by Paulette Rae
“Good, good,” Brian confirmed, “we’re just about to do the afternoon feed.”
“Great.” Tyler flashed a smile at his niece and ruffled her hair. “We’re just in time. Wanna check out the fish?”
Sarah wore a grin from ear to ear as she nodded.
Tyler took her hand and helped her climb aboard the second boat. The smaller craft was a practical and sturdy working boat. Brian took the girl’s hand and helped her down.
“Brian, this is Kirsty.” Tyler took her hand and pulled her onto the seat. She stepped between the boats, now swaying out of time with the wake their approach had caused. She wobbled, nearly losing her balance before Brian took hold of her. She leaned into him, letting his strong grip steady her as she stepped down onto the deck.
“Hi, Kirsty.” He had the bluest eyes Kirsten had ever seen, so light they were almost silver. She could barely drag her gaze away.
“Hi, Brian.” She regained her composure and let go of him. She made a mental note that she would have to find her sea legs pretty soon, before she ended up in the arms of too many strange, but attractive men.
“Kirsty is the new Nanny.” Tyler took the gap between the boats in one stride, making it look like child’s play.
“Oh, cool.” Brian winked at Sarah. “Lucky you huh?”
Sarah grinned. “Yep.”
They made their way onto a wooden platform, suspended above the water to form a track around a group of rounded metal frames, each about twenty feet in diametre. From each frame hung a mesh net, which disappeared down into the green depths of the water. An older man, cigarette sticking precariously from his mouth, was busy scooping red pellets from a twenty litre bucket into each net. Kirsten watched as a myriad of fish began to appear, their silver bodies twisting and turning in the water as they found the food. The surface of the water bubbled as they thrashed in their frenzy.
“Wow.” Kirsten leaned over the rail to get a better look as Tyler appeared at her side.
“They’re Chinook Salmon,” He pointed. “Or King Salmon as they’re commonly called.”
Sarah was busy hopping from one foot to the other, watching her reflection in the water.
“Sarah, come here sweetie. I don’t want you falling in the water.” Kirsten took hold of her hand and turned back to watch the fish. “How many in each net?” She asked as she counted the rows of nets.
Tyler grinned. “You wanna go down and count?”
“No thanks.”
“There would be several hundred in each net, if we’re lucky.”
“That’s a lot of cat food.” Kirsten teased.
Tyler scowled in disapproval. “The finest Salmon in the country, thank you very much.”
* * * *
When they arrived back at the wharf around four o’clock Kirsten felt like a salty sea dog. Her hair and bare legs were caked with sea spray. She was pleased she had at least pulled her hair back into a pony tail for the day; otherwise it would be a bird’s nest by now.
She figured herself unlucky she had inherited the recessive gene for red hair and freckled skin. This came from her father’s side of the family. She would appreciate it more if her hair was straight, but it curled and had a mind of its own. People always said how pretty it was, but Kirsten hated it. Other parts of her were acceptable. She liked the curve of her athletic legs and the hourglass shape of her torso, but her pale skin never tanned.
She removed her life jacket as Tyler helped Sarah out of hers then they walked up the hill to the house. Sarah skipped a few metres ahead, singing happily under her breath as she grabbed branches and pulled leaves from nearby trees.
“Is she always this happy?” Kirsten asked. Sarah was a delight to watch, her long blonde hair bounced behind her as she moved.
“Most of the time. She has her moments like any kids, but she’s pretty good.”
“Where does the blonde hair come from?”
Tyler’s smile faltered. “Must be Jamie’s side of the family. The Frampton’s are all dark and brooding.”
Something about his voice made Kirsten almost stop in her tracks. It made her wonder if the animosity between the two men was so bad that Tyler didn’t even like mentioning Sarah’s father. Or was it something else?
“Oh?” Kirsten swung the topic back to Tyler; she suspected it was his favourite subject. “Dark blood?”
“South American on my father’s side, Greek on my mother’s side, I think.” He smiled. “Though she will maintain her family is strictly English.”
His attempt at a proper English accent made Kirsten giggle. As they came up out of the bush and onto the lawn, Sarah rushed off to the terrace. Something had caught her eye.
“Dad!” Her sneaker-clad feet pounded up the path toward the man who stood at the edge of the concrete patio. She flung herself into his arms and he swept her up with no effort.
James was taller than Kirsty had pictured him, with a lean frame and mousy hair. Nothing about him gave away the fact he was Sarah’s father. Except for the blonde hair, Sarah looked just like Brook. He had just showered or swam, for his hair was still damp, and as the gap between them lessened Kirsten noticed he smelled divine; a masculine mixture of musk and woody high notes.
“Hi, honey bear.” Jamie hugged his daughter. “Mmmm, I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Dad.” Sarah wrapped her arms around Jamie’s neck and squeezed.
“James,” Tyler acknowledged as he walked up the steps.
“Tyler.” James dropped his smile. “How’s business?”
“Pretty good.” Tyler stood on the patio, feet apart, hands dug deep into his pockets. Jamie moved Sarah to his hip, pushed his shoulders back and chest out. He had a tanned, slender neck and a prominent Adams apple.
Kirsten watched them together. They were like two male dogs. She half expected them to cock their legs in order to see who could get their scent furthest up the wall. She cleared her throat and stepped forward to get Jamie’s attention.
“Hi, I’m Kirsty.” Expecting a similar greeting in return she smiled. Instead Jamie eyed her with speculation as he looked down his long nose at her.
“Hello.” His tone was unemotional and dismissive. Kirsten clenched her hands together, feeling like she had been splashed with a bucket of cold water. Tyler walked to the French doors. “Well, it’s been a hoot as usual, Jamie, but I’m going to get ready for dinner.” He turned to Kirsten. “Thanks for your company today, Kirsty. I hope you enjoyed your tour.”
“The pleasure was mine, thank you.”
Jamie’s look softened as he set Sarah back on her feet. “You better go clean up for dinner too, Princess.”
“Okay.” Sarah ran after her uncle and the two disappeared into the house.
“So, are you here for long, Miss-?” Jamie spoke in a monotone he seemed to reserve for everyone except Sarah. He looked as though here were waiting for her to fill in the blank.
“Rhodes, but please it’s Kirsty.” She tried to smile despite his glare. “Sorry, am I here for long? I don’t understand the question.”
Jamie laughed snidely. “What a surprise, another intelligent one,” he spoke under his breath, as if to himself, but it was obvious she was supposed to hear. “How long are you staying here at the house?”
Kirsty frowned. It was as if he didn’t know who she was. “As long as Beth wants me to I guess.” She put her hand up to her chest. “I’m the new Nanny.”
“The what?” Jamie thundered as he took a step toward her. His face filled with rage.
“Jesus Christ, that old bitch has done it again hasn’t she? I’m gone five minutes and she’s organised my life for me.”
Before Kirsten could say anything Jamie turned on his heel and stormed into the house. She was left standing alone and bewildered on the front steps, wondering what had just happened.
Why would Jamie not know about her? What reason would Beth have for going behind his back? Sarah was his daughter; surely Beth would have included him in any
decision concerning her welfare.
Moments later she heard shouting from the floors above. Jamie’s voice boomed down in deep, angry tones from the open window of Beth’s office. Kirsten cringed. What had she done?
She decided for Sarah’s sake she should go and find out if everything was okay upstairs. When she got to the second floor, the door of Beth’s office was ajar, and Kirsten could see that Tyler had joined in the foray. Both men stood, one either side of the desk, Tyler poised in defense with his back to his mother. Kirsten continued down the hall to Sarah’s room. The little girl sat at the edge of the bed. She had been changing her clothes when the fighting began, but was now slumped in her t-shirt and knickers, her face a picture of worry and concern. Tears glistened in her baby doll eyes as she looked up at Kirsten.
“Oh it’s okay, honey.” Kirsten knelt down beside Sarah and rubbed her hand. “Grown ups fight, they’re not mad at you.”
“I know,” Sarah sobbed. “But I don’t like it when they yell.”
“They don’t yell at you like this do they?” Kirsten asked with concern. It was a question she felt compelled to ask.
“No.”
Kirsten let out a sigh of relief. “Good.” She reached for the tiny skirt that Sarah had laid on the bed. “Let’s get you looking pretty for your dad then shall we?”
The small girl smiled at the thought and stood up for Kirsten to help her. After she was dressed Kirsten brushed Sarah’s hair and divided it into pigtails, fastening them with two purple ribbons Sarah picked out from her top drawer.
“Now you look beautiful.” Kirsten smiled as Sarah admired her appearance in the full length mirror on the wardrobe door.
Sarah beamed, “Thank you, Kirsty.”
“You’re welcome, honey.” She took Sarah’s hand and they walked down stairs to the kitchen to find out what Craig was preparing for dinner. The shouting had subsided in Beth’s office, and Tyler had disappeared. Beth and Jamie now seemed to be having a deep discussion about something else.
Glorious smells wafted from the kitchen as they approached, and they found Craig at the table reading the paper. He looked guilty as they entered, and smiled as he lifted a can of beer.
“Ah, caught you.” Kirsten teased.
“Hey, I have to have one vice,” Craig said huskily.
“Do you mind if Miss Ess keeps you company for a while?” Kirsten asked. “The grown ups are probably not good company right now.”
“Daddy’s mad,” Sarah chimed in.
Craig smiled. “Yeah, I heard something going on up there, what was that about?”
“Me unfortunately.” Kirsten grimaced.
“Oh.” Craig nodded in understanding.
“I have to get changed for dinner. Will you stay here and help Craig?”
Sarah nodded and smiled at Craig. She climbed onto the big man’s lap, linking her arm around his neck. “I’ll help set the table.”
“Good girl.” Kirsten left them and returned to the back passage. Wanting to avoid the second floor, she climbed into the small service lift, which took her right to the hallway outside her own room. She showered and changed, thankful to finally have the sand and salt out of her hair.
She pondered her first day in her new surroundings. Spending the majority of the day with Sarah had been a great idea. She felt a strong connection between them and hoped that would simply grow the more time they spent together. Sarah lacked so much stimulation and Kirsten was excited at the prospect of being able to provide that for the little girl. The boat trip had been fantastic; Tyler a charming and intriguing host. Then a black storm called Jamie had moved in to ruin her day. She had never met anyone like him. The animosity he carried for Tyler was like a thick oozing substance you could cut with a knife. Yet when he looked at Sarah it all just melted away. The little girl truly was the glue holding them all together.
As she came downstairs again she noticed Beth was still in her office, alone this time. Nervously Kirsten stood in the doorway and knocked on the wood paneled door. Beth smiled when she realised it was Kirsty.
“Sorry if I caused any trouble before,” Kirsten said. Beth stood up. “That,” she pointed a bony finger, “was not your fault. It was mine. I was too slow catching that one before it happened. I only hope it didn’t cause you too much discomfort.”
Kirsten smiled. “No not at all.” She had always been a good liar.
“His bark is worse than his bite, believe you me.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you to it. See you at dinner.” Kirsten retreated and headed down the next flight of stairs. She heard footfalls behind her, faster than her own, and she turned to see Jamie, fast closing the gap between them.
“Kirsty, can we speak?” he asked before she had a chance to say anything. His tone had vastly improved since they last spoke.
“Of course.” She stopped and turned. The material of her red cullots swished around her ankles.
He descended the rest of the stairs before he lowered his head and looked at his hands.
“I feel really stupid about earlier.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Kirsty dismissed. “I can understand you being mad, considering.”
Jamie raised his green eyes to hers. “No it’s more than that. I was an arse, even before I went off my rocker about Beth. I just want you to know that it had nothing to do with you.”
Kirsten guessed this was his way of apologising. She smiled. “Apology accepted.”
She expected a smile in return but was not rewarded with one. His face was a blank canvas she couldn’t put an emotion to.
“Do you know where Sarah is?” he asked instead.
“Ah-huh, she’s in the kitchen with Craig.”
“Thanks.” He wandered off in the direction of the kitchen, leaving Kirsten even more bewildered than before. She watched him go. No wonder they didn’t all get along. Never before had Kirsten met two such different men. Tyler seemed so full of himself; confident, possibly a little arrogant, but nice enough with it. Jamie was mysterious and unnerving, yet he showed so much love for Sarah it was hard to comprehend he was this other person with everyone else. Kirsten smiled to herself. The words dysfunctional arsehole’ came to mind, but she was willing to reserve final judgment until after she had taken more time to get to know him better.
If nothing else the next few weeks were going to be very interesting. She put on her kid gloves and wandered through to the lounge to enjoy the last of the evening sun.
Chapter 4
Dinner was another success, cooked to perfection with Craig’s endless talent. The atmosphere in the dining room, however, was less than desirable. Kirsten sat between Tyler and Jamie. Fire and Ice, she decided to call them. The conversation was strained, to say the least. Kirsten half expected a request from Jamie to ask Beth to pass the salt. Instead he spent most of the meal chatting to Sarah, about his latest trip to the Nelson Lakes District. He was currently being commissioned to paint pictures of native birds and plants for a book based on the area. Kirsten spent her time fielding questions from the other three at the table. Being the newcomer they wanted to know all about her, her family and her background. By the time the meal was over she was tired of talking about herself. The artificial peace in the room carried them all safely through the meal. After dessert Beth and Tyler took coffee through to the lounge, while Sarah sweet-talked Jamie into watching a movie with her. Kirsty joined Craig in the kitchen to help with clean up duties.
Craig grinned down at her as they stood side by side, hand washing the dishes too big to fit into the dishwasher.
“So, what do you make of the family now?” he asked.
Kirsten smiled. “Well, they’re certainly different.”
He chuckled. “That’s one word for them.”
“How do you do it, day in and day out?”
Craig sighed. “They’re not always like this. You have to remember, I was here when Brook was alive. I know what they used to be like. Now that she’s gone they all seem to
be lost.”
“Jamie seems so angry,” Kirsten noted.
“Yeah, I think that’s a lot of it. He just doesn’t know where he fits in this picture anymore. Brook was his whole world, and now Sarah is all he has left of her.”
“He obviously loves her to bits. Why does he spend so much time away, I just can’t understand it?”
Craig reached for a towel to wipe his hands. “Ours is not to question why, remember?”
“I know. It’s so hard reminding yourself that you’re just the hired help though, isn’t it?”
“Ah-huh.” Craig crossed to the fridge and took out a can of beer. “You want one of these?”
Kirsten smiled. “Sure, why not.”
They sat in the cool breeze at the back porch, among the ferns and native trees that had been planted to form a small private alcove. This is where Tyler found them; talking and laughing as though they were already old friends.
“I thought I’d find you two here.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, his body silhouetted by the kitchen lights.
Craig glanced at his watch. “I was just about to head home actually.”
“I thought I might crank up the hot pool.” Tyler smirked. “I thought an old man like you could do with a soak.”
“Make it another night and I’m there. But right now I’m ready to hit the sack. I’ve got a big day planned tomorrow.”
Tyler turned his attention to Kirsten. “What about you, Kirsty? Wanna check out the Jacuzzi?”
Kirsten had to admit she was dying to try the spa pool, but jumping in with Tyler was probably not the best idea in the world. “I haven’t even unpacked my swimsuit yet.” If Craig had been staying then she wouldn’t have hesitated.
“Well, that’s never stopped anyone before.” Tyler winked at Craig. His words were her decision maker. Her forehead crinkled in disapproval. “No, I think I’ll just have an early night. I still have unpacking to do.”
“Party poopers,” Tyler said flippantly. “Oh well, if you change your mind you know where I’ll be.” He flicked his towel over his shoulder and wandered off into the dark. Kirsten said goodnight to Craig then picked her way through the house. The mansion, while beautiful was so huge and quiet, not the little family box she was used to in Christchurch which rattled with activity. The lavishness of it just seemed depressing as darkness fell. Certainly money did not buy happiness, Kirsten thought as she stopped on the stairs for a book to read. As she passed Beth’s room she noticed the door was wide open, but its occupant was nowhere to be seen. She wondered briefly where Beth was. They had long since finished coffee in the lounge when Kirsten passed, so she assumed the matriarch had retired for the evening. Maybe she had gone for a walk. It was such a nice evening, and the stars were so much brighter here, away from the smog, showing the way where streetlights normally would. Kirsten guessed it would be much safer walking here at night than in the city as well.
