Leave Well Enough Alone

Working as a mother's helper to a wealthy family that's surrounded by lavish houses and beautiful swimming pools is about as far from her working-class neighborhood in New York as Dorothy can get. But something is not quite right in the Hoades' house. They are hiding something-or someone-in the cottage behind the house. And when curiosity gets the better of her, Dorothy stumbles upon their secret-a secret that could cost her her future.It's going to be a brilliant summer for Dorothy--but suddenly, the sun hides behind the clouds and a secret she couldn't have imagined appears . . .While on a class trip to a museum, fourteen-year-old Dorothy Coughlin can't believe her luck: She practically falls into a summer job as a nanny for a wealthy family in Pennsylvania, in the biggest house she has ever seen. It doesn't even matter that she's not experienced with children, or that the family is a little strange. She'll be paid $400 for the summer--money she can use for college. But her employer, Mrs. Hoade, is awkward and anxious. Is she hiding something? Sweet and harmless Mr. Hoade, on the other hand--with his movie-star looks--has a strange personality. And when Dorothy discovers the secret one of the Hoades is hiding in the guest cottage, everything changes. This summer could change the course of her life, that is, if she survives! It’s going to be a brilliant summer for Dorothy—but suddenly, the sun hides behind the clouds and a secret she couldn’t have imagined appears . . . While on a class trip to a museum, fourteen-year-old Dorothy Coughlin can’t believe her luck: She practically falls into a summer job as a nanny for a wealthy family in Pennsylvania, in the biggest house she has ever seen. It doesn’t even matter that she’s not experienced with children, or that the family is a little strange. She’ll be paid $400 for the summer—money she can use for college. But her employer, Mrs. Hoade, is awkward and anxious. Is she hiding something? Sweet and harmless Mr. Hoade, on the other hand—with his movie-star looks—has a strange personality. And when Dorothy discovers the secret one of the Hoades is hiding in the guest cottage, everything changes. This summer could change the course of her life, that is, if she survives! This ebook features an illustrated biography of Rosemary Wells including rare images from the author’s collection. In 1956, Fourteen-year-old Dorothy, A Sheltered Catholic Girl From A Lower Middle Class Background, Finds Her Summer Job With A Wealthy But Troubled Family In The Pennsylvania Countryside A Great Strain On Her Resourcefulness And Maturity. For fear of appearing terribly stupid, Dorothy had not asked Mrs. Hoade any questions about the directions.