Mail Order Nanny (Book 3 of the Amory's) Page 5

  "So Annie, did you leave anyone behind, at home?" Tanka asked.

  "Leave anyone? I don't understand?" Annie asked looking straight into his all seeing eyes.

  "A boyfriend, maybe?"

  Annie pinked. "No, I wasn't involved with anyone at the time."

  "Really, how come?" Tanka tried to keep a smile on his face. "I mean, you are a nice looking girl and I see no reason why you wouldn't have a couple of boyfriends."

  "Well, as I told the girls my mother was sick, I was caring for her, I had a job, and there just wasn't time for something like that," Annie exclaimed as she passed the salad to him. "My work sort of hinders me from meeting young and eligible men."

  "Aren't you a little young to give up your social life for work?" Tanka wasn't giving up. He had to hit a nerve some time.

  "I don't think I've given it up, exactly. I just don't have much time for it." She glanced around at the faces of the girls who were looking from him to her.

  "Don't you want a family of your own?" He twitched his head in question.

  "Every woman wants a family of her own, eventually, I suppose. But the opportunity has never presented itself to me, so I guess it could pass me by. The work I do is a lot of satisfaction to me. And I figure if the right man comes along….yes, I'll go for it."

  Tanka knew he was going to have to change the subject because she was uncomfortable and he could see it in her face. He wouldn't press it. There was time to find the conversation that might send her packing.

  "Annie's beautiful, Daddy, some man will be lucky to have her, she cooks good too," Jewel announced, surprising everyone.

  Suddenly, Tanka felt as though his daughters were totally against him. He'd have to back off, not be so aggressive in trying to get rid of her or he'd have them mad at him, although the car incident that no one had mentioned since he came home was still heavy on his mind and he was trying to figure out a way to talk to her about it. He loved his daughters and so far they'd had a wonderful life together. He wouldn’t ruin it by being rude. He'd concede this time.

  Annie cut her meat and looked over at Jewel. "Thank you Jewel, that was sweet. But I'm sure if I'm to ever find a man, God will send him or put him in my path."

  "That's right Daddy, God will find Annie a husband." Tara nodded.

  "Of course, you are so right, squirt."

  "And Daddy, women don't have to marry these days," Katie announced out of the blue.

  Every head turned towards her. "Oh they don't, do they?" Tanka narrowed his gaze on his oldest daughter.

  "No, men and women can get along as friends forever, if they want to," Katie announced. "Look at all the celebrities that don’t marry."

  Annie shook her head. "No Katie, marriage still is the only way to have a family and succeed. Although you are right, there are a lot of people in Hollywood that don't. But Hollywood isn't a normal way to live either. They have varying work schedules and jet setting all over the place. It's far from a normal life, honey."

  "That's what I mean; you don't have time for a husband, so you could just live with a man…"

  "I suppose some could, but, not I. You see I believe in marriage and family. I just don't happen to have one right now, that's all. Doesn't mean I won't ever have one. But right now, I don't. Besides, I consider my work important. Helping maintain a household and running it smoothly is a job. Caring for others is a pleasure…well…it's very satisfying."

  Tanka stared at Annie a long time, soaking in what she said. It was getting harder by the minute to not like Annie. She had all the right answers. She was a really nice lady, and that's why he felt like such a jerk for needing to be rid of her.

  She'd provided the best out he could think of with that little dent in the door. He'd checked it before he came in and realized it wasn't near as serious as everyone had told him. However, even the kids wouldn't blame him if he fired her for it. He'd have to play this carefully.

  If she wasn't so girl-next-doorish maybe he'd consider letting her stay, but that clean, wholesome look was appealing more than he wanted to deal with.

  "I got some recipes from your sister-in-law for the wild meat in the fridge. It may take me a few days to figure out how to cook them…." Annie informed him, trying to change the subject.

  "Kasie's a great cook too. I'm glad she wrote it down for you. If you have any trouble, let me know, some of it can be cooked on the grill." Now he was going to help her cook? What next?

  When everyone finished, Katie got up and raked her plate in the disposal, then reached for everyone else's. Annie stood and was going to help her, but Tanka laid a hand on top of hers. "This is Katie's job."

  "Oh…" She glanced at their hands.

  "Shall we go get some air, then?" He pointed her toward the door.

  Annie hesitated, knowing this was his way of telling her she was fired, but she slowly moved out the door and onto the porch.

  It was cold outside and he brought her a jacket to slip on.

  "Want to tell me what happened to the Hummer, now?" he asked, not looking at her yet.

  "I meant to tell you right off, but I guess I was sidetracked. I knew I couldn't hide it from you. I guess I turned too fast and tried to pull over; instead, I hydroplaned into the fence. I called the insurance company and they'll be out to look at it when the weather clears some."

  "That could be a month."

  "Yes, I'm sorry…" she began with tears in her eyes.

  Seeing the genuine concern on her face had him second thinking the firing. It could wait. How could he fire her when she was practically in tears about it?

  "You can take whatever they charge you out of my salary," she began. "Or…fire me now if you like. I'm sure you'd like to."

  "Oh, you think I want to fire you?"

  "Of course you do. You haven't lied about how you feel, and I do understand. But the facts remain, your children do need me. And if it's not me, it will be someone else."

  He glanced down at the snow. "That's very generous of you… both with the money and the firing."

  "Not really." She came closer. "I am used to driving in ice, and snow, but it doesn't stick around in Texas long. What I wasn't used to was that big a car…" she began. "I thought I had it under control, but I was mistaken."

  "I guess I could fire you over the car, but it wouldn't be fair. That car is a nuisance and I am ready to get rid of it. The only reason I kept it so long was because Gina wanted the car. Then after she died, I just couldn't get rid of it. However, it costs way too much to run and it doesn't do well in this kind of traveling. It wasn't a practical car, costs too much to operate. That's why I still use my older truck."

  "I obviously can't judge distance in that car," she explained again. "I should have explained that when you asked if I could drive in the snow. But I hadn't seen the Hummer. Never dawned on me to ask what make of car you had."

  He turned to stare into her eyes and nearly backed off, she looked so pitiful at him he nearly caved in. "Let me set you straight. I was rude not meeting you at the airport, and it would seem everyone has been on my case about it. I owe you an apology. So that has created a sore spot for me. My kids are in love with you, and I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about that. But the kids had just sprung this on me. In defense of my dear wife, I became angry. We never had secrets before in this house. But I am not a louse. I am very glad you and the kids weren't hurt. That was my first question to Chayton when he told me you had a wreck. As to the damage, the fence can be mended and the car repaired. The insurance might go up and if it will make you feel any better, I'll take ten dollars a week out of your pay, if that is necessary. What do you say?"

  Annie stood staring, her mouth hanging open for a minute. She looked puzzled.

  "I never expected you to be so generous to a fault. Thank you. That is more than fair." She nodded, turning pink at his probing stare. "But I must confess I'm stunned. I wrecked your car on the first day. I can't believe you are not firing me. You've made no secret out
of the fact that you want me out of here. This seems the easiest way to get rid of me. No one would really blame you."

  He smiled then, the first time for her. "I haven't been very subtle, have I? Look, I'm not really a bad guy. And believe it or not, I've appreciated your honest and direct way of dealing with me and the kids. You know a lot about children, I can tell. That's in your favor. More than I gave you credit for…"

  Again, she looked stunned.

  "Don't be so shocked, I'm a good judge of character and I think you've got your fair share of it. Just don't make a habit of wrecking my cars."

  She almost laughed.

  "In time you will find I’m a fair man, and I have to admit that the girls need you. More than I ever realized."

  "You are being more than fair." She almost laughed and extended her hand for a shake.

  "But mark my words, this is only a trial run, and if I decide you have to go, then you will have to go. Understood?"

  Annie nodded dully then looked directly at him. "Understood. You are sure you don't want to fire me now, instead of later."

  "I'm sure."

  "Why?"

  "Because despite the fact that inside I'm fighting this, they need you. Even I see it."

  Chapter Five

  Tanka sat in the dark that night on the couch he'd made his bed, rubbing his eyes and adjusting to the darkness of the house.

  Today had been the perfect opportunity to fire Annie, but he hadn't done it. Why?

  This might be the only time he had real grounds to stand on!

  Maybe it was because his brother informed him how Annie had requested Kasie's help about cooking some of the wild meat. A crazy reason if there was one. Or maybe it was how his girls so easily clung to her, almost like they would with their mother. Or was it merely the fact that she so expected to be fired? He wasn't sure anymore. He only knew he probably should have. Then he shook his head slowly and lay down. No, he knew why he hadn't fired her. He really did need her. She cleaned the house beautifully, took care of his kids well, and there was something so vulnerable about her. He didn't have the heart. Besides, she was honest, and honesty was something he couldn't fight.

  If he did fire her, he'd have to have a good reason. He knew the kids were already getting close to her and that to fire her would take a good excuse, one they couldn't argue with. He didn't want to be the bad guy in this one.

  Now he was wondering if he would fire her. What had changed in one day? Of course he had to get rid of her, and soon. But the kids would have hated him doing it now, and he had to wait to find a better reason. Yes, that was it. He didn't have a good enough reason yet. But he'd keep looking for one, one that his girls would understand.

  And when she was gone, he'd hire someone local to take care of them, although off hand he didn't know anyone who would be willing. Most of the locals on the mountain had families of their own. Perhaps he should find a replacement before he fired her. That made perfect sense.

  Happy that he'd thought the matter through, he wandered into the kitchen for some milk to help him sleep.

  He hadn't expected to find Annie in the kitchen; he hadn't seen her go by the living room.

  "Couldn't sleep?" he asked her, glancing from her head to toes, and musing over her flannel gown.

  He was shirtless but at least he had his jeans on, he reasoned.

  Annie was startled to see him. "Oh…I was going to check on the laundry, I put one more load in to dry, didn't want it to run all night. The dryer doesn't always seem to shut off."

  He nodded. "You are right about that. I need to replace it. But I shut it off when I turned out the lights. Old habit of making sure everything is off and tied down, I guess." He smiled. "You can turn it back on if you need to, it won't bother me."

  Again, she looked stunned at him.

  "Oh…I'll just check the cloths to see if I need to, I can probably finish it in the morning."

  "As you wish."

  "Well then, goodnight." She started to leave the kitchen.

  "Annie…we got off to a bad start, and I'm sorry about that, but you don't have to be afraid to talk to me," he explained coming closer.

  His nearness obviously flustered her, and then her eyes made a be-line for his naked chest.

  "I'm not afraid of you." She faced him now with crimson cheeks.

  "I think at the very least, we should try to be friends. After all, you've got my kids under your spell already," he insisted.

  "Your children are sweet young girls, and I happen to think the world of them, but I do not have them under any spell…"

  "Don't you?" He came closer and her breath seemed to hitch.

  "No, goodnight."

  "Goodnight.." He chuckled lightly, turned the light out and headed for bed.

  ***

  Annie crawled under the covers and pulled them up under her chin. She listened wondering if he was already asleep? breathing seemed to settle into an even sound, then she concentrated on sleep, but she wasn't sleepy, she was puzzled. Why hadn't he fired her when he had the chance? It didn't make sense. And why was he treating her so differently now.

  She had so many questions, and no answers. It was nearly three before her eyes finally shut and she went to sleep. She knew she'd be dead on her feet, but she couldn't sleep when questions haunted her.

  The next day was almost a routine and Annie relaxed. She knew she couldn't close her eyes without going to sleep, so she drank plenty of coffee.

  She had decided since she got very little sleep that she wouldn't worry any longer. Whatever happened, happened.

  After cleaning the house, she turned her attention to dinner and the recipes Kasie had left her. She began preparing the marinade. The recipe called for cooking it on the grill, and he said he would grill anything she needed, but it was a work night and she hated to ask him to do anything. Surely she could handle a grill.

  But that evening Tanka came in and, seeing what she had done with the meat, didn't hesitate to grill it for her.

  She stared at him most of the night, and he couldn't help but notice. Especially when their hands collided on the stairs that night, the house was silent, and when she flashed her light in his face, he glanced away as though the light hurt his eyes.

  Tanka looked at her as she moved the light out of his eyes, and slowly moved his hand away, his glance connecting with hers. That's when it dawned on him how to run her off. She was afraid of falling for him. He could see it in her eyes, and he knew.

  But thinking about that, he reasoned that he might be holding himself just a little too high in her estimate. Perhaps she was old fashioned and didn't believe in hired help mixing with the boss. That would fit into her personality. Perhaps if he acted smitten with her, she'd run. Yes, that was an angle he hadn't considered.

  He smiled now; satisfied for the moment that he knew how to run her off when it came time.

  She was a smart lady, and he'd have to do it gradually. But it could work. Then he could pretend he was heartbroken that she was leaving and his kids wouldn't blame him one bit. Plus they might be glad to see her go, especially if she'd broken their father's heart.

  Suddenly, without thinking about it, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the front door. She started to object.

  "But the dryer is still running again, I can't just leave it on, every night to finish the laundry…"

  "It can wait," Tanka inflicted. "We aren't slave drivers here, Annie. We do want you to enjoy your time here."

  Annie glanced up at him, smiling. "Thank you….but…"

  "No buts Annie…you've worked hard all day, I'd say, cleaning the house, directing the kids, and doing the laundry, you are allowed to relax." He smiled down into her innocent face. But looking into those eyes had him reacting to her in a most basic way. It startled him that he could react to any woman, much less this one.

  It wasn't that she was ugly, but compared to Gina, she was much plainer, and yet wholesome.

  She moved away from him towar
d the railing on the porch. It was a clear evening and the stars were twinkling above. "You have a beautiful place…" Annie said, "…you and your brother built it yourself."

  "Yes, we did. We sort of began on both as soon as we settled in with a wife. No better present for a wife than a beautiful home."

  "Oh, that's nice. And you are right, a home is very important to a woman. But yours….and his…are showplaces. Like something you see in a magazine. It is a pure pleasure to clean your home."

  Tanka stared at her, soaking her words up, storing them somewhere while he tried to concentrate on ways to be rid of this beautiful creature before him, beautiful in a different way from Gina. Gina was dark haired and eyed, and full of life and mischief, whereas Annie was light and her innocence attracted him to no end. Gina never seemed innocent. The word for Gina was: exciting, exhilarating, or fun. But the words he could identify Annie with: smart, honest, wholesome, and innocent. He certainly didn't like the fact that he was attracted to her, but he was. He'd have never guessed he would even notice a little blonde with a Dutch haircut and girl-next-door attitude. He'd have to play it smart; he couldn't afford to let his libido take over. Just because she was the nicest person he'd met since Santa Clause did not mean he had to fall in love with her. Besides, he had had the best already, Gina.

  "You're doing a great job with the girls, and they really like you Annie," he said with a sigh that was heavier than he intended.

  "Well thank you, I didn't expect to win your favor so soon." Annie chuckled.

  He stared at her with amusement. "My favor…why is that?"

  "Mr. Amory." She turned to look at him, and then she quickly turned away. "I'm aware that you did not want me here. You've made that abundantly clear. Even if I hadn't known before I got here, I would have very soon. I am sorry that it was a total shock to you. That having a female, any female in your home, other than your wife is sacrilegious to you. I'm not a fool. But…on the other hand, I am good at my job and I know it. I have all the confidence in the world that I can do a lot of good here, if I'm permitted. So the compliment is appreciated. I love your girls, they are easy to love. Well mannered, obedient, and sweet as candy. However, don't play me. I know how you feel. And I don't blame you a bit. Had I had a relationship like you did, I might feel the exact same way. But please…understand, I aim to do a good job. I'm not here to steal your children away. I'm not here to take the place of a dead wife. I'm here to do a job. I aim to do it well. And we can help each other, once we quit battling to stay out of each other's way.