“How about a bottle of your house chardonnay.” Paige glanced at the appetizer menu. “And stuffed mushrooms to go with it. Does that sound good?”
“Perfect,” Leah answered. “Bring me the bill, please, Janice. This is my treat since you two were good sports about a last-minute dress fitting.”
“You’ve got it.” The older woman tucked her order pad in her apron pocket. “How are wedding preparations going?”
“Pretty smooth, all things considered,” Leah answered.
“Good to hear. I’ll be right back with your wine.” After their waitress hurried away, Leah planted her elbows on the table and glanced over at Nina. “So, other than acquiring new neighbors, what have you been doing?”
“Painting. Mostly seascapes for the art fair coming up in July, but today I completed another bird study for Lola Copeland.”
“That woman is a birdbrain, if you’ll excuse the pun.” Paige wrinkled her nose. “She came into my shop the other day and picked out a cookie jar shaped like a chicken, then was all flustered when she realized she’d left her wallet at home. Her granddaughter—at least I assume it was her granddaughter—looked mortified. Since it wasn’t expensive, I sent the jar home with her and told her to pay me later.”
Nina leaned back in her chair. “She’s good for it. I could use more clients like her.”
Leah stopped searching through her oversized purse to glance up. “I thought your sales were on the rise.”
“Actually, they are, but you never know when the economy will tank.” Nina pointed to the printed sheet of paper her friend laid on the table. “What’s that?”
“The band we’re using for our reception sent me a playlist. Ryan and I are supposed to pick the songs we want. You two can give me your opinions.”
By the time they’d weeded out a few disco classics that set Nina’s teeth on edge, along with a couple of old standards, they’d consumed all the mushrooms and most of the bottle of wine.
Paige pointed with one polished nail. “What’s wrong with ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ and ‘Moon River’? You have something against lunar songs? I bet your grandma and the other older guests would love them.”
“Those two remind me of the con artist who scammed Gram last fall, and I don’t need any memories of that nightmare. I kept ‘My Way’ and ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ for her generation.” Leah shoved the marked-up paperback in her purse. “One more job I can cross off my to-do list. Thanks for your help.”
“Happy to be of service.” Nina topped off their wineglasses, then set the empty bottle on the table. “As long as Ryan won’t mind that we didn’t ask his opinion.”
“Are you kidding, he’s thrilled when I deal with this stuff.”
Nina smiled. “Did you know you glow every time you mention your fiancé?”
“That’s because I’m crazy in love with the man.” Leah glanced from Nina to Paige and back. “I want that kind of love for you two.”
Paige took a healthy swallow of her wine. “Maybe one of these days. Stranger things have happened.”
Nina didn’t respond. She’d had her shot at happiness, but a land mine had blown it away five long years ago. She glanced out the window across the cove to the endless stretch of sea. Maybe there was another man out there she could love, but the way her life was going, she didn’t like her odds of finding him.
Chapter Three
Teague ushered the young woman to the door. When she sneezed again, he winced. “I’m sorry the position won’t work out for you. I guess I should have mentioned Coco over the phone.”
She glanced up at him as she stepped out onto the porch. “That would have been nice, but I should be fine once the allergy pill kicks in.”
Ignoring the hint of sarcasm in her tone, he forced a smile. “I hope so. Again, I apologize.”
“Good luck finding someone else.” The woman bolted down the steps and pulled out of the driveway a few seconds later.
Running a hand across the back of his neck, he turned to go inside. Two down, and only one interviewee remained. He crossed his fingers and sent up a prayer.
“Can I let Coco out now?” Keely shouted to be heard over the shrill yipping of their imprisoned pet.
“Please. I can’t take much more of that racket.”
“She didn’t like being locked in there.”
When his daughter opened the door off the back hallway, Coco pranced out, shook, then trotted toward him. Rising on her hind legs, she planted front paws on the screen and peered outside.
“Your quarry escaped.” He narrowed his gaze on the dog. “It’s almost like you knew she had allergies.”
“Why did you send the first lady away?” Keely joined them in the entry. “She seemed to like you.”
Teague hesitated for a moment. “I don’t think she would have worked out.” Mostly because the woman eyed me the way Coco did a bone. He’d been down that road before and didn’t need a repeat trip. “Maybe we’ll get lucky with the next one.”
Keely rubbed a spot of mustard on the sleeve of her princess dress. “If the third one starts sneezing, Nina could watch me. Coco didn’t bother her.”
“Our new neighbor isn’t a babysitter.”
“She could be. You said the most important qualcation is common sense.”
When did I say that? He stared at his daughter, who was way too bright for his own good. Lately, she’d morphed into a sponge that absorbed every word out of his mouth. “Qualification. I’m sure Nina has another job.” At least he assumed she did.
“She said she’d help me paint. I bet if we asked her nicely—”
“Is that a car? Maybe the last applicant is early.” He pushed Coco out of the way and glanced through the screen door.
Not the prospective sitter. Nina’s little red Mini Cooper pulled into her driveway. After a moment she got out and glanced his way. He ducked out of sight since he didn’t want her to think he had nothing better to do than watch her comings and goings. Not that her goings weren’t worth watching. He pried his gaze away from the sway of her extremely fine ass as she disappeared into her house.
“Not the sitter. Maybe I should order a pizza while we wait. There’s no way in . . . uh, no way I’m going to cook tonight.”
“We didn’t go to the store yet, so we don’t have any food.”
Good point.
“I meant to go earlier, but . . .”
He wondered for the hundredth time if this move was a huge mistake. At least in Encino they’d been organized and had a routine to follow. Not to mention his parents had only been an hour away and available to watch Keely in emergencies. But the negatives had far outweighed the positives.
“We’ll stock up on supplies after I interview the next woman.”
“I hear something.” Keely pressed her nose against the screen.
A loud rumble echoed through the deepening twilight. “A motorcycle? That can’t be the babysitter.”
A black Honda bike with dual exhaust pipes turned into the driveway and stopped behind his pickup. When the engine died, silence settled before booted feet hit the pitted pavement.
“Maybe it is.” His daughter grinned up at him. “Cool.”
The rider pulled off her helmet, then smoothed a cap of rumpled silver hair with a gloved hand. She swung a leg encased in black leathers over the seat, tugged off gauntlets and draped them across the saddle beside her helmet, then turned to head in the direction of the house. The woman had to be past sixty. Lines radiated from the corners of sky-blue eyes, and her neck was creased above the open collar of a red leather jacket.
“Not your typical grandma,” Teague muttered.
“What, Daddy?”
“Nothing.” He opened the screen door. “You must be Stella Lange. I’m Teague O’Dell, and this is my daughter, Keely. Welcome.”
She shook his outstretched hand in a firm grip before glancing downward as Coco sniffed her boots. “And who might that be?”
“Our dog, Coco. Are you all
ergic?”
The woman turned her gaze on Keely. “Not in the least.”
“That’s good. The last lady had a sneezing fit.”
She chuckled softly. “No fear of that happening with me.” Teague stepped back and nudged Coco aside. “Come on in. The place is a disaster since we just moved in today.”
“I’m not a stranger to messes, and I’m not intimidated by work.” She eyed Keely up and down. “You’re a very pretty young lady. Is Aurora your favorite princess?”
Keely touched her pink satin skirt, then twirled in a circle. “Belle is, but my yellow dress is too tight.”
“Maybe I can loosen a seam.”
“Stella?” Teague interrupted.
The woman glanced over at him. “Yes?”
“You’re hired. Any chance you can sit for us starting this weekend? I have to work Saturday, and I haven’t had a chance to organize day camps for Keely yet.”
“I’d be delighted to.” She offered a broad smile. “Don’t you want to contact my references first, though?”
“If you’ll leave me a list, I’ll get back to you, but I expect they’ll check out since you were recommended.”
“Great.” Stella pulled a typed sheet out of her pocket and handed it over. “My rate is at the bottom.” She patted Keely’s shoulder. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”
“Can we fix my Belle dress then?”
“You bet.” She backed up a few steps and pushed open the screen door. “I’ll look forward to your call, Mr. O’Dell.”
He glanced at the figure she’d handwritten under the list of names with contact information. Stella didn’t work cheap. “Uh, Teague, please. Thanks for coming over on such short notice.”
“Not a problem. I do have other clients I currently sit for, but I don’t expect working you into my schedule will be a problem. Good luck with the unpacking.”
“Thank you. I imagine we’ll need all the luck we can get.” After Stella headed down the walk, he shut the door and turned to face his daughter. “What did you think?”
“I liked her.”
“Good.” He glanced over his shoulder as the motorcycle roared away. “Let’s just hope our schedules mesh and those references check out, because I’m short on options.”
Keely took his hand and skipped beside him as he headed toward the kitchen. “I’m six and a half. I could always watch myself.”
A sputter of laughter escaped. “Nice try, but that’s not happening.”
“Even though I know not to turn on the stove or answer the door when you’re not home?”
“Even though.” He searched through the takeout menus the real estate agent had left. When a rap sounded at the door, setting Coco off in a barking frenzy, he frowned. “I hope Stella didn’t change her mind.”
“I’ll go see.” Keely raced off, and a moment later, the door creaked open. “Hi, Nina.”
Teague dropped the menu. Nina? He pictured those short shorts of hers and swallowed as he hurried toward the entry.
Their neighbor stood in the doorway holding a Crock-Pot and a loaf of bread. The delicious aroma of herbs and meat wafted through the house as she broke off her conversation with his daughter.
“Nina brought us dinner.” Keely slammed the door shut after their guest stepped inside. “Doesn’t it smell good?”
“Extremely. That was awfully nice of you.”
Nina met his gaze and offered a hesitant smile. “I figured you didn’t have much time to shop or prepare a meal. I made a huge batch of stew this morning and am happy to share.”
“We were going to order pizza.” Keely danced around her. “But I like stew when it doesn’t come out of a can. That kind is sort of gross.”
“I have to agree. Where do you want me to put this?” Teague stepped forward. “I can take it.”
“Don’t. It’s hot.”
He jerked his hands back. “Oh.” Duh, that’s why she’s wearing oven mitts, idiot. “Uh, you can bring the Crock-Pot into the kitchen. The counters are the only flat surface not covered in boxes.”
“I’m sure you’ll get everything sorted out soon enough.”
He wished he had her confidence. Pushing aside the takeout menus, he indicated a spot on the Formica countertop. “Set it there.”
She did as he suggested and laid the loaf of bread wrapped in foil beside it. “There’s butter and garlic on the bread, but you’ll need to heat it.”
“Wow, I really appreciate this. You went above and beyond—”
“Can’t she stay to eat with us, Daddy?”
Nina glanced between them. “You’re obviously not set up for guests, and I’m sure your wife—”
His fists clenched along with his heart. “Not an issue.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m sorry. I just assumed . . . When I mentioned her mom earlier, Keely . . . Never mind. Open mouth, insert foot. I’m going to leave now.”
“But I want you to stay.” His daughter rushed over to block the doorway. “Please?”
Teague tamped down on the jolt of pain zinging through him and forced a smile. “Of course you’re welcome to have dinner with us. We’d both enjoy your company.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
Keely grabbed her hand. “Do you want to see my flower painting?”
“I’d love to . . .” Nina glanced his way. “If you’re certain—”
“Absolutely.” This time he actually meant it. “But you can admire the painting after we eat. Keely, go wash your hands.”
She held them behind her back. “They aren’t dirty.”
He pointed toward the doorway. “Go, now, and use soap. I put a bar in the bathroom earlier.”
Her pink tennis shoes thumped against the hardwood floor as she left the room.
Nina faced him head-on, her clear, green gaze direct. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize Keely’s mother wasn’t here. Your daughter mentioned her mom keeps a close watch on her, so I just assumed . . .”
Pain returned to burn in his chest, but he wouldn’t let it pull him under. “Keely meant her mom watches her from heaven. That’s what I told her after my wife died.”
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry.” She pressed a hand to her mouth. “I wouldn’t have said anything if—”
“It’s been two years, and Keely has adjusted. Probably a lot better than I have, but we don’t avoid talking about Jayne. I want my daughter to have strong memories of her mother.”
“I’m sure you do. If you’d like me to go, I’ll make up an excuse when Keely returns.”
“I don’t. Please stay and have dinner with us.” His voice rang with conviction as he realized just how much he wanted her company. “Maybe you can give me the insider scoop on Siren Cove.”
“All right, I will.” She waited a beat. “But I should probably go wash my hands, too, before we eat.”
“Only if you’ve been grubbing around in boxes and petting the dog.” He glanced down at Coco. “Speaking of whom . . . I should probably find her food bowl along with dishes for us to use.”
“Your packing boxes all seem to be labeled. I can look for them.”
“My hands are clean.” Keely ran into the kitchen, waving her fingers in the air. “Can Nina look at my picture now?”
“After you help her find our dishes, and I feed Coco. I’m almost positive I put the dog stuff in the laundry room.”
“I think the dish box is on top of the table.” Keely’s chest puffed out. “I can read at least half the box labels.” She grabbed Nina’s arm and tugged her out of the kitchen.
Left alone, Teague closed his eyes for a moment. Explaining why Keely’s mother wasn’t in the picture was a drawback he hadn’t considered. Everyone from daycare employees to school officials to coworkers would undoubtedly ask. He’d damn well better get used to answering without letting the explanation tear him up inside. Squaring his shoulders, he left the room with Coco following at his heels.
Twenty minutes later, the three of them sat on the couch
with bowls of stew and pieces of bread in front of them on the coffee table while Keely chattered away about the next picture she planned to paint.
“Could I sell mine like you do and make enough money to buy ladybug rain boots? Daddy says they’re ridiculously expensive.”
Teague paused with the spoon halfway to his mouth as his daughter’s comment sank in. “Wait a minute.” He held up a hand for silence as he glanced over her head at Nina. “You’re a professional artist? Painting isn’t just a hobby?”
“Not since I graduated from art school. I may not sell like Picasso, but I get by.”
“I’m impressed.”
“No reason to be.” She blew on a bite of stew. “What do you do?”
“Daddy fights fires. He got a special commendation for saving two little boys when their house burned down.”
Nina set down her spoon and met his gaze. “Sounds like your daddy is very brave.”
His cheeks heated. “I was just doing my job.”
“If you say so.” She glanced down at is daughter. “Is something wrong with your stew, Keely?”
She pulled her fingers out of her mouth. “No. My tooth’s loose. It feels funny when I bite my food.”
Teague frowned. “Don’t play with your tooth at the table.”
“This isn’t a real table.”
“Whatever.” He turned to face Nina. “I have two days to get this place into some semblance of order before I report for work on Saturday. I can’t live like this for long.”
Her sympathetic gaze met his. “You mentioned interviewing babysitters. Did you find someone?”
He nodded. “An older woman named Stella Lange. Do you know her?”
“The name doesn’t ring a bell. Maybe she hasn’t lived in the area long.”
“Stella rides a motorcycle and said she can fix my Belle dress.” Keely slurped a spoonful of broth. “I like her.”
Nina smiled. “A woman of many talents.”
“As soon as I check her references, we’ll be in business.” He lost his train of thought when his gaze locked with eyes fringed by thick dark lashes. The woman was strikingly beautiful in a way that probably turned most men into wordless morons. He was no exception. With an effort, he focused his attention on the bowl of stew in front of him. “Uh, hopefully I can sign Keely up for some fun summer camps, but I’m not sure when they’ll start.”
Lost Innocence Page 3
