by Rita Hestand
"I-I don't know. I came as Mike's nanny for now. I wanted him to have the chance to get to know everyone, and not be afraid. Besides Mitch didn't seem to have anyone in mind for the job."
"Men don't think of these things." Leann laughed. "But it should make his adjustment here easier with a familiar face."
"That's what I thought." Sarah admitted. "And I am very close to Mike since…"
"Since my mother went to heaven." Mike concluded.
Leann glanced from Mitch to Sarah. "Then she must be in a very happy place, now, Mike."
Mike nodded. "Si. I mean yes."
The phone rang and Mitch answered it. He held up his hand that he'd take it in another part of the house.
"So, this is really kind of hard for you both, isn't it?" Leann asked.
"It is a lot to take in. When my sister died, I knew what I wanted to do. I took Mike and decided to raise him myself. Then Mitch came along and here I am." Sarah shrugged.
"Well you are very welcome here, Sarah. I'm sure Mitch is thrilled to have you come along. And you be sure and charge him for it. He's good for it." She laughed.
"Being with Mike is enough. At least for a little longer." Her voice softened.
Leann saw the love in Sarah eyes for the boy immediately and she touched her arm. "Oh honey, you don't think Mitch is going to let you go, do you? Not on your life. He doesn't know anything about raising a kid."
Sarah nodded, "None of us do, until we have one."
"You two are real close aren't you?" Leann asked as Mike hopped down to watch another bug around the pool.
"Very much so…"
"Then you stay here as long as you like. Mike needs you. He seems well adjusted, but I'm afraid if you left he wouldn't be." Leann noted. "Especially after losing his mother."
"I don't want him to be dependent on me though. And once he is comfortable and Mitch makes arrangements for his care, then I will probably leave." Sarah said her words dying as she watched Mike run. "Mike don't run so hard, if you fall on the concrete you will skin your knees."
"Si…" Mike stopped running but loped along trying to catch another grasshopper.
"He minds you so well."
"Si, I demand that from him. Boys now days need discipline." Sarah remarked feeling more comfortable talking to Leann as she relaxed in her chair.
"You and I are gonna be great friends Sarah and I won't have any more talk of you leaving. We have so much to look forward too. And whether you can tell or not, my brother is very new at this parenthood. But I see something in him that I've never seen…love."
They talked for what seemed like hours and Mitch came back outside to join them.
"If you two want to go for a swim, you can."
"Oh...I don't have a suit.…" Sarah protested.
"That's okay, I do. I think we are close to the same size. Come on let's try a couple on. Mike can wear his shorts if he doesn't have a suit." Leann encouraged.
However, the suits Leann had were very skimpy and hid little. Sarah didn't feel right about this.
"Don't be shy, you have a terrific figure. And believe me, you shouldn't hide it."
"I feel naked!" she exclaimed.
"You look fantastic. And my brother will notice." Leann punched her on the arm. "Heck any man would notice you."
Sarah looked at her strangely. "What do you mean?"
"I saw the way he was looking at you when I came in. He hasn't looked at anyone like that in a very long time." Leann smiled as though she knew something Sarah didn't.
"Oh but…I am not after your brother for matrimony." Sarah protested. "I've already met Claire."
Sarah nodded but pulled her to the window. "It's high time he settled down with someone. He's been dating Claire for a long time and it's going nowhere, he just doesn't see it, because they are also business partners. However, he sure does look at you. So don't be shy."
"Don't you like Claire?"
"Have you met her yet?" Leann rolled her eyes.
"This morning."
"And…."
"She wasn't pleased to see either of us. But it was a shock for her. I did not come to cause trouble." Sarah frowned.
"You haven't, and even if you did, it's high time. None of us want to see our brother with that Cruella Deville."
"Who?"
"Never mind. Just wear that suit, and watch the temperature rise." Leann laughed.
Chapter Eight
Leann was right, the minute Mitch saw Sarah in the suit, he couldn't take his eyes away. She had a terrific figure and he had to remember she was Mike's Aunt.
After talking and cutting up in the water for a while Mitch joined them.
Sarah had to admit, he looked handsome in his swimsuit. It wasn't skimpy or showy, but she got a good look at his muscles and well-tanned skin.
As Mitch and Mike began to play in the water, Leann and Sara sat on the patio, and sunned themselves.
"I'm so glad you came along, Sarah. This is the first time I've felt like family here in a long time." Leann said her eyes pinned on her brother and nephew.
"I don't understand." Sarah stared at her.
"Well, it's hard to explain. Except, having a child here, I don't know…makes it feel so right. You see, we lost someone too, our father. Not that he was a loving father, or attentive. However, he was family. Sometimes this place is more like grand central station, than a home. We come and go and sometimes we barely speak to each other. Now with Mike and you here, maybe we'll take the time to be a better family. I hope so. I miss the times with our parents it was different then."
"I'm sure you are all busy with your lives. I can understand that. It's just, well, when Mike lost his mother, we both lost something very important to us. And we sort of grabbed onto each other and hung on. Now, I can't imagine my life without him. But…I fear that may happen now."
"Don't you worry, it won't." Leann assured her. "Just in this short time, I can see how much he loves and needs you. Mitch might be the father, but you…are even more important. A woman always is."
"Yes, but when he marries…that will change."
Leann looked at her. "Don't be so sure."
"You don't like Claire?" Sarah asked narrowing her eyes.
"Not really. I mean I try, for Mitch's sake, but deep down, no, I don't. She's a cold woman. And Mitch will not marry her. Not now." Leann smiled. "He's been blinded by her intelligence, and sophistication."
"I do not wish to bring any trouble to your family." Sarah shook her head. "I'm only here for Mike."
"You haven't. You've brought something great. You brought his child. That will make the difference. You'll see. So let's have no more talk of you leaving." Leann insisted. "Things are going to work out well. I just know it. And I couldn't be happier about it."
"You do not mind me being here?"
"Mind? Are you kidding? Finally, I have someone to talk to when I come home. Another female. I love it. And Mike is happy with you here. And I think….my brother is too!"
She turned on her back and unfastened the bra of her bikini. Sarah turned too, but she left hers fastened.
When Leann rolled over, she fastened it back and reached for a hat, and handed one to Sarah. "So your face doesn't get too much sun."
"Thank you." Sarah smiled.
"No problem. I tend to freckle if I don't put a hat on." Leann admitted. "So, tell me, how did Claire react to you and Mike being here?"
Sarah almost chuckled. "She thought we were the gardener's folks."
Leann gasped. "Of all the nerve. She has absolutely no class. I'm so sorry. I'm sure it was deliberate. Despite her money, her beauty and her well trained mind, she is a jealous sort."
"I was surprised that Mitch did not wait to introduce us."
"I've never seen my brother this content. Look at him. They take so naturally to each other. He's going to be a great father."
Sarah smiled. "They do don't they?"
Mike was a great swimmer, because Sarah had insisted he
learn and took him to the YMCA to learn. He was a natural in the water.
Mitch got out some floats too for them and they spent a good hour in the water.
"Where did he learn to swim so well?" Leann asked.
"I took him to the YMCA a couple of summers. He was a natural in the water, but I wanted him to learn safety." Sarah said.
"You've taught him well. He's a nice kid. I should know I teach a lot of them." Leann said. "Have you met any of my brother's yet?"
"Ray…the fireman." Sarah smiled. "I liked him, he was very friendly.
"Lucas should be coming home any time now. However, you may not meet Daniel for a while. He's on a stake out kind of thing. It's very hush-hush; he won't give us the details until it is all over. I worry over him a lot, and Ray too."
"And what about you? Do you have a boyfriend?" Sarah asked.
"Oh yeah, his name is Jerry and he's a sweetheart. I'm sure you'll meet him before long." Leann said, her eyes glowing when she talked about him.
Lucas strolled in with dry cleaning on his arm and stood watching everyone.
Mitch got out of the water and introduced him.
Lucas took Sarah's hand and kissed it. "Delighted to meet you."
"Don't mind him; he's the Romeo of the family." Mitch laughed. "And this," Mitch grabbed Mike by the shoulders, "Is my son, Mike."
Lucas's eyebrow lifted, but he smiled at Mike. "I'm more than pleased to meet you, Mike."
"They say you can cook?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I cook for a living. And since we have a full house tonight, I'll do the cooking for you. How's that?"
"Thank you…Uncle Lucas."
Lucas smiled. "I've got to go change into my relaxing clothes. If you'll excuse me." He bowed to Sarah and smiled at Mike.
Mike climbed up in Sarah's lap, "I like him."
Sarah laughed. "You have a big family now, Mike."
Mike nodded.
When Mitch called him back in the pool Mike ran and jumped into the water.
He splashed water everywhere.
"Warn us when you are going to jump." Sarah laughed.
Lucas came out to start the fire for the cookout.
"What's on the fire, bro?" Leann asked noticing how relaxed he looked in his jeans.
"Salmon over rice will be the main dish." Lucas smiled at the girls.
"Sounds wonderful. I rarely cook Salmon, but I love it." Sarah responded.
"You'll love this. It's one of my specialties."
"I'm sure it will be wonderful." Sarah responded.
"I like her already," Lucas raised his brows in comical way.
"So, tell us about your family." Leann encouraged.
"I have two brothers, and my father. My mother passed away a year ago."
"And you don't live at home?" Leann asked.
"No," Sarah tried not to show so much emotion, but the subject of family was hard for her.
"My family didn't like me taking Mike away from them." Sarah said staunchly.
"Really. But you took care of him. Especially during a very trying time." Leann questioned.
"Si, but you see I took him away as soon as my sister died. I didn't want his step-father controlling him." Sarah responded.
"No…I don't understand?"
Sarah saw Mike looking at her and she hurriedly changed the subject, whispering to Leann. "I will tell you later, when little ears cannot hear."
Leann nodded. "Let's see if we can sample some of Lucas's creation."
Sarah smiled and followed Leann.
Lucas cut a piece for both of them to try.
"Hmm. This is delicious. However did you do this?"
"Marinating." Lucas laughed.
"Wonderful." Sarah ate her piece and stared at the rest of it
"I would love to get the recipe." Sarah said.
Mitch and Mike joined them.
~*~
Later that evening Mitch asked if he could put Mike to bed.
Sarah nodded, "Of course."
"Thanks." He winked at her. She smiled.
As he tucked Mike in he looked at him. "So tell me, what do you think of your Aunt and Uncles?"
"I like them all. They are wonderful, each in a different way."
"I'm glad; they all fell in love with you." Mitch smiled down at him.
I like having this big family. And tell me…what do you think of my Auntie Sarah?" Mike asked him.
"Well now…she's something special Mike. I can see why you think so much of her. She's lovely, in every way." Mitch said and tucked the covers in.
"She likes you too. I can tell. She's worried that you will take me away from her."
"How do you know that?" Mitch frowned amazed at what he picked up on.
"I see it in her eyes. Auntie Sarah is so alone. Her father is mad at her all the time. My grandfather. No one comes over, except Julio. And I don't like him. He drinks beer all the time and she has to fight him off."
Mitch looked at Mike in astonishment. This from a kid his age?
"Maybe she likes him?"
"She deserves better. But I am glad we came here."
"Good. You just keep thinking good thoughts. Now, did you say your prayers?"
"No…I must do that."
Mike scrambled out of the bed, went down on his knees, and hovered over the bed.
"God bless Auntie Sarah, and my father, and all my Uncles and my Aunt Leann. And I guess Miss Clair….oh yes, and I nearly forgot. God bless Niles…he is a good man."
Then he hopped in bed.
"Goodnight son." Mitch smiled. "I really like your friend Niles; he's almost like another Uncle, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is. We are very close."
"Goodnight father."
"Goodnight son."
~*~
When Mitch joined Sarah on the patio, she looked questioningly at him. "How did it go?"
"Very well, thanks to you."
"Me? I do not understand?" She looked at him.
"You have raised him well. I guess I keep telling you that, but it's the truth. He's a godsend, Sarah. I love him already. I can't imagine not having him here." Mitch said lowly.
Sarah looked away. "This is where he belongs."
"And you…could you belong here too?"
"Of course. As long as he needs me…"
"Good. He loves you very much Sarah."
"I know, and I him." She smiled. "Well, it's been a very pleasant day, thank you."
"Your welcome…I must work tomorrow, so I want the two of you to make yourselves to home here. The kitchen is yours and you can use my sports car if you need to go anywhere." He informed her. I'll leave my keys on the mantle in the living room for you."
"Thank you. You are very generous."
"Goodnight…"
"Goodnight."
He stared after her a long while. She was a lot like her sister, but Sarah seemed shy, and not as confident as Maria.
He hoped she'd be happy here and want to stay, because he was sure he'd feel more confident in Sarah watching over his son, rather than some stranger. She could be invaluable to him. And she was gorgeous to boot, he smiled at his own admission. That bathing suit, if it was one, left little to the imagination and anyone could see she had everything in the right place. However, that top barely contained her, and it stirred him, despite his better intentions.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Leann started to leave, but she peaked out on the patio and Sarah was drinking coffee and looking about the place. "We'll have to see about getting Mike enrolled in school."
Sarah turned to look at her in her red dress and heels. Sarah felt sloppy running around in her jeans and t-shirt.
"Yes, I wanted to talk to his father about that. He will need to be enrolled as soon as possible so he doesn't miss out." Sarah said.
"I tell you what." Leann studied the problem for a minute. "I'll run by the local elementary and get the necessary paper work started. Then you or Mitch can sign them. I'll bring t
hem home with me tonight. How is that?"
"Oh that would be wonderful, thank you." Sarah smiled at her. She shook her head. "All of you Connors are so nice to me and Mike."
"We aren't nice, we're family, silly. Now you two have a nice day. I'm sorry Mitch has already gone into work today. But if I know him, he'll cut it short." Leann smiled. "Is Mike up yet?"
"No, I thought maybe with all the excitement of meeting everyone and having a late night last night, I would let him sleep late."
"Good idea. I'll see you by sixish." Leann waved at her.
Sarah glanced at the grounds, and saw the Gardner working.
"Hello…my name's Sarah." She extended her hand to him.
He looked up and then wiped his hand on his pants. "Hello I am Philippe. I am the head gardener here, and have worked here for many years. Are you a guest of the Connor's?"
"Sort of," Sarah shrugged. "You have a lovely flower garden here."
"Si, Miss Leann loves the flowers." He smiled.
"They are beautiful."
Mike ran out to greet them. "Morning Auntie."
"Morning Mike, this is Philippe, your father's gardener."
Philippe did a double take of that. "This is Mr. Connor's son?" He gulped.
"Yes, this is Mike, Mike, this is Philippe."
"Hello." Mike stuck out his hand to shake it.
Philippe looked puzzled but he shook Mike's hand and smiled.
When Mike ran down the sidewalk, Philippe turned to look at Sarah. "I'm sorry; I did not know Mr. Mitch had a son."
"That's alright, neither did he until a few days ago." Sarah smiled.
"Are you his mother?" Philippe asked.
"Oh no, that was my sister."
"Oh, I have not met her either…"
"My sister died not long ago." Sarah explained.
Philippe made the sign of the cross and bowed his head. He held his hat in his hand. "I did not know señora."
"Please call me Sarah." She smiled at him
"Si…Sarah."
"I'll let you get back to your work. It was nice meeting you. If you need anything, let me know. Are you thirsty?"
"A little…"