The Nanny Who Kissed Her Boss

by McMahon, Barbara

  She shrugged. “Big whoop. I can see animals in the zoo.”

  “I hope we see them. I can go to the zoo, too, but would love to see some in the wild,” Savannah said. “What’s your favorite animal?”

  The rest of the meal passed pleasantly with Savannah doing her best to draw Jacey out, and Declan paying close attention to all Jacey said. Gradually the conversation grew broader. He told her about his favorite tourist attraction in San Francisco, what he hoped to see while hiking. And how she and Savannah could help evaluate the products he was testing.

  “I want the tent to be easy enough for novice hikers as well as suitable for seasoned backpackers,” he said.

  Jacey listened but didn’t say anything. Savannah thought she saw a spark of interest when Declan talked about evaluations, but she wasn’t sure. Something had to interest this child.

  When they were finished, Declan called a cab to return to the hotel. As the three of them rode silently up in the elevator, Savannah wondered if she was helping in any way. The two didn’t seem a bit closer than they had been when she’d first met Jacey. And the tension in the elevator car was thick enough to cut with a knife. She still had another day or two to decide whether to stay the course or to return to New York when they headed for the hiking trail. If she had to decide right now, Savannah would opt for home.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The next morning Savannah woke early. Jacey was still sleeping, so she kept as quiet as possible while she dressed. It was awful to feel this way, but she didn’t want to confront the teen any earlier than she had to. This was not going to be the dream assignment she always hoped for.

  Slipping into the lounge once dressed, she was surprised to find Declan fully dressed, an empty plate beside him, sipping coffee as he studied his laptop. For a moment she wanted to turn and slide back into the bedroom.

  He looked up before she could do so. “Good morning. Sleep well?”

  “Yes. I’m still on New York time I guess.”

  “Me, too. I’ve already eaten. Call room service and order breakfast. I’m catching up on some work. Tomorrow we head for the mountains and I’ll be out of touch for a while.” He studied her for a moment, then looked back at the computer.

  “Actually, I thought I’d take a quick walk around Union Square before the day fully starts. By the time I get back, Jacey might be up and we can eat together.” She headed for the door, anxious to escape.

  “Sure.” He leaned back in the chair and looked at her. “Sorry she was such a brat last night.”

  Savannah shrugged. “I’ve handled worse. Teen years are hard.”

  “Yet that’s your age specialty, so I was told.”

  “It is. They are hard sometimes, but other times, I see amazing transformations and that makes it all worthwhile. Plus I remember being a teenager and all the angst that goes with it. Especially if one is out of step with others in her peer group. I took several courses on adolescent behavior. Wow, that was an eye-opener. I could have applied what I learned to my own life. So I figure I’m a good advocate for them.”

  “As I remember, you came from a small town in West Virginia.”

  She nodded, remembering all the things they’d shared. “Palmerville. How did you remember that?”

  He looked at her directly. “I never forgot one thing about you, Savannah. I remember your goal was to make enough money to live well. It looks as if you succeeded at that.”

  She nodded. “We’ve done what we set out to do. My sister and I have all we wanted. Our company’s growing, both in reputation and in the number of nannies who now work for us. The apartment we have isn’t in the best of neighborhoods, but since we’re rarely home more than a couple of days at a time, it suits us.”

  “Do you really travel that much?”

  “Spring, summer and holidays, yes, I’m gone most of the time. But I love it. I’ve been on every continent except Antarctica. I’ve been to carnival in Rio, seen the Pope’s blessing in Rome, visited Uluru in Australia. What’s not to like?”

  He nodded. “Margo should try something like that. It might assuage her desire for expensive life experiences.”

  She didn’t want to discuss his wife. Or even to remember he’d chosen Margo over her when she’d been so very much in love with him. And had thought for a few glorious months that he’d loved her.

  “I need to go,” she said, opening the door.

  “The store opens at ten. I have nothing planned before then, so I’ll be here when Jacey wakes,” he said.

  Out into the hall, she felt as if she’d already gone for a run. Being around Declan was not getting easier, she thought, gulping air. He remembered everything about me.

  Truth to tell, she remembered every minute they’d spent together. The walks around Central Park, watching skaters at Rockefeller Center at Christmas, even helping out when he had that bad case of strep throat. Tears filled her eyes and angrily she dashed them away. Tough times, but gone. Head held high, she walked to the elevator.

  Savannah loved San Francisco. She’d visited each September for the past three years with the Thompson family and their children, Sean and Irene. The children loved riding on the cable cars, exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and the Exploratorium. They were still at a fun age. This year they’d be ten and eleven. Approaching the dreaded teen years, but still young enough not to have attitudes that sometimes drove her crazy.

  She stepped out of the hotel and headed for Union Square. There was a crispness in the air due to the marine fog. San Francisco wasn’t exactly a hot spot in summer as the marine fog kept the temperatures cooler than New York. But it felt good today. The park was tiny compared to Central Park, but it offered a spot of green surrounded by high-rises. The breeze was cool. Setting off briskly, Savannah almost did a quick dance step. It was a beautiful day and she was in her favorite city.

  When she returned to their suite thirty minutes later, Jacey was sitting on a chair, one leg slung over the arm, reading a book. Declan was still at his computer. The teen looked up when Savannah entered.

  “I’m starved. Dad said I had to wait for you to eat.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have told you I have my cell. You could have called to let me know you were up. Maybe tomorrow if you’re still sleeping I’ll wake you up. You could have come with me, it’s gorgeous out.”

  “Dad says we’ll walk to the store from here. I’m hungry.”

  “Be good exercise and preparation for the trail,” Declan said with a smile for his daughter.

  “I still don’t want to go,” Jacey said.

  Savannah didn’t feel she was any closer to getting to know Jacey than when they’d started. The hours were ticking down to decision time. Did she plan to extend her stay, or leave to return home when Declan and his daughter left for the backpacking trek?

  * * *

  When they entered the Murdock Sports store shortly after ten, Savannah compared it to the one she’d visited in Manhattan. This one was larger. The staff was young and friendly. Each sales clerk she saw looked as if he or she had just come in from running or biking or surfing. A healthy glow and trim body epitomized each one.

  Declan introduced Jacey and Savannah to the manager, who in turn called one of her most kno
wledgeable staff members to assist. When Declan went back to the office with the manager, Savannah and Jacey went with their guide to search for their supplies and clothes.

  As Savannah had suspected, there was very little in black.

  Savannah quickly picked out several shirts and cargo pants to try on. She waited as Jacey listlessly pushed the hangers along or looked through the shirts folded on shelves.

  “Don’t see anything you like?” she asked after a few minutes.

  “I don’t know why I have to do this. I’d rather be in New York with Mom.”

  “What would you be doing there?” Savannah asked. “I thought your mother worked.”

  “She does. I’d watch TV until she gets home.”

  “And then?”

  She shrugged. “Hang out, I guess.”

  “Instead, now you have the opportunity to see an amazing national park, with views I hear are spectacular. A entire week to be out in the fresh air and sunshine and do something rather than sit around.”

  Jacey looked at her, eyes narrowed. “Are you a PE teacher?”

  Savannah laughed. “Hardly. But you’re young. Don’t you like to keep your body moving? I’m excited about the trip—to see the scenery I’ve only heard about.”

  Jacey looked at her a moment, then looked back at the shirts. She picked up a navy one, the closest thing to black on the shelf. “I guess I’ll take this one.”

  “We’re not going to be able to wash clothes where we’re going so if they get sweaty or dirty, you don’t want to wear one more than a day. You need a week’s worth,” Savannah said.

  Grumbling, Jacey picked out another couple of colors and bought two shirts in each color. The sales clerk would earn her salary for today, Savannah thought, as she almost pushed Jacey into getting all the clothes she needed. A hint of enthusiasm or gratitude wouldn’t go amiss.

  Declan joined them when almost everything had been tried on and decided upon. He went to Jacey and rested his arm across her shoulders. She seemed surprised by the gesture but didn’t shake him off.

  “How are you doing?”

  “I picked out what I want. Savannah said there won’t be any washing machines, so I got enough for every day.”

  She held out the stack of shirts in her hands in navy, pink, yellow and minty green. Savannah didn’t say a word, but the look she shared with Declan behind Jacey’s back signaled progress with colors.

  When they went to the register, Savannah took her clothes to a different clerk from the one Declan stopped at.

  “I’ll buy those,” he called over.

  “I’ll buy my own clothes, thank you,” she said, pulling out her credit card. This was strictly business and she wasn’t going to confuse the issue no matter what Declan thought. Even back when they’d been a couple she had paid her way many times. She never wanted to be totally dependent on anyone.

  In the cab back to the hotel, Jacey asked Savannah why she hadn’t let her dad buy her clothes.

  “First, it’s inappropriate. Second, I told you, I’m capable of supporting myself, I don’t need anyone else helping me.”

  “He’s paying you to babysit me, why not let him pay for the clothes you need for that job?”

  Savannah wanted to ask if her mother took stuff, but that would be too personal. “He’s paying me to do my job,” she said. “I pay my own way when it comes to everything else.”

  “So you’re really not looking for my dad to be your meal ticket,” Jacey asked, confused.

  Savannah laughed. If she only knew. “Nope.”

  Obviously the idea was new to Declan’s daughter.

  Savannah wondered what life lessons she was learning from her mother. Maybe Declan should explore obtaining custody of her during her impressionable teen years.

  When they’d sent their new clothes into the hotel laundry, with a guarantee they’d be ready the next morning, Declan asked Jacey what she wanted to do for the rest of the day.

  “Whatever.”

  “So maybe we could look at the maps again to see where we’re going, talk about the trek?” he suggested.

  “Boring,” Jacey said. “Can we go ride the cable cars?”

  “I thought you didn’t want to go sightseeing?” Declan said.

  “Better than staying here and looking at maps,” she said.

  “How about you?” he asked Savannah.

  “I’ve a few things to do. You two don’t need me for that. Go, have fun.”

  He raised an eyebrow in surprise. What could she have to do? Not go with him, that was obvious. He wondered what it would be like if she weren’t here almost under duress. If she still enjoyed time spent with him.

  Of course, any fantasies he entertained surrounding Savannah would not include a fourteen-year-old daughter tagging along.

  Not that he needed to be having any fantasies right now. He was here for Jacey. He still couldn’t believe Savannah had gone along with his job offer. Sometimes—like once or twice a minute—he wished he could turn back the clock. Make a different choice seven years ago.

  “Then let’s go ride a San Francisco landmark,” he said. With enough distractions, he could forget about his growing awareness of his daughter’s nanny.

  “Why do I have to go if the babysitter doesn’t?” Jacey asked.

  “Savannah is entitled to some time off. It’ll just be you and me.”

  The rest of the day proved to be the most fun Declan had had with his daughter in a long time. By the time their cable car reached Fisherman’s Wharf, Jacey had seemed to forget her surly teenage persona and thrown herself into the ride. The wind blew from the Bay as they walked to Pier 39 and all the shops and restaurants there. For a few moments, he caught a glimpse of his little girl. She laughed once at two little girls holding on to their carousel horses and waving at their parents from the carousel.

  They stepped into the chocolate store and browsed the endless array of chocolates. A short time later, strolling along eating delicious chocolate truffles, Declan almost recaptured those first years with the child he hadn’t known about. She’d been adorable at seven when they’d first met. And even until last year, he’d thought they had a special bond.

  Jacey was especially enthralled with the sea lions that had appropriated several docks. When hoarse barking drew them along the pier, she laughed aloud at the fat animals. Declan thought he could have stayed there forever, watching his daughter make faces at the sea creatures, hearing her laugh, enjoying the perfect weather.

  They ate fish and chips for an early dinner, strolled back along the wharf, watching those who were flying kites in the brisk afternoon breeze. The elaborate structures swerved, dipped and soared on the constant sea breeze.

  Riding the cable car back to downtown, Jacey stood on the running board, holding on to one of the poles. She’d lean back and let the wind blow through her hair and Declan feared she’d fall off. But her enjoyment kept his mouth shut with cautions.

  Still, he was glad when they reached their hotel suite safe and sound.

  “I’m going to call Mom,” Jacey said heading to the bedroom.

  Declan went to sit on the sofa, leaning aback against the cushions. Savannah wasn’t here. What had she to do
in San Francisco? Did she have friends here? A special someone?

  He frowned, not liking that thought. Since Margo, he’d been very wary of getting involved with anyone. Business gave him plenty to do and, until the past few months, he had tried to see Jacey as much as possible.

  Still, being around Savannah, seeing her reserve after remembering the carefree, loving woman he’d known before, hurt. He knew he was the reason for that wariness and he hated himself for causing such a change.

  And for thinking he was doing right at the time to try to make a family for his daughter. The two years he and Margo had been together that time had probably been almost worse for Jacey than if he’d been a weekend dad. He hated that, and in the end that was what he’d ended up being.

  It was growing dark when Savannah let herself into the suite. Jacey was watching television and Declan was again at the computer. He looked up, relieved to see her. He hadn’t been worried, precisely. But had wondered all evening where she was.

  “Have a nice time?” he asked.

  Jacey looked at her.

  “Where did you go?”

  He wanted to hug her for asking the question that was at the forefront of his mind.

  “Sightseeing. Then I had dinner at a fabulous Chinese restaurant. Did you enjoy the cable-car ride?”

  Jacey nodded. “I got to stand on the platform. It was cool.”

  Declan wanted to know where Savannah had been. Had she been with someone she knew, or had she gone sightseeing alone? He looked back at his computer. He regretted no longer having the right to ask.

  “The laundry sent back our clothes,” Jacey said. “Dad showed me how to pack the backpack. Want me to help you?”

  Savannah hid her surprise and nodded. “Sure.”

  The two of them headed for the room they shared. Declan watched as his daughter displayed more energy than she had the entire time she’d been staying with him. He hoped she’d continue going back to being the lively, happy child he so longed for.