“What’s he doing here?” she demanded, her cry sounding petulant to her own ears.

“He had a conference in the area and stopped to visit his mother. Emmi, of course, was over the moon. She dotes on that boy. While he was here, he got word one of his colleagues in San Francisco tested positive for coronavirus. So, rather than take a chance of infecting others, he put himself into quarantine in his old apartment. He’s worried not only about his mother, but about Flo. In her eighties, she’s vulnerable. I admire him for that decision.”

Linnea’s brain was stuck on the fact that John was back. Living next door. She hadn’t seen him since their breakup a year earlier. She’d thought he was the love of her life. And then he wasn’t.

“Why didn’t Emmi tell me he was back?” she asked.

Cara’s brows rose. “Why would she? You’ve made no secret of the fact that you don’t want anything to do with John. He is her son. That put her in a tough position.”

Linnea crossed her arms. “She could have at least given me fair warning.” Her gaze shot up to Cara along with her temper. “Wait. You knew. Why didn’t you tell me?”

She felt the tension flare and saw the spark of indignation in Cara’s eyes, the slight lifting of the chin.

Cara waited to speak, considering her words. “I suppose I could have told you. And might have if I wasn’t so preoccupied.” She paused. “Excuse me if I’m worried about my husband. The fact is, I just didn’t give John’s being here much thought.”

Linnea swallowed, awash with shame for her show of pique. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped at you like that. I’m all off-balance, thinking only of myself.” She reached out to place a hand on Cara’s arm encircling her daughter. “Is there anything I can do for you? Watch Hope for a while? Make you a casserole?”

Cara’s shoulders lowered and she quickly shook her head. “Please, no casseroles!” She smiled. “You know what I really need?”

Linnea shook her head.

“A nanny.”

Linnea’s heart sank. “Oh?”

“I have to get the house ready for David’s arrival and Hope is cranky. She hasn’t been able to play with anyone since they’ve closed the school. Not even her cousin Rory. Heather is under lockdown with him and Leslie.” She sighed dramatically. “Hope is clinging to me. Honestly, I could use a break to get something done. I’ll pay you, of course. And”—she raised a brow—“don’t you need a job?”

“I do. And of course I’ll be your nanny.”

Cara looked skyward. “Thank heaven. I’ll take her to the doctor’s for her checkup, then could you watch her for a few hours? I want to spread plastic in the hallway, spray things down, get everything ready.”

“Just drop her off.”

“Thanks. Better go.” Cara looked meaningfully at the carriage house window. “Be nice,” she said cajolingly, then leaned forward to kiss her.