by Gina Wilkins
Her face flooded with a warmth that mirrored the heat pooling inside her. She tried to move away, but Joe held her in place.
“Brynn.”
She cleared her throat “Yes?”
“Why do you always stop smiling when you see me?”
Apparently, this was his day for asking questions she didn’t know how to answer. “I don’t—”
“Yes, you do,” he cut in when she tried to deny his words. “You laugh with Shane, but you stop when you see me. Is it something I’ve done?”
“Of course not.” Flustered, she lowered her lashes.
He caught her chin in his right hand and lifted her face so she was compelled to look at him. His dark eyes bored into hers, seeming to see right into her. “I want you to smile for me, Brynn.”
She had rarely felt less like smiling. He was standing so close. His fingers were so warm on her face. His beautifully shaped mouth was only inches from hers. How could she smile when all she could think about was how it would feel to kiss him?
Maybe he really could see straight into her mind. Something flared in his eyes. His fingers tightened at her waist, drawing her an inch closer to him.
“Brynn.” His voice had gone husky.
Her fingers clenched reflexively on his forearms. Her own voice was a mere whisper. “Joe, we...”
“Hey, Brynn. How was your ride?”
Knowing her cheeks were scarlet, and praying Shane would attribute her high color to her ride, Brynn whirled away from Joe, who made no attempt to detain her this time.
“It was... very nice,” she said, smoothing her damp palms down the legs of her jeans. “Sunshine was very patient with me.”
Seeming to notice nothing out of the ordinary, Shane patted Sunshine’s neck. “Sunny’s a sweetheart, aren’t you, baby?”
Sunshine blew air from her nostrils, lifted her head and gave Shane an adoring horsey kiss.
“Is there any lady you can’t charm, Shane?” Michelle asked in feigned exasperation, strolling through the open barn door.
With patently fake modesty, Shane dragged a booted toe through the dust. “Aw, shucks, ma’am. You’re embarrassing me.”
Michelle snorted in disbelief. “As if that were possible.” Turning her back on her nephew, she smiled at Brynn. “Did you enjoy your ride?”
Somewhat more in control now, Brynn deliberately avoided looking at Joe. “Yes, very much.”
“Good. Tony and I have to go now. The baby’s getting fussy and Tony has a few calls to make this evening. Are you ready to leave now or would you like to stay a little longer and catch another ride back?”
“You can ride with me, Brynn.”
Still looking at Michelle, Brynn said, “Thank you, Joe, but I’ll go with Tony and Michelle and the children. I’m ready to leave, anyway. I’d like to take a quick shower and visit Kelly a few minutes this evening.”
She could sense that he wasn’t pleased with her answer, but she didn’t give him a chance to try to change her mind. She patted Sunshine, then moved quickly to Michelle’s side. “I’m ready.”
It took nearly twenty minutes to tell everyone goodbye, thank Cassie and Jared for hosting the party and persuade the D’Alessandro children to get into the minivan. Brynn didn’t breathe easily again until they were underway, Carly and Katie competing for her attention as they verbally replayed every minute of their day. She listened patiently to their babbling, responded when given the opportunity and then chatted with Tony and Michelle and Jason when the exhausted girls fell asleep barely halfway into the ride home.
Even as she carried on a coherent conversation and pretended she’d enjoyed every moment of the day, Joe’s voice haunted her, his words echoing in her mind:
“Why do you always stop smiling when you see me?”
Chapter Nine
“So then Jared and Shane gave the children horseback rides and Joe and I rode to a stream and back, and by then it was time to come home.” Brynn concluded her recitation of the day’s events in the same casual, breezy tone she’d used throughout the visit with Kelly, who’d demanded to hear every detail.
“It sounds like so much fun.” Kelly’s voice was wistful. “I’d have loved to be there, if only to see you on horseback.”
Brynn smiled ruefully. “I’m not sure it was such an inspiring sight. I felt so awkward and klutzy in comparison with Jared and Shane and Joe. And you should see Molly ride. Ten years old and she’s already a champion.”
Sitting up in the raised hospital bed, supported by pillows, Kelly studied her friend’s face. “You like them, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course. They’re all very nice.”
“Do you find anyone particularly ‘nice’?”
Brynn studied her fingernails. “I like them all. You will, too, once you get to know them, as I’m sure you will, since you’ll be living in the guest house with me when you’re released.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Tell me about Shane.”
Brynn couldn’t help smiling when she pictured Shane. She imagined most people who knew him smiled at the thought of him.
“He’s very funny. Charming. Sweet. Animals, children and little old ladies adore him. Everyone else genuinely likes him. There’s a hint of darkness in his eyes every once in a while—as if he has a few bad memories he doesn’t like to dwell on. But he seems to be able to shrug off whatever bothers him and find a way to make himself—and everyone around him—laugh.”
“You’re fond of him.”
“Yes. He’s become a friend, and you know how much real friendship means to me.”
“Now tell me about Joe.”
“Joe Walker? He’s the serious one of the twins. Ryan’s quite the cutup, but Joe...”
“Brynn.” Kelly interrupted patiently. “You’re being deliberately obtuse. I was talking about Joe D’Alessandro.”
Brynn plucked at a minute speck of lint on her black slacks. “What can I tell you about him? You’ve known him as long as I have.”
“I know him as my doctor. Tell me what he’s like away from the hospital.”
Brynn bit her lip. “Well, he’s, uh...” She trailed off for lack of words.
“You’ve stopped smiling.”
Kelly’s murmured comment startled Brynn into a scowl. Kelly couldn’t realize, of course, how significant her observation was in light of the similar one Joe had made.
“I was just trying to think of the right words,” she said defensively.
“You didn’t have any trouble finding words to describe Shane.”
“That’s different. Shane is easy to describe. Joe is... a bit more of a challenge.”
“Don’t you like him?”
“Of course.” The reply was automatic. But true, nonetheless. “He loves his family—his parents, his brothers, his nieces and nephews. He even spoke fondly of his cousins. He’s a good doctor, as we’ve seen for ourselves. He’s very intelligent and perceptive and considerate of others.”
“Does he make you laugh—the way Shane does?”
He made her burn—the way no one else ever had. But Brynn couldn’t say that, not even to Kelly. She was startled enough to have voiced the unwelcome truth to herself.
“He’s not like Shane,” she repeated. “Do you want me to tell you about the others I met today?”
“No. As you’ve said, I’ll probably meet some of them. I think you’ve told me what I wanted to know.”
Brynn didn’t like her friend’s tone. She shot her a suspicious look, which Kelly returned with a bland smile.
“I suppose the children had a wonderful time today.”
Brynn relaxed a bit at the change of subject. “Yes, they had a ball. Played until they were so tired they drooped. Jason and Casey, Joe and Lauren’s eight-year-old son, are best friends. Jason talks about Casey all the time.”
“So what’s on your agenda for the upcoming week, Nanny Brynn?”
Brynn counted off the scheduled activities on her fingertips. “Danc
e lessons Monday afternoon for the girls, piano lessons Tuesday for all three, soccer practice every afternoon for Jason and Carly. There’s an activity session at the children’s museum Thursday morning, and Katie has a doctor’s appointment Thursday afternoon, so I’ll be watching the baby and the other two until Michelle and Katie return. A new Disney movie opens Friday, and the kids want me to take them to that. Michelle wants to spend all day Wednesday with them, so I’ll have that day off.”
“Whew. Busy week.”
“Busy children are less likely to misbehave. They’re angels until they get bored, and then they start to squabble. I’ve been keeping them occupied with the art projects and simple science projects we used at the day-care center, when we don’t have other activities planned. I’ve got a lot more of those to fall back on, fortunately.”
“You sound as though you’re enjoying your new job.”
“Well, I’ve only been at it for a week, but I have enjoyed it so far. It’s nice having just a few children to concentrate on instead of the larger groups I was responsible for at the day-care center. It lets me get to know them better.”
Kelly suddenly looked a bit worried. “Almost like having a family of your own?”
Brynn’s smile died. “No. I’m well aware that I’m only the nanny. I won’t lose my professional objectivity or overstep the boundaries of my position in the household. I don’t even intend to make a habit of attending family gatherings like the one today.”
Kelly sighed. “I’m certainly not telling you how to do your job, Brynn. I just want you to be careful. I would hate to see you get hurt if something goes wrong and you have to find another job and another place to live.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. As fond as I am of the children, I know it’s just a job. And, however it turns out, I’ll land on my feet. I always do, remember?”
“Right. And so do I. When my feet aren’t strapped down, that is.” Kelly glared fiercely at her broken legs.
“T.W.R., Kel.” It was the motto they’d adopted for themselves when they were teenagers. T.W.R. Together We Rule.
Kelly smiled sweetly at her honorary older sister. “T.W.R., Brynn. Whatever happens, we’ll get through it. Together.”
With another silent prayer of gratitude that she hadn’t lost Kelly in that accident, Brynn returned the smile.
As Brynn had predicted, the next few days were busy, but pleasant. She enjoyed the time she spent with the children, and had little trouble from them. The few times they did quarrel or misbehave, she had only to speak firmly to them and they subsided, though stubborn Carly usually required a second warning. On the whole, Brynn found her position just challenging enough to keep it from being boring.
She neither saw nor heard from Joe during the first part of the week. After their brief interlude in Jared’s barn, she’d half expected him to call her. She told herself she was relieved that he didn’t. She had to tell herself several times before she sounded convincing.
When her phone rang Tuesday evening, just after she’d returned from her daily visit to the hospital, her heart tripped. It was probably Shane, she thought, or maybe Michelle with a change of plans for the next day. It probably wasn’t Joe. But her palms were damp when she reached for the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Brynn. How are you?”
“Vinnie?” She recognized the voice with pleasant surprise. “I’m fine, thank you. And you?”
“Yes, fine. I called about tomorrow. I understand you’re going car shopping.”
She wondered for a moment how he knew, then realized that the D’Alessandro family were in frequent contact. Tony must have mentioned Brynn’s plans to his father.
“Yes. I have to turn the rental car in tomorrow, and I’ll need something else to drive. The check for my car arrived from the insurance company today. It isn’t enough to buy a new car, but I’ll be able to make a down payment on a good used car.”
“Will you let me accompany you? I’ve had some experience with car salesmen. They know better than to try to outsmart me. They see a pretty young woman alone, and they think they can charge more.”
“Thank you, Vinnie, but there’s no need for you to go to that trouble. I’m sure I can handle the car salesmen.” After all, she reminded herself, she’d bought her last car without assistance. It hadn’t exactly been a luxury vehicle, but she’d gotten a fair deal for it. Sort of.
“You’d be doing me a favor to let me go with you. I get restless here by myself while Carla’s in court. I like to feel useful. But if you’d rather go alone, I’ll understand.”
Brynn couldn’t help smiling a little at his tone. He made it sound as if he’d be crushed if she turned him down. And, even though she suspected he was exaggerating a bit, and even though she’d told herself she was going to keep more distance between herself and her employers’ families, she found herself unable to refuse Vinnie’s kindhearted offer.
“I would love to have your company, Vinnie. Thank you.”
“That’s fine, then.” He sounded quite pleased with himself. “What time shall we begin?”
“Michelle’s going to spend all day tomorrow with the children. I had planned to start shopping at around ten tomorrow morning. Is that too early?”
“Not at all. I’ll see you then.”
Brynn was still smiling when she hung up.
Vinnie D’Alessandro was impossible to resist, she mused as she walked into her bedroom. Her smile faded as Joe’s image popped vividly into her mind, along with the old saying, “Like father, like son.”
Both father and son were on her front step when Brynn opened her door the next morning. The broad smile she’d worn to welcome Vinnie froze when she saw Joe. She couldn’t seem to hold on to it, even though she knew he would notice that she’d once again stopped smiling at the sight of him.
He looked as gorgeous as always in a designer sport shirt and khakis, his wavy dark hair brushed casually back from his face. Brynn pushed her hands self-consciously into the pockets of the navy slacks she’d worn with a short-sleeved plaid shirt.
“Joe. I...didn’t expect to see you. I thought you’d be working today.”
He shrugged. His easy smile did not reach his dark eyes. “I had early rounds at the hospital, but I take most Wednesdays off. I called Dad this morning to see if he wanted to play golf and he told me you were going car shopping. I invited myself along. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” she lied. “But, really, you two should go enjoy your golf game. It’s such a beautiful day it’s a shame to waste it looking at cars. I’m quite capable of handling this purchase myself.”
“I have no doubt of that,” Joe said, and looked as though he meant it. “But, as it happens, Dad and I like car shopping almost as much as golf.”
Vinnie nodded. “We like poking our heads under hoods and kicking tires and hassling salesmen. Sometimes we do it just for fun.”
Brynn could tell she might as well resign herself to Joe’s presence. Neither he nor Vinnie showed any inclination to opt out of the excursion.
Another day spent with Joe. Just the thought of it made her grit her teeth in despair. How was she ever going to get over this foolish infatuation with him if she kept spending time with him like this?
She told herself she’d simply have to buy the first suitable, affordable vehicle she found, just to keep the outing as brief and impersonal as possible.
She should have known that wasn’t going to be an option.
“What’s wrong with this one?” she asked nearly three hours later as she faced Joe’s and Vinnie’s identical expressions of disapproval.
Joe almost curled his lip as he glared at the plain, boxy little car she’d indicated. “Besides being incredibly boring? It’s a piece of...junk.”
Vinnie nodded somberly. “I have to agree. The tires are almost bald, there’s a dent in the right rear fender and I think I see a few spots of rust forming. You don’t want this one, carina.”
“This is at least the tenth car you guys have vetoed today. How am I going to find anything if neither of you likes any of the cars in my price range?”
“I’m sure we’ll find you a decent car,” Joe assured her. “But it has to be better than this one, or you’ll regret it. It’s no bargain if you’re setting yourself up for a lot of expensive repair bills.”
Brynn sighed, unable to argue with that logic. “We’ll keep looking.”
“Right.” Joe glanced at his watch. “It’s almost one. I’m starving. Why don’t we take a lunch break?”
“I could eat.” Vinnie rubbed his hands together. “What shall we have?”
It looked as though she’d be lunching with them. She could hardly refuse, since they were spending the day helping her—whether she required their assistance or not. It would be churlish to make them go hungry.
Joe said he was in the mood for Chinese. Vinnie gave the suggestion a few moments of serious thought, then nodded as if he’d reached a momentous decision. “Chinese sounds good. Brynn, is there something you’d rather have?”
Feeling almost fatalistic now, Brynn forced a smile. “I like Chinese.”
The D’Alessandro men smiled at her in approval, looking so identically endearing that her heart ached. God help her, she was falling for both of them, though in very different ways. Vinnie was the father she’d always dreamed of having. And Joe was a dream in himself.
It seemed inevitable now that her heart was going to be broken eventually. But she’d survived broken hearts and shattered dreams before. She could only hope the defenses she’d spent so many years developing would protect her this time.
Brynn allowed herself to enjoy her lunch. It would have been almost impossible not to, since Vinnie and Joe seemed to go out of their way to entertain her. Maybe they were trying to make up to her because their high standards had kept her from finding a car so far. They succeeded.
The food was delicious, and the service at the small, tastefully decorated Chinese restaurant was impeccable. It turned out that Joe had operated on the owner’s mother—a standard hip replacement, he explained—and now he was a valued customer of the establishment. Watching the owner’s two pretty young daughters flirt gaily with Joe as they waited the table, Brynn wondered if there was anyone who was immune to him.
