Page 39 of Bellini Born

“I’m sure you miss her very much, but you know what? I bet she’s watching over you and your baby sister from Heaven.”

Bianca perked up. “Really?”

Summer nodded. “In fact, I’m sure of it. She wouldn’t want to miss a single minute of the incredible life you’re going to have. Even if she can’t be a part of it.”

A tiny smile curved onto my daughter’s lips, and she sighed, relaxing against Summer once more. “Will you stay with me?”

“Of course.”

As they snuggled beneath the covers, I backed away from the door.

Chapter 10

Summer

Okay,soImighthave underestimated how difficult it would be to get both girls ready and out the door for school in the morning. It also didn’t help that I’d slept in Bianca’s bed the night before and didn’t have my phone nearby to hear my alarm, so we’d been behind from the get-go.

By the time we pulled into the school parking lot, it was already fifteen minutes past the starting time for her preschool class. Rico, our driver, graciously offered to stay in the SUV with Serafina while I ran inside to drop off Bianca.

Unbuckling her car seat, I helped the little girl into her winter jacket and grabbed her backpack as we hopped out. We hustled to the door, and I let out a huff of frustration when I found it locked.

“You have to hit the buzzer,” Bianca prompted.

My eyes lifted to find a small intercom speaker affixed beside the double doors. Pressing the button, I shifted on my feet—theChicago wind was brutal on this cold December day—waiting for someone on the other end to answer.

Finally, a voice sounded. “Can I help you?”

“Yes.” That single word had an icy puff crystallizing before my face. “I’m dropping off Bianca Bellini.”

“Come on in.” There was an audible unlocking of the door, and I pulled it open, ushering Bianca inside.

My feet had gone numb, and I stomped them a few times as we made our way to the office. The woman behind the desk saw our entry and gestured toward a clipboard. “Make sure to sign her in.”

Flexing my stiff fingers, I managed to grip the pen, filling in the info lines that required the student’s name, time of arrival, and reason for being tardy. It irked me to no end to have to confess that we’d overslept.

Two days into this nannying job, and already, I felt like I wasn’t living up to the standard that would be expected of me.

“Preschool class is the third door on the right,” the secretary instructed.

“Thanks,” I breathed out.

I grabbed Bianca’s gloved hand, and together, we walked down the hallway until we reached the door to her classroom. Gently, I knocked on the door and cracked it open to peek inside.

More than a dozen children were seated on a carpet at the front of the room where a teacher sat in a rocking chair, an open picture book poised in her hands. And every set of eyes was trained in our direction as we entered.

Heat crawled up the back of my neck. “Hi. Sorry we’re late.”

The teacher offered a smile. “It’s all right. Come on in, Bianca. You know where to hang your coat and backpack, then you can join us for morning story time.”

Bianca moved to a cubby set against the wall, marked with her name. Helping her shed her outerwear and place it on the hooks,I bent down to give her a hug. “Have a great day. I’ll pick you up later.”

The little girl’s teeth descended on her lower lip. “You won’t be late?”

I hated that one rough morning was enough to leave her worried that it would always be like this. Already, I was determined that from now on, we would be early, even if that meant having to wait inside the car until the doors officially opened.

“I’ll be here right at noon, and not a single second past.” I reached a hand toward her, my pinky extended. “Pinky promise.”

Her tiny brow furrowed. “What?”