“Did you spend Christmas there, too?” Jacey asked.
“Nope, I was in Paris for Christmas. Ooo la la!” Savannah grinned at her, noticing Declan’s attention from the corner of her eye.
Declan watched his daughter’s eyes light up.
“So you travel a lot?” Jacey asked.
“Wherever my clients are going. This was my first visit to Yosemite, however,” Savannah said.
Jacey looked at her dad. “I like that we came here,” she said, almost shyly.
Savannah felt a thrill of delight when Declan smiled broadly at his daughter. Maybe his plan would work better than he thought.
* * *
Savannah and Jacey met Ada at the spa promptly at ten. They were given a brief brochure describing the different stations offered, from massage to hairstyling, manicures, facials, makeovers and full-body wraps. There was even a gym where they could use any of the exercise machines. They selected similar treatments, from the facials and makeovers to the manicures. Those could be done at the same time so they could visit as they were pampered. The massages were individual and they chose those first, planning to meet for their manicures, break for lunch and then have the facials and makeovers.
Savannah enjoyed spa services whenever she could. She loved the boneless way she felt during and after a massage. She took a warm soak in the hot tub after the massage thinking of her evening with Declan. In fact, her thoughts centered more and more on Declan. She enjoyed their time together, talking, learning more about each other and where they were now. It seemed as if they’d come to an unspoken truce and she liked that. Breakfast had been almost as enjoyable as his kiss last night.
Uh-oh, she’d best not dwell on that. It only caused more craving, more yearning for what would never be.
A short time later, she dressed in the robe the hotel furnished and went to have her manicure. Ada was there, Jacey not yet.
“This is a wonderful treat for Jacey,” Savannah told the older woman. “It’s wonderful for me, too. Thank you!”
“My pleasure. I think it’s so delightful. I admit I indulge myself a couple of times a month.”
“If I worked here, I’d probably do it once a week,” Savannah said. She was shown to an elevated chair with a foot rest and swing table. Ada sat next to her just as Jacey bounded in.
“Did you like it?” Savannah asked with a smile. The girl’s energy was amazing.
“Wow, it’s totally awesome! I never knew.” She hopped up on the chair next to Ada. “I’m having a blast. Thanks, Ada. Wait until I tell my mom. I don’t think she’s ever been to a spa. She’d love it.”
“You must invite her here,” Ada said.
“I can’t, we live in New York. But I bet there’re spas there.”
“Of course. Maybe the two of you could have a day together like this,” Ada suggested.
“Awesome!”
They chatted while they were having their toenails and fingernails buffed, shaped and polished. When Jacey learned small designs could be painted on her fingernails she insisted on daisies.
“What a great idea,” Ada said. “How about we all have one finger with a daisy to commemorate our day together?”
“Yes,” Jacey said. “Sounds fun. Wait until my dad sees.”
Huge step, Savannah thought.
“Did you go to a spa in London?” Jacey asked.
“No time,” Savannah said.
“When were you in London?” Ada asked.
“New Year’s,” Jacey answered before Savannah could say a word. “She travels a lot.”
“Sounds like such an exciting job. Getting to see the world.”
“I specialized in adolescent behavior and education. But I can watch any age group. It was my way to earn a living and get to see the world.”
“My, how interesting. How did you come to do that?” Ada asked.
“My sister and I don’t come from a very wealthy background, so we tried to figure out what we could do to earn enough to live on and still see the world. Our service is unique and highly sought after, I’m proud to say. My sister and I own the agency and have a dozen other nannies working for us.”
“I love seeing women own their own business,” Ada said. “Of course, in my generation it wasn’t as common, but now I believe woman can do almost anything they wish with a little imagination, hard work and commitment.”
“Me, too,” Savannah said.
“Don’t you get attached to the kids and miss them when you get home?” Jacey asked.
“Most of the time. But I try to remember I’m part of their vacation experience, so I want them to have the best time and go home with happy memories. And for some families, I’m requested each year for vacation so I get to see the kids again as they’re growing up.”
“Have you been doing this long?”
“Almost seven years now. My sister and I have been all over. She’s in Spain right now.”
“So you’ll be gone all summer?” Jacey asked.
Savannah smiled and nodded.
They ate a lovely lunch beside the pool. The day was warm and sunny though there were few swimming. They still had time after eating before returning to the spa. A group of teens were sitting at one table, laughing and talking. Jacey glanced over once or twice. Ada noticed. “Want an introduction?” she asked.
Jacey shook her head quickly. “No, we’re only here a couple of days.”
“There’s a film showing tonight. You could go to that. Let me introduce Melissa to you. I know her parents well.”
Savannah watched as Ada took Jacey over to the group and made introductions. The teens quickly moved to include her in their group, and before long Jacey was sitting with them and Ada returned.
“I hope that’s all right. Did you want her to stay with us?” she asked as she sat down.
“I’m happy as long as she is. In fact, it might be a good thing for her to be around normal teens. I don’t know if you noticed, but black is her favorite color at the moment, and she’s far too young to pull it off.”
“I know, but it’s a stage. I’m sure you are aware of that,” Ada said.
The afternoon passed swiftly with more luxury treatment. When they met at the entrance at the end of their session, Savannah smiled broadly when she saw Jacey. Her hair had been treated and looked normal, soft and pretty, with highlights and a glossy sheen. It was shades lighter, almost brown with a hint of copper.
The light makeup was suitable to her age and enhanced her eyes.
“Wow, you look terrific. Wait until your dad sees you,” Savannah said with enthusiasm.
“Oh, we have to buy at least one new outfit to go with our new looks,” Ada said. “You do look lovely, Jacey. Come on, let’s visit the boutique near the lobby. I have just the outfit for you in mind.”
Some time later Savannah and Jacey entered the suite. Jacey looked disappointed when she didn’t see her father waiting. “Oh, I thought he’d be here.”
“He’s meeting with the resort managers. He’ll be along for dinner.”
Jacey licked her lips and looked at herself in one of the large mirrors on the wall. “It’s kind of hard to believe this is really me.”
“Why? You’r
e pretty. Now, with the extra added enhancement from the spa, your true beauty shows.”
Jacey stared at the mirror. “I am sort of pretty, aren’t I?”
Savannah came to stand beside her, studying her reflection. “Jacey, girl, you are very pretty, not sort of. And I bet you’ll have those teenage boys tonight shoving each other to sit by you.”
Jacey giggled. She looked at Savannah. “I guess you and Dad’ll have the evening to yourselves.”
“I guess we will,” Savannah said neutrally, while her heart rate kicked up a notch. Would Declan want to spend the evening with her?
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” Jacey said audaciously.
Savannah laughed and turned away, already thinking about what she’d like to do with Declan—if this had been a true romantic relationship. If it had been seven years ago and he hadn’t left her.
* * *
Declan finished the negotiations and rose to shake hands all around. The final touches would be handled by the attorneys, but it looked as if the deal had been hammered out to the satisfaction of both parties. If this worked, he’d look into offering boutique shops in other resorts. An entirely new facet to Murdock Sports, Inc.
He walked into the suite a short time later and stopped when he saw his daughter.
“Hi, Daddy,” Jacey said, jumping up from the sofa where she’d been sitting with Savannah.
“Jacey?” he asked, taking in her glossy brown hair, the pretty girl he remembered from before. The sherbet-pink dress was perfect for a young teenager. What miracle had happened? Where was the sullen girl dressed in black with the look of a zombie?
She giggled and nodded. “Didn’t you recognize me?”
“I almost didn’t. You look fantastic.”
Jacey exchanged a smile with Savannah, who winked.
Declan walked over and then walked around his daughter, noting that the hair color was almost her natural shade. The makeup was so subtle she had that freshly scrubbed girl-next-door look. And the dress—he thought it perfect on his daughter.
“Ada thought this was a perfect dress for me and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“It is perfect. You are now grounded to your room until you are twenty-five,” Declan said, teasing.
For a second Jacey didn’t get it, then she giggled again.
“That’ll have to wait,” Savannah said. “Jacey’s been invited to join some other young people tonight for dinner and the movie the resort is showing.”
“Do I know them?”
“No, but Ada does and she vouches for them,” Jacey said. “I can go, can’t I?”
Declan gave Savannah a questioning look.
“I see no reason why not,” Savannah said. “If Ada Montgomery knows them and vouches for them, how could there be a problem?”
“Okay, then.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” Jacey hugged him and then did a little dance. “I’m to meet them in just a few minutes. I didn’t think you’d get back in time.”
“Then Savannah could have given permission,” he said. He looked again at Savannah. She was wearing a dress he hadn’t seen before. The mint-green dress fitted her perfectly, displaying her feminine figure to advantage. He studied her for a minute. “So this means you and I have dinner alone.”
She nodded, her expression a bit wary.
The spark that arced between them had Declan wishing for more than dinner. Not that anything like that would happen while his daughter was around. But they wouldn’t always be here in California. Once they returned to New York, Declan had plans to get in touch with Savannah—and not with business in mind. There were many years to catch up on, and a woman’s mind to change. If he could.
He’d had a lot of time to think last night, since sleep had proved impossible. He’d made a mistake. A monumental one, granted. But if she was the woman he knew her to be, he hoped he could talk her into forgiveness, into forgetting. Into seeing what they could build together.
Jacey left in high spirits, and shortly thereafter Declan and Savannah went to one of the dining rooms that also had dancing. They were early. Service was prompt. In no time they had a window seat that gave way to the expanse of forest and distant mountains. It was growing dark and before the meal ended, they’d only have the lighting on the grounds to illuminate the view.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Savannah said. “I love the feeling of open space, of seeing land where no one has ever walked.”
“You think no one has walked the land? We saw a lot of people on the trail. And even more here,” Declan said. “What about the early explorers or before them the indigenous people?”
She waved her hand. “There’s so much. Sure some of it has been crossed, but I bet there are miles and miles of untouched land, seen only from a distance.”
“Do you want to be the first?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No thanks. I like looking at it, walking the trail like we did, but I don’t need to be on that pristine land. It’s just amazing to think about it, that’s all. You have to admit there is not a square inch in Manhattan that hasn’t been touched.”
“True.” She was a romantic. He remembered that from before.
“There’s dancing later. I thought we could stay and enjoy that,” Declan said as they waited for their meal. A lot would depend on her answer.
She hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Sounds like fun,” she said, but her eyes didn’t meet his.
He looked at her and caught one hand, his thumb rubbing softly over the back.
She looked at him then.
“I want you to enjoy the evening,” he said slowly.
She nodded. “Thank you for asking. I love to dance. And I don’t often get a chance, unless it’s dancing around the nursery with a little kid in my arms.”
Declan felt the attraction grow stronger. He had not expected this when he hired her.
“Tell me about Jacey’s amazing transformation. I had hoped by summer’s end, maybe, but she looks like her old self. How did you do it?” he asked.
“I wish I could claim credit, but it’s all Ada. Jacey really admires the woman and hung on her every word today. Compliments made her happy, and they make her see herself in a different light.”
“I don’t want her to change back into the sullen teenager who showed up for the summer,” he said.
“She’s smart, Declan. I think it was a stage and now if things go well, she’ll be happy with herself and not want to make such a shocking declaration. Especially if she gets involved in the activities the resort has for teenagers.”
“I hope so.”
“So how are the negotiations going?” she asked.
“Finished most of the details today. It looks good. I’ll try it for a few months and if it continues to look profitable, I will think about a new branch to the company.”
Savannah nodded, pleased for him, but not so happy to hear the negotiations were finalized. There really would be no reason for her to remain. He could spend time with his daughter. After almost not taking the assignment, now she didn’t want to cut it short.
Looking down at her plate, she hoped the sudden realization didn’t show. She couldn’t help remembering how o
nce she’d foolishly thought they might get married, have a family.
She wanted children. She wanted to tell them the old family stories her grandmother had told her. She wanted to see how their eyes would light up when they learned new things. Seeing the world through the eyes of a child was always so special. She wanted her own children to be enchanted with everything the world had to offer. And she wanted to be there to see it.
A little boy with Declan’s eyes or unruly hair. Another girl to give him fits when she started dating.
“You’ve gone very quiet,” he said.
She looked up and smiled, hoping he couldn’t read anything into her expression. “Just trying to remember if I’ve ever had the rainbow trout before. It’s quite delicious.”
He accepted her explanation easily and the conversation veered into food they enjoyed. Many dishes she remembered from before. Now it seemed he’d also developed a taste for sushi.
When the small band stepped into place, Declan and Savannah had long since finished their meal and moved to the bar where they had after-dinner brandy and coffee. The music was familiar and both seemed glad to take to the dance floor for the first song. From faster songs to slower ones, Declan insisted they dance the night away. Savannah had a grand time. She truly loved to move her body in rhythm with the music. And an attentive dance partner made it all the more enticing.
Her favorites, however, were the slow songs when Declan drew her into his embrace and moved with the music. She encircled his neck with her arms, pressing against him, delighting in the feel of his strong muscles against her. She could spend every night like this. Knowing the trip would wind down soon, however, she savored the moments.
She wished she could spend every night with Declan.
They stayed until after midnight then walked to the suite hand in hand.
The Nanny Who Kissed Her Boss Page 12
