The Parent Pact (Book Three of The Return to Redemption Series)

by Laurie Kellogg

  He’d had the house designed with an efficiency apartment over the three-car garage because he’d planned to hire live-in help for Erica after Mandy was born. That was before he realized how little time his wife spent with their daughter whenever she had someone else around to care for their child.

  “What if I accidentally set off the alarm?” Annie nibbled on her lower lip again.

  “Well, in that situation, the security company calls, and you give them the password, which is kitten.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I let Mandy choose it so she’d remember it. You won’t have any problem.” He jerked his head toward his open convertible. “Would you like a lift home again?”

  Her lips pursed in indecision while she studied his car and looked over her shoulder at the other parents. “That’s okay. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about us. I mean, here you are giving me your key, then taking me home....”

  “Don’t worry. The biggest gossip in Redemption already knows you’re working for me. By noon, so will the whole town.” With any luck, his unsolicited legal advice would make Paula think twice about spreading her venomous rumors any further.

  After opening and closing the passenger door for Annie, he slid behind the steering wheel, and started the car. As he drove the short distance to her home, he said, “You know, it wouldn’t be any trouble for me to pick up Noah in the mornings. I drive right by your house.”

  “That’s very nice of you, but I don’t want to put you out.” She tipped her face up to the sun. “I enjoy walking him to school. He’s not going to want me to much longer.”

  “To be honest, I had an ulterior motive. I’m hoping you’ll give me some pointers on doing my daughter’s hair. Otherwise, I’ll have to get it cut short.” Tyler spun the car into her driveway. He shifted the car to neutral, yanked up the parking brake, and turned in his seat toward her.

  “Oh, don’t cut it. Her hair is gorgeous.”

  His fingers itched to touch the midnight curls framing Annie’s heart-shaped face. Never in his life had he ached to kiss a woman this way. And it didn’t help that her eyes kept begging him to. But after knowing her only two days, she’d probably smack him. “Yours is just as beautiful.”

  The pink tip of her tongue peeked out to moisten her lips. “You w-wouldn’t say that if you saw how wild it gets when I put off having it trimmed. I’d love to fix Mandy’s hair for you. That’s one of my regrets in having a son instead of a little girl.”

  Tyler smiled. “I guess he’s not too keen on you putting bows in his hair. If he suddenly develops an interest in them, I suggest you find him a male role model. Fast.”

  “Right. There isn’t exactly a stampede of single guys my age who want to spend time with my son.”

  “Maybe not. But I’m sure they’re lining up to spend time with you.”

  “No. The only men interested in me are either married or old enough to be my father. And the only place they want to spend time with me is in the bedroom.”

  “Last time I checked, I wasn’t married.” He studied his part in the rearview mirror. “Or do you see some gray hairs I haven’t noticed? I might be a bit older than you, Annie, but I’m nowhere near ancient enough to be your father.”

  She smiled and shoved his shoulder before opening the car door. “I wasn’t talking about you. I lost my best customer last week because her husband insisted on making passes at me. ”

  “So then why won’t you go out with me?” He grabbed her wrist and stopped her from sliding out of the car. “Or do you think my only interest in you is physical?”

  “Maybe.” She yanked her hand back. “That’s all Noah’s dad wanted from me—and every other guy I’ve met since.”

  A man would have to be light in the shorts not to entertain the possibility of making love to a woman like her. As a younger, less discriminating man, he definitely would’ve anticipated ending the evening in her bed. Now, sex wasn’t his first priority, although, it also was far from his last.

  “I’m not every other man, Annie.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “Are you saying, if I agreed to dinner, you wouldn’t plan to have me for dessert?”

  “Plan?” He shook his head. “No. But you’re a beautiful woman. I wouldn’t be a normal guy if I didn’t hope for more.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m lonely, and I like you. You’re sweet and funny. So first and foremost, I’d like to be friends.”

  “Okay.” She slid from the car. “I can always use another friend. Thanks for the lift,” she called over her shoulder as she strolled to her front door and disappeared into the house before he could ask what her okay had meant. Had she agreed to have dinner with him sometime or not?

  He jammed the gearshift into reverse and shook his head. Why in the world was he trying so hard with her? It wasn’t as if he had much chance at a serious relationship with a woman he had so little in common with, either socially or age-wise.

  Ten years ago, getting a simple date had never been this hard.

  ~*~

  Annie’s stomach plummeted as Ginny Denton informed her that her cleaning services were no longer needed. Ginny and her husband had been through two failed in vitro fertilizations and, after their third attempt, were finally six months pregnant—with twins, no less. Her husband had surprised her and hired a live-in au pair to help her.

  “Congratulations.” Annie hugged her. “I’m shocked Jim isn’t planning to roll you up in bubble wrap.”

  “Oh, please. Don’t give him any ideas.”

  “Tell him I understand. I had only one baby. I can’t imagine handling two without help.”

  “The woman is starting tomorrow. She won’t have much to do if you clean today.” Ginny handed her a check for two weeks. “I’m really sorry I have to let you go.”

  The severance pay would help, but Ginny’s regret did little to ease Annie’s financial problems. This left her only three customers and not nearly enough income to make ends meet. Not that she had to worry about her creditors confiscating anything she owned. In fact, they’d probably pay her to keep her house and car—not to mention, Mitch.

  She left the Dentons’ home, heaving a defeated sigh. At least, she’d have plenty of time to clean Tyler’s place.

  Fifteen minutes later, she gasped as she pulled into the driveway at the address he’d given her. He’d told her he lived in the exclusive custom-built subdivision across the street from hers. Still, she hadn’t expected his home to be the biggest in the neighborhood or built on a double lot.

  The professional landscaping surrounding the contemporary house impressed her as much as the floor-to-ceiling windows and multi-level roofline that relieved the monotony of the gray stone structure.

  She unlocked the heavy oak front door and stepped inside the cool circular foyer. Her fingers trembled as she punched in the security code, praying the alarm wouldn’t go off. She held her breath for several moments. When the house remained silent, her shoulders sagged.

  Her sneakers sucked against the center hall’s marble floor as she wandered into a spacious living room carpeted with a light gray pile that felt like a cloud beneath her feet. Knowing how fashionably Erica had dressed, the formal, elegant furnishings didn’t surprise her.

  She returned the way she’d come and headed down the hallway, past the winding oak staircase, to a spacious family room connected to the kitchen. The overstuffed leather furniture and the huge home theater system suggested Tyler had been involved in choosing the décor in that room. It had the same atmosphere as his equally masculine study.

  Annie wandered out the French doors to a four-season solarium that housed a hot tub surrounded by exotic tropical plants. Her breath caught as she gazed into the yard at the immense free-form pool and waterfall three steps down from the stone terrace, which had cushioned, wrought iron patio furniture scattered across it.

  It would take most of the day to clean just the first floor of this palace. She’d have to return for a few hours the next day to do the rooms upstairs.
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br />   While gathering the things she needed from the laundry room, she came across a staircase leading to a finished basement where she discovered a personal gym containing every piece of exercise equipment imaginable. There was also a playroom for Mandy—complete with a flat screen TV, DVD player, computer, and a video game system—and a large recreation room containing a pool table, ping-pong table, and snack bar.

  Talk about never needing to leave home.

  On second thought, she might need two full days. At least the amount she’d have to charge Tyler would help keep her financially afloat until she found some new customers. Maybe she’d been too hasty turning down the chance to work for him on a permanent basis.

  A few minutes later, while assessing the job ahead of her upstairs, she found a half-decorated nursery with a blue and white wallpaper border featuring a parade of nursery rhyme characters. One blue wall had a huge shiny, white splatter as if someone had fired a paint-cannon at it. Or a can of semi-gloss.

  Tears welled in her eyes as she pictured Tyler, an expectant father, coming home from the hospital after losing his wife and unborn son. His marriage may not have been perfect, but he’d obviously been heartbroken just the same. She swallowed hard and swiped the moisture from her cheeks as she headed back downstairs to start cleaning the kitchen.

  A few minutes later, while moving a pile of papers from the gray granite countertop, she noticed a receipt for a huge donation to the same pregnancy crisis center she’d visited after learning she was carrying her son.

  Annie swallowed hard. Discovering Tyler shared his prosperity with those less fortunate only compounded her respect and admiration for him. However, as much as the income from cleaning his home would come in handy, it also meant getting to know the man more intimately than was good for her peace of mind.

  She thought back to him confessing his attraction that morning, and her cheeks became two tiny blast furnaces. If he were the only one battling those feelings, she’d have no problem. Unfortunately, every time he smiled at her, her resistance level threatened to redline like the tachometer on one of the sports cars she used to help her dad repair.

  The shopping list by the phone with the word condoms underlined three times left no doubt in her mind she’d made the right decision in rejecting his job offer.

  Chapter 3

  “One more, pleease.” Noah bounced on the sagging sofa.

  Annie closed the book of Aesop’s fables she’d checked out of the library earlier that evening. “No, it’s time to brush your teeth. I’ll read you another one after you’re in bed.”

  “But I haven’t finished my M&M’s.”

  “Well, hurry up, or you’ll have to save them for tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you want some?”

  She eyed the tiny pile of candy on the scarred coffee table, and saliva flooded her mouth. She hated to deprive him. “That’s okay, Pumpkin, you enjoy them.”

  Ignoring her denial, Noah shoved a fat red one past her lips.

  “Mmm, thank you. You’re such a generous boy.” She pressed her lips to his freckled nose and closed her eyes, savoring the chocolate covered peanut.

  During the next twenty minutes, she helped her son with his bedtime routine, tucked him into bed, and read one more fable as promised. After listening to his prayers, she kissed him goodnight. Mitch followed her down the hall, his tail beating a rhythm against the wall. Without warning, the dog streaked to the front door, barking ferociously seconds before the doorbell chimed.

  She peeked out the narrow window flanking the door and frowned. What the heck was Tyler doing on her porch still wearing his suit? He looked exhausted. Was he unhappy with her cleaning? She swung the door open.

  “Is something wrong?” She held Mitch’s collar to keep the excited animal from jumping on Tyler and covering his elegant jacket in dog hair.

  “Sort of. I’d like to speak to Noah if he’s still awake.” He stepped inside, and his gaze dropped to the library book she hugged to her chest. “Aesop, huh?”

  “Yes.” She lifted her chin. “When you mentioned his fables, I realized Noah might enjoy them.” There was no way she would admit she’d never read them herself. “I just put him to bed.”

  Tyler glanced around at her shabby furniture and worn carpet.

  She stared at the floor, unable to meet his gaze. “Why do you want to talk to my son? Did he do—”

  “It’s nothing terrible, I promise. I simply want to discuss something Mandy told me happened in school.”

  “Okay. His room is this way.” She led Tyler down the short hallway leading to the two tiny bedrooms, opened her son’s door, and flipped on the overhead light.

  Noah sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Hi, Mr. Fit’patrick.”

  Tyler sank onto the bed’s edge. “Hi, Noah. What happened during art class today?”

  Noah’s head drooped. “We painted.”

  “Yes, I know. Mandy told me Mrs. Winslow had to put both of you in time out.”

  “Noah!” Annie gasped, rushing over to the bed. “What’d you do?”

  Her son’s face turned pink, and he simply shrugged.

  Tyler squeezed his shoulder. “Buddy, if a girl doesn’t give you permission to kiss her, you shouldn’t. You need to respect girls and treat them the same way you’d want another boy to treat your mom.”

  That was all this was about? A juvenile little kiss? She opened her mouth to point out the kids were only six years old but then stopped herself. Maybe if someone had taught her child’s father the meaning of no, he wouldn’t have felt entitled to drug her and violate her.

  “Joey Larson told everyone I was a fraidy-cat.” Noah turned into his pillow.

  She tipped his face up, forcing her son to look at her. “The other kids can say your face is green with purple spots, but that doesn’t make it the truth.”

  Tyler mussed his hair. “Noah, if you allow other kids to tease you into doing something you know is wrong, you’re letting them win. Do you understand?”

  “Uh-huh.” Noah nodded.

  “From now on, listen to your own conscience and don’t do things just because your friends tell you to. No matter how much they dare you. Okay, kiddo?” Tyler patted his back and left Annie to tuck her son in for the second time.

  When she joined Mandy’s father in the living room, she shook her head. “I can’t believe you stopped here at night over such a minor incident. You could’ve waited until—”

  “Hey, you might consider it minor, but anytime a kid buckles under peer pressure, it’s a big problem. My buddy, Luke, is an undercover detective. You wouldn’t believe the age of the kids he’s arresting.”

  “You’re right.” She lowered her gaze. “But I wish you would’ve had the courtesy to speak to me first. It’s my job to discipline my son.”

  A sudden stiffening in his posture suggested her objection surprised him. “I apologize for usurping your authority. My intention wasn’t to, as you say, discipline him. I simply thought it might make a deeper impression if a man explained what it means to be a gentleman.”

  It probably had. But the last thing she wanted was another reminder of how much her son needed a male role model.

  “I’m sorry I waited until so late. I spent an hour this afternoon searching for Erica’s old babysitter list so I could go back to Princeton for a dinner meeting. I never did find it.”

  No wonder he looked so tired. “So what did you do?”

  “I remembered my buddy Nick’s daughter, Dani, just started high school. So I called her.”

  “Oh, I met Dani and her mom, Samantha, once. Noah occasionally plays with the twin boys who live next door to her. I was talking to their mother, Jennifer, when I met you at the school the other day.” Annie snapped her mouth shut as Tyler’s eyes glazed over.

  Okay, that was probably way more information than he wanted.

  “Anyway. . .”—he shrugged—“please forgive me for disrupting your evening.”

  “You didn’t. I appreciate you t
aking the time to stop. You could’ve called me if you had a meeting. I would’ve picked Mandy up at school with Noah and stayed with her so you didn’t have to drive back and forth twice.”

  “Thanks. I may take you up on that someday. I’m hoping to hire someone next week, so I won’t have this problem.”

  “I have another house to clean in the morning, so I won’t get to finish yours until after the kids get out of school. I can pick Mandy up with Noah and take her home.”

  Tyler stepped closer and tilted her chin up, staring into her eyes. “You know, Annie, you should stop being so damn sweet if you don’t want me to think of you as dessert. One of these days, I’m gonna indulge my sugar craving.”

  Her stomach did several cartwheels when his pupils expanded and his irises darkened, transforming his green eyes into a couple of sparkling emeralds. His gaze dropped to her lips and lingered on them as his head slowly dipped. “As a matter of fact,” he whispered, “now seems as good a time as any.”

  His warm mouth plundered hers, while her heart did the mambo. Molten fire coursed through her as his tongue teased her lips with tantalizing little flicks, sliding intimately into her mouth.

  Intoxicated by the taste of wine on his lips and the faint smell of cologne mingling with his masculine scent, she stepped back, trembling. “You just finished lecturing Noah. I don’t recall asking you to kiss me.”

  “That’s right,” he whispered, wearing a cat-with-a-canary smile. “You didn’t....verbally. But for two days, your eyes have been begging me to make a move on you.”

  She stared up at him speechless, unable to deny her body had been screaming invitations.

  He gently traced the curve of her cheek with his fingertip, and her nipples stiffened into two hard points. “Don’t I at least get credit for stopping at a simple kiss?”

  Darn him. He’d made her want his mouth on a lot more than her lips.

  “You taste even more luscious than I imagined.” He brushed aside one of the ebony tendrils around her face. “You’ve been eating the M&M’s.”