Cinderella Nanny (Book One of The Connor's Series)

by Rita Hestand

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Mike broke out all over by lunchtime and she put him in a tub of water. He was miserable and it was all she could do to keep him from scratching.

  She called Leann after she fed him some soup for lunch and put him back to bed. He hadn't eaten hardly any of it. But she did manage to get lots of water down him. He fretted, but she turned his TV on and he watched some of his favorite programs.

  "Just keep him in bed, and preferably with the lights out as it tends to bother their eyes when they have it. At least I think that's right, it might be the measles that the light hurts their eyes, I can't remember. To be on the safe side, turn the lights down dim. Is he miserable?"

  "He was, the bath seemed to help. I had one pack of oatmeal bath so I used it on him."

  "Good."

  She decided she should call Mitch and ask him to bring some oatmeal bath home for Mike.

  But Claire answered Mitch's cell phone.

  "Claire," she asked trying to keep the shock out of her voice.

  "Yes, who is this?" She asked.

  "I was trying to reach Mitch…" Sarah said.

  "Oh Sarah. Well, he's indisposed at the moment, can I take a message?"

  "Yes, can you tell him to bring some oatmeal bath home from the drugstore? Mike has the chicken pox." Sarah explained.

  "Of course I will. Bye…"

  Sarah stared at the phone for a long moment. Why would Claire answer his cell phone, she wondered.

  She wasn't going to be jealous. Mitch proved how much he loved them both yesterday and she wouldn't forget it. Claire was nothing more than a business partner. She told herself this repeatedly, until she almost believed it.

  Mike called her into the room several times. And she finally just curled up on his bed with him. He seemed lonely and very uncomfortable.

  "My little peanut feels bad, that makes me sad." Sarah said cradling him in her arms.

  "I just itch…"

  "I know, but don't scratch, it will make more sores."

  Mike closed his eyes.

  "Is Papa home yet?"

  "No little Peanut, he isn't home yet."

  "I miss him."

  "He has to work."

  "Si…"

  Finally he went to sleep. Leann came home and found them both lying on the bed asleep.

  "Is he any better?"

  "He itches a lot and he still won't eat much."

  "I brought him some itch cream, and some oatmeal bath."

  Sarah sighed, "Thank you. I don't know when Mitch is coming home. I called him, but Claire answered and she said she'd give him the message."

  "What was she doing answering his cell phone?" Leann asked.

  "I don't know…"

  "I wish he'd get rid of her. She's meddling into this now."

  "I won't let her meddle…"

  "You don't know Claire. When she wants something, she doesn't give up."

  "Well, I have enough to worry about now, with Mike." Sarah said.

  "True. I'm sorry. I just don't like the lady. Never have."

  "She must be good at her job."

  "I wonder?"

  Mitch was late getting home, but she was still curled up with Mike on the bed. He gently waked her.

  "I'm sorry I was late honey. But I did stop off and get some oatmeal bath…"

  "Oh, then Claire gave you my message."

  "Message. No, she didn't. I just happened to remember that was what Mom used on all of us. You called, when?"

  "This afternoon. He's been very uncomfortable today. And I'm trying to keep his fever down. The oatmeal baths will help. Leann brought some too."

  "Great. I appreciate that…"

  "Is his fever still high?"

  "Yes…"

  "Why don't you go to bed, I'll stay up with him."

  "Are you sure."

  "Of course…" he smiled and kissed her. Then he lay down beside Mike.

  She smiled at them curled up together. She stood there watching them for several minutes then she went to bed.

  The next morning though Mitch was running a fever.

  "Oh my, I'm afraid you have the chicken pox. Didn't you have it as a child?"

  Mike tried to think. "I don't know for sure. I thought I had, but it could have been the measles."

  "Are you broke out?"

  "I don't know…" He raised his shirt and sure enough around his waist were several bumps.

  "You better go back to bed with Mike. If you get to itching let me know, I'll bring you one of the oatmeal packets." She told him.

  "But honey, I have to go to work."

  "I don't think a man with chicken pox is going to work." Sarah instructed.

  Leann peeked in to check on Mike and saw Mitch in bed with him. "What are you doing?"

  "Apparently, I have the chicken pox." Mitch proclaimed.

  Mike woke up and saw him, and hugged him. He asked the same question. "I've got your chicken pox," Mitch cried.

  Mike laughed. "You can stay with me, then…"

  "I guess I will…" Mitch lay down.

  Leann came in the kitchen. "I don't believe it. I thought Mitch had the pox when he was a kid. Maybe that was one of the others though."

  "You only catch them once, I'm told." Sarah said.

  "Well good luck with the doctoring. You know men tend to be the biggest babies when they are sick." Leann warned her.

  "I remember my brothers were…"

  "Call me if you need me." Leann laughed.

  "Thanks."

  At least Ray was working. Lucas might come in, but she'd warn him to stay out of the room if he came in.

  Sarah called Mitch's work when he gave her the number to let them know what was going on. Niles answered the phone.

  "Well hello, how are you Sarah?"

  "Fine, except I have a house full of people with chicken pox. Mitch is one of them." She informed him with a chuckle.

  "No kidding. Well, tell him not to fret, I'll fill in for him today."'

  "Thanks so much Niles, come by and see me when you can." She offered.

  "Thanks I will. And thanks for letting me know."

  "Sure…"

  She called the school too, and they told her that Mike would have to stay out at least three days so he wouldn’t expose the other children. She agreed.

  The doorbell rang before lunch and she answered it.

  "Hello stranger." Julio greeted her.

  "Julio!" Sarah stepped back a minute, shocked to find him on her doorstep. "What are you doing here?"

  "Visiting you. When are you coming home?"

  "I'm not coming home,…."

  He looked around the neighborhood. "Can I come in?"

  "I guess so."

  "What do you mean," he walked into the kitchen. "You aren't coming home."

  "Just what I said. I'm not coming home. I'm engaged."

  "Engaged? To who?" He asked.

  "Mitch, Mike's father."

  "You are going to marry him?" Juilio asked turning around in a circle to look at the house.

  "Yes, that's the plan."

  "What about us?"

  "There is no us…" She began.

  "Well, I don't blame you for trying to do better. He obviously makes good money." Julio was taking in the place.

  "Yes, he does."

  "What are you doing here?" Sarah studied him a moment.

  "I had business up this way, and thought I might look you up."

  "I see." But she didn't.

  "Well, I guess there is no use hanging around is there. Look, Sarah, I think a lot of you. And if you ever need anything, let me know. I'll be in town visiting some relatives for a few days. Here's their number."

  She took the paper in his hand. "Thanks."

  "Si…you will call me…"

  She nodded. "If I need anything."

  "Good. Goodbye…"

  He left as suddenly as he appeared. She didn't know how he found her; maybe her landlord had told him where she was g
oing.

  Mike didn't like Julio, but he was good to Sarah, he just didn't want a kid. It reminded her of Claire. Claire didn't want any children either. Strange to compare them, but she had.

  She wouldn't let their relationship turn serious because of Mike. But that seemed like a thousand years ago.

  Mitch came out of the room, dragging his feet. "Who was at the door?"

  "An old friend. He was in the area, and stopped by."

  "Don't tell me, Julio?"

  "Yes, I didn't think you'd remember me mentioning him."

  "I remembered. What did he want?"

  "To let me know he was in town seeing relatives and if I needed anything I could call him."

  "How did he find you?" Mitch suddenly asked.

  "I don't know. I never gave him an address, I just told him Plano."

  "He didn't stay long."

  "No, he didn't. How are you feeling?"

  "Rotten."

  "Then go back to bed, my love. Do you itch?"

  "Tremendously."

  "Then I'll run you an oatmeal bath and that might help you rest some."

  "Thanks. If Julio comes back, tell him you won't be needing him."

  She laughed.

  Mike woke up again and took a bath with Mitch. They were playing in the water when Sarah peeked in.

  "You guys need anything?"

  "No…we're fine." Mike said.

  "Okay, I'll be out on the patio for a while if you need me."

  They slept most of the day.

  When Leann came home she joined her outside. "So, how have they been?"

  "You were right, they are babies." Sarah laughed.

  "Told you."

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Mike returned to school three days later. Mitch went to work the next day.

  Sarah was feeling so comfortable with Mitch now that she decided one day to deliver him a home-cooked meal for lunch. She'd never been to his office and Leann had to give her directions.

  "Shouldn't I tell him I'm coming?" Sarah asked.

  "I wouldn't. I just show up, spontaneous." Leann laughed.

  "Alright."

  The building was huge and on the outskirts of Dallas, it was a long and tedious drive and then she had to ask directions on what floor he was on.

  She finally made it, and was about to go in, but she stopped in the doorway.

  There he was, in Claire's arms, kissing her.

  Without a word, Sarah scrambled down the hall. She was so flustered; she broke a heel on her shoe. The tacks inside the shoe hurt her foot, so she threw it away and limped out of the building.

  Tears were streaming down her face now and she could barely find the car.

  She threw the food on the grass and took off.

  Never again would she trust a man. She knew Claire wanted him back but she thought she was adult enough not to try. That was a mistake.

  She was crying so hard she ran a red light. The police stopped her, half way home.

  "Ma'am did you know you ran a red light?" The police officer asked her.

  "No officer, I didn't see it." She cried.

  He looked at her face and saw her tears. "What's wrong? Are you hurt or something?" He asked.

  "No, it's nothing. It's just….I caught my boyfriend in the arms of a co-worker is all."

  The police officer looked at her sheepishly for a moment. "Well ma'am, I won't give you a ticket this time, but please stop crying until you get home. And I hope you give him what for…"

  "Thank you!" She said. "You aren't going to give me a ticket?"

  "No ma'am, looks to me like you've had a bad enough day as it is. Good luck."

  "Thank you!" She said and tried to dry her eyes.

  Determined to leave, she began packing as soon as she got home. Throwing her clothes in a suitcase, she broke down and cried hard.

  ~*~

  Claire let Mitch go after she saw Sarah running away. It had just the right affect, she thought to herself.

  "Claire, there will be no more of that. I am not in love with you and if you can't accept that. You'll have to pack your bags and leave."

  "Leave, as in fired?" She shrieked.

  "That's right. I don't know what you thought you were doing just now, but you know I’m engaged to Sarah." He frowned at her.

  "Well, you certainly weren't fighting me off." Claire almost laughed in his face.

  "I was trying not to be rude or hurtful."

  "Is that what you were doing? I doubt she'll believe that?" Claire chuckled and threw her head back with delight.

  "Who?"

  "Sarah, isn't that her name."

  "What are you talking about?" Mitch frowned at her.

  "She was just here. She saw us kissing. I think you might have a hard time convincing her from the look on her face."

  Mitch stared at Claire in disbelief. "She's never been here before."

  "Well, she was today, just now. And she saw plenty." Claire laughed in his face.

  "Get out! Get out now. I'm tired of this. Stop at payroll and collect your pay, I don't want to see you in the office again. Understand?"

  "It's too late, you've lost her honey. And I got to watch. You can't seriously be in love with that little hussy."

  "I've never hit a woman yet, but you sure do tempt me. Now get out, before I throw you out." He demanded.

  "I'm going. And happily I might ad."

  Mitch left the office, ran down the hall and as he was catching the elevator, he found the heel that Sarah had lost. He picked it up and carried it with him.

  When he got to the main floor, he ran out the door then ran back in. He stopped the doorman. "Did you see a woman come out with only one shoe?"

  "I sure did. She threw something in the grass and took off down the street, Mr. Connor."

  "Thanks. Thanks a lot, Al." Mitch smiled.

  He drove his other car to work today and sped down the street.

  A police officer stopped him too.

  "Sir, did you see that stop sign?" The officer asked.

  "No, I know it's there, but I had something on my mind. I’m sorry officer. I need to get home in a hurry. Can you dispense with the ticket until tomorrow?"

  "It doesn't work that way, now let me see you license and registration."

  For ten minutes, the officer held him up. Frantic to catch Sarah, he sped up only to be stopped a second time.

  "Sir, license and registration." The officer demanded. "You realize you were going sixty in a forty, don't you."

  "I was trying to catch my girlfriend."

  "Catch her, what for?"

  "To tell her I love her and not let her go."

  The officer scratched his head, and then wrote the ticket.

  "Hope you catch her." He chuckled handing him the ticket...

  Mitch took off again, this time at the speed limit.

  Frustrated from his day and trying to figure out how he would explain this to Sarah he finally pulled in his drive.

  The car was there. He wondered how she planned to leave.

  He rushed through the house and to the back apartments.

  He turned the knob to her door.

  "Sarah, are you in here?"

  She didn't answer. Her things were gone. Panic struck him; He ran to Mike's room, his things were gone too.

  Nothing was working out, as it should.

  He called the school, but they knew nothing. He decided to go there, because she would pick him up naturally.

  However as he ran out the front door again, he found her there, stomping her feet on the concrete because she couldn't get out of the driveway, because of his other car.

  "Sarah….wait…you've got to listen." He began.

  "I've listened too many times before. I am not about to stand here while you explain your ex-girlfriend in your arms."

  "Honey. She kissed me. I didn't touch her."

  "You were kissing her. I saw it all."

  "You saw her kissing me." He shouted.

/>   People on the street turned to look at them. "I've got to pick Mike up. And then we are leaving."

  "I won't let you go. Not until you've heard it all."

  "There is nothing left to hear." She stomped her foot again and he looked at her.

  "I love you, and I won't let you leave me. You love me too; you're just too stubborn to admit it."

  "I loved you. That's over!" She shouted.

  "I fired her!" He shouted again.

  "Ha!"

  "She's gone for a good. Please believe me. I wouldn't throw what I have with you away like that? I wouldn't throw Mike away either. I love you both."

  "Where are the keys to that car?" She shouted.

  "In the car…"

  "Good, then I will take it to pick Mike up."

  "I'll go with you then."

  "No, you won't." She screamed and got in the car, locking the doors and jerking the transmission into gear.

  She sped out of the driveway, and he jumped in the other car and sped down the street.

  But the car she took had a manual transmission and she didn't know how to drive it. The gears kept sticking and she finally jumped out of the car and started running for the school. He found her and shoved her in the car.

  "Now, will you listen to me?"

  "No!" She shouted again.

  "She kissed me, and I suspicion it was because she saw you coming. I never saw you, she did."

  "Ha!" Sarah frowned and folded her arms over her chest. "A likely story."

  "She's been trying to break us up for days now. So I fired her. She was a good partner, but not worth the headache. I fired her. Today for what she did to us."

  Sarah took that information in again.

  "Aw honey, give me a break. She's gone from our lives now. All I want is to marry you and make a family. Please don't leave me."

  He was in line at the school now and they were waiting for Mike. He put the car in park and turned to her. "We'll get married this afternoon in the judge's office…"

  "What?" She shrieked.

  "I'm not going another day without you in my bed, by my side, as my wife and the mother of my children. Marry me Sarah…today!" He shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

  "Be quiet. They will all hear you!"