READ AN EXCERPT BELOW
My brain completely shut off when a hot single dad offered me a nanny position. I wasn’t thinking when I said yes…
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“Yes, she’s here,” the woman said. “But it’s irregular for her to accept guests while working, so I’m going to have to ask you to wait here while I get authorization.”
“Excuse me.” I snagged the woman by the wrist as she turned to go. “What’s irregular is that Carol isn’t supposed to be working here. She’s retired.”
“Unhand my housekeeper.” I loosened my group out of surprise, and the woman darted away. A tall—and, okay, handsome—man strode into the foyer, and in spite of myself, I took a step backward. That’s how tall he was—imposing, really.
“My mother is here,” I said. “Carol Rainey.”
“My nanny,” the man said.
“Wrong,” I said. “My mother, who is retired, officially and medically.”
The man scowled. “You must be Heather.”
This wasn’t the picture I had in my mind when I imagined Graham Hilborne. I’d imagined someone svelte and kind of slimy. This man was…all man—tall, broad shoulders, muscular, dark, and handsome with green eyes that you could lose yourself in—the opposite of Charlie, who was blond and trim and secretive.
I shook myself from my daydreams. This was ridiculous.
“And you’re Graham Hilborne,” I said. “You have three seconds to tell me where my mom is.”
“I don’t need three seconds,” he said. “I’ll tell you right now that she’s inside.”
I laughed at him. “That’s the thing, Graham. She can’t be inside. She’s retired.”
“Not anymore. She’s taking care of my daughter.”
I took a step closer and got all up in Graham’s face. Well, as close as I could to his face. He was really tall. “Listen to me. My mom cannot physically continue taking care of your daughter. Not for any amount of money you might be willing to offer her.”
“Those negotiations are private between Carol and me,” Graham informed me, not backing down. “I’m not about to tell someone who wants to work for me that she can’t anymore.”
I took a step closer. We would’ve been nose to nose if I had been ten inches taller. As it was, I craned my neck up at him and was very nearly pressed up to his torso. I was close enough to smell his cologne—a rich scent full of timber and amber. It was heady and way too much of a distraction.
“Let me put it this way then, Graham,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “My mom had a heart attack, and her doctors told her she needed to retire. Are you prepared for your daughter to witness a subsequent much more serious medical incident her caretaker experiences in her presence? Are you prepared for your daughter to, God forbid, watch someone drop dead?”
Graham leaned close enough for me to see the gold flecks in his green eyes. “What would have me do? Collins loves Carol. I need someone I can trust taking care of my daughter, and I need someone my daughter trusts, too.”
“I know you’re in a difficult situation, but the situation doesn’t involve my mom anymore.” I frowned at him. “I know you have to have the resources to find someone new.”
“I don’t trust anyone,” he said after a beat. “Carol’s been…so good.”
“You’re a man of means,” I snapped. “Stop bribing my mom to come out of retirement. She’s sick. She can’t do this kind of work anymore. And you don’t want to subject your daughter to that kind of risk, trust me. I’ve counseled kids who have seen people die in front of them, and it is not pretty.”
Graham looked me up and down in a way that made me want to cover myself even though I was just wearing jeans and a T-shirt. “You’re a counselor,” he said slowly.
“Child psychologist,” I corrected.
“But you’re qualified. To be with kids.”
“To help children,” I said. “I have a degree. Several, actually.”
“So, you could watch Collins.” Graham’s eyes lit up like Christmas. Like he was about to substitute a mother with a daughter to secure another generation of childcare for his family. This was ridiculous.
“I’m only in the area temporarily,” I said. “To help my mom with her retirement. She’s moving, and we’re downsizing. That’s the only reason I’m here. I’m going back to New York City as soon as she’s settled.”
“I could work with temporary,” Graham said. “What do you say?”
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