Single Dad's Surprise (Wilder Brothers #1)

by Lisa Levine

  I spent the rest of the late afternoon getting settled into my new surroundings. After the movers had finished bringing in all of my things, I took a minute to step outside onto the balcony and take a deep breath. This was my beginning, the way to make a fresh start with something entirely new and to work toward making my goals and dreams happen.

  I started to unpack a box of my things, but then I began to get a little nervous. What if something went wrong and I got fired? It wasn’t like this was a nine-to-five job where I could just go home. This was my home now, and my job was to care for a little girl who despised me. If things went sideways, I wouldn’t have anywhere else to go except for my dad’s, and to be honest, I’d rather die than have to crawl back home and admit that he was right and that I should have stuck with teaching. I needed to calm my nerves before I ended up self-sabotaging my new job. I walked into the ginormous bathroom and ogled the beautiful claw-footed bathtub. That was exactly what I needed right now. I checked my phone and saw that I still had plenty of time before meeting Jake and Poppy for dinner.

  The bathroom shelves were loaded with divine-smelling things, and I wondered if this was stuff that Jake had put here for me or if the guest wing of his house was always filled to the brim with delights. Regardless, I was grateful for it. I pulled a bottle of lavender-scented bubble bath down and poured a handful of it under the running water as I watched the tub fill up with a light-purple liquid. The entire bathroom smelled like the embodiment of relaxation. I dropped my clothes around my ankles and stepped into the tub to sit down with my head resting against the edge. My lungs filled with the sweet-smelling warm air as I let the bubbles cover me and closed my eyes.

  I can do this, I said to myself. I can make this job work, and I can help this little girl in the process. I might even be able to help Jake, although just being around him makes me nervous.

  After my bath, I found the box labeled “clothes” and found an outfit to wear to dinner. I was really hoping that the meals here weren’t formal because my current wardrobe consisted mostly of jeans and cotton joggers. I wouldn’t think a nanny would have a professional dress code, but then again, this wasn’t just any nanny position. This was being a nanny to one of the richest men in California. I pulled a pair of jeans over my hips and realized they were my tightest pair, but it was getting close to six o’clock, and I didn’t want to be late. Then I grabbed a white T-shirt and pulled it over my gray cotton bra and hoped that it wasn’t too thin. I brushed my hair and swept it up into a ponytail since it was still damp and gave my lips a quick coat of gloss. I was a nanny, not a CEO, so I didn’t feel the need to dress any more for the occasion. I did always like to feel cute, though, so I dug out my favorite pair of black ankle boots, which always helped to make me feel a bit more confident than I actually was.

  I tried to remember my way to the dining room, but then I realized that I’d never been there, so I had no idea where it actually was. As I walked down the staircase, I saw Poppy at the bottom of the steps.

  “Hi, Poppy,” I said in my most non-invasive and unintimidating voice.

  She turned around and looked at me with a stare that could cut through glass. Then she turned and ran off in the direction of dinner. At least I knew which way to head once I reached the bottom of the steps. As soon as I stepped into the doorway of the dining room, I saw a long, rectangular table that was laden with a delicious spread of food and drink. Jake stood up when he saw me walk in, and Poppy made a noise like the hissing of a snake.

  “Glad you could join us,” Jake said as he pulled out a chair for me to sit in.

  I walked up to the chair to sit, and he pushed it in as my knees bent. I was kind of wondering who was working for who, but I was sure this was just the “first-night” treatment. He sat at the head of the table while Poppy and I sat on opposite sides of the table beside him.

  “Would you like wine?” he asked as he held a bottle of deep-red wine in his hand.

  “Yes, thank you,” I smiled.

  “I hope it’s poisonous,” Poppy said as she eyed the reddish-purple liquid that was pouring from the bottle into my glass.

  Jake looked over at her with a stern expression and was just about to open his mouth to scold her when the wine overflowed from the glass. Poppy started laughing, and I quickly grabbed a nearby napkin to soak up the spill.

  “Shit!” he said as he knocked over the glass while he tried to set the bottle back down on the table quickly.

  The red wine splattered all over my white shirt, making it look like I was a bystander in a gory horror movie who had stood a little too close to a violent incident. I stood up from the table before more of the wine that was gushing over the table dripped into my lap.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jake said in an anxious tone.

  I could tell he was flustered and embarrassed. It was strange to see such a powerful man be flustered.

  “Don’t be sorry,” Poppy cackled. “She deserved it. It’s poison, and she’s a wicked witch.”

  “Poppy, go to your room!” Jake shouted at her.

  She looked at him with shaking eyes as her little mouth curved down into a frown. Then she got up and ran to her room as fast as her little legs would carry her.

  “Poppy, wait!” he said.

  It was clear that he was overwhelmed and exasperated. I think I was starting to get that way, too.

  Chapter Four (Jake)

  This was a complete disaster. Poppy was upset, and in her room, Annika was drenched in red wine and accused of being a wicked witch, and I was having so much trouble balancing the both of them that my hands were literally shaking.

  “It’s okay,” Annika said as she tugged the cloth napkin gently out of my hand. “Go take care of Poppy; I’ll clean this up.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked. This poor girl was dripping with wine, and her first night here was totally imploding.

  “I’m sure,” she smiled.

  Damn, she was a good sport about all of this.

  I went up to Poppy’s room and found her face-down and crying on her bed.

  “Poppy, we need to talk,” I said as I came in and sat down on the side of her bed. I rubbed her back and tried to calm my frazzled nerves.

  “Why don’t you want to spend time with me anymore?” she cried in a muffled voice into her pillow.

  “What are you talking about?” I asked as I scooped her up and set her down on my lap while she wiped her eyes with her hands. “Of course I want to spend time with you.”

  “Then why did you bring Annika here? I already have a mom; I don’t need another one.”

  “Poppy, Annika is not here to replace your mom. And she’s not here because I’m trying to pawn you off. I always want to spend time with you, and that will never change, sweetheart. But I do need to be able to get my work done, or my company will fail, and if that happens, it will affect all of us—me, you, and your mom.”

  I squeezed her into a big hug.

  “We’re a team, you and me, and nothing will ever change that. I just need a little help to make sure our team stays on track right now. Can you understand that?” I asked.

  Poppy nodded her head against my chest. “Is it because I put glue in all those girls’ hair?”

  I laughed. “Well, having to pick you up at school almost every day because you keep getting into trouble definitely doesn’t make it any easier.”

  “I’m sorry,” she sniffled.

  “It’s okay,” I said. “But I want you to try to give Annika a chance, please. She’s here to help, not make matters worse. Promise me you’ll at least give her a chance.”

  “Okay,” she said reluctantly. “I promise.”

  “Good. Now, how about you come back down to eat because I know you’re still hungry.”

  Poppy wrapped her arms around my neck, and I carried her back down the stairs to the dining room. When we got there, Annika had already left. But she had cleaned up everything and had even covered our plates to keep the food warm. I smiled at h
er thoughtfulness and then felt immediately guilty for ruining her shirt.

  “Poppy, I’m going to go up and invite Annika back down for dinner, okay?”

  She hesitated and stuffed a forkful of pasta into her mouth, but then conceded. “Okay,” she said. “But I want to stay here and eat.”

  “I’ll be right back,” I said as I gave her a kiss on the top of her head.

  I hadn’t thought to knock on the door; it had just been so long since I’d had anyone else in the house beside Poppy and me. I should have knocked. I was ruining everything about this right off the bat. As soon as I had pushed the door open and saw Annika standing topless in her bedroom with the stained wine shirt in her hand, I realized what I had done.

  “Oh my God, I’m sorry!” I said as I quickly turned around to face the other way. “Annika, forgive me, I shouldn’t have barged in. I’m just not used to having anyone in the house.”

  “It’s okay,” she said.

  I heard her rummaging around in one of the boxes.

  “You can turn around now; I’m dressed.”

  I was absolutely mortified. I could feel my face burning red and my heart thumping inside my chest. “I am very sorry,” I said. “I was just coming to invite you back to dinner. “

  “It’s okay, no harm done,” she said.

  Little did she know the harm that had been done. I couldn’t stop thinking about her beautiful body now and was trying desperately not to stare at her with the look of longing that I felt behind my eyes. Dammit, Jake. Stop.

  “I just needed to take off the wet shirt.”

  “Of course,” I said as I saw the destroyed clothing still clenched in her hand. “Please let me take that and have it cleaned for you. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Okay,” she said as she handed me the shirt. “I think I’m going to pass on coming back down to dinner, though, if it’s okay. I just got comfortable, and it’s been a long moving day, so I think I’m going to rest for a bit and go to bed.”

  “Yes, of course,” I said. It was hard to hide the sound of disappointment in my voice. I knew that she wasn’t that tired; she just didn’t want to come back down. I felt terrible about that.

  Her first night in the house had been a comedy of errors. I also didn’t want Poppy to think that Annika was already bailing on her. But I couldn’t force Annika to return to dinner, and I also didn’t blame her one bit for not wanting to.

  I looked at her, standing there in front of me in her comfy gray joggers and a new soft T-shirt that was free from wine stains. She looked as though she just wanted some quiet.

  “Tell Poppy that I said goodnight,” Annika smiled. “And that I can’t wait to see her again tomorrow.”

  It was sweet of her to say. I gave this girl a lot of credit. She had been put through the wringer and was handling it better than most of my rock star clients would be.

  “Annika,” I said, purely because I felt like I had to, or I wouldn’t be able to sleep that night. “If you feel like you need to leave and go home, I can arrange to get your apartment back for you. I never want you to feel like you are trapped here with us.”

  She walked toward me and put a soft hand on the side of my arm. What is she doing? The innocent gesture sent a wave of vibration through my body. “Thank you,” she smiled. “I appreciate that. But I’m good; I just need to get some rest. Tomorrow is Monday, and I’m assuming that’s when you’d like me to start?”

  I hadn’t even thought about that. I had to go to work tomorrow, and I was planning to take Poppy to school and pick her up myself, but if Annika was ready to dive in head-first, then maybe I should let her and see what happens.

  “Yes, sounds good. Have a good night Annika.”

  When I got back to the dinner table, Poppy had almost finished her food. I was striking out all over tonight.

  “Sorry, sweetie,” I said as I sat down next to her.

  “It’s okay,” Poppy pouted. “Can I have ice cream now?”

  “Sure.” I went to the kitchen and scooped two giant scoops of ice cream for her, one in each flavor. When I brought the bowl back out, she happily grabbed it and started to dig in.

  “Where’s Annika?” she asked.

  “I don’t think she’s coming back down to dinner tonight,” I answered.

  “Is it because of me?”

  “No, it’s just been a long day of moving, and she was tired. She told me to tell you that she couldn’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

  “I bet she didn’t really say that,” Poppy said between spoonfuls.

  “Actually, she did.”

  She didn’t have to, but she did.

  After I had tucked Poppy into bed, read her a story, and kissed her forehead. I turned out the light and watched as she closed her eyes in the soft glow of the nightlight.

  Instead of walking straight back down the stairs, I walked toward Annika’s wing of the house. I stopped outside her bedroom door and could see from the light still spilling out from beneath the door, that she was still awake. I lifted my hand to knock, but then thought better of it and went back down the stairs instead.

  As I cleaned up the dinner, I saw Annika’s uneaten plate of food. She had cleaned up the entire mess that I made—a mess that was caused by my daughter’s behavior—and she hadn’t even eaten her own food. I made her a fresh plate and warmed it up. Then I poured her a fresh glass of wine and carried it back up the steps. When I got to her door, I set the plate and the wine glass down outside the door, gave a soft knock, and then went back downstairs. I was about halfway down the hallway to my room when I heard the door open. At least I felt a bit better, knowing that she had gotten dinner.

  The next morning, everyone was up surprisingly early. I had kind of expected that everyone would be hiding in their bedrooms until it was absolutely time to go. But after I had gotten dressed and gone downstairs, I found Annika already in the kitchen, brewing a fresh pot of coffee.

  “Good morning,” she said as I walked in.

  “Good morning.”

  She handed me a cup of coffee and motioned to a breakfast that was already made and on the table.

  “You know that your job is only to be the nanny for Poppy, right? You don’t need to cook for me.”

  “I cooked for all of us,” she answered. “Thanks for the food and wine you brought to my room last night.”

  I was going to apologize again for the entire circus of botched events from the evening before and also thank her for all that she did to clean up and to be so understanding of the situation, but Poppy came bouncing into the kitchen before I had a chance to.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said, all dressed and ready for school. “Yum! You made muffins.”

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” I said as I gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Annika made the muffins.”

  Poppy turned her nose up at them after hearing that Annika had made them, even though I could tell that she really wanted one and was eying the chocolate chips.

  “I’m not hungry this morning,” she said. “Are you ready to leave for school.”

  “Annika is taking you to school this morning,” I said. “I’m going straight into work so that I can try to get caught up.”

  I could see the tantrum that was getting ready to burst behind her eyes and knew that I needed to head it off this time before we were right back in another mess. “Remember that good talk we had last night?” I asked her. “The one about how we’re all on the same team?”

  “Yeah,” Poppy said reluctantly.

  “Good, well this morning, Annika is going to be the part of the team that takes you to school and picks you up, and I will be home right in time for dinner. Okay?”

  My question was more rhetorical because I didn’t even give her a chance to answer. I knew she’d be mad at me, but I also knew that Lucie had been right about this from the beginning. Poppy needed someone else in her life who she could count on besides me. Maybe it would be Annika, who knew? But I needed to at least give it its fair
shot, and for that to happen, Poppy would need to give it a shot, too, which she wouldn’t do without a push.

  “Okay, sweetheart,” I said as I stood up and grabbed my keys from the table. I walked around to her chair and leaned over to give her a big hug. “Have a good day at school and stay out of trouble, please! I’ll see you when I get home. Love you!”

  I heard Poppy start to protest as I headed to the door. With one glance over my shoulder, I saw Annika give me a reassuring look that everything would be fine. I really hoped she was right.

  About halfway down the road to work, I texted her just to see if everything was all right.

  “Hey, things okay over there?”

  A few seconds went by, and in that minimal amount of time, I had somehow concocted inside my head every horrible scenario that could have possibly happened. But then my phone buzzed with a message from Annika.

  “Yep! See you tonight.”

  Chapter Five (Annika)

  I didn’t expect my first day alone with Poppy to be perfect. I honestly didn’t even expect it to be fun or even good. But I had at least expected it not to end in a cataclysmic disaster of epic proportions.

  “Ready for school, Poppy?” I asked.

  “Sure,” she said.

  So far, so good.

  Jake had given me the address for her school, and we had left in plenty of time to make sure she wasn’t late even if I got lost. He had also handed me the keys to one of his cars, with a little sticky note attached to it that said, “silver car.” When Poppy and I went out to the garage, I was floored to see how many cars there were. Poppy seemed to think there was nothing abnormal about a dozen vehicles sitting inside a garage that was as big as a schoolhouse. It took me a minute to find the silver car that went with the keys I had in my hand since there was more than one silver car. When we got into the right one, Poppy slid into the backseat and put on her seatbelt.

  “You could have just clicked the button,” she said. “It would have made the car beep and light up so that you could have found it faster. You’re not very smart, are you?”