He heard the “yay” that filled the kitchen. Then Paris asked Pippa and Penny, “Do you want to go visit Fiesta at Furever Paws?”
Their yeses were loud and clear. So were their needs. Shannon was great with them but they needed somebody full-time who concentrated just on them. They needed a nanny.
An idea zipped through his mind. Emma needed a job. Maybe she’d consider coming to work for him as a nanny. However, he wouldn’t hire her on a whim. He needed to speak to Rebekah Taylor, the shelter director, to see what Emma was like as a volunteer. This visit to Fiesta could suit more than one purpose.
* * *
Emma saw them coming. She had just finished the paperwork and handed over the cutest black toy poodle to his adoptive parents. The woman, who was about sixty, stood back until Daniel’s daughters entered, then Daniel waited for her to leave with her dog.
When Penny and Pippa spotted Emma, they ran right over to her. Paris proceeded more slowly. Pippa looked up at her with her big chocolate-brown eyes. “We came to see Fiesta. Can she have visitors?”
Emma smiled. “Sure, she can have visitors. We gave her a special little home with her own litter box and a plastic bin with shredded newspaper that she can use when she feels her babies are going to be born.”
Now Paris gave her attention to Emma, too. “Why shredded newspaper?”
“Because it can be replaced easily. Cats also like to lie in paper for some reason.”
Daniel eyed Emma, and when he did, she felt herself blush. What was it about this man that made him so attractive? Sure, he was tall. He was handsome. He cared about his daughters and an animal he’d found under his porch, too. But none of that proved he’d be a good romantic prospect.
No more impulsive decisions, Emma told herself fiercely. Her last impulsive decision had landed her here in Spring Forest without a job or a place to stay. Living in a studio apartment with a month-to-month lease, she’d used up most of her savings. She needed to find a job fast...that is if she was going to stay in Spring Forest.
If she didn’t find a job soon that paid her a decent wage, she’d have to return home. She really didn’t want to do that because it would prove her father had been right.
She motioned the girls down the hall. “Turn left at the first door.”
Daniel walked beside her and she was totally aware of him. His navy striped tie was tugged down and the top two buttons of his royal blue oxford shirt were open. Suddenly he touched her elbow and they both paused. Her arm felt as if he’d touched her with fire.
“You must be a miracle worker,” he said.
She felt stunned by his touch and immobilized by the admiration in his eyes. Somehow she found her voice. “Why do you say that?”
“Because Paris doesn’t talk to anyone unless she has to. And she never asks questions. She acts as if she knows everything about everything. With you, she’s different.”
“I’m just a new person in her life. I love animals, and maybe she does, too.”
Daniel was still looking at her as if he was debating something in his mind. Finally he said, “You’re good with Penny and Pippa, too. Pippa has had a hard time. She’d rather I hug her and keep her with me rather than doing anything else.”
“Daddy’s little girl?” Emma asked, knowingly.
“Maybe. Or maybe she’s just holding on to her only remaining parent for dear life. I don’t know if you noticed, but she still has the stain of lipstick under her nose.”
“Lipstick?” Emma asked, confused.
“When I got home today, she’d gotten into Lydia’s old stuff that I’d dumped into a shoebox and stored in my closet. She had a thick coat of lipstick all around her mouth, eye shadow on her eyes, blush on her cheeks, and she looked like a clown.”
“You didn’t laugh, did you?” Little girls usually looked to their dad for affirmation as well as attention.
“No. I was too disconcerted to do that. But I didn’t tell her she looked beautiful, either.”
“What did you tell her?” She knew whatever Daniel had told his daughter would stick.
“I told her she was much prettier with nothing at all on her face.”
Emma couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a very smart dad.”
“Penny doesn’t think so. We both forgot about her soccer game.”
Emma tried hard not to widen her smile at his adorably sheepish tone. He was a dad on his own, doing the best he could. “I think you’re too hard on yourself.”
“You don’t know me,” he reminded her with a frown.
“I can see you want the best for your daughters.”
Again Daniel eyed her as if he was debating with himself. However, he changed the course of their conversation. “I hear the director of the shelter is Rebekah Taylor.”
“Yes, Rebekah’s the director.”
“Do you think I could meet with her?”
“She has a board meeting this morning over at the Whitakers’.” The Whitaker sisters, Bunny and Birdie, had invested their money in this shelter to set it up. Although she’d seen them around the shelter, she’d never met them officially. But she’d heard a lot about them.
“I can leave a message for Rebekah with your number. I’m sure she’ll call you back.”
“I’d like that. Thank you for offering.”
Emma could get lost in Daniel’s green eyes, but she knew she wouldn’t. She absolutely wouldn’t.
During the next half hour, Daniel and his daughters gave Fiesta some of the attention she deserved.
Penny marveled at her colors. “She’s so pretty—white, and black, and brown. I’d never seen a cat like her.”
“I wonder what color her babies will be,” Paris commented.
“They could be a variety of colors,” Emma explained. “It will be exciting to see them, won’t it?”
Pippa came over to Emma and leaned against her leg. “Will we be able to play with the kittens?”
“I don’t know, honey,” Emma said. “It depends if someone adopts her before she has her babies.”
Pippa leaned her head against Emma’s waist. “Daddy doesn’t want a cat and babies.”
Emma couldn’t help but put an arm around Pippa and pat her shoulder. Then her gaze met Daniel’s and she was hard-pressed to look away.
After Daniel and his daughters left, Emma couldn’t forget how his touch had made her feel. She also couldn’t forget how his daughters had warmed her heart. She wondered again why Daniel wanted to talk to Rebekah. She’d left his message on the director’s desk. But since Rebekah had come back from the board meeting, she’d been busy around the shelter.
Emma almost ran into her as she came out of her office, cell phone in hand. She’d apparently just ended a call.
“Something important?” Emma asked.
“It was Grant Whitaker,” Rebekah told her. “He just...” Rebekah shook her head. “I’ll take care of it. Nothing to worry about. I saw the message you put on my desk from Daniel Sutton. He’s the lawyer around here, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is. He and his daughters brought Fiesta in yesterday.”
“Does he want to adopt the cat?”
“No. I don’t know what he wants.”
“I’ll get back to him as soon as I can, but the way this day’s going, that might not be until this evening.”
“He said whenever you have time would be fine.”
“Good. No pressure. That’s what I like from a man.” She sighed. “I’m going to check the work on the expansion porch for the cats. That’s where I’ll be if anybody needs me.”
After Rebekah turned in that direction, Emma returned to Fiesta. She hadn’t told Daniel and his daughters but Fiesta wasn’t eating as she should. Emma hoped she just needed to become acclimated, but she’d ask the vet, Doc J, to check her again when he made his rounds tomorrow
morning.
She would keep her focus on the cat, not on Daniel Sutton.
* * *
Daniel didn’t like the atmosphere when he and his daughters exited Furever Paws. They were quiet—much too quiet. Maybe he should consider adopting Fiesta. Paris had seemed more outgoing around the cat. Penny and Pippa were obviously affectionate with her. One thing he had to be with his kids was flexible.
He could check YouTube for cats, pregnancy and delivery.
That evening he did just that. He’d never looked into the care of animals that much, and now he realized the extent of the volunteers’ work at Furever Paws. They had to love what they were doing. In many ways it was similar to running a day care for kids.
There was a light rap on his den door. When he turned, he saw Paris. That was a surprise. She usually didn’t seek him out. “What’s up?” he asked nonchalantly.
“I want to keep practicing with the swim team this summer. Are you going to let me? I need the exercise and swimming is one of the best ways to get it.”
He knew Paris was correct in her assessment that swimming was great exercise, but he wished she wanted to be part of the team for the sportsmanship and camaraderie. Lydia had used exercise for weight control and had become almost obsessive about it. He didn’t want Paris to emulate that behavior.
“I’ll consider it, but I want you to consider attending one of these educational camps this summer.”
Wrinkling her nose, Paris frowned. “Are you serious? Is this a negotiation?”
He didn’t know if becoming a lawyer was in the genes, but Paris sure had some of his. “I guess you could say that, or you could call it a compromise. What do you think?”
“If that’s the only way I get to be on the summer swim team, okay.” With that she turned and left his office.
He thought about going after her and furthering their discussion, but his landline phone rang. He scooped it up from the desk and saw the caller ID—R Taylor was calling. “Hello, Miss Taylor. I see you received my message.”
“I did. How can I help you?”
“It’s about Emma Alvarez.”
“Yes?” she asked, prompting him.
“I’m thinking about hiring her. Would you give her a recommendation?”
“I’d give Emma five stars in everything she does. She’s an enthusiastic volunteer, and she doesn’t just do the work, she feels the work. She has a connection to the animals.”
“Did she give you references?”
“Certainly. I wouldn’t have taken her on if she hadn’t. Even volunteers go through a background check and vetting process. Her references are stellar. If I had to sum it up, I’d say she’s reliable, prompt and a problem solver, besides being patient with animals.”
That was all Daniel needed to know. Those recommendations would be a perfect résumé for a nanny. “Can you tell me if she’s volunteering tomorrow?”
“Actually, yes. She’ll be here after ten.”
Daniel knew exactly where he’d be headed after church tomorrow—to Furever Paws to find a solution to one very big problem.
Chapter Three
The next morning after church, Daniel stopped at Furever Paws with Paris, Penny and Pippa. They’d been less restless in church today because they’d known they would be coming here afterward.
After they went inside, it took a volunteer a bit of time to find Emma. They were finally told that she was in the dog room, cleaning cages. Daniel and his girls went that way.
He rapped on the window and Emma saw him. She smiled and came out.
Penny asked, “Can we go in and play with a puppy?”
“I’ll let two out of their cages,” Emma said. “We have beagle puppies, who are adorable.” After she did that and the girls were engaged, Emma returned to Daniel. “I understand you wanted to speak with me.”
“I do. I’d like somewhere more private, but I know you have to keep an eye on the girls.”
“Yes, I do. If the puppies become overexcited or your daughters get too rambunctious, I’ll have to step in.”
Daniel had pulled a folded paper from his back pocket. He could see in Emma’s eyes that she was wondering what it was. “Let me begin by saying I talked with Rebekah about you.”
Emma’s mouth opened and she immediately asked, “Did I do something wrong?”
“Oh, no! Nothing like that.” He reached for her and clasped her elbow. “You’ve done everything right according to Rebekah. You’re a five-star volunteer.”
Emma smiled but gradually her smile slipped away. “I still don’t understand why you needed to talk with her about me.”
“You need a job, and I need a nanny-slash-housekeeper.”
Emma studied him for a long moment, and he saw wariness in her eyes. He didn’t blame her.
“Since my last nanny left, my sister Shannon has been watching the girls when I need her to. But the problem is... I’m taking advantage of her. She has a three-year-old and it’s hard for her to watch her toddler and my three kids. With the girls out of school now, she’s coming over to my house to watch them. She does her best, but it’s too much to ask her to keep track of everything going on in my house and in hers, too. Paris called me yesterday, and I had to run home to settle a few issues. My daughters are more important to me than any work, but I have to work to sustain us all. I’ve interviewed people for the nanny position,” he went on, “and I just can’t find anyone I like.”
“Why me?” Emma asked, maybe looking a bit interested now.
“Because from the first day I walked in here with Paris, Pippa and Penny, they related to you. You’re compassionate and caring and seem to be able to handle them better than I do. I know expertise when I see it.”
“I’ve never been a nanny. I was an office manager.”
“If you throw in compassion, kindness and firmness, there’s not much difference between an office manager and a nanny, don’t you think?”
Emma smiled at his wry tone. “I don’t know, Daniel...”
He handed her the paper in his hand. “This is a list of my references. You can check them all.”
When she still seemed hesitant, he added, “The job includes room and board. There’s an in-law suite. You’d have privacy when you need it.”
Emma studied the paper. “I’ll check your references and I’ll think about your offer. That’s all I can tell you right now.”
“At least you didn’t say no, so that’s progress for me.” He grinned at her, hoping she’d realize he was an okay guy.
They couldn’t shake on it since they hadn’t made a deal yet, but he nodded. “We have a little time before we have to be at Shannon’s for lunch. Maybe you could spend it with my daughters?”
With no hesitation whatsoever, Emma nodded to the dog room. “I suggest we play with the beagle puppies with the girls.”
Knowing that could be a bonding experience, he opened the door to the room and let Emma precede him inside.
* * *
Standing in the cleaned-up and almost spotless kitchen on Monday, Daniel realized how happy he was that Emma had agreed to be his daughters’ nanny. She’d called him last evening to accept his offer. Daniel was ready for her...at least, he thought he was. The girls certainly were. Pippa and Penny were dancing all around, chattering with excitement. Paris wasn’t as noisy but she didn’t have a solemn look on her face, either.
He’d made sure there weren’t any dirty dishes in the sink. He’d made sure the great room was as straightened up as it could be. He’d told his daughters to at least give the room a half hour after Emma arrived before they messed it up again.
They’d laughed. They hadn’t thought he was serious.
He’d looked out the front Palladian windows for at least the tenth time when his cell phone buzzed. Taking it from his belt, he was concerned it was Emma telling him s
he’d changed her mind. But it wasn’t. It was his sister.
Without preamble, she said, “I still think you’re crazy to hire a stranger.”
He could imagine Shannon’s red curls flying and her lips, which were usually turned up in a smile, pointing downward.
“Good morning to you, too, sis.”
“You should have used an agency.”
“As I told you before, I tried an agency. The applicants they sent never could have kept up with the girls. You know how much energy they have.”
His sister was silent until she said, “Yes, they have energy, but they need it to be channeled in the right way. What makes you think this woman can do that? It’s not like she was a schoolteacher or worked in day care.”
“Working with animals is like working in day care,” he muttered.
“Don’t try to snow me,” Shannon protested.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll invite you to dinner as soon as Emma’s settled in. How would that be?”
“Sooner,” Shannon demanded.
“You know, you always were a bossy kid sister.”
“And you were always a know-it-all older brother.”
They both laughed. Thank goodness they could laugh. It kept them sane when the world turned upside down.
Suddenly he heard a car in the driveway. It was a compact blue sporty model. Just like Emma, he supposed—full of class and energy. “I gotta go. She’s here.”
“You can always call me if she doesn’t work out.”
“Bye, Shannon.” He ended the call and replaced his phone on its dock.
He watched as Emma stepped out of her car. He felt his pulse race a little faster as first one bare leg appeared and then the other. As she closed the driver’s-side door, his breath actually caught. She’d worn pale pink shorts—a respectable length—and a puff-sleeved gauzy white blouse. Her curly hair blew in the wind. He noticed her sandals had little jewel-like beads on them. Pippa would love that.
Emma stepped to the back door of the sedan and pulled out a messenger bag.
The Nanny Clause (Furever Yours Book 4) Page 3