by Elsie Davis
“April, is everything all right? You sound different than you did this morning.”
“I’m fine. Or I will be. I just need to get back to Hallbrook. I start school soon and I’m nowhere near ready. Thank you for accepting the position.”
“Okay. See you in a bit.” Corinne hung up, and April let out a deep, cleansing breath.
Now for the text to Garrett before she lost the nerve.
“Hired new nanny. Started immediately. Her hours are Monday through Friday 7 to 6 and off on weekends. Highly recommended by her agency and the kids like her a lot. Adjust your schedule, it’s the best I can do.”
She was surprised to get an almost immediate response.
“Great news. I will work with those hours if she comes with those high recommendations. I look forward to meeting her. Hope she can cook. You’ve spoiled us. See you tonight.”
His response was amiable and accommodating, not at all what she’d expected.
“Hey, kids, good news.” April dug deep to pull a smile from out of nowhere in order to make this right for the children.
“What’s going on?” Melanie asked.
“Corinne’s agreed to watch you guys. She’ll be your new nanny.”
“I wish you would stay, but I know you’ve got school.” Bryan’s dejected look was that of a young boy trying to be brave.
“You’ll be in school just like us,” Melanie added. “But why can’t you go to school here? I don’t want you to leave.” Her voice had taken on a slight whine, tugging at April’s heartstrings.
“I’m enrolled at Plymouth University, and my home is in Hallbrook. But remember, no matter where we are at school, we always need to do our best, right?” She wanted to encourage the children to put their best efforts forth in all that they did in life. It was a motto that had stood her in good stead throughout a not-so-happy childhood. “I asked Corinne to come back today because I’ve got so much to do to get ready for school. Since she’s available, I figured it would be better this way. I can tell her what she needs to know, and I’m hoping the two of you will help her out with anything else she needs.”
“When are you leaving?” Bryan asked.
“I’ve arranged for a shuttle service to get me to the airport later tonight. Corinne will be here at seven in the morning on weekdays to help you get breakfast and get ready for school. And then she’ll take care of Sandy.”
It was the easiest way April knew to avoid a scene. “But you two can call me anytime you want. Here, I’ll give you both my number.” She jotted the number down at the top of their notebooks. “And I’ve got something special for you.” She handed them each a photograph from when they’d stopped at one of the photo booths on the street and taken pictures. Just silly pictures, but they were special to April.
“I still hate that you’re leaving,” Melanie said, a pout on her face.
Even Sandy seemed to sense what was going on and came to stand beside her, her arms held up high. April picked up the little girl and hugged her, wishing the best for her.
“I should start packing, and Corinne will be here soon. I love all three of you. Don’t ever forget that.”
“We love you, too,” both kids responded.
Melanie got down from her chair and hurried to April’s side, giving her a big hug. Bryan was right behind her, and the four of them had a group hug that would leave an imprint on April’s heart forever.
Chapter Eighteen
April’s message about finding a woman to take care of the kids should have been met with relief, but that’s not what he was feeling. Over the past two weeks, he’d gotten to know and appreciate April, and not just as a nanny.
From the moment he’d kissed her, he’d found himself wanting to spend more time with her, and now she was leaving. It was always the plan, and he understood she had to return to Hallbrook and start her classes, but he’d also thought maybe they could see each other.
Hallbrook wasn’t that far away. But ever since he’d overreacted to the destruction of his penthouse, she’d been more on edge, and Garrett sensed she was pulling away, preparing for Sunday’s departure.
It was up to him to convince her they needed to see each other again. The idea of her simply vanishing from his life was unsettling. Garrett scanned his key card and entered the penthouse, bracing himself for the chaos he’d come to expect. Instead, he found the exact opposite.
The older kids were sitting quietly at the table coloring. Sandy played nearby on the floor with her dolls. He could hear April from down the hall; presumably, she was talking to the new nanny.
“Hey, kids. Why the long faces?” They all looked up, not having noticed him before.
“Miss April’s leaving,” Melanie whined, her eyes tearing up. “We don’t want her to leave.”
“We all knew this was for two weeks. Sunday is still a few days away, and I’m sure we can find some fun stuff to do with her before then.”
“No. She’s leaving tonight.” Bryan spoke up.
“What? Why?” That wasn’t their deal. Until you find a replacement. And she’d found one. She’d upheld her end of the bargain. It still didn’t explain why she felt the need to rush off.
“She’s got stuff to do,” Bryan answered. “That lady from your office came, and I think it made her mad.”
“Brooke?” That made even less sense. He’d sent his secretary to pick up a file, not to harass April. He shook his head. Understanding women would take a lifetime.
“Let me talk to her and find out what’s going on. Maybe there’s a way to convince her to stay a few more days.” Garrett was surprised how much the knowledge she was leaving tonight made him feel—as though he was losing someone special. He walked down the hall, following the sound of her voice.
“The girls are in here together, and Bryan has his own room.” April was explaining the setup when he joined them.
“Hey there. I left a bit early, hoping to get more of a chance to talk with you.” He directed his comment to the new nanny, extending his hand in welcome, and noting the sudden tension in April. “I’m Garrett Bradley.” The new nanny was an attractive young woman in her mid-twenties, but Garrett only had eyes for April. Her sudden departure was concerning.
“Hi. I’m Corinne Carruthers.” She shook his hand. “I love your place. It’s so upscale- designer.” Her enthusiasm was appreciated considering once upon a time, he used to consider the place perfection.
“Thank you. The kids add a lived-in touch, but the core of the place still exists, at least for the time being.” He grinned, realizing the lived-in look was growing on him. It felt…homey.
“Well, I’ll try to keep it intact for you.” Corinne winked, the more personal gesture startling him. With April leaving, he needed this woman to help with the kids, but if she imagined he was part of the package, she needed to guess again.
“I appreciate that. It sounds as though April’s providing you with all the details you’ll need. She says you come highly recommended. We appreciate your agreeing to start work on such short notice.” He kept his tone businesslike, making sure they were on the same page.
“It’s hard to pass up an opportunity such as this one.” Corinne’s reply left him unsettled, knowing it was a done deal. The idea of April leaving hit him hard.
“April, the kids tell me you’re leaving tonight. Is that true? I thought you were staying until Sunday. I had plans for this weekend.” He didn’t, but he would make some if she stayed.
“We agreed I’d stay until I found someone, and with Corinne here tomorrow, you don’t need two of us. The longer I stay, the harder it will be on the kids when I leave. Besides, I need to get ready for school.” It sounded like a well-rehearsed line. She was withdrawn, more reserved, almost as if she’d already checked out mentally.
“I see. You know best when it comes to the kids.” Bryan was right, April intended to leave tonight. He’d have to wait until later when they were alone if he had any hope of understanding the cold briskness h
e heard in her voice. It was one thing to notice she was pulling away, but this…this was something else entirely.
April took a step toward the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let you two work out any remaining details. Corinne must leave every night on time to visit her mother in the nursing home, so you can’t keep her here late. I’ll be in my room packing. Thank you again, Corinne. You’re a lifesaver. Don’t forget, you can call me if you need to know anything.” The two women hugged, and April headed down the hall to his room.
“If you’ll follow me to my office, we can finish our discussion there.”
“Sounds great.” Corinne followed him into his office, and within ten minutes, they’d finalized the terms and hours. Corinne was quick to exit promptly at six, promising to return at seven tomorrow morning.
Garrett thumbed through the mail Brooke must have picked up from downstairs and left for him. There was nothing but junk and a statement from the bank he’d review later. Pulling open the top drawer to toss the letter in, he spotted the boarding school brochure. He unfolded it, reading over the information yet again. The school offered everything the kids would need, and it would be an amazing experience if the brochure was to be believed.
The question was, would the kids agree? The news of coming to New York hadn’t gone over well, and Garrett sensed they would embrace boarding school with even less enthusiasm. He slid the brochure back in the drawer and closed it. Time to check on the kids, and with any luck, find out what was going on with April.
“Who wants pizza for dinner? I can have it delivered.” Their long faces reflected how he was feeling, but it was worth a shot to try and cheer the group up.
“I do,” the kids answered at the same time. Sandy nodded and smiled.
He headed down the hall to his room and knocked on the slightly open door before entering. April glanced at him, quickly looking back down as she folded the shirt she was packing. The blue dress hanging on the closest door brought back memories of Sunday and the special day they’d shared. Especially the kiss. He couldn’t let her leave tonight.
“What time’s your flight? We were going to order pizza, and we’re hoping you’d be able to join us.” Garrett wanted to ease into the conversation. If there was anything he’d learned, slow and easy worked better when it involved April, versus cut and dried like at the office. There was no room for bulldozing this conversation.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. It’s at nine-fifteen. I need to be there two hours early.” April’s voice was still crisp, her actions as she folded the clothes jerky. Agitated.
“I could charter the helicopter for you tomorrow.” Garrett offered, hoping to entice her. He could practically have her home in the same amount of time she’d wait at the airport.
“No, thanks. I’ve already got a flight booked.” He was failing miserably at trying to draw her out and find out what was going on.
“Can I take you there?”
“That would be harder on the kids. It’s okay. When in New York, I’ll be a New Yorker and hail a cab.”
He reached out for her hand, stopping her from the folding process. “What’s going on?” Subtle wasn’t getting him anywhere, and he was getting desperate.
She pulled her hand back and shook her head. “Nothing. I told you, it’s time to go home.”
“Can I see you again?”
April stopped and stared at him, confusion clouding her eyes. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
The only thing left was to be direct and to bulldoze through the issues. “Why not? We’ve had fun together. And then there was the kiss. I want to explore the attraction I think we’re both feeling.”
“You’ve got your hands full already, and it would never work out, so there’s no sense exploring anything. We are two very different people. End of story.”
“What’s wrong?” He took a step closer, lifting her chin to force her to make eye contact.
April took a step back. “Nothing. Just let me go home. It’s where I need to be.”
Garrett wasn’t going to beg. Women were impossible to understand at times, and this was one of them. “Okay. I need to order pizza. I’m hoping to cheer them up.” Garrett hated to leave things this way, but she wasn’t giving him much choice. If she wasn’t interested in pursuing what was between them, it was time to retreat. He wasn’t an expert on relationships, but the last time he checked, it took two people.
* * *
Monday morning took forever, and when Corinne arrived, Garrett was relieved to head for the office. It wasn’t that the kids had done anything wrong, it was simply without April’s guidance and peace-keeping abilities, finding things to do, and keeping Bryan and Melanie from their constant bickering wasn’t easy. Her abrupt departure and stiff hug in front of the kids left him unsettled. As for the kids, they missed her, plain and simple, and nothing he did, it seemed, made it better. He missed her as much as they did, although he made a point of trying not to show it.
By Wednesday, he was exhausted. Work all day. Kids all night. Corinne was working out fine during the day, but it left him zero time for himself after she left. His appreciation for working parents rose a thousand percent.
Garrett pressed the intercom button. “Brooke, can you get me a printout on the Aygen Oil and Compton Energy Sources financial statements for the past three years please?”
“I’ll get right on it. Anything special I’m after?”
“No. But I’ve got a possible angle to the price gouging I want to check out.” Maybe he had exhaustion to thank for the insight, but after the kids had gone to bed and he had a chance to breathe in the golden sound of silence, the idea had come out of nowhere.
If he was right, it was a power-play between oil conglomerates—one that would soon right itself. Baden was trying to take advantage of Hamilton, and Garrett wasn’t about to let it happen. Oil prices would surge again, and Baden would be right back in the game. They needed Hamilton’s company.
Brooke entered his office and dropped off the printouts.
“Thanks, that will be all.” He was trying hard to reestablish the office boundaries that needed to be in place. Brooke seemed as though she wanted to say something, but thankfully, she turned and left. Message received, but not welcome.
Garrett perused the files, and with each passing hour, he grew more and more certain he was right.
He pushed the button for Jim’s office, wanting his opinion before he made the call to Mr. Hamilton. “Jim, can I see you a minute? I’ve got something I want you to hear. Get a second opinion.”
“I’ll be right there.” True to his word, Jim walked in minutes later. “What’s up?”
“The Baden-Hamilton merger. I think I know what’s going on, and it isn’t good.” Garrett filled his partner in on his findings, citing all the reasons that proved his theory.
“Excellent research. But what are you going to do? Doesn’t Mr. Hamilton lose either way?” Jim asked, sitting back in his chair as he pondered the information.
“Only if the price doesn’t come back up soon. But I believe it will. This is just temporary. I want to call Baden’s bluff.” To wait out this price-fixing war was risky, but not to wait would ruin his client, something Garrett couldn’t accept.
“Hmmm. Great idea, and it might even work.” Jim nodded. “I trusted you’d figure something out. You come out looking like a hero if you’re right. If you’re wrong, it could be the complete downfall of Bradley & West.”
“I’m right, and you know it. I don’t have the right to ask you to support this decision, and I know what it means to our business and your family, but I have no choice. I need to help Mr. Hamilton.”
“I get it. You feel responsible for his losses. As far as I’m concerned, do what you need to do. I’ll support your decision. We started this business together, and together we can weather anything.”
“Thanks, Jim. You won’t be sorry.” Jim rose. “I can only hope you’re right.” He let out a deep breath and le
ft.
Next up, the call to Mr. Hamilton himself. Getting him to agree would be harder. Jim trusted him, Mr. Hamilton…not so much at the moment.
By the time he hung up the phone, he was mentally drained. In the end, Mr. Hamilton had finally succumbed and agreed to the plan. Garrett sat back and stretched, giving himself a few minutes to regroup before drawing up the documents for a power-play against Baden Enterprises.
It took him an hour to finalize the document. He checked it over himself, not wanting anyone, not even Brooke to know what he was doing. He was counting on a knee-jerk reaction from Baden.
Garrett headed for Jim’s office and knowing he didn’t have a client in with him, entered without knocking. He crossed the room to stand in front of the window. “It’s done. Mr. Hamilton was on board after a bit of convincing. Now we wait.”
“Stock markets open in the morning, but we should start to see news updates before that. Maybe get wind of what’s in store.”
“Yes. Let’s just hope I’m right.” He glanced at his watch. Five-fifteen. He needed to leave soon. He’d need every bit of the ride home to mentally switch gears.
“What else is going on? How’s it working out with Corinne and the kids? You’ve been in a funk lately, and I can’t help thinking it’s gotten worse since April left.”
“If I am, it’s because the kids aren’t happy, and I don’t know what to do about it. School starts next week, but they are bored. The house is too small. The realtor called and still doesn’t have anything that matches what we need, and the kids miss April.” He stared out across the expanse of the city, trying to make sense of the chaos in his life.
“By the looks of it, you’re missing April just as much as they are, if not more. You may have single-handedly saved the Baden-Hamilton deal and Hamilton, and you should be ecstatic. Instead, you’re in my office looking as though you lost your best friend. And I’m sitting right here, so it must be her.” Jim leaned back in his chair and chuckled.