by Rita Hestand
Truthfully, she couldn't believe she had insisted on coming as Mike's nanny. Still, she knew in her heart that she had to be close to Mike, at least until he got used to the place and his new folks. But she knew if the time came to say goodbye to Mike, she wouldn't be able to handle it well."
"Do you like your room?" Mike asked as he watched her comb her hair.
"Yes Mike, it is lovely. Truly."
She couldn't blame Mike for being excited., as long as he didn't get carried away with material possessions.
Her cell phone rang. It was Julio, wanting to know where she was.
She didn't want to talk to him just yet. There was too much to explain and she didn't want to be late for supper.
"I will call you back Julio…later." She said into the phone.
Mike rolled his eyes.
When she flipped the phone closed, Mike stared at her. "What did he want?"
"He came to visit and found we had moved. He was upset. Now is not the time to talk to him. I will call him later and explain."
"I don't like Julio much. And he doesn't like me either." Mike pooched out his lower lip.
"It is okay. I am not in love with Julio, Mike. He is just a friend."
"Then why does he come over all the time and try to kiss you?" Mike frowned.
"He wants to be more than a friend, I don't. Right now, I don't have time for Julio. I'm here to be with you…You are the man in my life Mike. I love you…"
Mike smiled and snuggled up to her.
"Come on; show me where we are going." She prodded him.
Mike practically dragged her outside and onto a huge patio, where supper was being served.
A bar-b-que was smoking and one man attended it, Mitch.
She had expected to meet his siblings but there was no one but the three of them eating, he explained.
"But your brothers and sister?" She asked.
"Daniel is on an assignment. Leann went to spend the night at one of her friends that is getting married. She's the maid of honor, and the girl asked her to help her prepare for it. Lucas had a banquet, and Ray had a date. So it's just us tonight."
"Oh, I was hoping to meet them." Sarah said.
He offered her a chair. "You will soon. I didn't tell them of our arrival, so no one planned to be home tonight."
The servants set drinks out, and a big bowl of chips and dips. Mike helped himself, but when he kept dipping in the dish, Sarah instructed him to put some on his small plate and not redip.
Mike wasn't offended at her instructions, but glad of it, as he showed signs of being timid.
"Do you want a drink…or lemonade or a glass of tea?" Mitch offered.
"Lemonade sounds good, doesn't it Mike?"
"Yes Auntie…"
"Fine, help yourselves then. The meat is almost ready." He smiled at them.
Sarah poured all three of them a drink and went back to the table where Mike was eating chips.
Sarah was quiet for a while, staring into the pool.
When he joined them at the table with the meat, he sliced it for them and motioned for them to help themselves.
Mike waited for Sarah to fix his plate though. Before he accepted it, he glanced at the huge bowl of chips. "May I have some more of those?" He asked.
"Of course you can have anything you like." Mitch gestured.
Sarah put a huge pile on his plate and he smiled.
"Do you often dine alone?" Sarah asked as she handed the plate back to Mike.
"No, but since I've been gone and left no word as to my return, it is typical for them to all have plans of their own. Everyone comes and goes as they please around here." Mitch assured her. He helped himself and glanced at the small amount of food on her plate. "You aren't eating much…"
"Guess I have a little jet lag…" She'd invited herself here. She had no idea of his wealth. Her sister hadn't told her much, perhaps she didn't know herself until much later just how rich the Connor's were. But Sarah felt unprepared. How could she compete for Mike's love with all of this?
"And…your girlfriend?"
Mitch glanced at her. "My girlfriend?" He repeated.
"Si…a man such as you must have at least one." Sarah insisted.
"I guess I should tell you, I’m engaged to Claire Williamson. Have been for some time now." He watched her reaction.
Sarah nodded almost automatically. "I am not surprised to hear it. So…when is the wedding?"
Mitch hung his head, dusted his boot off and looked away. "We haven't set a date."
"How long have you been engaged?" Sarah asked, needing to hear more about this woman.
"Three years…" He began.
Sarah jumped up, and started pacing. "Three years. You been engaged for three years? I always thought Americans did things quickly." She flopped back in the chair, her dress blowing up from her action. She pushed it down and looked away. She had changed into something more decent than her shorts to meet his family. Now they weren't here.
"A man in my position doesn't jump into a marriage, there is too much involved."
Sarah stared at him. "Oh…prenuptials?"
"For starters yes…"
Sarah shook her head, almost as if mad. "After three years you still don't trust her?"
Mitch was shocked at her emotional reactions to his announcement. He stared at her, watching her face, and how it changed from one moment to the other.
"Claire comes from a wealthy family too. I suppose we are both just too busy to set a date…"
"Yet you were not too busy to come and get your son." Sarah accused him.
Mitch eyed her with interest. "I have no doubts about my son."
Chapter Five
That night after supper and a long walk around the grounds, Sarah took Mike by the hand. "It's time for bed."
However, before they could take two steps, Mike ran up to Mitch and kissed him on the cheek. Mitch stared at him and smiled. "Goodnight, son."
"Night father…" Mike smiled.
Then he grabbed Sarah's hand and they went to his bedroom.
It was a ritual with them and Mitch wanted to observe as much as he could and learn from her. He hadn't a clue how to raise a child and she would be invaluable to him. He followed them to the door and he stood there listening contentedly as Sarah took care of his son. She made him brush his teeth, and wash his face and say his prayers. Then she tucked him in.
What a spitfire, Sarah was. Her temper could flare at any given moment. Yet, her love for his son was the most genuine thing about her. He had to respect her for that.
He marveled at how the house had impressed her and Mike.
Sarah walked around his room. Sarah marveled at the fact that Mitch had called ahead to have Mike's room prepared for him. Mike showed her several toys, but she found some books and pulled one out. "Want me to read to you?"
"Please." Mike smiled up at her as he curled himself under the covers.
For over an hour Sarah lay beside him on the bed and read the story. Mike listened until his eyes got too heavy, and he curled up against her. He was sound asleep as always.
She tucked him in, turned his light off and closed the door.
Mitch was on the patio when she came out of his room.
She started to walk toward her room, but he stopped her.
"You are very good with him. And he loves and respects you." Mitch admitted. "You've done a great job of raising him. You know, when you first came up with this idea of being his nanny, I had my doubts, but now I can see where it will help all the way around."
Sarah stared at him. "Part of it was a selfish. I cannot just walk away from him. I love him too much. We have been close all along, Mike and me. You see," She sat in the lounge chair and looked at him. "When Maria and her husband fought, he would often spend the night with me. I would take him to school the next morning. I began reading to him because they upset him so much. I wanted to take his mind off what was happening in the other room. He loved his mother dearly.
And I had no idea that he figured out her death on his own. I was so afraid to just blurt it out." Sarah explained. "But I read to him every night. It is a way to calm him down when he is really upset or nervous. He loves your house. He even likes you. He accepts you without question. Only a child could do that."
"I'm sorry that Maria had such a hard time with her husband. I'm also sorry Mike was there to see a lot of it. I wish I had known about him sooner." Mitch apologized.
"I suppose that is not your fault. My sister was stubborn about that. She did not want to interrupt your life. She said the two of you discussed things about not interfering in each other's lives. It was a good decision she said. But it wasn't. Had you have known you could have comforted him during the bad times. Instead, it was me. I am very close to him. I promise you one thing; I will always be there for Mike. I love him very much. But when you are ready for me to leave, or if you should suddenly marry, I will go."
"Right now, I need you. I can see the love, Sarah. And I want you to know, I'm glad you are here with us. I am also glad he had someone he could turn to during the trying times."
"You have a beautiful home…" She glanced around her.
"Thank you."
"And your girlfriend, have you also told her about Mike?"
Mitch rubbed his chin, and shook his head.
"No! I haven't. Not about Mike or you being here with him. When I found out about Mike, I wanted to come and get him. I figured I'd take care of other things later. Mike was what was important." He said.
"This is true. He is. And so far, you have my approval, but understand this. I will not tolerate him having to put up with parents that scream at each other. If your lady does not want Mike in her life, then I will take him home…" She concluded.
Mitch was quiet. "Let's see how things work out, first. No use jumping to conclusions."
"Si."
"Goodnight." He managed a smile for her.
Her lips curled, and she nodded. "Good night…"
He watched her walk away and something grabbed at his heart. What was it about the Montoya women? They were attractive, smart, and above all caring.
Maybe that was it. Caring!
He had his work cut out for him. For Mike loved Sarah and it might take time for Mike to come to feel the same way about him. Then there was Claire. Mitch wasn't at all sure how she'd feel about Mike. He hadn't even prepared her for Mike. He should have felt guilty about that, but he wanted to see her reactions. He wanted to know what she really thought. Because deep down, he was almost sure, Claire wouldn't go for him having a son. No, that would be reason enough to break off the engagement.
Sarah was right again, three years was too long an engagement.
They'd discussed having children once when they were first engaged. Those had been the good days. However, as time went on and there was no wedding, Claire let her feelings be known. She wasn't fond of having children herself. So how would she adapt to Mike.
What was more important, how would Mike take to her?
Claire was a businesswoman; she had never displayed any maternal feelings in front of Mitch. Mike might not like her.
How was he going to make everything work now?
Should he marry Claire and hope they could make a home together with Mike? He'd invested three years in their relationship. It didn't seem right to marry for those reasons. It wouldn't be fair to Claire or to Mike. Mike needed some time to adjust to Claire and get to know her.
Still in the back of his mind, Mitch knew Mike might find Claire cold and unfeeling, especially compared to Sarah.
Sometimes he felt the same way!
Perhaps that's why he hadn't been in a rush to marry her. Having Mike here, might allow him to see how Claire would adjust. Because he had to admit, he had his doubts.
He'd give it all some time to work out. He had to.
He picked up his cell phone as he walked to his bedroom. "Niles, were you in bed?"
"No, just about to go…what's up?"
"I've got Mike with me, my son." Mitch announced proudly. "And we are finally home."
Niles cheered him on. "Good for you. How did it go?"
Mitch could hear the approval in Niles voice.
"Better than I had hoped for. He's a great kid, Niles, wait until you meet him. However, there was one hitch in the plans. I brought his Aunt back with him. She insisted she would be his live-in Nanny. She said he was too young to go off with a stranger. And after I got to thinking about it, I thought it a great idea. He adores her and this will make him more comfortable here, I'm sure of it." Mitch beamed.
He could hear the gladness in Niles voice. "Sounds like a great set up to me. An instant Nanny, with no worries…"
"She's a very nice young woman, much like her sister." Mitch added. "And you should see how easily she handles him. Talk about well mannered. He minds her without a bit of trouble too."
"I'm anxious to meet her. I'll be over in the morning; I've got some paperwork for you to sign."
"Of course. Well, I just wanted you to know…" Mitch smiled into the phone. "And Niles…thanks!"
"Can't wait to meet them both…Thanks for calling me." Niles said. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Chapter Six
The next morning all hell broke loose.
He wasn't at all sure how he was going to break this news to his family, Claire or anyone else. Niles was the only one he could talk to openly about the situation. It was strange he supposed to some people how much Mitch depended on Niles' opinion of things... Mitch trusted him with everything.
He wondered how his siblings would adjust to this new experience. Leann would be thrilled. His brothers might take a time to get used to the idea, but they would come around. He knew the real problem would be Claire.
Mitch ordered a special breakfast from the cook and had it served on the patio once again, since the weather was so nice. The weather hadn't heated up yet, it was the best part of the day.
Sarah had gotten up early and went straight to see Mike first. She helped pick out some clothes, combed his hair and made him brush his teeth. Mike balked at having to brush his teeth, again.
"N-no little man. You must present yourself in this house as clean and dutiful. You must remember the things I have taught you. We don't want to make a bad impression on anyone, do we?"
He hung his head. "I guess not…"
When she was sure he was presentable, they both marched out to the patio to join Mitch.
He was reading the paper. As soon as he saw the two of them, he folded the paper and set it in his lap, to read later.
"Good morning," He glanced up to look at them.
Sarah looked rested and her tight jeans and clinging t-shirt accented her figure. He couldn't help but notice. She was as beautiful as her sister was.
They looked clean and ready for their day.
"Did you two sleep well?" He asked, sipping his coffee.
"Yes father…" Mike smiled.
Mitch liked the idea that Mike was already accepting the fact that he was his father. Perhaps bringing Sarah along helped that as well.
Sarah motioned for him to take a seat. Mitch noticed that he was very obedient with Sarah. This woman knew how to discipline the child without being angry or upset. He felt confident he'd done right by bringing her along. However, telling everyone else might upset the applecart. They'd just have to adjust, this was his son, and he wanted what was best for him.
Mitch passed the sweet rolls around to them and offered orange juice to Mike and coffee for her.
"And you Sarah, did you sleep well?"
"Actually, I did…" She smiled. "The bed was heavenly."
They talked for a few minutes amiably and then Claire walked in.
Mitch knew it was her by the click of her high heels. It never irritated before, but today it grated on his nerves.
"Mitch…where have you been?" She demanded before she spotted Sarah and Mike. She wore a beautiful red suit with thr
ee inch heels and her hair done up in some kind of French twist. She looked elegant.
"I'm sorry Claire; won't you join us for breakfast?" Mitch offered, kissing her on the cheek.
Claire took one look at Sarah and Mike and discarded her regard for them. "Of course I'll join you darling."
Mitch watched her curiously.
"And who is this, the gardener's relatives?" She asked cattily.
The remark hit home. Mitch turned bright red, more with anger than understanding.
He could tell by the way she patted her hair, and pulled at her jacket that she was uncomfortable and he realized she was at a disadvantage not knowing they would be here.
Still he saw the fire in Sarah's eyes at the remark.
"You must be Philippe's daughter. I'm Claire; I don't think we've met. And is this your child?" Claire sat down beside Mitch and glanced at Mike.
Amusement flicked in Mitch's eyes just before the bomb went off.
"This is my son…Mike. Mike this is Claire…" Mitch announced simply and let the bomb explode where it might.
"Y-your son!" Claire almost jumped to her feet. Her mouth hung open and she glared at the boy as if he was a snake about to bite her. Her brows knitted into an instant frown aimed first at Mitch, then the boy, and then Sarah.
"And is she the mother?" Claire stormed him
"I'm sorry; this is Sarah, Mike's aunt." Mitch smiled.
"Oh, the whole family is here, then?"
"No, just Mike and Sarah. I hired Sarah as his nanny."
"How nice."
"It is, isn't it?" Mitch agreed.
Mitch got up and poured her some coffee; she got up and took the cup from his hands, staring into his face.
"When did this happen?" Claire asked pouring herself some coffee and settling back in her chair, trying desperately to get a grip on her frazzled composure. She looked cool and confident, only Mitch knew she wasn't.
"About five years ago." He chuckled.
Claire finally looked at Sarah, and glared at her. "His Aunt? Where's his mother?"
"My mother is in heaven…" Mike announced proudly.