The Nanny and Me

by Teresa Southwick

  “You’ll take me on?” His eyes narrowed on her, and damned if the thought didn’t flash through his mind that she was beautiful when she was angry. “I’m a lot bigger. No way you can take me.”

  “Don’t forget, I’ve had hand-to-hand combat training. I know three hundred ways to incapacitate or kill an opponent with my pinkie.”

  “Right.” His mouth twitched, but he refused to give in to the amusement. He was being ambushed in his own home. First Mia and now a dog? “The thing is, I’ve got the law on my side since I’m the boss.”

  “There’s the law and then there’s human decency.” She put her hands on her hips and stared at him, anger rolling off her in waves while her chest rose and fell. “I’m fully aware that you sign my paycheck. I agreed to take this job, but you were present and accounted for when I made it clear, more than once, I might add, that you’re the one on probation. If you’re not willing to put the time in for your niece, give me one good reason why I should.”

  “Listen, Casey—”

  “No,” she said, pointing at him. “You listen. Oh, wait. You weren’t there to see or listen when she tried to hide the fact that she was crying because you couldn’t be bothered to show up.”

  He didn’t like the guilt her words dredged up and went on the offensive. “So you let her bring Lassie here? That fixes everything.”

  “At least the dog will stick by her. It’s more than she can count on from you.”

  “When Francesca can pay room and board, we’ll talk.”

  “What about establishing a relationship with your niece? Your sister’s child?”

  Stirring up the past was throwing salt in the wound and he really didn’t like that. “I have a job to do. Clients are counting on me.”

  “Taking cover behind the profession won’t hide the fact that you’re anti-relationship. A lone wolf doing his best to keep from bonding. You’re so anti that even your career choice is all about ripping relationships to pieces.”

  “You’ve never been married. Otherwise you’d realize that I don’t bring marriages down. But when they fail, each party has the obligation and prerogative to have their rights protected.”

  “Maybe. But there are a lot of demanding professions that don’t get in the way of family responsibilities. You put in an awful lot of hours—or it could be that’s just an excuse to dodge the hard work at home.” She shook her head, and anger turned to pity on her face. “No wonder your marriage didn’t work out.”

  “My marriage didn’t work out because my wife cheated on me with my best friend.” The memory of that still had the power to enrage him and it was fueled further by the fact that it did.

  She looked momentarily startled. “I’m sorry.”

  The same two words he’d said to her the other night, after crossing the invisible line and kissing her. He’d decided the best course of action was to forget it had ever happened. Yeah, right. But maybe they should talk about it and clear the air.

  “Look, I’m sensing a little hostility, and if it has anything to do with what happened the other night—”

  “What happened?” She blinked. “Is that the correct legal term for a kiss?”

  Okay, so maybe bringing it up wasn’t the brightest idea he’d ever had. “Look, I’ve already apologized for that. I was hoping we could move ahead and forget about it.”

  “Is this some kind of strategy they taught you in law school? When you’re sinking like the Titanic, create a distraction, and maybe no one will notice you just plowed into an iceberg?”

  For a hotshot attorney who used words like Old West gunslingers used six-guns, this conversation, which he’d initiated, was going badly. His only defense was that he couldn’t get that kiss off his mind. The taste and texture of her lips were pretty spectacular and made him want to do it again. And again. Frankly, memories of that kiss made him want to do far more than kiss, which was a formula for disaster.

  “Casey, I promise you it will never happen again.”

  “You promise?” Her face had skeptical written all over it. “Is that like the promise you made to give me time off for my class?” She tapped her lip as her eyebrows pulled together in mock thoughtfulness. “Or maybe this is like the promise you made to go to counseling with Mia.”

  He had no defense. If she was a jury of his peers, he was guilty as charged. “I give up.”

  “There’s a surprise.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked.

  “It means you haven’t even tried. It means relationships take work, and so far I haven’t seen you work at anything but lip service. It means that if you’re not willing to make an effort, Mia would be better off in the system.”

  “That’s fairly heartless. If that’s how you truly feel—”

  “What? You’ll fire me?” She pressed her lips together and stared at him as if coming to a decision. “I will not stick around and watch the hurt in that little girl’s eyes over and over again when the only person she has in the whole world can’t put her first even once. You can’t fire me, Blake. What you can do is find yourself another nanny—because I quit.”

  Chapter Six

  When Casey turned and left the kitchen, she was shaking, but it wasn’t all about being angry. All the while she was busting Blake about broken promises because he’d vowed not to kiss her again, her female parts were hoping he’d forget about that decision not to kiss her again. And didn’t that just make her the world’s biggest hypocrite? It was also a very good reason to go far, fast.

  “Casey, wait—”

  She wanted to ignore the request. For God’s sake, she’d quit thirty seconds ago. Her insides were doing an energetic high five. All except her heart. The problem was that when she let her heart rule, bad stuff happened. She kept walking.

  “Casey, please, I need to talk to you.”

  Damn. Damn. Double damn.

  She stopped and turned to face him in the hall just outside her room. Behind the closed door next to it, she could hear Mia talking to Frankie.

  She met Blake’s gaze. “We got her from the animal shelter.”

  “Who?”

  “Frankie. If no one claimed her, she was going to be put down. It was Mia’s idea to rescue a dog no one wanted, instead of getting a designer pet. Her words.”

  “I see.”

  “She’s crying out, sure. But she’s a good kid with a good heart. If you spent any time with her, you’d know that. But as long as I’m the nanny and you sign my paycheck, the odds are slim to none that that will happen. So I’m leaving.”

  “Without two weeks’ notice?”

  “Yes. So sue me. You’re a lawyer.” She turned away, fully intending to walk into her room.

  “And if I promise to get to know her?” The look she shot him when she glanced over her shoulder must have contained sufficient sarcasm, because he added, “I know my track record doesn’t inspire trust. And you’re right about me taking advantage of your being here to shirk my responsibility to my niece. But I can change.”

  She turned and folded her arms over her chest. “Why should I believe that?”

  “Because I got a reminder of what it’s like to be in this on my own, and it scared the crap out of me.”

  What got her attention was the fact that he’d admitted to being scared. It was a clear violation of some macho code known only to men, where it was a major show of weakness to actually declare out loud to a woman that you were anything but in complete control.

  She narrowed her gaze. “You’re lying.”

  “Why would you say that?” Indignation shone in his blue eyes, turning them to an intense shade that was almost navy. He settled his hands on lean hips, which made her notice how perfectly his wrinkled white dress shirt fit his flat abdomen and broad chest. The long sleeves were rolled up to reveal wide wrists and strong arms dusted with dark hair. It wasn’t the breach in the macho rules she noticed now, but her all-too-female response to his masculinity.

  “Why would you accuse me of ly
ing?”

  Because she wanted an ironclad reason, one without perceptible wiggle room, to stick to her guns and quit. “It’s what lawyers do. Only you call it strategy. Or spin. Or reasonable doubt.”

  He nodded, but the dark look didn’t budge. “I can’t force you to believe me, but I can ask for another chance to show you I’m sincere. I’d like you to stay.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say no, but the hum of Mia’s voice made her remember the kid’s valiant attempt to hide how hurt she’d been at being abandoned at counseling—before she dissolved into tears. The good news was she could still cry, which was more than Casey could say for herself. The other good news was that the behavior was a sign—a sign that it wasn’t too late to do some good. And that had been Casey’s vow, to help her make sense of the mess she’d made in Iraq. She’d promised to dedicate her life to helping kids find the right path.

  She needed to put up or shut up.

  “Okay. I’ll stay if the dog can stay.” She pointed at him. “And you’re still on big-time probation.”

  “I’ll agree to be on probation if the dog is, too,” he agreed.

  “You’re such a lawyer.”

  “Negotiation is one of my best skills.” He let out a long breath. “And in the spirit of new beginnings, I’m sorry I missed the counseling session. I’ll tell Mia the same thing.”

  “Good.” She shot him a sympathetic look. “And you think I’ve been hard on you. Brace yourself.”

  “Okay. So we have a deal?”

  “We do. Let’s give this one more try.” She sighed. “And if you can be magnanimous, how can I do less? I’m sorry I called you an ass.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  He grinned, and her heart was high-fiving, while her gut twisted with disapproval that she’d caved. There was little question in her mind who the ass was now.

  A few days after she did a one-eighty on her decision to leave, life in the penthouse settled into a routine of summer school and doggy chaos without another major meltdown. Blake had been on his best behavior: he’d made it home for dinner each evening and he’d attended the rescheduled counseling session, which Mia had pronounced “lame.” It was the new norm, and so far Casey was happy she’d decided to stay.

  She was puttering around the kitchen while Mia surfed the Net, learning about canine care, when the phone rang.

  “Hello,” she said after picking it up.

  “It’s Pete with building security. There’s a lady here who says she’s Mr. Decker’s mother, Patricia. Shall I send her up?”

  Shock was Casey’s best and only explanation for giving the okay. So much had happened since the night Mia had run away that Casey hadn’t given much thought to Blake’s parents. She was trying to figure out how to tell Mia that her grandmother was here when the bell rang and Frankie raced to the door and started barking.

  “Who’s there?” Mia asked, kneeling down on one knee to hold her dog.

  “Your grandmother.” Before the girl could comment, Casey opened the door. “Mrs. Decker, won’t you come in?”

  “Thank you, Casey.”

  “It’s nice to see you again.” Casey closed the door and let out a long breath. “This is a surprise.”

  They say clothes make the man, and if there truly were equality of the sexes, that would apply to women, as well. Patricia Decker was wearing a copper-colored shell, slacks and a matching jacket in a style that Casey recognized immediately. It was a brand touted as being able to hold up during travel. You could practically double knot the material, throw the garment in a suitcase and fly around the world, and it would look like it had just been pulled from the closet. The woman wearing it was another story.

  Blake’s mother looked ill at ease. And the dark circles beneath eyes the same turquoise color as Mia’s clearly indicated that she’d been to hell and back. Still, every brunette strand of her shiny bob was perfectly in place. Diamond studs, which were almost certainly the real thing, twinkled in her ears.

  Casey held out her hand. “Let’s go sit in the living room.”

  “Do we have to?”

  So much for a cooling-off period. Mia’s antagonism seemed to roll off her in waves. A few minutes ago she’d been carefree and happy, trying to do the right thing by her dog. The change back to angry and hostile was startling.

  Casey tried to be über-polite to compensate. “Mrs. Decker, why don’t we—”

  “Call me Patricia, please.”

  “All right.” Casey held out her hand to indicate they should sit down. “Can I get you a cold drink?”

  “Don’t be nice to her,” Mia protested. “She didn’t give a crap about whether or not my mom and I were thirsty. Or cold. Or hungry.”

  Patricia’s lips compressed into a straight line before she took in a shuddering breath. She looked at her granddaughter and said in a voice just above a whisper, “You look just like your mother.”

  “Is that supposed to make me like you?” the girl said.

  “I didn’t know you were here—”

  “Before or after you threw my mother out and then she died?”

  “Mia, that’s enough,” Casey admonished.

  The girl glared at them. “Why should I believe she didn’t know I was with Uncle Blake?”

  “For what it’s worth, Mia, I don’t agree with what your grandfather did.”

  “He’s not my grandfather.”

  “Technically speaking, he is.” The older woman sighed. “He’s your mother’s father.”

  “Not after he threw her out. And I don’t believe you didn’t know about me,” the girl said. She was hugging her dog as if the animal were her lifeline.

  Casey sympathized with Mia, but that was no excuse for bad behavior. “Mia, you’re being rude and that’s not acceptable. The fact that your grandmother is here says a lot.”

  “She’s here because she wants something.”

  “Whatever her reasons, I expect you to treat her with courtesy and respect,” Casey shot back. “If you can’t do that, a time-out is in your immediate future.”

  “You’re sending me to my room?” the girl said doubtfully. “Like a little kid?”

  “That’s the way you’re behaving,” Casey agreed. “It’s the way you’ll be treated until you learn good manners.”

  “Lincoln was right. You do have spunk,” Patricia said.

  “I picked it up when I was a little girl with older brothers.” And why the heck would she share that with Blake’s mother? She must be more nervous than she’d realized. The woman wasn’t here to see her. “Mia, I’d like you to apologize to your grandmother.”

  “It’s all right.” Patricia had been staring down at the girl, but the words got her attention. “The fact is, she’s right. I do want something.”

  “I knew it,” Mia said smugly.

  Casey shot her a look. “What can we do for you?”

  “I’d like to invite you to dinner,” Patricia replied.

  The statement was directed to Casey and she didn’t know what to say. So she used the technique she’d learned from Blake. Distraction. “Do you think enough time has passed to qualify for a cooling-off period? It’s not really a mediation if all the parties involved aren’t present.”

  “It’s not about arbitration. Mia has every right to be displeased. Just so you know, we didn’t throw your mother out. We disapproved of her boyfriend and she ran away.”

  “My father?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s a dork, too.”

  Patricia nodded. “I was heartbroken at losing my child and went into a deep depression. Then we learned she’d passed away and you’d gone to live with distant relatives. I struggled again, coming to terms with the fact that I’d never be able to make things right with my daughter. It took me a long time to come around. Your grandfather was trying to spare me from another episode.”

  “Doesn’t make it right,” Mia said.

  “No, it doesn’t. He was wrong to keep you from me, bu
t I understand why he did.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Obviously, talk is cheap and won’t change the past,” Patricia said. “All I’m asking is that the three of you come to dinner.”

  Casey was pretty sure that meant her, not the dog. “That’s very kind of you.”

  “It’s not kind.”

  “No kidding,” Mia interjected.

  Instead of being aggravated, Patricia smiled. “Again she’s right. My motivation is selfish. Whether you believe me or not, I simply would like to get to know you. Will you come?”

  “I’ll let Blake know about the invitation and have him call you,” Casey answered.

  “Fair enough.” Patricia looked from Casey to her granddaughter. “Thank you for seeing me and I’ll say goodbye.”

  Moments later she was gone, but definitely not forgotten.

  “Old bat,” Mia mumbled before going to her room, with Frankie trotting eagerly after her.

  Casey’s head was spinning. Didn’t that just figure? Today no one had run away from home or neglected to show up for an agreed-upon counseling session. Her boss hadn’t kissed her or in any way indicated that he thought of her as anything but the hired help. It had been a trauma-free day in the child-care business, but heaven forbid that there should be any peace.

  Blake had given his secretary strict orders to schedule his day so that he could be home in time for dinner at 6:30. Today was a close call, but he hadn’t missed an evening meal with Mia since Casey had almost quit.

  He wasn’t ready to slap a “success” sticker on the arrangement yet, but he was even less prepared not to find Casey in the penthouse with his niece. The thought of her waiting for him sent a vibration through his system that was part awareness, part anticipation. And all heat.

  Mia’s nanny was an incredibly interesting woman. Alternately tough and tender. Glib and gorgeous. It was saying a lot that he appreciated her way with words more than the awesome way she filled out a pair of jeans. When she was around, he found himself watching the graceful movement of her body and waiting to see what she’d say next. On top of that, by some miracle, she seemed to be able to keep his niece under control. He’d be a fool to give Casey any reason to quit again, including, but not limited to, kissing her. Again.