“I was wondering if I could speak to the owner or manager for a few minutes,” Carrie said.
“About? If you have a child you’d like to enroll, we’re not taking any new clients right now.”
“No, it’s not that. Actually, it’s a long story, but the short version is that I’m thinking of opening a day care over in Chesapeake Shores.” She smiled reassuringly. “No competition for this one. I could use some advice and I’d like to look around if she or he doesn’t mind.”
“Hold on. Let me check,” the girl said. “I’m Lucy, by the way. Lucy Morris.”
“And I’m Carrie Winters. Do you work here full-time?”
“Pretty much, but I’m also studying early childhood education. My mom opened this day care when I was a baby, so I’ve pretty much grown up around the place. I’ve been working here ever since high school.”
“You must love it since you chose early childhood education as a career.”
“It’s the best job ever,” she said cheerfully, then made a face. “Except on the days it isn’t.”
“Which days are those?”
“When one kid is cranky and the mood seems to be contagious. Or when mom caves in and brings cookies for snack time. Twenty kids on a sugar high?” She shuddered. “Not pretty.”
Carrie chuckled. “I know what you mean. I’ve had a houseful of kids at my house like that a time or two. The day after Halloween can be particularly dicey.”
“Tell me about it.” Lucy held up a finger to indicate her mother had finally picked up the phone. “Mom, there’s a woman named Carrie Winters here who’d like to talk to you about running a day care. Can you take a minute? I’ll come back and take over, if you want to come out here where it’s quiet.” She nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll tell her.”
When she’d hung up, she stood. “She told me to bring you back so you can get a firsthand look at the craziness. She’ll spend a little time with you after that.”
“Perfect. Thank you so much.”
Lucy grinned at her. “I predict you’ll either fall in love in the first five minutes or run for your life. Either way, you’ll have some inkling if this is right for you.”
“I sure hope so,” Carrie said, following her through a set of double doors that led into a large play area.
A quick glance around had her smiling. The colors were bright and cheerful from a palette very similar to the one used in Noah’s offices. Tiny tables and chairs were scattered around the room, along with boxes stuffed with toys. There was a chalkboard in an area where a few young children were apparently engrossed in lessons that would give them a head start for the upcoming school year. Some were reading, but others seemed to be getting tutoring from a boy who looked to be high school age. Everyone was finishing up a snack of cheese, crackers and carrot sticks, along with bottled water.
A woman who appeared to be in her early forties disentangled herself from three preschoolers who were begging for another story. “Sit quietly and Lucy will read to you,” she promised. “Go pick out one book each.”
The children scampered away and the woman came over. “I’m Julie Morris,” she said. She nodded toward the younger children. “Lucy, you’ll take over?”
“I’m on it,” Lucy said. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Winters,” she called over her shoulder as she rushed after the kids.
“I know it probably seems chaotic, but it’s an organized chaos,” Julie told her. “Lucy said you’re interested in opening a day care.”
“I’m exploring the possibility,” Carrie said. “I had another career, but it turned out to be a bad fit. Someone suggested that Chesapeake Shores could use a good day-care center.”
“So, out of the blue, you want to snap your fingers and do it?” Julie asked, her expression skeptical.
Carrie winced. It did sound crazy when her plan was described that way. “It’s not quite as impulsive as it sounds. Ever since I got back to town, I’ve been caring for my nephew as a favor to his mom and dad. Other kids in my family are in and out of the house all the time. I love having them underfoot and everyone says I’m very good with them.”
“Running a day care is a lot more difficult than babysitting,” Julie cautioned.
“I know that. I did take a few early childhood education courses in college as electives, but I understand that’s just the tip of the iceberg. That’s one of the reasons I stopped by when I spotted your center as I was driving home just now. I realize there’s a lot I need to learn and I don’t want to do this by half measures if I’m going to do it. If you knew my family, you’d know we might make impulsive decisions, but we do our homework and we do things right. And to hear my grandfather tell it, failure’s not an option.”