by Rita Hestand
"Oh! I'm sorry." Claire smiled once more; the relief making her relax as she sat at the table. Confusion clouded her cold gray eyes as she turned her attention fully on Mitch.
"You do not have to be sorry. She is in heaven." Mike explained.
"Of course she is…" Claire repeated. She looked at Mitch. "You could have warned me about all of this…"
"There wasn't time." he explained. "I just learned of his existence a few days ago. And of his mother's death."
"I see. Well, how long are you going to be staying with us?" Claire asked as her hand fell against Mitch's and she stared at Sarah.
Sarah noted the action and smiled. "I am Mike's Nanny. I will be staying as long as he needs me. We came to a mutual agreement. After all, Mike doesn't really know his father yet, and he has to have some adjustment time."
"Yes, don't we all." She glared at Mitch. "His nanny?" Claire wrinkled her nose up. "A live in babysitter, how quaint. Leave it to you to think of everything, Mitch. But shouldn't you have an older more experienced nanny?"
"Auntie Sarah has been with me all my life."
Mitch looked at Claire and smiled. That pretty well summed up his reasoning too.
Claire stood up, her expression tight and her body tensed. "Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to run. Call me later darling. Nice meeting the two of you…" She glanced at them.
"Nice to meet you too." Sarah smiled.
"What's the rush?" Mitch asked. "I'd like you to get to know Mike better."
Claire looked at the boy once more. "I'm sure there will be plenty of time for that…"
"Alright, I'll call you later." Mitch said and again they kissed each other on the cheek.
Sarah watched them closely, as Claire was leaving.
"It would seem we have run your fiancée off." Sarah remarked, her voice sounding condescending.
"It was a shock, I'm sure. She'll get over it." Mitch assured her. "Claire doesn't adjust to surprises well."
"Are you going to marry her?" Mike frowned at his father.
"Probably…" Mitch admitted.
Mike glanced at Sarah. The rest of breakfast was very quiet.
The only thing good that happened was Niles coming over with some paperwork for him to sign.
"Niles I'd like you to meet my son, Mike, and his aunt, Sarah." Mitch made the introductions.
Sarah extended her hand to him. "Pleased to meet you."
"Niles and I are business partners and very old friends." Mitch explained.
Mike studied Niles for a moment then smiled. "I am very pleased to meet you. If you are a friend of my father's, then you are a friend of mine."
The way he said that had all of them chuckling and shaking hands.
"Well, it's an honor to meet you Mike, and you too Sarah. I hope you'll enjoy it here." Niles encouraged.
"Want some coffee?" Mitch offered.
"Sounds wonderful. I rushed out this morning without it, and I'm still not awake." Niles smiled.
Sarah poured him a cup and leaned back in her chair.
Niles took a sip, closed his eyes, and then looked at Sarah directly. "I'm so glad you've come with Mike. I can see where it will make things so much easier with you here. And anyone can see he adores you."
Sarah smiled. "We are very close."
"Sarah gave up her teaching job and her rent house to come with us, on the spur of the moment."
Niles smiled. "I hope you like it here."
"It is different here. I did not know Mitch was a rich man."
Niles twisted his head in question.
"She thought I was a plumber."
Niles laughed out loud, a melodious sound in the early morning.
"Don't tell me, he wore his sweat smeared hat and his cowboy boots." Niles laughed again.
"Exactly. I got a little suspicious though when I noticed he didn't have a tool pouch."
"How amusing…" Niles shook his head.
"He asked for a coat hanger, instead."
Niles was cracking up and Mitch was enjoying it to no end.
"So…what do you think of your father, Mike? Niles asked.
"I never thought he was a plumber. But I liked his hat and boots. I like him…"
Niles was smiling and drinking his coffee and he talked for several minutes before he reminded Mitch why he came.
"Mitch don't want to bother you at this time, but I do have a few papers for you to look over and sign if you will. One is about the merger, the other about some property."
"Naturally, if you two will excuse us for a minute, we'll be right back."
Sarah nodded. "It was nice meeting you Niles. Please come again."
"You can count on it. I won't be a stranger. See you later."
Mike got up and came toward Sarah. "I like Niles. He's friendly, but that…lady…I think she doesn't like me."
Sarah frowned. "Oh honey, she doesn't know you yet. Give her some time to adjust. She didn't know we would even be here. One must never judge another by first visits."
"I know. But she frowned at me, even when I smiled at her. She was very pretty."
"Sometimes people, who don't appear to like you at first, fall in love with you later. So give the lady time, okay?"
"Si." Mike said going back to his chair and eating a roll that was nearly as big as he was. "These are very good."
Sarah laughed. "I can see that. But only one. We do not want to appear to be pigs."
"Si." Mike glanced at her and smiled. "I like my father and his friend. I am glad he has a good friend."
"You do?" She smiled as she sipped her coffee. "What do you like most about him?"
"I don't know. He's got feelings, as you say." Mike explained.
"Yes, I think you are right about that. And that is good."
In some ways that gave Sarah a sense of relief, in others, she felt her heart lurch, could she lose Mike to this beautiful place and these richer than sin people?
"And I am glad you are here with me. He's great, but I don't know about everyone else." Mike sighed. "And with you with me, I know I will be alright."
"My darling, everything will work out in time." Sarah insisted, pulling off a piece of Mike's roll to test for herself. "You must open your heart for the good things to happen to you, and the people you meet. Your father is a very educated, principled man. If he were not, he would never have brought you here. And here you will have everything you need in life."
"As long as I still have you…" He reached for her hand.
She squeezed his hand in assurance. "You will always have me."
"You're right, it is good. And his friend, I like him very much because he laughs. He's nice, and not so shocked to see me here. I wonder why?"
"I don't know for sure, but I think he is the one that told your father of your mother and you." Sarah hoped she hadn't jumped to conclusions.
"Is my being here…so bad for everyone else?" Mike asked with a slight frown.
"Not bad, darling. You are a surprise." Sarah chuckled.
"But a surprise should please everyone…I don't think the lady was pleased." Mike said and jumped down to watch a grasshopper who had wandered onto the patio.
"You and those bugs. No matter where you go, you manage to find one, don't you."
"Si, they are fun to watch and to catch." Mike laughed, running almost in circles as the grasshopper inspected the territory.
He finally caught him and brought him to Sarah. Sarah blinked hard. "Get him away from me…" She demanded.
"I keep telling you, they won't hurt you." Mike laughed.
"Perhaps, but they are ugly," she pulled her feet up into the chair and sat on them.
"Aw…she called you ugly. She is sorry; she didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Mike pet the grasshopper just before he jumped toward her and Sarah yelled.
Mitch and Niles came running out and ran to her side.
"Is everything alright?"
Sarah glanced at them both. "Everything but your son
's love of bugs."
Mitch laughed when he saw Mike chasing the grasshopper all around the pool.
Niles laughed again. "I think it's going to be interesting having them around."
"A kid after my own heart." Mitch laughed.
"I am sorry. I should not have screamed." Sarah unfolded her legs and sat very still.
"Don't be. It makes me feel as though you are comfortable here. And that's what I want…for the both of you." Mitch explained.
"It is very kind of you not to be embarrassed by my actions." Sarah stared at him a long time as he finished signing the paperwork and Niles sat down beside them and started talking to her.
Sarah liked Niles. She could see why Mitch deemed him his best friend.
"Have you met Mitch's brothers and sister?" Niles asked.
"Not yet, no." Sarah glanced at Mitch.
"You will love Leann. I can see the two of you becoming very good friends." Niles predicted.
"Leann that is a lovely name." Sarah said quietly.
"She's the youngest of the Connor's." Mitch informed her.
"I can't wait to meet them all."
"Well, it won't be long now. They should start pouring in, any minute now…" Mitch informed her.
"You have already won Mike's approval, Niles." Sarah said running her finger around the edge of her cup.
"Have I? Well, now that's something. I like both of you and I'm very happy that Mitch has brought the two of you here." Niles picked up the paperwork and glanced at Mitch. "I'm afraid I will have to run though. I've got business to attend to this morning. I hope we can spend some time together soon."
"I thought maybe a party, later in the week, Niles." Mitch said casually. "Of course you will come."
"Wouldn't miss it." Niles smiled, and reached for Sarah's hand. "It's wonderful having you here."
"Thank you…" Sarah glanced at Mitch as though not sure how to respond.
"See you later. Bye Mike." Niles waved at the boy.
Mike stopped and looked at Niles. He suddenly ran to Niles and grabbed his legs, hugging him.
Niles was startled at his action, but he smiled.
"I like you Mr. Niles. You are a good friend to my father. And you will be a good friend to me, no?"
"N-Yes." Niles stooped to Mike's level. "I will."
When he left, Mitch watched him play around on the patio for a long while before speaking again.
"I'm sorry about Claire. I should have prepared her I suppose. But I wanted a natural reaction from her. I guess I got one." His face mirrored his displeasure.
Sarah considered his words a moment. "Do not judge her so harshly. She wasn't expecting us and it was naturally a shock. Everyone cannot adjust quickly, or with grace."
Mitch glanced at her. "You have a lot of insight. You are very intelligent, Sarah. Why aren't you making lots of money for some company? With your education, I'm sure you could."
Sarah stared off now, not hesitating a moment. "Si, I could. However, in life, sometimes we must choose what is important to us. And Mike is more important than money. Oh yes, I could work at some company, and earn a salary, but I would not have much quality time with Mike. I like being with him. He needs me. A boy is small only once, and to miss that time, is sad. You will need time with him, to get to know him. Once you do, you will find that going to work doesn't hold half the pleasure of being with him."
Mitch shook his head. "You astound me in so many ways, Sarah. For one so young, you seem to grasp what is important in life. That's a valuable tool. Yes, you are right. I do need time to get to know him. But you know…it's funny, I feel as though I already do. Between us is already a sense of comfort. And Niles will never let me forget Mike grabbing him and hugging him. It might have been just a gesture, but it was a meaningful one. I know that for a fact. The boy has manners, and a honesty not found in many people. You and Maria have done a great job with him... And I want you to know, that whatever you are doing, it is right."
"Thank you. I assure you, I work no miracles. It is simply my love for him." She responded.
"If you love him so, why aren't you married with children yourself?" He asked curiously.
The question startled her. "In good time, God will send a man for me. I will know him, and he me."
Mitch's mouth fell open. He didn't know what to say.
She smiled at Mike as he pretended to be an airplane, as he often did. "I think he's going to be a pilot of a big plane someday."
Mitch laughed, feeling a calm he hadn't expected.
What had started out as a hectic day, turned into a day of enjoyment.
Chapter Seven
Ray came out on the patio. He looked sheepishly at everyone and waved. "Hello everyone…"
"Ray, this is my son, Mike, and his Aunt Sarah." Mike explained.
Taken by surprise too, Ray didn't seem daunted at all.
"Well, I'm glad to meet you Mike. And you too Sarah." Ray greeted them. "Forgive me, I haven't had my coffee this morning and I have a slight headache."
Sarah smiled. Mike watched him curiously.
"Are you a real fireman?" Mike asked his eyes lighting up.
"Well, actually I'm a paramedic right now. But when needed, yes, I'm a fireman."
"What is that?" Mike twisted his head in question. "A para what?"
"When people are hurt in accidents, or fires, I'm one of the men who help them get to the hospital." Ray explained squatting down on Mike's level. Mitch handed him his coffee and he smiled.
"Thanks…"
"Wow, do you ride in a fire truck?"
"Sometimes, but usually I'm in the ambulance behind the fire truck." Ray affirmed.
"Do the fires scare you?" He asked coming closer.
"At first they did, but I've been with the department so long now, they don't any longer. You are trained to know what to do." Ray explained, sipping his coffee and studying Mike.
"So…how was your date last night?" Mitch asked with a grin.
"Forgive me, but she was more like an octopus than a date. I bowed out early and went over to Joe's Grill for a while. I met another lady there that I liked much better." Ray chuckled.
"Do you work tonight?" Mitch asked.
"No…but I do have to study tonight some. I am so pleased to meet you Mike. You are gonna fit in here just fine." Ray messed his hair.
"Thank you Uncle Ray." He beamed.
"Well now Sarah, tell me how do you like it here?" He asked sitting beside her.
"It is a beautiful home." She said, her eyes going over Ray easily. "Forgive me, but I was not expecting Mike's father to be so rich, or have a place so lovely. I'm overwhelmed."
"We try to keep it like a home too. You'll get used to us all coming and going, I'm sure. Are you planning on staying a while?"
Sarah's eyes narrowed on Mitch now. "I don't know. I came to be a Nanny for Mike. Mitch has told me that he has no one for the job and I wanted Mike to make an easy adjustment."
"That's a great idea. I'm glad you are staying too, it will give me plenty of time to get to know you both." Ray looked at her with an admiring glance.
"My brother is so subtle, Sarah. He's interested in every woman he meets. Be careful of him." Mitch warned.
She laughed. "I've never met a fireman yet that wasn't attractive."
"See, she likes me."
Mike came to sit in her lap and he brought a toy truck that Sarah had brought outside for him to play with. Mike jumped in her lap and watched Mitch try to dismantle the truck while they talked.
Ray saw the immediate interplay and grinned. "I like her."
Mitch nodded, but he had to admit, so did he.
Ray excused himself and went to get dressed since he'd wandered onto the patio in his robe.
He was about to suggest a tour of the grounds, but Leann walked in and glanced at them.
"Well hello there," She came right up to Sarah and Mike.
"Hi," Sarah smiled bashfully.
As though waiting
for her introduction, she shot her brother a quick frown.
"This is my sister Leann. Leann this is Mike, my son and Sarah his Aunt." Mitch explained. He wondered how many times he'd have to introduce them today.
"I'm pleased to meet you." Leann said, grabbing the coffee that her brother handed her automatically.
"Forgive us; we are all heavy coffee drinkers." Mitch laughed.
"Oh this isn't the half of it." Leann laughed. "We all have a million hang-ups, but you'll get used to them." She glanced at Mike now.
"He looks a little like you, Mitch." Leann commented.
"You think so?" Mitch beamed once more.
"Yes…I know so. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to greet you yesterday but I wasn't informed you were coming." Leann's voice soured on the last note.
"Forgive me honey. I only found out a few days ago that Mike was my son. Naturally, I had to meet him as soon as I could." Mitch explained.
"Of course you did." Leann curled up in a chair beside Sarah. She was wearing jeans and a half t-shirt, with big sunglasses.
"Uncle Ray is a fireman, what are you?" Mike asked her curiously.
She laughed. "Nothing like coming to the point is there. Well, little man, believe it or not, I’m a school teacher."
Mike frowned for a moment. "You are?"
"You don't like school?" She glanced at him right away when she saw his huge frown.
"I liked it at home. But now I will go to a new school and I don't know if I will like it there or not." Mike admitted freely. "You're too pretty to be a teacher."
"Thanks." Leann laughed.
"Of course you will like it." Sarah encouraged.
Leann bent toward him. "Sometimes I don't like it either."
"Really?" He smiled at her.
"Really!" She nodded.
"I thought all teachers loved being teachers." Mike stated staring at her.
"I think it's the word job I don't like. Most of the time I do like it. Especially around the holidays when we decorate the rooms." She smiled when he pushed the truck to her.
She pushed it back.
He caught it and cast her a quick glance. "I never had a teacher as pretty as you….Except my Auntie Sarah."
"Well thank you. You are a teacher too?" Leann looked at Sarah now.
"Yes…"
"Are you going to be teaching here?" She asked.