She smiled looked out the window and whispered, "God, I might need a little extra help about now. The girls really want me to stay…"
The girls all ate her pancakes and asked for more, then hurried to get their school backpacks. Annie glanced outside and realized the weather was something to deal with. She grabbed her coat and mittens and headed for the door.
"We'll have to stop and pick the boys up too, if you don't mind stopping," Katie instructed. "It's our week to drive to the bus stop."
"Okay, just show me where," Annie said as she pulled the big Hummer out of the garage. She'd never driven anything so big, but it sure had a lot of power. Only a mile or so down the road, she spotted another huge log home. She knew it had to belong to the other Amory's. She pointed and Katie nodded.
"They'll be out by the fence; if you just pull over, I'm sure they'll come running." Katie watched to see the boys coming out of the house.
But as she tried to stop, the Hummer slid…hydroplaning right into the fence.
The sound alone told Annie it did damage. Inwardly she groaned at what their father might say or do. There were groans from everyone, but no one was hurt. She suddenly realized they all felt the same as her.
"Oh dear…" Annie cried flinging open the car door and running to the other side to see how much damage was done.
The girls shook their heads. "Dad won't like this. But it was an accident," Katie said, her face screwing up in a frown. "But don't worry. Dad's slid like that before, he'll understand," Katie assured her.
Annie opened the passenger door and checked the insurance in the glove compartment and made a note to call them. She wondered if she could get it fixed before Tanka saw it. She doubted it. Men could be touchy about their vehicles, she knew from experience, as one of her best friends’ husbands had hit the roof when he found out his wife nearly totaled their old car.
The dented door put a damper in meeting the Kasie's boys, but she tried to grin and bear it. Even though D.J. shook his head and frowned. "Oh man…"
After a few mumbled words they all got in the car and headed down the hill.
D.J., the oldest, seemed to take the most interest in her, asking her questions and smiling at Katie. Then there was Chase, Hunter and Rusty. "Uncle Tanka won't like this."
"No…I guess he won't." Annie bit her lip. "I'll take care of it myself. Not to worry. The best thing to do in these cases is tell the story and get it over with. But I might as well tell you, I may be packing my bags sooner than I had hoped."
As they neared the bus stop, Katie and D.J. told her more about their parents and that she was invited to come to dinner that week.
Annie smiled and thanked them, then turned the car around and headed back to the cabin. She preferred to ignore the damage as much as she could for now as she knew she'd be in for it from her boss. One day and she'd already wrecked his car. She might as well start packing now, she thought with sadness.
But once she entered the cabin again, she couldn't help but smile. It was just so beautiful, and she had lived here, even if it was for a short while.
She didn't know why she called it a cabin, it was a huge house, or seemed to be with the ceiling so high into the rafters and the open living room.
She turned around in a circle as she went back in.
"I still can't believe this…I've lost this job for sure now. He'll never forgive me, even if I do manage to pay it all back," she cried as she headed for the kitchen to clean up. "I've managed to screw up the best job I ever had. Oh God, can't you help me?"
Determined to make it up to him she called the insurance company which assured her they would be up as soon as the weather cleared.
The girls had made their own beds and although they weren't perfect, Annie straightened them until they looked so neat she could bounce a quarter off them. They were reasonably tidy about picking up after themselves and she was surprised about that.
She made her bed and then took a cup of coffee out to the patio upstairs. There was a small table for two and she couldn't resist sitting there enjoying the view. The mountains in the distance were so breathtaking, she marveled at them. If it hadn't been for her hot mug of coffee, she might have gotten cold fast, but it kept her comfortable for a short while. Besides, she couldn't sit and marvel at the scenery all day, nor worry about the car. Even though a couple of squirrels were about the tops of the trees and they seemed to be chattering to one another as they raced along the branches.
She hurried to find the laundry room and check on it. Unfortunately there was a pile of it and she went to work on narrowing it down. She found cleaning supplies and dusted the place over, then vacuumed and mopped the kitchen and living room.
Before she realized it she was hungry and glanced at the clock, it was 1:30. She hurriedly went to the fridge and made herself a sandwich. She checked the phone for Kasie's phone number and found it easily at the top of the list.
"Kasie, this is Annie. I was just wondering do I need to go down to the bus stop to pick the kids up?"
"Oh no honey, I pick them up in the afternoons. We will just switch it that way back and forth, is that good for you?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." Annie's mind raced to the passenger door of the Hummer. She bit her lip wondering if she should tell Kasie what happened, but for some reason she just couldn't bring herself to say anything yet. "There are a few more things I wanted to do before the kids get back, but the day has flown." Annie tried to sound happy but knew her voice lacked enthusiasm.
"Something wrong, you sound a little distressed? Cleaning a house the size of ours is no easy job, plus laundry. How are you making out?"
"Great, everything is going okay…I guess."
"That sounds ominous. Want to tell me what went wrong now?" Kasie asked.
"I ran into your fence," Annie began, running her words together so fast she was sure Kasie didn't understand her.
"You are kidding me…" Kasie almost laughed.
"Well, it isn't funny, I really did. He might kill me when he sees it," Annie cried.
Kasie murmured something then added, "Oh my God, you just won't believe this, but Gina was the worst driver ever. She wrecked her car twice. And even Tanka had a few problems with it. He hates that car, only reason he's kept it so long is because it belonged to Gina. And anything that belonged to her, he has tried to keep."
"But I'm not Gina. I'm a stranger, he'll kill me." Annie swallowed.
"You may not believe this, but Tanka is not a material kind of person. And he is never angry about accidents. He's usually just happy no one was hurt."
"I could understand that, but, I'm not Gina either and he has every right to fire me on the spot if he wants to. He doesn't care about me, in fact, from what I've seen he can't wait to be rid of me. This will give him the fuel he needs, I'm afraid," Annie cried.
"I know you think he's in need of anger management, but you will find Tanka has a very even temper most of the time. He's more upset because the girls didn't tell him about you first than anything. Quit worrying. I'll get Chayton to tell him, that way he can cool down before he gets home."
"Does he usually cool down that fast?" Annie sounded surprised.
"Most of the time, yes. Now don't worry. Just go about your day as usual."
"Alright, I'm about to pull out something for supper." Annie opened the fridge and the freezer. She'd never seen so many frozen kinds of meat. She knew Tanka must have killed most of it himself. She'd have to read up on how to cook them, or ask Kasie. "Wow, I've never seen so much wild meat before. I'm not familiar with how to cook it. Do you think you might send me a few recipes?"
"I can do that. In fact, I wanted to stop by when I bring the kids home for a little bit and see if I can help in any way."
"You are more than welcome here, any time." Annie laughed.
"Great, I'll see ya soon," Kasie replied. "And don't worry."
Annie glanced around to see Kasie standing in the kitchen, watching her. "Thanks for sending
her my way." She smiled as Kasie walked out the door.
By the time the kids got home, Annie had the house under control. All the laundry wasn't done, but she could handle that. She'd put a new load in and folded the last in the dryer.
Katie flew in, anxious to tell her about her day. Annie knew it was important to pay attention to what went on in school, so she quit what she was doing and, as they all came in, made them lemonade and waved at Kasie.
"I had a test today, it was so hard, but I think I passed it," Katie was telling her breathlessly.
"That's good, what subject?"
"History. I'm pretty good at that, except the dates sometimes mess me up." Katie laughed.
"Great. And how about you Miss Jewel, how was your day?"
Jewel adjusted her glasses and drank her milk, dipping her Oreo's into the glass first. "Same old, same old. I make A's and B's most of the time. I don't even have to study much."
"Really, you must be pretty smart?" Annie chuckled.
"I guess…but Freddie Newman doesn't think so."
"Freddie Newman?" Annie's brow lifted.
Katie laughed. "Yeah, Jewel is stuck on Freddie, but he gives her such a hard time."
"Really, well, we'll have to sit down and talk about this. Exactly what does he give you a hard time about?" Annie questioned.
"He always wants to copy my papers. I tell him no and he gets mad. But the teacher would know. She's not blind. Besides, he won't sit with me during lunch, so I don't think I should let him copy, do you?"
"No…I don't think that would be a good idea. The teacher would probably guess pretty quickly. Especially if Freddie doesn't make good grades in the first place."
"He passes, but he doesn't make grades like I do. That's why he wants to copy mine."
Annie made a face and nodded.
Then she looked at Tara. "And how was your day?"
"I forgot to turn my homework in Friday, and the teacher said I had to do extra work," Tara whimpered.
"Well, I'll help you, no worries…" Annie smiled.
"You will?" Tara brightened, taking a cookie from the package that Annie put on the counter.
"Sure, we'll go over it tonight. I promise."
Kasie smiled and shook her head. "You are a marvel. Does Tanka know how well you get on with kids?"
"I doubt it. We only met late last night."
"Oh, that man. I'm going to have to scold him again, for being so rude." Kasie frowned.
"Don't bother on my account. I'm here for the girls, and the house, not him…" she said matter-of-factly. "Although, any help in just getting along would be appreciated."
"Well, that's true, but it's time he took an interest too. He's been putting in a lot of long hours and Chayton is worried about him."
"Sometimes work can be a balm for what ails you," Annie said.
"Well, I've brought you a couple of recipes for the Venison and rabbit. The rabbit makes a great stew, the meat is so tender and everyone enjoys that. The Venison is a much stronger meat and the girls sometimes don't care for it," Kasie admitted.
"I appreciate it. I really have never cooked this kind of meat before. Although, at this point, I'm not sure I'll have a job come tomorrow."
Kasie smiled and shook her head. "Quit fretting about it. It's all going to work out; I feel it in my bones. And as for the meat, most people haven't. What am I saying? Most people now days don't even cook…." Kasie laughed.
"I guess the mountain people here do, though?" Annie questioned.
"'Fraid so. You'll get used to it in no time."
"I'll have to, or I won't be here long, I'm sure," Annie injected. "Not trying to sound so negative, but truthful.
"Has that brother-in-law of mine been threatening to fire you already?" Kasie frowned for real this time.
"Not in so many words, but he mentioned a month’s pay and transportation home."
"Well, that big galoot. He's going to get a piece of my mind."
The boys who had been quietly watching and joining the girls with the snacks, eyed Annie closer now. Suddenly, D.J. burst out, "Uncle Tanka might not like what me and Katie did, but Katie and the girls need you…."
"They sure do," Kasie agreed.
Chapter Four
Checking her supplies, Annie decided on smothered steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, and a green salad on the side. She chopped the greens for the salad and put them in the fridge.
The green beans he had in the pantry were home canned and looked great. There were canned biscuits in the fridge, so supper was not going to be a problem.
Katie and the others went upstairs to put their backpacks up and start their homework. Annie was surprised she didn't have to tell them. It nearly broke her heart to think they wanted her here so badly. And yet their father sure didn't. When they came down they had finished their homework and taken a shower. In their PJs, they asked if they could help her.
Annie didn't want to leave them out. She remembered how her mother taught her things from the time she was small, and she wanted these girls to have as much instruction as possible in keeping house and making supper. She let little Tara open the biscuits and place them on a pan. She had Jewel open the jar of green beans and add the seasonings. And Katie she let set the table for them.
She sighed as she watched them, it was the first time she had thought about her mother in a while and they were all such good memories; she didn't feel like crying. Now she knew she wanted to stay, because the girls had already become a balm for her.
Katie watched her prepare the meat and smiled. "Do you cook a lot?"
Annie thought about the question before answering, "Well, before my mother died I cooked quite a bit. But when there is only one person to cook for, it's not much fun."
"I guess you were pretty lonely, huh?" Katie asked.
"Yeah, it was rough…" Annie agreed. "Although I had a job, it didn't fill in all my time and when I went home to an empty house, it was hard to cope. So for a while I ate out a lot."
"I'm sorry you lost your mother too," Katie said softly.
Jewel glanced up from her task. "Me too…"
Annie looked at them and smiled. "You girls make things better for me too."
"We do?" Tara asked.
"You do." Annie smiled. "I was lonely, that's why I took this job. Everything in my home reminded me of my mom and our time together. Not that I wanted to forget, but that it hurt to remember so much," Annie tried to explain. "Coming here helps a lot."
"You were close to your mother?" Katie asked coming closer.
Annie didn't hear the door open in the other room, nor see the big man that filled it.
"I was very close to my mother. It devastated me when she died. Although I tried to prepare for it, you never really can. I needed to get away. I was constantly feeling sorry for myself. Thinking too much…" Annie said quietly. "But coming here, well, I felt like maybe it could be a new beginning for me. I knew I had to get out of the habit of feeling sorry for myself. I knew I had to go on living, even my mother would have said so." Annie stirred the gravy a little, and then looked at the girls. "So when your letter came, it was like a lifeline. Someone new needed me and it was what I needed. I was so happy when you picked me to ask. I couldn't wait to come here. Now…if it will only last…."
Katie looked up and saw her father and cleared her throat. "Hi Daddy, how was your day?"
Tanka glanced at all of them and smiled as he pulled his cap and coat off. "Cold, but good."
"Supper will be ready in a little while," Annie announced, her face heating at his stare.
Had he heard everything? She didn't want to sound like some poor lost waif.
She certainly didn't welcome his pity. She wanted to keep this job on her own merits.
"No rush, I'll be reading the paper first." Tanka smiled at her, and Annie nearly dropped the fork in her hand. She hadn't prepared herself for his smile aimed at her. But on second thought, why wouldn't he be happy if he was about to fi
re her? She suddenly wished he wasn't so darn handsome too. Memories of him in the towel lingered a little longer than she wanted them to.
Tara ran to her father, grabbed the cap and gloves and went to put them in the closet where they belonged, then she came back in the living room, handed him the paper and sat in his lap as he began to relax. Every now and then she'd give him a kiss on the cheek and giggle.
He tickled her till she laughed, and then asked, "So how was your day, squirt?"
"Good, I got a hundred on my spelling test," Tara said happily.
"Great, I'm proud of you," he said and kissed the top of her head.
"I put the biscuits on the pan, Daddy and opened the can, all by myself," she announced, showing her top missing teeth as she smiled into her father's face.
"Well, sounds like you've been having a good time in the kitchen."
"Annie's sure a good cook…." Tara said dramatically.
"I'm glad."
Jewel came to hug her daddy and tell him about her day. And then Katie took a turn. Annie watched out the corner of her eyes and felt a tear escape down her cheek. Those girls adored their father. So no matter how hard he was on her, he deserved respect for that.
With everyone done in the kitchen it was hard to look busy, so she checked the dryer and folded clothes, putting another load into the washer. She could see how laundry was going to be an everyday chore and his clothes had plenty of stains. She'd have to work at getting them clean.
"You girls get your lessons yet?" Tanka asked as Annie came back into the kitchen.
"Yes Daddy, Jewel and Tara are finished, and I'm almost done," Katie announced. "And we've had our baths. Annie cleaned the whole house today, and did laundry, and fixed supper. Isn't she grand, Daddy?"
"Yes, honey, she's grand." Tanka chuckled.
***
At the supper table, Tanka saw a chance to get at Annie a little. He couldn't have his girls falling in love with her, not if he was going to get rid of her. And he definitely needed to do that. She was too nice a person to hurt and too beautiful too keep. Maybe if she'd been older, and uglier, they might keep her, but he hated that she'd lost her mother…and that she'd felt so alone. That had gotten to him. He wouldn't hurt a woman, no matter what. And there was something vulnerable about Annie. He'd heard her story about her mother and it had touched his heart that she had lost someone close too.
Mail Order Nanny (Book 3 of the Amory's) Page 4