by Rita Hestand
"No, she wouldn't. I promise that much. In fact, she'd probably think even more of you for telling her and confiding in her." Mitch said.
"Then I will tell her…when I get the courage to talk again about this." Sarah agreed. "But not right away. This is not something a grown woman wants to talk about to anyone."
"I think you've got things a little backwards, it's nothing to be ashamed of. But…Whenever you are ready." He smiled and went to her apartment to wake Daniel up.
Daniel came out, groggy and ready to go back to sleep.
"This is Sarah, Mike's Aunt, and my nanny."
"A pleasure to meet you. I'll talk to you both after I've gotten some rest."
"Good idea. Goodnight, Sarah." Mitch winked at her.
"Night…" She watched them walk off and wondered about the whole evening. Now that she admitted her ignorance, she felt a little better. At least someone understood her. She'd tried to tell Julio, but he would laugh and think she was joking. She was so hot-blooded, no one believed her. And that was the truth!
Chapter Sixteen
Mitch went with Sarah and Mike to the new school. The principle was as nice as Leann had said. Mrs. Castle had been principle for three years. She was there when the school opened.
It was neat, clean, and very open. The cafeteria was used for an auditorium too and there was a custodian pushing a floor machine as breakfast was just over.
Mitch filled out some more papers and they got a tour of the school. Mitch liked it and Mike seemed to take an interest in it when Mitch approved of it. He had only missed a week of school, and now the season was beginning to change although it was still very hot fall was on the way.
"Fine, then we will enroll him and he can start today. Lunch is $ 2.50 for the day and he will be released at 2:30. Will you be picking him up?"
"Yes, I will." Sarah told her.
"Great. Come along Mike I'll introduce you to your new teacher."
"Yes ma'am." He waved at Sarah and Mitch.
"I'll be out front when you get out." Sarah told him.
"Si…"
Mitch took Sarah home. But she was crying.
"Something wrong, honey?" He asked.
"His first day. I didn't expect them to keep him today. I miss him already."
"He'll be fine. He'll meet kids his age and kindergarten is always a lot of fun." Mitch said.
"I shouldn't worry so much, he's adapted well." Sarah dried her eyes.
"He'll be fine, you'll see. And it's important that he like school. We'll go to all his functions and if he wants to join sports, we'll go to his games."
"Can you take that much time off from work?' She asked.
"I own the companies I work for, Sarah. I'm the boss. I can take off any time I need to." He answered.
"What a privilege. Are you going to work today?"
"This afternoon. But we can have lunch together and then I'll go in." He told her.
She smiled. "Alright."
"So where would you like to eat?"
"Let's get a pizza and go home." She said.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright, we'll go to Tony's down the street. He's got the best home-made pizza in town."
"Wonderful."
At Tony's they ordered three large pizzas and took them home.
When they opened them, they smelled heavenly. He pulled a piece of pepperoni off one piece and fed it to her. The act of feeding her was erotic and she licked his fingers until she saw his face.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
"No…" he removed a piece from the corner of her mouth and stared for a long time. He was about to kiss her when Daniel walked in on them.
"Pizza, from Tony's?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, have some." Mitch moved away from Sarah.
Daniel sat on a stool and helped himself, giving Sarah the once over.
"So where is Mike, I'd like to meet him." Daniel said.
"We've just enrolled him in school." Mitch answered.
"Aw heck. I won't be here this afternoon. So I won't get to meet him."
"Why not?"
"I've got to get back. I'm on a case. This one is pretty intense."
"All of your cases are intense, little brother." Mitch smiled. "I'll be glad when they put you on a desk job. Maybe we'll see more of you."
"Don't hold your breath for that one." Daniel smiled.
"Mike is anxious to meet you." Sarah added.
"And I as well. If I don't catch him this afternoon, maybe I can sneak a little time next week. I'll try."
"Great. Well, as much as I hate to, I have to get to work." Mitch said glancing at Sarah. "You'll pick Mike up?"
"Of course." She nodded. "You'll need my car keys, let me get them."
He went to his room and as she finished her pizza he called her back to his room.
"Excuse me." She smiled at Daniel.
He nodded.
She entered Mitch's bedroom almost cautiously. Surprised to see it so neat and orderly. His bed was covered in an ice blue comforter and his furniture was dark cherry colored. He had a few paintings on his walls, and interesting lamp, and no pictures.
She found that odd.
"Did you need something?" She asked as she spotted him coming out of his bathroom.
"Yeah…" He walked up to her, and looked at her. "This.."
He bent his head and captured her lips in one swift movement. She turned into his arms and felt herself melt into him. Her arms floated up and around his neck and she moaned when his tongue sought hers.
"I needed that." He whispered.
She smiled. "Me too. I need a ladder to kiss you." She gestured to her tiptoes.
He wrapped his hands around her bottom and pulled her up against him. Kissing her once more.
Pleased that she wasn't upset, he slowly turned her loose. "I'll be home as early as I can…"
She nodded.
But on his way out, he kissed her again. "I'll miss you…" she murmured.
"Me too…" he smiled.
When he left, she sighed and went back into the kitchen where Daniel was watching her.
"I'm a little confused. You're Mike's Aunt?" He asked innocently.
"Yes." She answered looking at his perplexed face.
"Where's his mother?"
Sarah tipped her head back and smiled. "Oh…I see now. I'm sorry, but my sister died not long ago."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that…" Daniel apologized. "I didn't know. I'm so out of the loop, it's hard to catch up with what goes on around here."
"I can imagine. Before my sister died, she left word with Niles, that she had a son. Mitch's son. I can imagine how proud Mitch is. He's always wanted kids. He's one of the few of us, aside from Leann that wants to settle down. I guess he and Claire will be married before long, since Mike came along."
"Oh, he broke up with Claire…."
"Really, after three years…what happened?"
Sarah felt uncomfortable talking about it, but she knew he was innocent of knowing anything. "I don't think she wanted kids."
"Oh yeah…that was one of the first things Mitch told me about her when he first started dating her. I couldn't believe he would go along with the no kid routine. Not as much as Mitch likes kids."
"He said he spent one day with the two of them and knew it wouldn't work."
"Well, Mitch never has a problem finding women."
"No…I suppose not. I guess you are wondering why I'm here."
"Sort of."
"I was taking care of Mike, after my sister died. Mitch came to my house and introduced himself as Mike's father. But I love Mike and I don't want to lose that connection with him. I could not send him off alone with Mitch like that. So I offered to be his nanny. Mitch accepted my offer. He's relieved that I care so much for Mike and knows I will always take the best of care of him."
"Wow, he got a son, and a nanny for his son, all in one trip. That was smooth work. Well, I can tell you, you are
both very welcome here. And eventually you'll get used to all us sort of checking in now and then. I'm gone more than anyone else. This is the first time I've been home since last month some time. But I won't crash at your place anymore, so don't worry."
"Then you aren't aware that Leann and Jerry are engaged, I don't suppose." Sarah informed him.
"No, they finally got engaged. It's about time. I hope I get to see her before I have to leave."
"What time are you leaving?" Sarah asked.
"About four."
"Maybe you will. If you like I can give her a call and let her know you are home for a bit."
"Great, thanks. Anything else going on?"
"Oh…yes, Lucas is going to be on TV, one of those best Chef things." Sarah laughed.
"Wow!"
"I think Ray is here."
"Great, I'll check on him in a bit. I've got to call my boss and fill him in on things but I'll catch you in a bit. Nice meeting you Sarah. I hope you like it here. Oh…and watch out for my brother, he's lethal where pretty girls are concerned. Are you married?"
"No…and Thank you…"
Sarah mulled what Daniel said over in her head. Mitch was lethal with women. He certainly had that right.
Cooks were only called in when there was a dinner they needed served. A maid came three times a week and the Gardner worked four days a week. The schedules were all written down for her so she would expect them at certain times.
Ray was sleeping and Daniel was busy on the phone. Leann had gone to work so the house was hers for now. She cleaned up a few dishes in the sink, made some lemonade so when Mike got home he could have some. She decided she'd check the pantry and make a cake. Mike loved cake and she hadn't made him any special treats in so long.
She baked the carrot cake and afterwards went out on the patio. It was two. She decided to leave a little early for his school, she didn't want to be last in line, that could be a headache.
When Mike came out, he was talking to several kids and when he saw her, he broke into a run. One of the cross guards cautioned him not to run.
Mike slowed down and got to the car.
He didn't have a backpack, so he carried his work in his hand. He handed her a picture of a dinosaur and she smiled. "You stayed in the lines well. I'm proud of you."
He handed her more papers.
"What's all this?"
"More stuff for you and daddy to fill out."
"So…how was your first day?" She asked.
"It was good. I like my teacher, she can draw things. We got to cut out some stuff for the walls, and I colored a picture for you."
"You did?" She smiled. "What is your teacher's name?"
"Mrs. Cunningham."
"I can't wait to see your work. Maybe we can hang it on the refrigerator, like we did back home."
Mike looked at her. "Do you miss home?"
She shrugged. "Not really."
"Me either. I can't wait to go swimming."
Sarah laughed at that.
"Do you have any school work to do?"
"Just finish drawing a picture."
"Then when you finish I have a cake and lemonade for you."
"Oh boy. I'm hungry."
"What did you have for lunch?"
"Hamburgers."
"That sounds good."
"The other kids told me they were the best meal."
"Maybe I should make your lunch in the mornings."
"Okay. I like what you fix better."
"Then tomorrow I will fix you something for your lunch. Did you meet lots of new friends?"
"Si…a few. One boy, Carlos, he is Mexican and we sat together to eat." Mike informed her..
"Maybe you can invite him over to swim sometime."
"Maybe…"
"Is Papa home?"
"No…he had to go into work today." Sarah explained.
She saw a dark spot on his shirt. "What is this?"
She pointed to the stain.
"Oh…I got it on the slide."
"I see. Remind me to soak it so I can get that stain out. That's a new shirt."
"I'm sorry."
"It isn't your fault." Sarah laughed.
Mike went to his room when they got home and changed into his play clothes. His play clothes were the ones he brought with him as they were old and some had spots and tears.
Sarah made a mental note to get him a backpack.
She called Leann.
"Hi, I know you are busy, but I had to let you know your brother Daniel is home. He is anxious to see you. Will you be home early this afternoon?"
"I think I can manage that. I want to see him too, it's been a month." Leann calculated. "Thanks for calling and letting me know."
"Sure, bye now."
"Who were you talking to?" Mike asked as he brought his work to the table.
"I called Leann to tell her that her brother Daniel is here."
"Oh, will I get to meet him?"
"I think so."
"Great."
Ray came in the kitchen. "Hi squirt, heard you started school today."
"Si."
"Did you like it?"
"Yes, very much."
"Great. Got any of that pizza left?" Ray glanced at Sarah.
"Sure help yourself."
"What are you drawing?" he asked.
"It's a tree. Does that look like a tree, Uncle Ray?"
Ray's head jerked up and he smiled at Sarah, he brushed Mike's hair with his hand. "Well, let's see. Pretty much, but yor got put some branches on it."
Mike wrinkled his nose up. "Oh."
Ray poured himself a cola and stood beside Sarah. "First time he's called me Uncle Ray. I kinda like it."
Sarah smiled. "Yeah, he grows on you."
"I got a girl, I'm usually over there on my days off, and I guess I'll have to bring her over here." Ray said and looked at Mike.
"I wish you would." Sarah encouraged.
"I'll see if she'll come over this evening."
"Want to go see a fire truck?" Ray asked him.
"For real?" Mike's eyes widened with excitement.
"For real.".
"Can I Auntie Sarah?"
"Have you finished your work there?" Sarah asked.
"Almost." He looked at her doubtfully.
"I guess you can, but when you get home, you must finish it."
"Alright. Thanks." He ran to kiss her on the cheek. Then he grabbed Ray's hand and pulled him out the front door.
"See ya later…" He waved.
Sarah laughed.
Daniel came out of his room. "Where's Mike? I thought I heard him."
"Ray is taking him to see a fire truck. I think they are right outside if you want to meet him." Sarah chuckled.
"Great, I'll go with them." He smirked. "I haven't seen a fire truck up close myself." He chuckled when she shook her head and laughed.
She ran out the front door and hollered. "Hurry back, Leann is coming home early."
"We won't be too long." Ray assured her.
Chapter Seventeen
Late that afternoon, everyone was home. Sarah got to see the Connor's all together and it was exhilarating how close they all were even though they led varied lives.
"This doesn't happen very often, Ray said." Glancing at Daniel.
"That's for sure and I don't have to leave until much later, so I'm gonna hang out with you guys if you can take it." Daniel laughed.
They joked and cut up and Mitch watched Sarah closely all evening long. She didn't know what he was up to, but she knew he was watching her.
Later Leann and Jerry left. Ray called his girlfriend over; Ann. Lucas brought Emily along with him again. And Sarah suspicioned there was more to their relationship than cooking but she said nothing.
Mike entertained them with his antics in the pool for a while, and then Ray had an idea. "Hey, since we are all together, let's go to the movies."
Everyone agreed. But Mitch opted to stay home with Mike and Sarah.<
br />
"Didn't you want to go?" She asked.
"Not really, the one they wanted to see was R rated. I'd rather not take Mike along to that." Mitch explained.
"Oh…"
Mike came to sit on Mitch's lap and told him all about his day. Sarah had to admit she was a little jealous that he went into more detail with Mitch about it than he had with her, but she knew she had to give Mitch leave way. Mike was his son and she would have to adapt to that.
The truth was, she was his aunt and she was losing Mike to some degree. It hurt.
Mitch swam with Mike and then Mike got tired.
Before he fell asleep in his lap, Mitch took him to bed.
Sarah sat out on the patio.
She should turn in. Because once Mitch came out, they would be alone again, and she knew what might happen.
But she wanted it as much as he did. She'd missed him today and then realizing she was losing Mike, made her sad.
She was almost crying when Mitch came out to join her.
"Why don't you go for a swim?" He asked her.
"Oh…I hadn't thought about it. Maybe it would be good. I'll go change." She smiled glad that he was inviting her to do something instead of sitting around. She knew where it would lead and she knew it wasn't wise.
She went inside and changed into the new one-piece suit she had bought. It was black and very sexy, she thought.
She came out and he whistled.
"Wow, that's some outfit." He stared at her.
"I like it better than bikinis."
"So do I. And I'm not sure, why except…wow…you sure fill it out nicely.
She smiled and went into the pool. She played around a bit and he watched her.
"Maybe now is a good time to teach you a few safety precautions." He came to the edge of the pool.
"Alright." She agreed.
He came in and approached her. "Let me see you swim."
She shrugged and made an attempt to swim.
He shook his head when she came up for air. "Try relaxing more and breathing deeper. Put her arms out like so, but let them relax a little."
She watched him demonstrate and she tried.
He shook his head and came up to her, taking her arms, he showed her how to hold them.
She held her breath as he held her.
"Relax…" He encouraged her.
She tried and this time she was better. He praised her. "Not bad."