She looked up in surprise.
He had kept the cab waiting and soon they were off to the Bradbury, one of the latest trendy restaurants. Situated on the top of one of the high-rise hotels on Broadway, it was a short cab ride. They rode an outside glass elevator which gave them a beautiful view of Times Square and surrounding buildings. Soon they reached the top floor and stepped right into the restaurant.
Savannah had heard about this place, but had never eaten here before. She was surprised to see that beyond the bar there was a dance floor. The seating for the restaurant was to their right. Declan had obviously made reservations. After escorting them to one of the tables beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the maître d’ pulled out a chair for Savannah.
“Wow, good thing I’m not afraid of heights,” she said a moment later when Declan sat opposite her. “This view is amazing. And I feel like I’m a bird perched somewhere, able to see for miles.”
“Glad you like it. I’ve only been once before. The food’s good, too.”
Declan waited until they’d ordered then told her about his day with his daughter.
Savannah listened and smiled a time or two. He couldn’t help feel that the day would have been even more special had she been with them.
Then he told her of their discussion on Jacey’s moving in. “I want expectations to be clear on both ends. And to make sure she’s really going through with it. I’m worried about Margo’s reaction. She’s not going to be happy and I don’t want her pressuring Jacey.”
“Jacey will have to be very sure of her decision to stand up to her mother. But I think it’ll be the best thing for both of them in the long run,” Savannah said.
Savannah looked out the window. He followed her gaze and studied the view for a few minutes. It was spectacular. The sky would turn red with the sunset soon and once darkness fell the lights of the city would glimmer like stars.
“I have news,” Savannah said. “My sister’s engaged! To the man who hired her to watch his children on the trip to Spain. She got the assignment because she speaks the language. Now she’ll spend some of her time there and some here in New York.”
“What’s she going to do about Vacation Nannies?” Declan asked.
“We haven’t discussed that in depth yet. She’s asked Stephanie to stop booking her until she gets back and we discuss things. I see big changes ahead. I hope we can get another Spanish-speaking nanny, we have a call for one several times a year.”
“You don’t speak it?” he asked.
“No, English only. I think we should have planned for something like this, but both of us were so full of starting our business and getting ahead, we never planned for one of us bailing out.”
“Is that how it feels, as though she’s bailing out?”
Savannah tilted her head in thought. Declan loved that look.
“Not really. She’ll still be involved. Mostly I’m happy for her. She sounded so happy on the phone. And I spoke with her fiancé and the two boys. They arrived in New York, and then two weeks later turned around and flew back to Spain to celebrate with his family.”
“Do you think she’ll keep working?”
“Not if traveling is needed. I think she plans to stay home with Luis’s boys—at least initially.”
“Does that happen often—a nanny leaves for marriage?”
“Usually that’s the only way our nannies leave. We have a great business and properly trained nannies love the idea of all the travel.”
Declan changed the subject of conversation to veer away from marriages. If things had gone differently seven years ago, he and Savannah might have married. Had children by now.
The thought hit him in the gut. He could have had a home full of children by now. Funny he had no doubt that he and Savannah would have made their marriage work. Would she ever consider marrying him after all that had happened?
When they finished eating, he suggested they stay longer and enjoy the music and dancing. He felt a wave of satisfaction when she agreed. He couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms while they danced.
The rest of the evening went perfectly. They danced, enjoyed a nightcap, danced again. When it was finally late enough that he knew they had to leave he requested one more dance.
“I’ve enjoyed the evening,” he said softly. His chin rested against her forehead. He could breathe in her sweet light scent. He’d forever associate it with Savannah and dancing the night away.
“I have, too.”
“Come by the house tomorrow. We’ll play games, plan the trip to the beach.”
“You and Jacey need to do that without me,” she said.
“Come anyway,” he urged.
She was silent for so long he thought she’d refuse. Finally, she said, “Okay, but for the last time. I’m leaving for two weeks soon and have chores to do around the apartment.”
For a moment he wanted to argue. But there was no denying that next week Savannah would be off to another assignment. Off to another country and another family. He didn’t like the thought.
The drive back to the apartment took only moments. He felt as if he’d left his best friend behind. Tomorrow he’d ask her out again. Spend as much time as he could with her before she took off on the next assignment. He didn’t examine closely why or consider what he’d do if she said no.
CHAPTER NINE
Savannah took the subway to Declan’s neighborhood the next morning and walked the rest of the way. It was one of those perfect New York days. The sky was clear, a light breeze blew. The temperature hadn’t risen to an uncomfortable level. She loved New York on days like this. If Jacey hadn’t had her broken ankle, they could have walked to the river and enjoyed watching the boats. Or was that too childish for a teenager? She almost laughed aloud. She bet the thought of other teens around would have Jacey jumping at the chance.
She greeted the doorman and was escorted right to the elevator. Rising swiftly to Declan’s floor, her anticipation rose as she walked down the hall to his flat.
Knocking on the door, she smiled. She couldn’t wait to see him.
Declan opened the door a moment later, a frown on his face. “We have a problem,” he said, opening the door wider and motioning her in.
Jacey sat on the sofa, crying, her crutches leaning against the arm.
“What happened?” Savannah asked, glancing between Jacey and Declan.
“Margo was in a hit-and-run accident last night. She was in a crosswalk and someone knocked her several feet. She’s in a coma at the hospital. We were waiting until you got here to go.”
“She could be dying,” Jacey said, rubbing her face with a soggy handkerchief. “We had to wait until you got here because you didn’t answer your phone.”
Savannah frowned, remembering she’d left it in the charger when she headed for the bakery this morning. “I’m sorry. You should have gone. You could have left a note.”
“I said that to Dad, but he insisted we wait for you.”
“They aren’t going to let us in to see her anyway, Jacey,” Declan said gently. He looked at Savannah. “She’s hurt pretty badly. I still need to find out how much.”
“What if she dies?” Jacey asked, scared.
“I’m hoping she won’t die,” he said. “Don’t think the worst until we know more facts.”
“What can I do?” Savannah asked.
He hesitated a moment, then said, “Can you come with us? I know you probably don’t want to, but I could use the support.”
Savannah nodded. “I brought cinnamon rolls again. Have you two eaten?”
“I don’t want to eat. I want to see Mom,” Jacey said, struggling to her feet. “Dad, you said we could leave as soon as Savannah got here.”
“I did and we can. Bring the rolls, we’ll eat them on the way.”
“I’m not hungry,” Jacey said. “I hope Mom’s going to be okay. You’ll help, right, Dad?”
“As much as I can,” Declan said.
For a moment Savannah was taken back seven years. This reminded her of what had happened then. Margo needed Declan; he left Savannah to go to her.
Granted, this was a bit different. Margo needed both Declan and Jacey. But was this a pattern that would always be repeated? Declan going to Margo?
“Here,” Savannah thrust the white bag into Declan’s hands. “I can’t go after all. Sorry.” She had decided two days ago to make the break. This was the perfect chance. All her insecurities and uncertainties rose.
Nothing had changed, much as she had wished for it. Seven years ago Margo had arrived back in New York with a child Declan had not known they had. She’d beckoned and he’d gone to her. Now she was injured and needed help. He was going again.
It didn’t matter to her that anyone would go to help someone with a tie to the past as Margo had to Declan. It mattered only that Declan was going.
She was not going to be left behind this time.
If she really had a spot in Declan’s life, she’d jump in to help as much as she could. But despite a few kisses, nothing had changed. He had never given a hint he wanted anything beyond her services as nanny to his daughter. Her assignment had really finished when they returned to New York. She should have stood firm at leaving then. She might have wondered, but nothing like this would have happened.
“Where are you going?” Declan asked. “I need you.”
Savannah shook her head. “You have your family. It’s not mine.” Foolishly she’d let her love blossom, but she’d known all along heartbreak would follow.
He reached out and took her shoulders gently, turning her so she faced him.
“There’s something between us, you know it, I know it.”
She gazed into his dear dark eyes. She hoped she never forgot this moment. She could almost imagine he was asking her to stay forever, to make a life with him. To help with Jacey and moving on and getting married and having children.
The reality, however was that he wanted her help with Margo. He’d left her once before for the woman—the woman and child. They were still in the picture.
Could a person feel her heart break? Surely it was just fantasy, yet the pain gripping her chest belied that. She thought it at least cracked.
She wanted to tell him she loved him, see if he’d be willing to open his mind to the possibility of a future together. But nothing he’d said or done gave her hope, it was her own dreamy fantasy.
“I have to go,” she said, her voice cracking a bit. Blinking back tears, she reached up to kiss him. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him, pouring out the attraction and desire that had shimmered between them into that kiss.
Both were breathing hard when Savannah pushed herself free. She tried a smile, but tears welled. Turning swiftly, she went to the door.
“Wait, Savannah,” he called.
She shook her head and let herself out of the apartment. Not wanting to wait for the elevator, she slipped out into the stairs, the door closing as she heard him call again. Was he coming after her? Wanting to change the parameters of their agreement? Wanting to say he loved her?
Walking swiftly down the stairs, she listened for any sounds from above. All was silent.
It took her several minutes to go down all the floors. When she pushed open the outside door into the sunshine, she stopped a moment to draw a breath.
The day was still beautiful. The sun shone. The light breeze kept the temperatures moderate. How could the world look so bright and happy when her life had become dark and dismal?
CHAPTER TEN
Declan stood in the doorway staring down the empty hall. She had gone. Slowly he closed the door. Why had the accident happened? Was fate constantly going to intervene just when he thought he was getting his life the way he wanted it?
Instead of a day together, a day in which he might suggest future outings, he had a heartsick, scared teenager and an empty spot where Savannah had been moments before.
He rubbed his face with his hands. Maybe she’d come back when she’d had a chance to consider.
Consider what? For a long moment he stared at the hall. Something about this reminded him of his leaving last time.
Margo. Was he to have her in his life forever?
“Dad, can we go?” Jacey came over to him, her worried expression touching his heart. Her mother had been injured. Right now he needed to take care of his daughter. He’d go after Savannah later.
Their original assignment was over. She’d delivered all he’d expected and more. He had nothing more to hold her with. She would be leaving next week on another assignment. For a bright businessman who had built a major company, he had acted like a dumb kid in this.
“Yes, Jacey, we’ll go now.”
“Why did Savannah kiss you?”
He shrugged. He wasn’t going to try to explain why. He could still see the tears in her eyes. “For comfort, I expect.”
* * *
Savannah went back the her apartment. She was totally unhappy. After a day of feeling sorry for herself, however, the next morning she decided she wasn’t giving in to it.
She called her sister. She wanted to hear Stacey’s voice and to listen to her happiness with her plans. She exclaimed at all the right places, wishing she had something equally exciting to tell her.
She didn’t say a word about her personal situation. If she’d begun, she didn’t think she could stop. Her sister would either tell her she was crazy or offer some insight that would help her deal with the situation. But it would dim some of Stacey’s happiness and Savannah wouldn’t have that for anything.
Once they finished talking, Savannah couldn’t sit still. She had a new job in a couple of days. If nothing else, she’d go shopping. She longed for the hustle and bustle of stores, of being anonymous in a crowd. Of something to take her mind off Declan.
She found two outfits that would be suitable for the cruise of the fjords of Norway. She also saw a pretty sundress that would look good on Jacey. Holding it up, she studied it for a moment. On impulse, she added it to the clothes she’d already chosen. A new outfit never failed to raise a woman’s spirits—so she suspected that applied to teenagers, as well. She hoped the teen’s mother would be okay. Despite resenting Margo and the impact she’d had on her life, Savannah wouldn’t wish her harm.
She indulged herself with a large sundae for lunch, then took her purchases home. She’d arranged for the store to deliver Jacey’s dress.
Calculating the time difference she decided she’d talk to her sister just before bedtime in Spain. She was leaving in another day for Norway; it would be a while before she could talk to Stacey again.
She dialed and waited impatiently for Stacey to answer.
“Hi,” she said when she heard her sister’s voice. And promptly burst into tears.
“Savannah? What happened? What’s wrong?” Stacey’s concern came across the line clearly.
“I’m such an idiot.”
“As in?”
She heard the concern in her sister’s voice.
“My last assignment was with Declan Murdock.”
The silence on the line told her how shocked Stacey was.
“Couldn’t you have refused?”
“I considered it,” Savannah said.
“But?”
“But I went anyway. I still love him.”
Stacey’s voice was warm with love. “Oh honey, I always wondered. You never found another guy you felt was special. I hoped you’d gotten over him.”
“Me, too. Actually, I thought I had. Until I spent the past three weeks with him.”
“I take it you aren’t seeing him anymore?”
“No. And it’s almost the same reason. His wife was injured and he rushed to her side.”
The Nanny Who Kissed Her Boss Page 16