Playing for Keeps by Jamie Hill Page B

wholesome could. She ran her hands through her hair and fluffed it out even more. No braid tonight. Dionne had met her match with this 'live-in nanny'.
    She sauntered into the living room, where everyone was seated, and Rob held Sophie on his lap.
    He glanced at her and his eyes popped.
    M addie tried not to laugh. The look of sheer terror on his face was priceless.
    " Maddie!" Sophie jumped up and ran to her for a hug.
    " Hi Soph. Happy Birthday!" Maddie gave her a squeeze.
    " Daddy won't let me go in the kitchen. Do you know what's in there?"
    " Maybe." She smiled, and walked Sophie by the hand back to where everyone sat.
    ' This is Maddie," Sophie announced.
    Rob cleared his throat . "Madison Stewart, these are my parents, Edward and Andrea Cooper, and Sophie's mother, Dionne Baxter. Maddie works at the daycare center where I take Sophie. She's been staying out here so I can work summer hours. She takes Soph to the center in the morning." His voice trailed off.
    Maddie stared at him. What he'd said was the truth, but he made it seem so clinical, so impersonal. They should have seen us an hour ago.
    " So you work at a daycare center?" Edward Cooper made an attempt at conversation, since the two women with him did not seem inclined to do so.
    " Yes, I do." Maddie nodded. "It's a fun job. Sophie and I get to play all day long."
    Sophie grinned and added , "And with Maddie sleeping here, she and daddy get to play all night long. He always wins at Candyland. Maddie and I think he cheats."
    Maddie bit her lip at the continuing look of horror on Rob 's face. It pretty much mirrored the expression of everyone else at this point. She smiled at Rob, thinking deep down, I knew there was a reason I love four-year-olds . Sophie was completely innocent. She had no idea that she'd said anything wrong.
    Rob coughed . "Maybe we should let Soph open her presents before everyone else gets here." He stood and looked at Maddie. "Would you help me bring them out, please?"
    "You bet." Maddie threw a little swing in her step and followed Rob to the kitchen.
    Just inside the door, he turned and practically screeched under his breath, " What the fuck are you wearing?"
    She looked down. "Do you like it? Your father seems to."
    " You look like a fucking hooker!"
    She chuckled. "Did you notice every time I move he strains his neck to get a glimpse of my boobs?"
    " Yeah, and I believe mom noticed too. Is this really the first impression you want to make on my parents?"
    " I didn't know your parents were going to be here!"
    " Neither did I!" He stomped around the room. "But they are, and I would have assumed that once you realized that, you'd act responsibly and at least look like yourself."
    " What does it matter? I'm just the live-in nanny, aren't I?"
    He shook his head. "That was a jab from Dee, I admit it."
    "Which you didn't bother to correct."
    The sad look on his face made Maddie feel guilty. "I wasn't prepared for this, Mad. I know I probably should have been, but with everything else I had to think about this weekend, I did not prepare myself for you meeting Dee."
    "W hat do you want me to do?" she asked, a bit more softly.
    He shook his head. "I don't know. Try to stay away from Dee and avoid all unnecessary confrontation."
    She nodded. "I promise to try." She looked down. "Do you want me to change?"
    He chuckled. "Well, not now. The damage is done." He pulled her to him for a quick kiss. "You do look hot. The hair is about to drive me wild."
    " I could put the braid back in."
    " No!" He smiled at her, and handed her a couple presents to carry in to Sophie.
    Sophie liked everything her father gave her , some toys, clothes and games. Rob handed her the last package. "This one's from Maddie."
    The child ripped into it and smiled when she saw the Shel Silverstein book of poetry.
    Edward remarked , "That is a good book."
    Dionne spoke up , "Yes, it is. Sophie has it at home and we read it all the time."
    Maddie looked at Sophie without skipping a