The Nanny's Family Wish (The Culhanes 0f Cedar River Book 3)

by Helen Lacey

  “Sure,” she said dismissively and walked toward the door. “Whatever.”

  David turned on his heel and followed, lingering by the door for a moment. “I meant what I said, Annie. What just happened was a mistake and I’m sorry.”

  He left and headed back to the main house, walked directly to his office, shut the door and sat at his desk for half an hour. He turned his laptop on and off twice, he pushed papers around his desk, he changed the ink cartridge in his fountain pen. He did anything and everything he could to take his mind off the problem at hand and after thirty minutes, gave up trying.

  He found his grandmother in the kitchen, making cupcakes, and once he’d poured himself coffee, sat across the countertop.

  “Something on your mind?” Mittie asked, one brow higher than the other.

  David glanced at his grandmother and shrugged a little. “Nope.”

  “You always were a terrible liar.”

  He ignored her. “Where’s Leah?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe with Annie.”

  He sipped his coffee. “Did she say anything to you?”

  “Leah?

  “No,” he said irritably. “Annie.”

  “About what?” Mittie asked, icing the cupcakes.

  “About anything?”

  “No,” his grandmother replied. “Should she have?”

  He shrugged again. “Ah...no.”

  “I heard you arguing before,” Mittie said and shook her head with disapproval. “Not helping the situation.”

  Nothing he did helped the situation. Particularly kissing Annie! But he wasn’t about to say that to his grandmother. “It’s complicated.”

  “What’s complicated?”

  It was his stepdad’s voice he heard from the back door. Ivan shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on a peg by the door, then sat on the stool beside him.

  “The Annie situation,” Mittie explained and widened her eyes as she passed Ivan a coffee mug. “You know,” she added and jerked her gaze in David’s direction.

  “Still intent on leaving, is she?”

  Mittie nodded. “Looks that way.”

  “So,” Ivan said and elbowed David in the ribs. “What are you going to do about it?”

  “Do?” David echoed. “There’s nothing I can do.”

  “Really? It’s not like you to give in so easily.”

  “She’s got it into her head that she wants to leave,” he said quietly. “I can’t make her change her mind.”

  “Of course you can,” Ivan said and grinned. “Use your charm.”

  “I’m all out,” he said humorlessly.

  “You simply have to find out what she wants,” his stepdad said and nodded. “Easy.”

  “I know what she wants,” he said and grimaced as he drained his coffee mug. “She wants to get married and have a baby.”

  “Then marry her and give her a baby,” Ivan said and grinned. “Before someone else does.”

  David pushed himself off the stool and got to his feet. He didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want to think it. Didn’t want to acknowledge, even for a second, that the idea of her marrying the fireman or anyone else, was eating away at him. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “What’s ridiculous about it?” Ivan shot back. “Unless you don’t find her attractive?”

  “No,” he said quickly and then shook his head. “Of course she’s... I mean, I don’t think about her in that way.”

  Big fat lie number one.

  “Because?” his stepdad asked.

  “Because it would be inappropriate and I’m not going to have this conversation,” he said impatiently.

  “Inappropriate because she works for you?” Ivan inquired.

  “Exactly.”

  His stepfather’s eyes widened. “So when she’s not working for you, in...” he paused and counted numbers on his fingers, “...a few weeks, it won’t be inappropriate?”

  David frowned. “Well...yes. But then the point will be moot because I’ll hire another nanny and won’t need her to—” He stopped speaking and shook his head. “Like I said, I’m not having this conversation.”

  “You mean the thought has never crossed your mind?” Ivan asked.

  “Of course not.”

  Big fat lie number two...

  Because it had. It was all he could think about. Dream about. And he was confused by his feelings.

  He needed to get a grip. And fast.

  He needed to stop thinking about Annie running off to marry some man she’d never met. A stranger who didn’t know how beautiful she was, how caring, how important she was to everyone.

  And mostly, how important she was to him.

  Chapter Six

  “Has David found your replacement yet?”

  Annie smiled at her sister as she stretched out on the yoga mat. Tess has started attending the classes with her and she was delighted for the company. Hanging out with her sister was one of her favorite things to do. And Thursday night yoga class was their opportunity to talk and catch up. David usually finished work early on Thursdays and spent extra time with the children, which gave her a free evening.

  “No,” she replied and stretched out her calves. “He has another two interviews scheduled for tomorrow. Both applicants with the right references.” She’d told her sister about the two unsuitable candidates they’d interviewed the day before. She hadn’t told her about the argument or the kiss. Mostly because she couldn’t believe it actually happened. Her lips still tingled at the memory. Her heart ached knowing he’d said it was a mistake. Which of course it was, and obviously it didn’t mean anything. But Tess was a romantic and would read way more into it than it actually meant.

  After the yoga class they lingered for twenty minutes at the gym café, chatting over a green smoothie. “Have you heard from Byron?” Tess asked and grinned.

  She nodded. “Most days we trade a couple of texts.”

  “Have you made any firm plans to meet him?”

  She shook her head a fraction. “I didn’t want any more complications. You know...while I’m still living at the ranch.”

  “And once you’re not living there?” Tess probed.

  “Then there will be no reason why we can’t meet up, see if there’s something between us worth pursuing.”

  “Well, from what you’ve said, he seems very nice. And he obviously likes you,” Tess added and grinned. “And you like him, right?”

  “Of course,” she replied.

  “You should invite him here,” her sister said as she finished her smoothie. “So we can check him out.”

  “That’s what David said, too.”

  Tess raised a brow quizzically. “So, how are things between you two?”

  Forever changed...

  “Okay,” she replied.

  Tess nodded, but Annie knew her sister could see through her assurances. “By the way, how are you going with your speech for the christening?”

  Happy for the change of subject, she smiled. “Good. I’m honored, you know, to be named Charlie’s godparent,” Annie said, a lump of emotion in her throat. “I know there are a lot of people you and Mitch could have named as—”

  “Of course it’s you,” Tess said, cutting her off. “Well, you and David.”

  Annie jerked back in her seat. “David? I thought Jake would be—”

  “David is Mitch’s closest friend,” Tess reminded her. “As well as his cousin. And we both trust David, like we trust you. There are no two people we would trust more to love our son.”

  Annie’s eyes burned. “Thank you. And I promise I will always—”

  “I know,” Tess said and patted her arm. “I thought perhaps you’d like to stay at the Triple C for a while, once you leave your job.”

  She told her sister about how she�
��d booked a room at the O’Sullivan hotel for a few days. “I think the hotel will be better,” she replied and smiled. “Once I make some firm plans about the future, I’ll let you know.”

  “I hope you stay in Cedar River,” Tess said, her eyes shining. “I love being able to see you so often. Living in Sioux Falls after I divorced Mitch was hard without you close by. Selfish, I know,” Tess added. “But I feel like a better version of myself when we’re in the same town. And I want my son to really know his aunt.”

  Annie hugged her sister. “I want that, too.”

  By the time Annie returned to the ranch it was past nine o’clock. She knew the kids would be asleep and Mittie usually turned in around eight thirty as she was an early riser. She spotted the office light on through the front window, and figuring David was working and the coast was clear, headed to the kitchen for a snack. David, however, wasn’t in his office. He was sitting at the kitchen table with a small stack of documents in front of him, his legs stretched out, a coffee mug in one hand.

  “Oh, hi,” she said and moved around the countertop.

  He looked up and his mouth crinkled at the edges. “Hey there. How was your class?”

  Annie nodded. “Both exhausting and relaxing. What are you doing?” she asked, trying to sound casual, and trying not to think about how the mood between them had become increasingly awkward. And trying not to think about the kiss.

  “Résumés,” he replied and pushed one across the table. “For our interviews tomorrow. The one on top is for the woman who used to be a schoolteacher. She’s been looking after her grandchildren for the past three years while her daughter was deployed overseas. Now her daughter has finished her tour she’s available to work a few days a week, dividing her time between her grandkids and a job.”

  Annie’s back straightened. “You’re thinking of getting someone part-time?”

  He nodded. “For the time being. I don’t want to commit to a full-time nanny at this stage. I know the kids need routine and stability, but this is a good opportunity for me to make a few changes.”

  Annie came toward the table. “What kind of changes?”

  “Taking on another CPA, for starters,” he said and straightened, pulling his legs beneath the table. “My client base has grown to the point where I need to look at sharing the load, which will give me more time at home.” He met her gaze levelly. “The truth is, after Jayne and my mom died, I think I checked out for while, if that makes sense. You know...emotionally.”

  Annie nodded. “That’s understandable, though. You were grieving.”

  “And then I had you to look after my kids,” he said and sighed. “I’m very grateful for how quickly you picked up the pieces-for all of us.”

  Annie’s insides contracted. “David, you’re a great dad and the kids adore you.” She hesitated, knowing how the mention of his late wife tended to affect him. “Jayne would be really proud of how well you take care of them.”

  “I’d like to think so. When the kids were younger it seemed easier somehow. Of course, some ways are harder, sleepless nights and diapers and teething. But now, they’re little people and need a different kind of care. Scarlett was only a couple of months old when Jayne died, but the truth is, I was working all the time and Jayne was always happiest in the air.” He smiled, as though lost in thought and memory for a moment. “I never really understood, I suppose. She had an adventurous spirit and a need to be free.”

  “I’m sure she knew you loved her.” Annie quickly wished she could swallow the words back. She didn’t need to think about how much David had adored his wife. And probably still did.

  He nodded. “We met in college, we dated, we got engaged, we got married. It just sort of happened. We never questioned why we were together and we had a happy marriage. We didn’t argue. We didn’t make demands. I knew what was important to her and she knew what was important to me. I guess you could say we grew up together. Marriage is about compromise.”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  His eyes widened. “But you do want to get married, correct?”

  Annie nodded, hoping he couldn’t see the heavy flush rising up her neck. “Yes.”

  “And you think the fireman is the man for you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  It was an impossibly personal question and she couldn’t believe he was asking it. But there was no doubting the curiosity in his expression. Annie swallowed hard and took a short breath. “Once,” she admitted.

  “And what happened?”

  She quickly caught the gasp in her throat. “He didn’t love me back.”

  David’s eyes darkened. “Stupid man.”

  “I’ve always thought so,” she said and quickly moved around the counter and grabbed a glass, then poured some water. She drank a little before looking up and discovered David watching her intently. “What?”

  He got to his feet and came to the countertop, resting his hands palms down on the bench. “We haven’t really talked about what happened yesterday.”

  The heat in her cheeks intensified. “I’d rather not rehash it,” she said, dying inside, not wanting to hear about how sorry he was for kissing her because he believed it was such a big mistake. She looked at the clock. “Well, it’s late, and I’ve got to get the kids to school in the morning. Good night.” She put her glass in the sink and turned to head for the back door.

  “I was thinking we could take the kids out to JoJo’s for pizza tomorrow night,” he said, not moving. “I know they want to spend as much time with you as they can before...” He swallowed. “Well, before you go.”

  Annie didn’t think it was a good idea. For a hundred reasons. But the idea of upsetting the children was impossible to bear, so she nodded. “Sure, sounds great.”

  He straightened. “Good night, Annie. Sleep well.”

  Annie turned and set off for her room as though her heels were on fire.

  * * *

  After two interviews the following morning, David decided to offer the position to the grandmother looking for a part-time job. He wanted someone trustworthy and reliable and since he knew his chances of finding someone as perfect as Annie were impossible, those qualities would need to be enough.

  Someone as perfect as Annie...

  Funny, but he’d only just come to realize how true that was. She’d accused him of treating her as though she was invisible. He’d denied it at the time, but since then he’d had days to think about, and now he realized she might be right.

  He’d taken her for granted and now he was paying the price. She was on the verge of leaving and would soon have a different life. With someone else. With the fireman. She’d fall in love with him. Marry him. Have children with him.

  And he couldn’t bear thinking about it.

  “She was nice,” Annie said when he returned to the office after the last interview. “You were right.”

  “Sometimes that has been known to happen,” he said and grinned a little when he saw she was smiling. “Doesn’t look like I’m going to be getting back to town today.”

  “Two days this week working from home,” she said. “That must be a record.”

  “Am I that much of a workaholic?”

  She nodded. “Sometimes.”

  She was still smiling and looked so pretty that David had to remind himself to not stare at her like an infatuated teenager. She wore a short denim dress, ballet flats and her hair was up in a loose ponytail. She had nice legs—smooth and athletic—no doubt from the yoga and running and horse riding. In fact, everything about her was breathtakingly sexy. He liked her curves and the way she moved was incredibly alluring.

  “David?”

  Her voice jerked him from his foolish trance and he met her gaze. “Yes?”

  “Everything okay?”

 
; “Perfect,” he said and smiled. “I thought we’d head into town around six. Does that work?”

  “Sure,” she said, watching him curiously for a moment before she turned and left the room.

  He spent the next hour checking references for the woman he planned on hiring, and when they came back without a hitch, he called her and offered her the position. She accepted immediately and David worked out a start date. He finished up in the office around four. The kids were home from school by then so he spent some time with them before Annie got them bathed and dressed.

  He showered, changed into jeans, a black button-down shirt and boots and then headed back to the kitchen just before six o’clock. His grandmother was making tea and the kids were seated at the table, dressed and ready to go.

  Mittie looked up and grinned. “Big date?”

  David frowned. “Don’t start. You’re welcome to come with us.”

  His grandmother shook her head. “I have a busy weekend planned. I’m playing in the mah-jongg tournament at the veterans’ home tomorrow, so I’ll be needing an extra early night.”

  David was about to respond when Annie appeared in the doorway and his jaw almost dropped to his feet. She wore a pale blue dress, knee length and buttoned at the front, and a pair of sparkly orange-and-blue cowboy boots. Her hair was loose, tumbling down her back and the dress highlighted every lovely curve. David caught the appreciative sigh from his lips before he gave it sound and he swallowed hard.

  “Ready?” he asked, ignoring the twitch in his limbs.

  She nodded, avoiding his gaze. “Let’s go, kids.”

  The children were out of their seats in a microsecond and a couple of minutes later were buckled in the rear of his SUV.

  “You look really nice,” he said as he started the ignition.

  She took a moment to respond. “Thank you.”

  Once they were on the road and driving into town, he spoke again. “Is there somewhere you’d like me to send your things?” he asked evenly. “I know you have several pieces of your own furniture in your room.”

  “Tess said she’d store them at the Triple C until I get settled,” she replied.