Katie grimaced. "She's doing it again."
"What?" Annie asked.
"Trying to take control, that's what."
"Katie," Annie pulled her aside far into the kitchen so Janet couldn't see or hear. "One day your dad will marry and you will just have to accept that person. You'll have to learn to love them, as he does. If you don't, it will be a bad experience you won't want to remember. Now I know you love your daddy. So trust him to make the right decisions."
"I think he hurt Tara's feelings, she was so excited coming home, telling everyone how Daddy came to see the show and stayed to talk to her teacher, and then when she gets home, he sends her on her way. She's crying, upstairs."
"Crying? Oh, if you'll watch the potatoes for me, I'll go up and talk to her." Annie frowned.
Sure enough, Tara was in tears in her room. Annie watched her quietly at the doorway. Tara was such a little doll in her pink overalls and white blouse. Her hair was in pigtails and she looked cute as a button. Annie's heart swelled with love for the little girl. But she was sobbing her heart out and Annie wished she could make her feel better fast. After all, they did have company.
"Tara, don't cry, baby." Annie tried to take her in her arms, but Tara rolled over on the bed and shook her head.
"I'm not a baby."
"I know that. You are growing up fast."
"She doesn't care, she doesn't like me anyway," Tara complained as Annie tried to calm her down.
"How do you know that?" Annie asked her.
"She ignores all of us. She only wants to talk to Daddy when she's here. She sits there and tells him all the places she's been and all the men she's met and the money she's making. And she talks about Mommy. That's the only thing I ever listen to, is when she talks about Mommy. If Daddy married her we'd have to move out, and into the city, so she could catch her flights out in time," Tara cried, her sarcasm slurring her words.
"Oh, I doubt it would be that bad. Your dad loves you, and I can't see him moving out of these woods, this is where he belongs. Where you belong."
"He'd have to. Janet would insist. She thinks she's so smart. She doesn't like kids, anyone's kids."
Annie shrugged. "Honey, you've got to know and understand something. No matter what, your father loves you more than his own life. He'd never send you away from him. Why, haven't you ever seen how his face lights up when he comes home and sees you three girls?"
"His face lights up?" Tara sniffed and looked at her.
"Sure it does. You're his little angels. He'd do anything for you. But you must understand, he has a right to be happy too. And if Janet is his choice, then the best thing to do, is accept it," Annie said, proud she hadn't shown any emotion herself while telling her this. "There aren't any mean witches out there, like in the fairy tales. The thing that makes a witch is not being loved themselves. So you've got to give whoever your father does marry a chance. A chance for you all to be happy."
"I hate her!" Tara cried and stood up stomping her foot.
"No you don't. Hating is never good, not for you, or the person you hate. You've got enough love in here," She touched her heart. "To share with the world. There will be many people in your life, some will stay, some will go, but loving them is the best thing you can do. But honey, adults need adult companionship sometime. Like a mommy and a daddy," Annie reasoned.
"I loved Mommy. And I miss her. Doesn't Daddy miss her anymore?" Tara cried, coming to sit in Annie's lap.
"Of course he does. But you must remember, it wasn't that long ago that your father was moping around the house, and you didn't like that either, did you?"
"No, but…"
"You wanted your daddy to be happy. Well, he's trying very hard to be happy now. Go look at his face…" Annie encouraged.
Tara stepped out on the loft and peered down at her father. He was smiling.
She ran back to Annie. "He's smiling…but at her!"
"Maybe if you showed her you like her, maybe she would come to like you, too," Annie encouraged.
Tara frowned, crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled. "That's a big maybe."
"Why don't you try to like her? Making new friends is always hard, but not so bad if you make the first move."
"I'll try," she huffed and blew the curl out of her eyes. "But I wanted to tell everyone how Daddy came to the school today. I loved it."
"I know, honey, and I'm sure he'll sit down and talk to you about it soon." Annie smiled.
"Maybe…why can't you marry him?" Tara asked with big eyes. "I love you, Annie…"
"Oh, honey." Annie felt so pulled to the child she didn't know how to react. Most of the kids she kept had come to love her and she would miss them terribly if he did marry and she had to go away. "I love you, too."
"So, why don't you and Daddy get married?"
Annie twisted her head, trying to find the right words to pacify her. "In order for marriage to happen, both the man and woman should be in love with each other. It often doesn't work if they don't."
"Don't you love our daddy?"
"Tara…I-I, of course I do, in a way…" She tried to correct her own admission. "We're friends, I think…"
"Daddy doesn't look at you like a friend. I know he loves you."
"Tara, just promise me you'll accept his decision when the time comes. Give him a chance, okay?" Annie begged, holding her tight.
"If you married Daddy, we could become a family. A real family," Tara cried.
"You will be a family again. You will…" Annie smiled into her hair, smelling the sweet scent of strawberry shampoo.
And she would be moving on, again….hurt and lost. Maybe she should get out of this business; it was beginning to break her heart.
Chapter Eighteen
Tanka found her in the kitchen the next morning. She wasn't fully awake and she was reaching for the coffee as he strolled through. He had jeans on, but no shirt and the sight of him nearly undid Annie. Given the opportunity of staring, she would love to run her hands over that hairless chest and hold him close, but she had to learn self-control. Some things were not to be.
Why did he have to be so darn appealing?
She poured herself a cup of coffee, took two gulps then looked at him. "Want some coffee?"
Her eyes strayed to his chest. It was natural, she told herself.
"No…" he answered, his eyes going over her. "I'd rather have this…" And then he did it again. He kissed her until she was dizzy with needing a breath, her lips sliding against his in a most natural way. He pulled away. "No matter how many times I kiss you…you always kiss me back. Someday we're going to have to sit down and talk about that."
His smile could melt an ice storm.
Annie opened her eyes and blinked. Why did he always take her by such surprise? Why was he kissing her when Janet was right upstairs?
But worse still, why did she allow it?
"I've got a big favor to ask." He kissed her nose and turned her loose.
Annie wasn't sure how she managed to act normal, but all her movements were like in a dream state right now.
She poured him a cup of coffee, and moved away.
He noticed the action with amusement.
"What favor?" She finally found her voice once more.
"Janet wants to go look at some property and then go to dinner. I told her I'd take her. She's leaving tomorrow. So would you mind babysitting tonight?"
"Babysitting?" She wrinkled her nose up. "I'm a nanny," she insisted comically, making light of the situation. "Nannies don't babysit. They run the household so the breadwinner can do what he has to do. And the answer is yes…of course I will. We'll have a blast too."
Her smile confused him a little, but he bent to touch his lips to hers before he left again. Just tasting the coffee on her lips. "Coffee tastes better on your lips, than mine."
She didn't even have a chance to object.
This had to stop, she decided firmly once he was away from her again and she could think. She c
ouldn't allow him the pleasure or whatever it was of kissing her any time he felt like it. He had to know there were things that a nanny didn't do, and one of those things was kiss. Especially with such sweet arousing.
There was nothing to worry about, he'd marry Janet before long and she'd be out of here.
That thought made her sad. Where did she go from here? What did she do with the rest of her life? This move, this job, was so different, for she knew when she left she would leave her heart here too.
His kids had become an important part of her life, and she was afraid they would really be upset if she left. But staying around watching him kiss his bride and then try to kiss her was not going to happen. She'd have a talk with him soon about it too. Now that he had put Gina away he was becoming a real rascal.
When the girls found out his plans they were naturally upset, but Annie laughed it off. "Come on, who likes to play Monopoly?"
"Oh…can I be the banker?" Katie asked.
"You're always the banker. I'm better at math than you. I should be the banker," Jewel insisted.
"Oh…alright. You can be the banker." Annie laughed at Jewel and touched her on the nose. "But you have to be very honest with the money."
Jewel nodded.
Tara had finally come downstairs; just in time to see her dad all dressed up again for another date. It was more than a little obvious that they were upset with him.
But they rolled out the Monopoly game and set it up. Tara was happy, she loved to play, even though she never won, she claimed.
Tanka watched them, fascinated at what Annie had got them into to take their mind off his date. He shook his head and grinned as though he knew something they didn't.
"You look handsome, Daddy," Jewel said coming up to hug him.
"Why thank you, squirt. I won't be late," he assured Annie.
"Daddy used to love to play this game with us…" Katie batted him a quick frown.
"I still do, pumpkin. Next time, I'm invited too." He smiled at her.
Tara didn't say much, she just helped set the game up.
"You all be good for Annie…" he said as Janet came into the kitchen for a glass of water.
"Hmm…" She called attention to herself. "Your water here is divine. Nothing like city water."
He smiled and put his arm around her not like a lover, but like she was his best pal. "I thought you liked everything in the city."
She shrugged and glanced at the game. "Monopoly, huh? I used to play with my kid sister."
"Too bad you have a date, then, isn't it?" Katie asked, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
"Your father and I are going to look at some property, and then go to dinner. Maybe next time I'm here we can all play together." She smiled and pulled on Tanka's tie, pulling him down so she could look him in the eye. He didn't kiss her though. He just stared at her for a moment.
"We won't be out late. Thanks again, Annie."
She nodded and smiled. "Have a good time."
***
Tanka didn't like leaving them, but he had something he had to take care of and he was determined to get a word in edgewise with Janet.
Janet was a beautiful woman, talented, smart and had all the qualities most men required for a wife, but she led a life Tanka was tired of keeping up with. Gina had been a flight attendant all during their marriage and there were times when it got very old with Tanka. He wanted his wife home cooking and taking care of the kids. Gina had often left that responsibility to him, not that he minded then, but he knew in a new relationship he wanted an equal partner. He wanted someone who would share their love with his girls and be glad to stay home with them.
Janet would never take care of his children, and he could never consider her seriously as a wife because of it. She'd let him know early on that she didn't want kids. He had three; he wasn't going to do away with them for her. It was time to set her straight.
The hints she threw at him all afternoon about the property they looked at was plain. He hated to tell her he didn't like pushy women. But as long as he'd known Janet, she still didn't know him.
Tonight would be another night that he tied up loose ends. It wouldn't be pleasant, but he knew Janet had more than one option when it came to marriage material. She had to see how unsuited they really were for each other.
But tonight his mind was on Annie. She'd been so sweet about taking care of the kids, about Janet being there. And he still hadn't told her how he felt. But it had to wait until everything was just right, he kept telling himself.
Janet had worn a simple white shirt, which was long on the hip and unbuttoned almost to her waist with black leggings and plenty of jewelry. She wore sexy like some women wore shoes. She knew how to dress even when she didn't dress, how to make a scene, and how to make every man in the room stare at her just by walking into it. She had poise, grace, charm, but there was something so cold about a woman that had no feeling for children. He didn't understand that about her. That was her flaw, and it was a big one as far as he was concerned. His children came first…
"Janet, I want to talk to you."
"Did you like the property? I just knew you would. It would be perfect for you and the kids. I could come visit whenever I'm in town. And maybe I'd be in town more often, if you were closer, instead of living in total seclusion."
"Look, I want to talk to you about something. Can I please say something?"
"Of course, what is it? I knew something was on your mind, you were too quiet." She smiled and reached for his hand. "What is it, darling?"
"Janet, you are a wonderful lady. And we've been friends a long time…" he began.
"And you are finally ready to make it permanent, is that it?" She smiled, squeezing his hand. "I had that feeling yesterday when you kissed me at the airport. I could see it in your eyes."
"I didn't kiss you, you kissed me."
"I was glad to see you…" She stared into his eyes. "I wanted you to know it."
He moved his hand. "No…that's not it."
She blushed beautifully. "I don't understand."
She looked as though he'd slapped her face, surprise oozed from every inch of her. Her composure slipped a bit.
"I have finally put Gina where she belongs, tucked safely into my heart. But you and I…it wouldn't work, Janet. I think you are beautiful, talented, and smart, you've got a good job. But…Janet, I have three girls and they come first. And you just don't fit in…You know it as well as I do."
"But I've consoled you. Gotten you to finally accept her death, and now this…?" she cried a little too loudly.
"You didn't get me to accept it. Annie did!" He almost laughed.
"Annie…the nanny?" She almost choked on her wine.
"Yes, Annie."
"I hate to call her a Cinderella, but please. She's so plain, so homely. Surely you and she…I mean…" She stopped dead in her tracks and her eyes narrowed on him now. "You mean you'd dump me over someone like that little housemaid?"
"Yes, I know it is hard for you to believe. When I look at you, I see a beautiful woman, on the outside, and a cold lady on the inside. When I look at her, I see nothing but beauty. She brings me sunshine on rainy days. She makes me feel so good about leaving my children with her. She loves them, they love her. We could easily be a family, if she'll have me…"
"If she will have you? My God, you deserve each other."
"I love her…it just happened."
"You've lost your mind!" She threw her napkin down on the table and glared at him. "She's a peasant…my God; she's probably a virgin too."
"I have no doubt of that." Tanka smiled.
"And you're in love with her?" she cried loud enough for some of the men to look her way again. "I knew you were a backwoodsman so to speak, but I thought you had an air of sophistication too."
"I don't have an ounce of it. Oh, I'll admit for Gina I tried to have a little. But Gina is gone, and now all that is left is the real me. Her death had a way of stripping all of that aw
ay. I wanted to tell you personally, don't ever invite yourself here again. Don't attempt to control me or my family. I like you Janet, but I'm not in love with you. I've never been in love with you."
"Of all the…you've got nerve talking to me like this…" She couldn't finish her statement. "Take me home. I'm catching the first flight out of here."
"You don't have to rush…"
"Oh yes I do. I wouldn't stay with you now if you paid me…" She stormed out of the restaurant.
He followed, but an older gentleman shook his head at him and smiled. "Another one bombing out, I see."
"'Fraid so." Tanka grinned.
"Good night, sir, best of luck to you. Maybe next time. They say the third time is a charm."
Tanka smiled. "I hope you're right."
Chapter Nineteen
Tanka drove Janet to the airport that same night. And all the way home he wondered if the kids were up. He'd neglected them lately and he wanted to spend some time with them.
Annie was asleep on the couch, and Katie didn't have the heart to wake her. Katie was the only one awake. She was putting away the game when he walked in.
He carried the other two kids upstairs, tucking them in and kissing them on the cheek, and then he took Katie up to the loft to talk to her.
"I've been neglecting you kids lately. I'm sorry. I apologize for that." He took her hands in his.
"I know. Tara has been very upset with you. But Annie managed to soothe things over," Katie said, not looking at her daddy.
"I know, and I plan on making it up to her very soon. I'm glad you were awake. I need to talk to you about something. Maybe I can feel you out about it and then we can all discuss it, later."
Katie shrugged. "What. You gonna marry Janet?"
Tanka looked at his daughter and pulled her close. "No, Katie. I'm not. And I'm sorry if I led you to think that."
Relief consumed Katie as she almost danced about. But he still held her and she looked at him.
"Because of us?" She asked guiltily.
Tanka smiled. "No, honey. Not because of you."
Mail Order Nanny (Book 3 of the Amory's) Page 15