by Claire Angel
A very tall, primordial woman with dark hair streaked with grey strands, and eyes that bore into one’s soul, opened the door. I had a sudden urge to run. I couldn’t shake the image of a mean giant stepping on tiny people as they screamed and scattered below.
“Yes?” she said in a low, menacing voice.
“Hi, I’m Hope Carter. I have an appointment with Mr. Stone,” I said, trying on a faint smile, but I needn’t have bothered.
“I see,” she said as she looked me up and down, then stepped aside, and gestured for me to enter.
“Thank you, Mrs...”
“Andrews. I’ll tell Mr. Stone you’re here. Please, have a seat in the drawing room,” she pointed to a large room with bookshelves crammed with books from floor to ceiling, and left as soon as I sat down. So this was to be my fate for the foreseeable future—doomed to be the bug under the microscope of a prickly woman. I could hardly wait. After a few minutes, I heard voices and footsteps coming towards the drawing room. This was it—that awkward first meeting where the employer and employee locked eyes, and assessed each other.
I guessed the man who entered the room to be in his early thirties. He was tall but not uncomfortably so, with dark brown eyes and black hair. His olive skin stood in stark contrast to his white polo shirt, and he was dressed casually in blue jeans and sneakers. The handsome man was understated, but there was an air of breeding to him that the rich folks could never really hide. His swimmers shoulders and strong legs were eye catching. He moved like a tiger, slowly and deliberately. Hubba hubba—Brad Stone was magnificent.
“Hi, I’m Hope Carter, Mr. Stone. It’s good to meet you,” I said, and extended my hand in greeting.
“Pleased to meet you, Hope. Please call me Brad,” he said in return and took my hand. As he touched me, a bolt of electricity surged through my body. I wondered if he felt it too.
“Thank you, Mrs. Andrews,” he said, smiling at his attack dog, who got the message and left the room, closing the double doors behind her. Brad turned his attention back to me, and his gaze made me squirm a little.
“You have a wonderful home, Brad,” I smiled.
“Thank you. It’s been in my family for many generations. Tell me, Hope, are you from the area?”
“Yes, I am. But I’ve been abroad for a few years. It’s good to be back home.”
“Have you been a nanny long?” he asked.
“Since I was twenty two. I enjoy children, and decided on personalized interaction rather than joining the teaching profession, even though I am a qualified teacher.”
He seemed impressed with my qualifications. I waited for him to speak.
“I see,” he smiled. “I must warn you, Hope, that I am a very busy man. My job is demanding at the best of times, so I need to know that my children are safe and happy when I’m away.”
“Of course, I would want the same for my children,” I assured him. “What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m a property developer, mostly, but I also take care of my family's various other enterprises. I try my best to spend my weekends with my kids, but during the week my time with them is limited. That’s where you come in.”
“I understand. Are the children enrolled in a local school?”
“Adam and Emma were in school in London until recently. Originally, my ex and I agreed to share custody, but her travels this year are too frequent, so she takes them a few holidays a year. It’s been an adjustment for them, so I would prefer if they started the new school term at home. Your agency did mention that you were a teacher. Are you willing to take on the role of teaching as well as being a nanny?”
As we spoke, I saw a tiny face peeking at us through the bay window. It was the face of a little girl, with blonde hair and dark brown eyes. Apart from the color of her hair, she was a carbon copy of Brad. I smiled and winked at her, and she grinned in return.
“That would be Emma,” Brad smiled. “She’s a spirited girl with an opinion on everything.”
“She’s adorable,” I smiled. “I’d love to meet her.”
“Very well. I’ll ask Mrs. Andrews to bring them here.”
Brad rang a little bell, and the scary one entered.
“Please, bring the children to meet Miss. Andrew,” he instructed, and she nodded and disappeared from the room.
A few minutes later she came into the drawing room, closely followed by a boy and a girl. The boy had his father’s height propensity, black hair, and a killer smile. His blue eyes shone as he looked at me. He seemed like a friendly kid. But I wasn’t going to be too excited—one could never tell at first sight if a child was an angel or a devil. I’d bide my time.
“Children, this is Hope. She’s going to be your teacher and your new nanny. Please make her feel welcome. No pranks, you two,” he grinned at them. I guessed I got the job.
Emma came over to Brad and hopped onto his lap. Adam walked towards me, and shook my hand like a true gentleman in the making.
“Such a pleasure meeting you both,” I smiled at the two. Emma didn’t say much. I suspected she was the kind of child who assessed the situation before she lept in. She had very bright eyes, intelligent eyes.
“Would you like tea or coffee, Hope?” Brad offered.
“I’d love some coffee, thank you.”
Mrs. Andrews lingered in the back of the room, watching me like a hawk. She moved as soon as Brad offered me a drink.
“Go see if Mrs. Andrews can scare up cookies and milk for you in the kitchen,” he said to the children.
They left the room at the mention of cookies, and Brad and I were alone in the drawing room once more.
“I wanted to talk to you, alone,” he said, and my stomach had a quick flutter.
“I take it then that I’m hired?” I asked.
“Oh, my apologies. Yes, the position is yours if you want it. But there are a few things we have to discuss before you accept.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s relax while Mrs. Andrews brings us coffee. Tell me more about yourself.”
I tried my best to sound interesting. Why did Brad Stone make me nervous?
END OF THE SAMPLE
If you liked the Sample, you can PRE-ORDER HERE!
Releasing on March 11th, 2021.
Love,
Claire!
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Claire Angel
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