by Elsie Davis
Their lifestyles were on opposite ends of the rainbow, but it didn’t stop him from wishing things could be different. If only he could convince her to stay and see where this attraction between them led. He was tired of fighting it. The kids would love it, and he wouldn’t need to hire anyone, because he’d already had the best nanny and housekeeper money could buy.
My life’s aspiration isn’t to be a nanny and housekeeper in some posh penthouse suite. April’s exact words. Would it be different if he bought a house in Queens?
Chapter Fourteen
“Can we do something fun today? I’m bored,” Melanie whined.
“Think of all the fun you had yesterday.” The kids had come back from Jim and Bev’s worn out and ready for bed early. April, on the other hand, had a hard time sleeping, her day with Garrett extra special, a day she’d never forget. He’d only kissed her once, but oh, what a kiss.
“But this is supposed to be an adventure.” Melanie’s mood was a direct result of overstimulation yesterday, but nothing new to April when it came to dealing with kids. And the only way to deal with a sour mood was to perk them up again, just not on such a grand scale.
“I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we take a before-school field trip this morning? Now that I’m more used to getting around, I think we can handle getting somewhere on our own. What do you think?” April bumped shoulders with Melanie playfully, trying to make her laugh.
“Where to?” she asked. Bryan stopped rolling around on the floor with Rufus long enough to hear her answer.
“Hmmm. Let me think. I’ve got it. What if we visit Garrett? It might be exciting to see what it’s like to work as an executive here in the city. I’m sure he won’t mind, and it’ll be fun.” At least, she hoped he wouldn’t mind. After yesterday, her confidence in the suggestion had risen several notches. “We’ll call it a bring-your-kid-to-work-day field trip.” And a bring-your-nanny-to-work field trip, because she was just as delighted to see where he worked. She had no idea what the kiss meant, or if it meant anything at all, but April hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. Or him.
Their non-date had been a day of fun and exploring, and a chance to get to know one another. April couldn’t help but treasure the time they spent together. She also realized that if Garrett would trust his instincts, he’d be a great dad. Both made it harder to walk away this weekend, but it was his kiss that made it darn near impossible. Originally, she assumed he and Brooke were an item, but now she wasn’t so sure. Not unless he made a habit of kissing lots of women.
“Sounds okay.” Melanie shrugged noncommittally. “Could be fun.”
“Definitely more fun than watching more movies or reading,” Bryan chimed in.
Sandy nodded, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Of course, at the mention of Garrett’s name, she would agree to go anywhere.
“Then let’s do this.” April packed a few kid essentials, baby wipes, tissues, crayons, and paper. Be prepared was her motto. Bryan held Sandy’s hand, leaving Melanie to carry her own car seat, and April to carry Sandy’s car seat and the bag.
It wasn’t long before they were downstairs, Ted holding the door open for them as they exited to the street. “Would you like me to get you a taxi?”
“No, thanks.” She wanted to learn to assert herself, and this was an opportunity to try. “I’ve got this.”
He chuckled but waited nearby, just in case she failed.
“Taxi!” she hollered, raising her hand in the air.
Several taxis passed by, but none stopped. “What did I do wrong?”
“You have to yell louder,” Bryan interjected.
“No, she needs to wave her hand more, like a flag,” Melanie insisted.
“No, she needs to step off the curb like she means business and call out exactly the same way she did.” Ted’s words of advice gave her the confidence to try again.
“Taxi!” she hollered, this time stepping off the curb, following Ted’s instructions. Be assertive. A yellow taxi pulled over, mere inches from April. She jumped back, her arm out to keep the kids from moving forward until the vehicle came to a complete stop.
Ted opened the door, helping her get the kids inside and belted in. “Thanks, Ted.” She waved and slid in the front seat. “Corner of Hampton and Spring Street, please. It’s the Hampton East building.”
The driver nodded, pushed the meter button, and pulled away from the curb. At each stoplight, the kids asked if they were there yet, letting on they were into way more into this field trip than acted.
The ride took less than twenty minutes, and soon they were pulling up in front of the building. So far, so good. Once inside, she looked for the Bradley & West name on the sign next to the elevator, checking for which floor they needed. Melanie pressed the elevator button for the thirty-second floor. On the ride up, April realized she forgot to call Garrett to give him the heads-up. Her confidence faltered slightly.
He kissed you. April straightened. It would be okay.
The elevator doors opened, and the kids raced out, their eagerness to see where Garrett worked now unchecked.
“Shhh,” April admonished. “It’s a place of business, so we have to be quiet.” The first thing she noticed was that the decor matched the same clean, contemporary lines of Garrett’s house. Cold, impersonal, and dreadfully businesslike. Contemporary would never be her thing.
“May I help you,” the receptionist asked. She was a younger woman, but formidable both in her starchy business suit and her voice.
“Yes, I’m April St. James, and I’m here to see Mr. Bradley. Garrett Bradley,” she amended in case there was more than one Bradley.
“Do you have an appointment?” The woman’s chin rose a notch as she checked her computer and then looked back at April.
“No. I don’t need one. These are his…children.” It sounded strange when she uttered the words, but it didn’t make them any less true.
“Mr. Bradley doesn’t have any children.” The woman’s voice was now several degrees colder.
“I beg to differ with you.” It wasn’t up to April to explain. “Now, if you’ll just buzz him, I’m sure he’ll let us in to see him.” This was like getting past the gates at Fort Knox.
“Someone to see Mr. Bradley. I think she said her name was April St. James. She’s here with three children and no appointment. Should I send her back or tell her to make an appointment?” The crisp voice sent chills down April’s back. “Yes, Miss Taylor. Thank you.” The woman looked up at April, disdain evident in her haughty expression. “You may proceed to the back. Just through those doors down the hall on the right. Miss Taylor will meet you there.”
Apparently, there were two gates gatekeepers to get through to see the mighty and powerful Mr. Bradley. Luckily, the kids were staying close, and so far, they were behaving.
“Ms. St. James, what a pleasure to see you again. Is Mr. Bradley expecting you?” Brooke’s voice made it clear she was less than pleased to see April and the kids, regardless of her words.
“No. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to come here. I thought it would be fun for the kids to see where Garrett works.” April felt guilty for the white lie, but Brooke didn’t need to know that. Besides, she was getting tired of explaining herself.
The woman’s eyebrows rose a notch at the use of Garrett’s name. “This is a place of business. I’m not sure this is a great idea. In fact, I’m positive it’s not.” She let out a deep sigh, her gaze landing on the children. “He’s busy with a new client. You should leave and find some other way to occupy your time. Isn’t that what you’re paid to do?” The catty tone of her voice set April on edge.
“I think we should let Mr. Bradley be the judge of that, don’t you think? They are his children.” April glared back at Brooke. She had no intention of backing down or leaving until they talked to Garrett.
Brooke glanced at the three children again, her lip curling slightly as if the thought of kids in her office was inconceivable. “Very well, if you insist.
Follow me. Children, don’t touch anything.”
“As if,” Bryan muttered. Bryan’s judgment of the woman was spot on, but it wouldn’t do for her to allow him to vocalize those opinions.
“Bryan, that’s enough.” April shook her head, sending him a clear message.
Brooke leaned in close as they walked side by side, the kids a few steps behind. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re not the first woman to come up with some lame excuse to worm her way into Garrett’s life, hoping to be Mrs. Bradley, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. I’m surprised you’d even try though, considering you’re leaving this coming weekend. Bit of a reach, don’t you think?”
The woman had lowered her voice as if they were conspiring together—but that would be like being in cahoots with the wicked stepmother in Cinderella. “It’s not what you think.” It was easier to tell the woman what she wanted to hear in the hopes she’d back down. The kiss she’d shared with Garrett… Well, that was for her lips only. And she wasn’t a kiss-and-tell kind of girl.
“Please. It’s exactly what I think. I’ve been with Garrett a long time and know him better than anyone. And fair warning, he doesn’t like kids, and he doesn’t like dogs, so you can just forget this whole family picture you’re trying to paint. As soon as we get them accepted into boarding school and find a daycare for the little girl, this will be a non-issue.”
Boarding school? And daycare? It was the first April had heard of the nonsense. He couldn’t possibly be thinking seriously about either option. Neither was in the best interests of the children. She’d have to talk it over with him sometime when they were alone. With school just around the corner, she’d need to do it soon.
“He wouldn’t do that to them.” It was all she could think to say, her mind spinning. April hadn’t missed the we word in the bomb Brooke dropped. The confirmation of the two of them as a couple was upsetting. The man had kissed her, and she hadn’t been able to push aside her growing feelings. She might be leaving, but she’d also started to care for Garrett as more than the children’s father. But it would seem Brooke did, too. And the miserable woman was making decisions with Garrett for the kids. Poor children.
The day had started out sunny but turned cloudy. If what Brooke told her was true, there was a storm brewing on the horizon. What she needed was a prospect for someone to help with the house and kids, or she didn’t stand a chance of talking him out of such a disastrous decision. If she hadn’t already registered for college and sent in her money, she might consider postponing leaving, but she couldn’t stay in the city and couldn’t pass up this opportunity. She had to find a replacement and convince Garrett sending the kids away was the wrong decision for all of them.
The secretary pushed open a massive wooden door and entered, leaving them to follow.
“Brooke, what is it—April? What are you all doing here? Garrett stood and started her way, meeting her halfway across the office. His smile was encouraging.
“She’s here to visit. I told her you were working on a new file and extremely busy, but she insisted.” The woman shook her head as if April were clueless.
Garrett glanced at Brooke. “That will be all, Brooke. I’ve got this. Close the door behind you.” It was a clear invitation for the woman to leave, and April couldn’t help but shoot her a satisfied smirk.
“Hey, kids. Hope you’re behaving for Miss April today?” He lifted Sandy up in his arms and crossed the room toward the window as she gave him a tight hug around his neck.
“We are.” Bryan was the first to answer.
Garrett pointed to a giant billboard on the side of a nearby office building. A dog picture illuminated the neon sign, and Sandy smiled. “I’m busy, but I can stop for a few minutes. What’s going on?”
“We decided on a before-school field trip to do something different. More fun. We dubbed this take-your-kid-to day. I forgot to call you first. Sorry.”
“This is a really cool office,” Melanie beamed. “We won’t touch anything, Garrett. We promise.”
“Why won’t you touch anything? All I ask is that you don’t destroy the place.” He chuckled. Kids came up with some of the silliest ideas.
“That lady who just left warned us not to touch.” Bryan shrugged. Maybe not so silly after all. Brooke was a formidable woman.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m the boss here, so she can’t fire you or anything.” More proof Brooke was overstepping her bounds.
“I’ve never been to somebody’s office before. This is cool,” Bryan said, moving to stand next to the window. “Wow, we are really high up.”
Garrett tweaked Sandy’s nose. “Are you being a good girl today?”
Sandy nodded; her eyes lit up with excitement.
Garrett loved her smile, and it warmed his heart. He headed back to his desk. “Let me tell Jim you’re here. He’s dropped in several times already this morning talking about the fun he had with you guys yesterday.”
“Mr. Jim is here, too?” Bryan asked. “Cool.”
“Sure is.” Garrett buzzed the intercom. “Hey, Jim. My insta-family stopped in. You got a second?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Less than a minute later, the door opened, and Jim walked in, full of smiles and hugs for the kids. “Nice to see you again, April. I heard you had fun yesterday. Garrett told me some of what you did. Impressive.” He nodded.
“It was amazing. Garrett’s a wonderful tour guide.” She couldn’t keep the admiration out of her voice as she recounted the day, Brooke or no Brooke.
Jim’s intense gaze made her feel like a bug under a microscope. He turned to Garrett. “You need to find a way to keep this one.”
“I’m trying, believe me. But she starts school right after Labor Day at Plymouth U.”
April loved hearing that Garrett spoke of her kindly. She’d watched him evolve from bachelor to daddy, and it had shown her a side of him she hadn’t expected but admired. A lot.
“I should run. The kids have tried out your desk, looked out the window, and scoped out the putt-putt golf thing you have over there in the corner. Next, we move to boredom. My cue to leave.” April knew exactly how long a kid’s attention span would last and the dangers of when it ran out. “Come on, kids. Time to let Mr. Garrett and Mr. Jim get some work done.”
April took Sandy from Garrett, and they all said goodbye and headed for the door. She stopped and turned back to Garrett. “Dinner’s at six. Try not to be late. I’m making Cajun chicken pasta, my specialty.”
“A man could get used to home-cooked meals every night.” Garrett nodded; his eyes lit up with anticipation.
“I get home-cooked meals every night by having a wife. Comes with night-time privileges as well. You might want to try it sometime, Garrett.” Jim was ready to burst with laughter at Garrett’s sudden grimace. Okay, so marriage was not anywhere on Garrett’s agenda. He’d told her that in the beginning.
“If you had a housekeeper or wife before now, you wouldn’t have needed me, so I’m glad you didn’t.” She joined in the teasing, finding it easier to laugh off Jim’s direct comment.
“True. I’m glad I didn’t, either.” Were they still talking about cooking meals, or was something else cooking behind the scenes?
Chapter Fifteen
Garrett’s alarm sounded off at five. He folded his blankets, topped the pile off with his pillow and placed them on the shelf in the hall closet. He filled an oversized thermos of the coffee April had set up to brew, not wanting to miss the robust taste of the coffee blend she’d perfected for him.
He headed down the hall to his office where he’d hung fresh clothes and put his toiletries to make things easier with April occupying his room. He dressed and wasted no time heading out the front door. The last thing he wanted to do was wake the kids or the dog.
Garrett hailed a taxi, anxious to get to the office and double-check the merger stats and to do some extra market-analysis reviews for the oil industry. Mr. Hamilton’s late-night text
with concerns over falling oil prices was valid but based purely on speculation. If they dropped, it would affect the bottom line of the deal and the closing, which in turn meant Hamilton’s ability to merge with Baden Enterprises at a fair price. All current indices showed prices stabilizing, at least for the foreseeable future. But Garrett wanted to double and triple-check his information just to be on the safe side.
Garrett reviewed all updates on the market that were reported before the opening. Nothing changed. The prices had ticked up a higher, but nothing that would be a deal-breaker. Hours passed, but he didn’t notice until Brooke came in, bringing him a much-needed cup of coffee. She set it on his desk as he stood and stretched.
“Morning, Garrett. I see you’re hard at it already this morning. Is there anything I can do for you before I get started on my task list?” Brooke was organized to the T, which was probably why they worked well together. She was good at predicting his every need, which was handy when he needed something in a hurry.
“Any chance you can get me one of those honeybuns from the downstairs vending machine. I came straight here this morning and missed by breakfast stop at the café.”
“No problem. You need to eat better than that. Let me know when you want lunch, and I’ll order us something from the deli.”
“Best idea I’ve heard all morning. Thanks.” Garrett nodded, the idea of lunch already making him hungry.
He managed to get in another couple of hours before his stomach forced him to call it quits. He pressed the intercom button on the phone. “Brooke, if you’re in a place you can stop and run to the corner deli for our lunch. I could use a sandwich. My treat.”
“Of course. And I know just what you want. Smoked turkey, gouda cheese, heavy on the mustard, light on the mayo, and all on whole-grain bread.” His secretary rattled off his regular request.
For every place he ate, he had a favorite. One day, he’d mix it up and surprise her, but not today. Smoked turkey sounded perfect. “You know me too well. Maybe I’m too predictable.”