Mail Order Nanny (Book 3 of the Amory's)

by Hestand, Rita

  The other two came and joined in the greeting excitedly.

  Annie felt an overwhelming emotion that surprised her, she felt as though she'd suddenly come home, as though she belonged here. Her fears melted away momentarily.

  From the looks of these girls, they did need her.

  "Well, I'm sure it was a long trip and you are probably tired, how about some coffee and then we'll get on up the mountain," Chayton said.

  "I'd love some coffee." Annie smiled, as questions began to bounce in her head. Her letters had said Tanka Amory, and no mention of a wife. But often she found that introductions were strained and it could have been just some sort of precaution on Mr. Amory's side not to divulge everything through a letter. It was understandable, although Annie didn't think Chayton Amory was the secretive kind of man, judging by the way he seemed to approach things. She liked the entire family and she couldn't wait to learn more.

  Kasie looped her arm in hers while Katie hadn't turned loose of her yet.

  They talked small talk all the way to the café. The girls giggled and laughed, having no idea how fast they put Annie's doubts to rest, even though that niggling stirred something in the back of her brain.

  As the coffee came hot and inviting to their table, Annie looked from one to another. "Your letters couldn't possibly tell me everything, but you addressed them as Tanka Amory." Annie hesitated in bringing it up so quickly but the sooner she dispelled her doubts, the better.

  Chayton nodded. "Yes, Tanka is their father, my brother…"

  "Oh…" Annie's mouth must have formed the perfect oh, for they all stared at her with smiles.

  "My brother was tied up, at the moment…" Chayton's voice took on a strange quality.

  Annie shot them both a strange look. As much as she wanted this to go smoothly and with no hitches, she sensed there was more to the story. And that niggling grew stronger.

  Kasie shook her head. "You might as well just come out with it right now, Chayton. She needs no more surprises."

  Chayton bowed his head. "All right…my hard headed brother is not the one that contacted you…"

  "He isn't…then you?" she queried, looking from Chayton to Kasie.

  "No…not exactly. It was Katie…and my son D.J. played a part…" Chayton cleared his throat.

  Annie looked from one to the other, as Katie bowed her head. Even though she clearly feared an instant rejection, she lifted her head and gazed at her. "We need you, please don't go away…" Katie pleaded.

  Annie felt the cry to her toes and her compassion kicked in immediately. "I'm not going anywhere Katie, but I would like to know the whole story…if you don't mind."

  Kasie reached for Katie's hand across the table. "Annie, Tanka's wife, their mother, died a couple of years ago. They'd been married nearly fifteen years. Tanka…didn't take it very well. In fact, he's been…"

  "In a coma for two years…" Chayton added his voice increasingly frustrated.

  "I'm so sorry…" Annie began. "But are you saying he didn't write the letters, he didn't ask me to come?"

  "I'm afraid so," Kasie replied. "But Annie, he does need you…"

  "Oh…well…in that case, I'm glad you've told me now before I got settled in. I can get a flight home then in no time." Annie tried to smile, although the disappointment hit her hard. She'd so counted on a new life here. Already she was trying to figure out what she was going to do. "And it is lovely to meet your three girls, you are beautiful, all of you. But I couldn't possibly…intrude on your father."

  Chayton firmed his lips and looked at Annie. "Look, Annie, I realize you are here sort of on false pretenses, but frankly my wife and I knew about this arrangement before he did, and we are all for it. We think this is exactly what Tanka needs. We'd like you to stay; at least try it for a while…"

  Annie hesitated. Staying with someone who obviously didn't want her here wasn't a pleasant thought. But the sadness in the girl's eyes, the tears they hadn't spilled yet, caused Annie to reconsider.

  "I don't want to be a burden. I came fully expecting to work at this…" Annie grasped for straws. Just the fact that Tanka Amory hadn't come with them told her, she might not be a welcome guest.

  "My brother needs to be awakened from his sleep. You might be just what he needs."

  Annie considered Mr. Amory's words with respect. "I can understand suffering, I just lost my mother."

  Kasie grabbed her hand and squeezed. "We know and that was part of what made you so right for them. You can understand the loss and perhaps show him how to cope. Our children let us read the letters, I hope you don't mind. They felt they needed an adult's point of view."

  Annie nodded her understanding. "The letters were written with so much love, and compassion, I couldn't ignore them, even though I did try. If you really think I can help…."

  "Oh we do…" Katie cried.

  "Please," Tara, the youngest, cried out.

  "Then tell me about your father, and don't leave anything out." Annie smiled at the girls.

  The girls were eager to tell her everything and it made Annie relax. She almost felt as though she knew him from the way they spoke of him. But a red flag still tried to warn her that it could be a struggle of wills.

  After a half hour of non stop talking Annie sighed heavily, and looked at Kasie and Chayton. "All right, I'll give it a try…but if he insists I leave, I'm afraid I'll have to respect his wishes."

  She couldn't say no, she was already falling in love with the children…

  Chapter Two

  Tanka felt the north wind blowing hard, the snow had covered the ground like a thick blanket. It was dusk and never more beautiful, Tanka sighed. He glanced about the forest that he called home. He loved it here. Gina had loved it here. Yet being here everyday seemed to remind him of his loss. How was he going to go on? He'd realized for some time how hard it had become for him to function normally, but he didn't know how to change it.

  But it was as if the Great Spirit himself had spoken for no sooner had he echoed the sorrowful thought than a cougar stood only a hundred or so yards away from him, staring at him through the brush. Tanka backed toward his jeep, slowly, raising his hands and eyeing the cougar as he did so. "I'm not an enemy, friend. I merely forgot the time of day or I wouldn't be here. Forgive me…"

  The cougar didn't move.

  "I'm unwelcome at this time of day. You remind me, I will leave…"

  Bending only slightly, he managed to pick up a rock and that was when the cougar ran and jumped him. They wrestled and Tanka managed to sock him between the eyes, the cougar bounced off him, but not before he clawed Tanka's hand. With his one good hand he threw the rock with all his might and dove for the car door. The cougar responded with a yelp and ran. Once inside he leaned his head on the steering wheel and sighed.

  Blood dripped down the steering wheel.

  Then he raised his eyes to the heavens, and nodded. "Okay, you've made your point. I want to live."

  He sighed and shook his head. Gina, his love was gone, but his need to live was refurbished by the animal. He understood God and nature and respected it. How could he argue with God?

  "I've been feeling sorry for myself." He nodded and searched the sky, looking for something he wasn't sure what. "It is time to get on with the living. You are right, old wise one. I have children that need me. They need me so bad they hired someone to come take care of them. I have been asleep. I will sleep no more…" He laughed.

  He looked about for the cougar but he was gone, as though he'd never been.

  He started the jeep and left. Who'd believe a cougar attacked him from out of nowhere? No one, so he wouldn't be telling this tale. This was simply a wake-up call.

  Now that he was awake, he could think clearly.

  But then he thought about the woman coming to his home, uninvited by him. He thought of his rudeness in not meeting her at the airport. Guilt played at him. He'd prided himself with being a gentleman with women, today was an exception.

 
They were all right. He did need help. But to reach out to a stranger like that, it seemed so…strange to him. Why hadn't they gone for local help? Why had they not told him how they felt? They had always shared their thoughts with their father. Tanka nursed the betrayal of his kids and brother.

  Had he taken care of the matter sooner, this wouldn't be happening. He could have hired someone to help out, someone he knew maybe? No, that wasn't true. He didn't know anyone who would take on such a job. More people worked these days and finding anyone who could do all the things he needed would be hard, if not impossible.

  He looked about him, and smiled for the first time in a long time. God had lifted the burden in his heart and made him see the error of his ways. How could it be that simple? He had neglected his children and thinking of Gina, he knew she wouldn't be happy about that. He neglected life. It felt like a fog had been lifted, and he felt out of place. Just because the fog was lifted, did not mean he could see straight yet.

  Thinking of the lady they would bring into his home, he reasoned he could put up with her for a while then send her on her way, with full pay of course. That way it would seem he had cooperated. Yes, that was a good plan, he decided.

  Now he could go home and face this…stranger.

  ***

  Annie gasped when she saw the inside of the cabin, a beautifully crafted log home. No one could have known how much she had wanted to live in just such a place. That would be her secret. Besides, who would believe it? She'd dreamed of such, but never thought she would actually be living in one. It was beautiful in every way. Almost everything was in pine and oak. Logs formed the walls, and the decorations were all of bears, and fishing, and had a western flair. Annie could not get over it, she felt she had died and gone to heaven. She turned around inside the house several times and blinked. It was still there.

  The staircase was huge and wound up into a loft. She stared at the the huge quilted blanket hanging from the loft railing. Antlers made up the chandeliers. Carved wood statues of bears, and and cutouts of forests decorated the wood paneling here and there. She ran her hand over it, and smiled like a child in a candy store.

  "This is the most gorgeous cabin I've ever seen. I didn't expect anything so grand…." she gasped.

  Kasie chuckled aloud. "I know, I have one similar down the road. You'll have to come visit me sometime. I'm so glad you like it. Some people might think it a little too rustic."

  "It's like I'm in some dream home…to build such a home…"

  "I know, Tanka and Chayton built both of these. That's part of what makes them so special." Kasie snickered.

  "Even if I wanted to dislike this man, I couldn't after seeing something like this. I can't imagine knowing anyone who could…do such detailed work."

  "Well, he's no angel, but he is dear to us. Be patient with him, Annie, he's been through a lot," Kasie offered her advice.

  "I'll do my best, I promise. Oh…to think I can live here…It's more than I ever hoped for." She sighed, twirling around. She glanced down from the loft at Kasie as she wandered through. "And the girls are lovely. I know I’m going to love it here. That is if their father…."

  Kasie laughed now with an air of confidence. "I'm glad, and if you need anything, anything at all, let us know, we are just down the road, you'll see the house in the morning I'm sure," Kasie instructed. "We better be getting back to the kids, Chayton."

  Chayton was looking out the door for his brother, but not seeing him, he finally gave up and, frowning, he waved goodbye and they went home. She could almost feel the tension building in Chayton Amory. Could his brother be that bad?

  The girls had taken a shower and were in their pajamas now. Annie waited till they got out and asked if they wanted a bedtime snack, all three agreed they should have a cup of hot chocolate. Annie went to the kitchen, again, amazed at how modern and efficient the kitchen was; she began looking through the pantry for the cocoa.

  She made home-made cocoa because she didn't find any instant. The girls were thrilled and as it grew late, she sent them on to bed.

  "Aren't you going to bed, Annie?" Katie asked.

  "Well, I would, but I'm not sure where I'll be sleeping." Annie tried to sound relaxed, but the strain of not seeing Tanka Amory was getting to her now. She had such high hopes this would work out and yet he wasn't here and hadn't been here since he found out about her. Now she contemplated going home. That prospect held no happiness for her. There was nothing to go home to, she'd sold the house, and put a lot of stuff in storage, and she knew she'd have to find an apartment or something to live in if she ever came back.

  But to be here, even for one night, seemed special to Annie. She couldn't complain.

  "I'm almost certain Dad will want you to take the loft, but I think you should ask him, first. It was their bedroom and he hasn't slept there since Mamma died," Katie said sadly.

  "Oh…oh dear, I'm so sorry. Well, I guess I'll go down and sit by the fire until he arrives. Then if he comes in I can ask," Annie said.

  Katie reached for her arm. "I'm so glad you are here." She ran into her arms, hugging her tightly.

  Annie smiled to herself and hugged the young girl. "I'm glad too, Katie. Now get some sleep and tomorrow I'll make you some of the best pancakes you ever ate."

  "I love pancakes, I can't wait." Katie beamed and headed off to bed.

  Annie was about to go downstairs when the door suddenly flew open and in walked a big man, with longish dark hair and piercing eyes. His smile was plastic though as he gazed up at her for the first time. She saw his jaw flex as he moved into the room and shut the door.

  He took his coat off with exaggerated slowness.

  "You must be Tanka?" she said for lack of a better introduction.

  "And you must be Annie." He nodded, taking his coat and cap off and hanging them behind the door on the hall tree.

  "Yes, I am…pleased to finally meet you." She tried to sound happy, but she knew she failed by the look in his eyes.

  She came down the stairs slowly; trying to figure out how she was going to talk to a man that obviously didn't want her here. How could she convince him she should stay? It was more than obvious she was needed here, but she could tell the moment their eyes met that he didn't believe it.

  "Mr. Amory?" she began hesitantly. "I'm now aware that you didn't write the letters." She began hoping she sounded convincingly distraught about the deception.

  "And my daughter confessed this to you?" he asked as he watched her descend.

  Coming up to him with strong strides she faced him squarely. He didn't have any idea how badly her knees where shaking as she refused to back down from the challenge. She stuck out her hand and he shook it. She didn't wince when he held it tight either. "I'm also aware that you don't want me here and that you are…bleeding. What happened?"

  "It's a scratch," he replied as she quickly led him to the sink and she washed the wound after unwrapping it. His hand was big and rugged and used to lots of work, she accessed quickly. She appeared unaware that she was even holding it. He was hurt, she planned to doctor him whether he wanted it or not. Her actions were automatic but she realized quickly that he didn't appreciate it.

  "It's no scratch. We need to put peroxide on it. Do you have any?" she asked inspecting it after washing it.

  "Yes, in the pantry above the washer," he instructed.

  She went to the pantry and found it, then returned.

  "That's a nasty wound."

  "A cougar."

  "A cougar!" she repeated her eyes widening. "I never imagined cougars being a problem here."

  She poured the peroxide on it then re-bandaged it with a new bandage she'd found alongside the peroxide. Their hands touching sent a strange current racing through her, but she preferred to ignore it. She would not let him see her shaking.

  "Miss…Annie." He seemed to struggle for the proper name to use on her, she noted his perplexed look. "You are most welcome in my home. I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you, bu
t I did have something very important to take care of. Now…I'm sure you are tired and need some rest. You can take the loft, that way you can get about the house easily without disturbing anyone."

  "It's so beautiful…" she murmured still staring at his hand.

  "I beg your pardon?" He looked perplexed.

  "Your home…is beautiful. I'm sorry, you probably think me strange for saying so, but I've never seen a home quite like this, and I find it…well…like some kind of dream," she exclaimed.

  He eyed her suspiciously. "The house?"

  "Yes, I was telling your sister-in-law how beautiful I thought it was. And to think I'll be sleeping in that gorgeous room up there…." She tried to keep the excitement out of her voice but she couldn't.

  Something in his expression changed.

  "Well, I guess it is something to someone who has never lived here before. And I suppose I take it for granted. My brother and I built it, and his. If you'd seen the shack he lived in before we built, you'd be shocked I'm sure. But over time, we were able to build what we wanted," Tanka explained.

  Annie wanted to sound more sophisticated than she was, but she knew she wouldn't come off that way. She was just too down to earth. Everyone told her that. So there was no use trying to put on airs.

  "Well, I know you have some doubts about all this, but I intend to fulfill my end of the obligations of this job to the fullest. I can see, you need a housekeeper and the girls….they are lovely. So polite and warm and friendly, but as in the letters they are growing into young women and could use some direction with that."

  Tanka blinked at all the compliments.

  "I better go to bed, sometimes I gush…" She nodded and almost backed up the stairs. For nothing would she let him see the disappointment she was feeling that he truly didn't want her here. She had so counted on this job.

  "Are these your suitcases?" he asked as she was about halfway up.

  Realizing she left them, she started back down, but he met her half way. "I'll carry them up for you. There's a bathroom, down the hall." He pointed as they were up on the loft now. "I don't recommend you go pattering through the dark around here till you get used to where you are. The stairs are wide and roomy, but it's still easy to slip and fall, too."