by Elsie Davis
“I think the question is, what are you doing here?” Garrett countered her questions with one of his own.
“You notified me of your arrival time, and I figured I could turn on some lights and chill some wine to make sure you had a nice welcome home. I know it’s been a stressful trip for you based on our conversations.” If they’d talked when he was in Hallbrook, it meant they were probably close. Or more than close, considering Brooke had a key to his place.
“I also told you I didn’t need anything.” Garrett didn’t like not having his orders followed, something April filed away for future reference when dealing with the man.
“But it’s my job to take care of you. Who are these people?” The woman gestured toward them, her gaze stopping on April.
“This is April St. James. She’s here as a temporary nanny to my new charges. This is Bryan, Melanie, and Sandy Williams. And Rufus is their dog. Sorry about the rude introduction to the beast. He gets rambunctious around newcomers,” Garrett added by way of explanation.
“What do you mean new charges?” The woman’s voice had taken on a sharper quality. Not much, but enough for April to notice.
“Exactly what it sounds like.” He shrugged.
“And they are all going to be living here? Including the nanny?” April could hear the jealousy in her voice. The woman was familiar with Garrett’s apartment and clearly assumed she had a right to be here. Of course, a man of Garrett’s power and wealth would have a woman waiting for him back in the city. It was a good thing she’d ignored the attraction she felt around him. Knowing he was taken would be the incentive she needed to keep any developing feelings under lock and key.
“April is staying until she can find a replacement nanny and housekeeper.”
“I see.” The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, leaving April to wonder exactly what she saw. She’d be wrong if she was worried about anything between her and Garrett.
“April, kids, this is my secretary, Brooke Taylor.” The secretary sent them a dismissive glance before returning her focus on Garrett. His secretary. How stereotypical to be in a relationship with one’s secretary.
“I should be going. My blouse is ruined, and I need to change it. I will see you in the office first thing in the morning, Garrett. It’s great to have you home.” She started toward the door, stopping as an afterthought. “It’s nice to meet you…everyone.” There wasn’t an ounce of welcome in her voice.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” Brooke didn’t need to worry. April wasn’t feeling the sentiment either. As soon as the door closed, April let Rufus out of the bedroom. The sound of him jumping against the door made her shudder to think of the damage he was doing with his huge paws scratching against the wood.
Rufus bounded into the living room and jumped on the white leather sofa.
“Rufus, down,” Garrett shouted. The veins on his forehead were popping out, his anger barely controlled. The dog laid his head down on his front paws and looked up at him with huge, almost puppylike eyes, as if trying to figure out the problem.
“No dogs on the couch,” Garrett commanded firmly, pulling the dog by the collar to make him move. “I can see we’re going to need rules.”
Easy for Garrett to say, he’d be gone all day. He could make as many rules as he wanted, and she’d do her best to keep them, but this place wasn’t fit for child or beast, the beast being Rufus.
* * *
Garrett wasn’t pleased to discover Brooke in his home but dealing with the dog was worse. He drew in a deep breath and resisted the urge to inspect the sofa for damage. Fine Italian leather wasn’t meant to be clawed.
“Listen up, kids. I know this is all new, but can we try to respect that it’s my home. That means no food in the living room, no feet on the coffee table or sofa, no dog on the sofa, and keep your things picked up and in your room. Are we clear?”
Bryan shrugged. “I guess. What’s there to do here anyway? Where’s the fun?”
“I’ll see what I can do next weekend, but for now, I’ve got to work the rest of the week to catch up. You can watch movies or play on your tablets. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” He was never a fan of games or clutter, so he was ill-prepared for the sudden change in his life that warranted kid stuff. Maybe Jim’s wife could help him pick out some things. Until then, he just wanted things left the way they were. “I’m sure April can find something for you to do.” That’s why he’d hired her, after all. To keep the kids out of trouble and from destroying his place.
“He’s right. I’ll find something for us to do, and we’ll make our own fun. Don’t worry, Garrett, I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”
He shot her a look of gratitude before heading for the front door to start sorting the pile of luggage that needed distribution. “April, if you start a movie for them, we can put away their things and get them settled in. I take it you brought some for them?”
“I did.” She nodded. “I’ll take care of it. The large lime-green bag is mine. If you just drop it off in my room, I’ll take care of it later.”
They spent the next hour distributing and unpacking, setting up the kids in their rooms and the dog in Bryan’s room.
Melanie looked up when Garrett entered the living room. “I’m hungry.”
“Me, too.” Bryan chimed in.
“I know there’s nothing you all would want to eat in my kitchen. Why don’t I order a famous New York Sicilian pizza for everyone?” Delivery would be the easiest way to feed this crowd. He noticed April had already fed the dog, which worked well for him considering he wouldn’t have a clue what to buy or where to get it. Of course, she had the insight to bring food with her. April’s efficiency ranked right up there with the best.
“Yay!” the kids cheered in unison.
“I want pepperoni and mushroom,” Bryan added.
“I want ham and pineapple,” Melanie put in her own order. Of course, the two were completely different.
“Grams always ordered what you wanted. I think it’s time to order what I want,” Bryan insisted.
“That’s because she liked it my way, and so does Sandy.”
“Girls,” Bryan huffed. “It’s not fair.”
Garret pressed his fingertips to his temples and rubbed.
April entered the room. “Kids, calm down. There’s no reason that we can’t order two.”.”
They looked at Garrett for confirmation. “Two it is.” He’d order ten if it quieted the children and restored peace to his home. Sandy crawled up in his lap and smiled, to which there was only one thing he could do—smile back. She was too cute not to.
By the time they finished the movie and the pizza, the kids were more than ready for bed. Garrett picked up the mess while April put them to bed, glad she took Rufus with her. He was looking forward to spending a few quiet minutes talking to April before they retired for the evening. Time alone was something they hadn’t had yet.
He looked up as she entered the kitchen.
“The kids are in bed.” She yawned.
“Care for a glass of wine?” he offered.
April gazed at him as if lost in thought for a moment before she replied. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day trying to adjust and to figure out how to keep the kids busy. I think I’ll pass and turn in for the night. Good evening.”
“Goodnight.” A sense of disappointment washed over him as he watched her walk away. He wanted to spend time with her, but she clearly didn’t feel the same way.
Chapter Eight
April rolled over and yawned, glancing at her watch. Seven-thirty. Way later than her normal early-riser routine. By the time she’d gotten the kids settled last night, she’d been exhausted and had crawled into Garrett’s bed and fallen asleep, not even bothering to unpack her own belongings.
She glanced around the room, taking in the crisp and clean lines that carried throughout the entire penthouse suite. A black lacquer dresser extended at least eight feet, the silver handles plain and bl
ocky. The nightstand matched the dresser, with only a glass lamp on it as a decoration. The bed frame matched the entire suite, but the mattress was not at all what she’d expected.
It was like heaven on earth, the padding deep and cool as it molded around her body. The down comforter was white, of course, but more importantly, it was fluffy and soft, the fibers silk against her skin. There was no incentive to leave the plush comfort of his bed this morning, other than the fact she had a job to do.
April slid out from under the covers reluctantly. She wasn’t sure what time Garrett left in the morning, but she did want to send him off to work with a fresh cup of coffee. His appreciation of her coffee-brewing skills was nice, and not something she was used to from people.
Last night, she’d wanted to stay and talk with him, but it was for the best she hadn’t. She wasn’t the type of woman to poach another woman’s territory, and Brooke was exactly the type of woman Garrett would want and need. She was businesslike and efficient, always tidy and neatly dressed, all the things April wasn’t. By choice.
She would be fine with her decision if it weren’t for the look of disappointment on his face when she left. A look she was still wondering about.
She slipped on her robe to cover the kitty-cat pajamas he’d teased her about. Once was enough. April headed down the hall, glancing at the sofa in the living room. There was no sign of Garrett or any bed linens or pillows to indicate he’d even slept there.
Her gaze landed on the note propped up against a book. She crossed the room to pick it up and noticed it was addressed to her.
Gone to work. Ted is delivering some grocery staples at eight-thirty a.m. so you and the kids will have something to eat. If you need anything, call me or ask Ted. Not sure when I’ll be home. Don’t wait dinner.
Garrett
So much for making him coffee. There would be no easing into the morning. Her welcome to New York was over. April poured herself a glass of juice and moved to sit in front of the huge picture window, placing a coaster under her drink so it wouldn’t leave a mark on the table.
It was an amazing view of the Hudson River, but it didn’t hold the appeal of Hallbrook and home. April knew for certain that mint chocolate chip ice cream would never be her thing. Luckily, it was only for two weeks, and then she’d be back home. But what about the kids? They were young, and she hoped they would adjust well to city life, because for the foreseeable future, this was their home.
She snapped a picture and sent it to Maddison.
April: Arrived. View from killer penthouse suite.
Maddison: Wowser. Lucky girl. Nice view inside and outside the penthouse. LOL.
April: Whatever. It’s not like that. I mean yes, he’s good looking, but not my type. At all.
Cities and city slickers were welcome to each other. She was a country girl through and through, and no matter how attractive or how nice the man was, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to fall in love with one of them. Her home was in Hallbrook. For now, she was stuck dealing with the city. She didn’t know the first thing about where to go or what to do in the city, and the idea of traipsing around with the kids intimidated her, leaving her trapped in the high-rise until she figured it out.
A knock at the door surprised April. She glanced at her watch. Garrett had mentioned a grocery delivery at eight-thirty, but it was only eight. A country girl through and through, she’d heard about terrible things happening in the city and didn’t just want to open the door to anyone. She looked through the peephole, trying to decide what to do.
The man standing outside the door wasn’t Ted. Her pulse ramped up a notch. The man knocked again.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“Wade. The dog walker. I’m here for Rufus.”
April let out a deep breath. Wade, the dog walker. Yes. She remembered now. Garrett had arranged the man to take Rufus out when they first arrived. She pulled her robe tighter and opened the door.
“Good morning. I’m April St. James. I forgot you were coming this morning.”
“Not a problem. But I’m on a tight schedule.” Wade smiled apologetically and shrugged.
“Sorry, I’ll get him.” She peeked in Bryan’s room to discover the two of them snuggled together on the bed, sound asleep. Luckily, Garrett hadn’t witnessed the dog making free use of the guest bed like a dog bed, completely ignoring the one she’d brought for him. She’d have to talk to Bryan about it when he woke up.
“Rufus, come.” She called the dog in a low voice, snapping her fingers to get his attention. He looked up at her, paused, and then thankfully decided to obey. He took his sweet time getting up and off the bed, although. To be fair, he was close to two hundred pounds.
April grabbed his leash, hooked him up, and handed it to Wade. “Sorry. I’ll have him ready tonight. Just let me know what time.”
“Six works well. I’ll be back in about twenty minutes if all goes well.” He winked, chuckling as he headed out the door.
Her morning wasn’t off to greatest of starts, but hopefully, it would get better. First thing on her to-do list was to call the Hospitality Placement Center. She’d researched agencies on the ride here yesterday, noting they were the leading business in the area for housekeepers and nannies. There were lots of glowing reviews and they maintained a five-star rating, making them the perfect place to start her search, and if luck was on her side, finish her search. She grabbed her notebook and a pen and called the agency.
“Good morning. Hospitality Placement Center. This is Tanya, how may I help you?” Kind and courteous, the woman’s voice personified the general consensus of the reviews.
“Hi, I’m looking to fill a position for a full-time nanny and housekeeper. This would be a full-time position, and it would be nice if both roles were covered by the same person, possibly as a live-in. Can you help me?”
“Certainly. We have several excellent choices available. If you can provide me with the details, I will enter you into the system. I can arrange several interviews as early as Thursday if that’s acceptable to you.”
“That sounds perfect.” April filled her in on all the pertinent information, hoping for some excellent matches. They ended the call after the woman promised to email her tomorrow with the names of several candidates and their appointment times.
Sandy started to fuss in the other room, and April hurried down the hall, not wanting her to disturb Melanie. The older girl hadn’t fancied the idea of sharing a room with her sister, but there was nothing they could do about it. The place didn’t have enough rooms for everyone to have their own. Once Melanie learned Garrett was relegated to the sofa, all discussions had ended on her part, Melanie bright enough to choose the room-share over a sofa in the middle of the living room.
April held out her arms to Sandy. “Good morning, sunshine,” she whispered. The little girl smiled as she picked her up and carried her out of the room. The minute she set her down, Sandy was running toward the glass window, pressing her fingers against the glass.
April winced. “Don’t touch the glass.” Sandy ignored her, going from one side of the room to the other, trying to see what was outside, using her hands to slap the window as she played. April made a mental note to clean it before Garrett got home. She was reluctant to reprimand the Sandy too much, knowing she’d been through so much and had yet to speak since her parent’s deaths. Trauma could mess with a kid’s head.
Bryan wandered into the living room, rubbing his eyes.
“Morning, kiddo. Want some breakfast?”
“Sure,” he mumbled, putting his arms over his head to stretch.
“Oh, wait. I almost forget. The food should be here any minute. Garrett ordered some groceries, but there’s nothing here until then. Sorry.” April wasn’t ready to suggest the leftover pizza in the refrigerator just yet.
“Fine. I’ll just watch cartoons.” He picked up the remote and plopped down on the sofa.
“Okay, but just until after breakfast. After that, we need t
o get cleaned up and have some quiet reading time before we decide what else to do today.”
“Read? I don’t like reading. That’s not much of an adventure. Why can’t we do something fun?” Bryan grimaced.
“Reading can be fun. It just depends on how you look at it.” Growing up, alone time was a rare commodity to be treasured. A time when she’d loved to read to escape the daily grind of being at the beck and call of her foster families. For her, it had been work, work, work. Watching kids. Cleaning houses. Cooking meals. Anything her current foster parent needed her to do, all for the price of a roof over her head and food on the table.
“You mean fun like when Timmy put a frog down Shelly’s shirt?” A frown to a grin in seconds, at the expense of poor Shelly. “Timmy thought it was funny, but his mother didn’t.”
“No. And that wasn’t kind of him. I meant like when you get to look up the frog and find out where he lives, why he croaks, how he can change colors. It’s like entering a new world and discovering all sorts of neat stuff from the frog’s point of view.” The world inside of books was a magical place filled with unending knowledge, fantasy, love, or any other endless interests one might have. There were books for everyone, and it was her job to help the children find what they enjoyed.
He shrugged. “I guess. Never thought of that way.” Bryan flipped on the TV.
This was the reason she wanted to teach. There had to be a way to make school fun for young kids, to give them back an eagerness to learn and explore. Something beyond the world of technology and the latest tablet or cell phone.
April wanted to find a way to give children a foundation for a positive attitude toward learning and life, something that would stand them in good stead for years to come when faced with adversity. It was her life mission. She never had that chance after her parents died.
