution with lifting, but she had more freedom now than existed in the months since Molly was born. Melissa’s hours with the family grew as she arrived by six in the morning and often stayed until eight or nine so that she could give Molly the attention she required and help with household chores. Melissa made sure to bring Molly down to Kristin at the library for the occasional lunch visit, or she swung by Wes’s parents so that they could get time with their grandchild. Melissa also helped with Jenny, checking in on her, and seeing if she needed any assistance.

  February 11th marked Izzy’s birthday. She woke up in the morning with high expectations now that she was eighteen. Texts filled her phone with wishes and pictures from her friends, and Izzy looked forward to the day at school and what was to come on Friday, which was February 14th – Valentine’s Day. Even though her relationship with Bradley had been strained since Kristin went into the hospital, they remained together, and Izzy was excited about the Valentine’s Day plans that Bradley had made for them.

  Izzy chose one of the new outfits that she had been holding onto since she got them on Christmas. Naturally, Kristin had picked them out for her, and even though it was February in Chandler and snow was on the ground, that did not deter Izzy from putting on the short-flared skirt and matching blouse to wear. She bounded down the stairs and was greeted by the smiling faces of Kristin and Melissa in the kitchen, along with a bouquet of balloons and flowers.

  “Happy Birthday!” they shouted and even cued Molly to raise her hands and squeal and smile.

  Izzy dashed over to give her little sister a kiss, blowing on her cheek to make her giggle even more. She hugged Kristin and Melissa and then went over to pour coffee into her travel mug to bring to school with her.

  “That outfit is cute,” Melissa said to her as she wiped oatmeal off Molly’s chin.

  “It seemed perfect to wear for my birthday today,” Izzy stated proudly as she twirled.

  Wes walked in and went straight over to Izzy and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Happy Birthday, Izzy,” he said to her.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “I’m sorry I have to run. We have early meetings at the office today. We are all still on for dinner tonight, right? Seven o’clock at Angelo’s?” Wes said as he put on his leather jacket.

  “We’ll be there,” Kristin told him, looking over at Izzy to make sure she nodded in agreement. “I made the reservations for the five of us.”

  “Are you sure?” Melissa asked. “I can watch Molly here if the t
hree of you want to just go.”

  “Oh no, it’s the whole family tonight,” Kristin insisted.

  As Wes gave Kristin a kiss goodbye, and then kissed Molly, he glanced over at Izzy to see her sipping her coffee and looking at her phone.

  “Is that what you’re wearing to school?” Wes asked.

  “Yes… why? What’s wrong now?” Izzy did her best to hold her tongue.

  “Wes, not now, just let her be,” Kristin whispered.

  “It’s just that it’s February and cold out and that skirt… well, it’s a bit short for school, don’t you think?”