A few more days passed, and there was no word from either Zackary’s father or mother. I adhered to Zackary’s schedule and we, the staff, were left to fend for ourselves. More than ever the house seemed eerily cold and forlorn.

More often than not I would catch myself staring at the intercom, or out of the window over at his darkened part of the wing and wonder when he would return. Often, I would think I had made a terrible mistake by turning him down. How could I have been so stupid to put someone else’s happiness before my own? Then Zackary would smile at me in a certain way and I knew I had done the right thing.

No love is worth destroying a child for.

A week passed before Barnaby came into the kitchen with an important announcement. "Mr. King will be back tonight, Mrs. Blackmore. It will be way past midnight so perhaps make him something light to eat."

"I'll have to stay awake late again.” Mrs. Blackmore groaned lightly, and turned to the basket of garlic that she was peeling.

I thought long and hard about it before I opened my mouth to speak. "I think I'll be up later today so if you prepare it, I'll warm it up, and take it to him."

“Are you sure, love?" she asked. "I can easily hand it over to Carrie to take since she's in charge of his wing, anyway."

I gave her a simple smile. "It’s okay, I can do it for her."

"Alright," she said, her smile bright. “I’ll have to explain to you how to warm it properly, though."

“Okay, show me later.”

"You've also been quite withdrawn these past few days. Is everything alright?"

I nodded. "All is well. I've just had some things to think through.”

“Well I'm here if you need me," she said with a sincere smile.

I smiled back in gratitude.

What seemed like many hours later, I was on my way to Mr. King's suite. I was sure I was courting fire, but still I couldn't stop myself.

I heard his voice before I knocked on the door. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but the deep and quiet rumble of his voice was more than enough to listen to. He spoke clearly and without hurry, as if the whole world was required to match his pace.

I knocked, and to my surprise he came to the door and pulled it open. When he saw me, he stopped, and a strange expression crossed his eyes.

"Sure," he said to the speaker on the phone, as his eyes bored into mine.

"I brought you some food," I murmured.

Without acknowledging my presence or words, he turned away. Leaving the door open he headed back into the room. He took a seat in the lounge chair and continued with his call while I followed Mrs. Blackmore’s instruction and laid down his meal on his dining table.

As I waited for him to finish his call, I tried not to feel hurt that he didn't immediately disengage. I could hear that it was neither urgent nor important. He was forcing me, just like the rest of the world to go at his pace. Now, I was just another member of his staff.

Just as I was turning away to leave, he put the phone away and turned his attention to me. "I didn’t expect you to still be here.”

I had the choice to be snotty, or polite as my status required. I chose the latter route. It would clarify the message of what we currently were. He was my employer and I was one of his staff.

"I couldn't leave Zackary uncared for when both his mother and father were absent. I have already asked the agency to look for my replacement and they will send someone as soon as Madam returns. I promise that whoever the agency sends will be a great nanny, and she will love Zackary immensely.”

"The way you throw around that word," he said bitterly. "Is love that cheaply acquired?"

"Not cheaply, but easily, especially when the recipient is a brave, beautiful child like Zackary. He steals hearts quite easily."

He didn't say a word, but continued to watch me.

“Do you know when … er … Madam will be back?”

He shrugged carelessly. “Madam is in a voluntary rehab facility so it is anyone’s guess when she decides to call it a day.”

I cleared my throat and stated my request. "Then could you perhaps, please, clear your schedule tomorrow after lunch? About two o’clock in the gazebo. Zackary wants to show you how he flies his kite.”

I was sure he was going to say no so I quickly added. "Please make this happen even if it's for ten minutes. I have spoken to him and this is one case where his excitement to fly the kite trumps anything else. I think it would be a good time for you to reignite your relationship.”

I turned around to leave then, and he didn’t stop me. It broke my heart, but it was me who had made the choice.

My only hope was he would honor the request. Before I left, I was going to try my very best to ensure that Zackary began the process of getting over the unreasonable and warrantless fear of his father.