Where was she? I should have known she would do this. Gemma was a passionate woman, in every aspect of her life. If something was wrong, she acted quickly. She didn’t sit around and ponder what was the best course of action.
My love. I had let her slip through my fingers. How could I have done that?
I walked restlessly around the cook’s quarters, seeing the haste of her departure everywhere. Items forgotten. The bed left unmade, from our lovemaking the night before.
That stopped me in my tracks.
Had it been our lovemaking? Or had I simply taken her, not caring what she was thinking or feeling. Selfishly, in the desire to claim her, to make her mine. Treating her like an object, rather than the flesh and blood woman that she was. I slowly sat on the bed, my mind in turmoil.
Everything she had said last night was right. I had behaved like an asshole.
Violating her privacy. Treating her like she was a project, to fix. Crowing to myself every time I crossed another thing off that stupid goddamn list. What had I been thinking? Had I done it just to best Jack, like she said?
I shook my head. No. In that she was wrong. There may have been an element of truth to it, but it was bigger than that. Way bigger.
It was because I had loved her forever, and had let her go. I had been too much of a damn coward to stand up and fight for her back when Jack was claiming her. And then I had thought it was all too late. I had been a coward this time around, as well. Concocting a stupid list of her wants and desires as a way back to her. When I should have just come out and told her what she meant to me.
That she was the love of my life.
That I wanted to marry her. Live on the ranch with her by my side, forever.
Was it too late? Was it past the point of no return for us? I stood up. Not if I could help it.
Yes, I had fucked up. But she was worth fighting for. Shit, I had been in war zones. Completed dangerous missions, where my life had been on the line. Been so weary I could have died a thousand times over. I was known for my bravery. It was time to take that strength and fight again. She was worth it. She had always been worth it.
Be a man, I told myself. She deserves no less.
She had gone back to her parents.
I parked the car on the curb across the street from the house, reminiscing about how many times I had been here as a teenager. Playing third wheel to her and Jack.
Not anymore, I vowed. I took a deep breath. It was now or never.
I knocked on the door. It seemed an eternity before I heard footsteps approaching.
Mrs Fox opened the door, a look of surprise flitting across her face.
“Why, Lance,” she exclaimed. “It has been so long!”
“It has, ma’am,” I nodded. “Too long! I should have come and visited before now.”
Mrs Fox smiled. “We know you are a busy man, Lance. We never expected you to go out of your way to see us.”
I looked at her. She was a good woman, and her husband, Gemma’s father, was a good man. They had raised Gemma to be the wonderful person she was. I had a great respect for them both. Always had.
“Is Gemma here?” No point beating around the bush.
Mrs Fox nodded. “Sure is,” she said, standing to one side and gesturing for me to enter. “Come on through.”
The living room was exactly as I remembered it, down to the old TV blaring in the corner and the shag pile rug on the floor.
She was sitting at the table, writing in a notebook. She looked up when she heard us come in. Her mouth dropped open.
“Would you two like some chocolate chip cookies I made this morning?” Mrs Fox asked, looking from me to Gemma.
I almost laughed. It was exactly what she used to ask every time I came here as a youngster. But I didn’t think chocolate chip cookies could fix this situation.
“No thanks, Mom,” Gemma quickly answered. “I might just take Lance out the back. Show him your garden.”
“As you wish, dear.” Mrs Fox took the hint, and walked away.
I looked at Gemma. It was like I hadn’t seen her in years, rather than two days ago.
I was struck by her beauty all over again. God, but she was the most beautiful woman who walked this earth. She stood up, gesturing to me to follow her.
We stood in the garden. hen Gemma turned to me. “Why are you here, Lance?” She appraised me slowly.
It was now or never. I had to dig deep, find that courage. She was worth it.
“Gemma, I’m a goddamn fool,” I said. “I fucked up. I’m so sorry.”
“You did fuck up,” she agreed. “How could you violate my privacy like you did?”
I hung my head. I deserved that.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” I answered eventually. “I was looking for something else, to begin with. And then when I saw your messages, it was like something just came over me. I wanted to know everything about you. That’s why I made the list.” She went to talk, but I cut her off. “No, let me finish,” I said. “I know it was wrong. I don’t have any defence. I was a damn coward, thinking it was my only way back to you. That I could impress you, somehow, with a knowledge of what you wanted.” I turned to her, taking a deep breath. “I love you, Gemma Fox. I’ve loved you forever.”
She gasped. “You love me?”
I nodded slowly. “I love you so much it hurts. I should have told you before now. I was a fool.”
She was looking up at me with eyes swimming with tears.
“Lance,” she whispered. “I love you, too.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You love me? You aren’t in love with Jack anymore?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry I led you to believe that. The truth is, I got over Jack a long time ago. Yes, it hurt like hell when I heard that he died. We had shared a lot of our lives, and I still cared for him.” She stopped, looking at me. “But I hadn’t been in love with him for a long, long time.”
I walked up to her as if in a dream, taking her in my arms. She didn’t resist. I kissed her, long and slow and sweet. It was the sweetest kiss of my life. She looked up at me, those huge green eyes raking over my face.
“I’m still as mad as hell at you,” she said. “You are going to have to make it up to me.”
“Anything,” I vowed. “I’ll do anything to make it up to you. Just tell me that we have a future together. I want you to be my wife, Gemma Fox. I want you by my side forever.”
Her eyes widened. “Was that a proposal?”
“Well, yes,” I said. I got down on one knee, taking her hand. “Will you marry me, Gemma?” I didn’t have a ring. It wasn’t how I had planned it.
But it was perfect. Gemma, as I had always known her, in her parents’ yard. Those golden curls whipping around her face.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, yes, yes.”
I let out a whoop, grabbing her and twirling her around.
She laughed, tossing her head back so the curls fell down her back.
“So,” she said. Her eyes were shining. “This list. What else is on it?”
I grinned. “A whole lot more. I reckon we could keep adding to it for the rest of our lives.” It was true.
I wanted nothing more, but to keep discovering her, peeling back the layers of this amazing woman.
THE END
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Nanny’s Aussie Billionaire
Finn
“Mr Ormond, call on line two, it’s your mother-in-law.”
Damn! I looked at the phone, trying to decide whether to take the call or not. This was the third time this week that Jennifer had called, and it was beginning to grate. I got that she wanted to stay connected to Lilah, especially after what had happened to Erin, but I was a busy man. This was getting intrusive.
I looked out of my office onto the Melbourne city streets. It was a view that I never tired of. An office on the thirteenth floor, with ceiling to floor windows. In between phone calls and appointments, I would often stare momentarily on that view, getting my thoughts together for the next round of negotiations.
That’s how life played out, when you worked in one of the most prestigious finance centres in Australia. I worked long hours, rarely making it home before nine of an evening, and starting before seven. It was the only way to stay on top of the game. Sure, I was a very wealthy man, but I never wanted to rest on my laurels. Besides, work had helped ease the pain, after what had happened to Erin.
The phone buzzed again, the red light flashing insistently. That’s right, the call. Sighing heavily, I picked up the receiver, pressing the button to connect it.
“Jennifer.” I put my feet up on the desk. “Third time this week. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Finn.” Jennifer’s voice sounded crackly, as if she was speaking through a tunnel. Well, she was calling from Washington, in the States. “Michael and I have been discussing things a bit further. I wanted to keep you abreast.” I frowned. What was she up to? Or rather, what were both of my in-laws up to?
“Abreast of what, Jennifer?” I tapped my fingers impatiently on the desk. “I’ve told you everything about how Lilah is coping. I’ve said you are both welcome to come and visit any time you like.”
“Yes, we realise that.” Jennifer paused. I strained to hear. “Only – and don’t get mad at this, Finn – we think that perhaps it should be the other way around. Lilah should come to us.” A pause. “Permanently.”
I swung my legs off the desk, sitting upright. “Permanently?”
I could hear the sigh on the other end of the line. “We know you do the best you can, Finn. It’s been so hard for you, since Erin died. But you work so much. Lilah is left all alone, without her mother and her father. It can’t be good for her.”
“Now, wait a goddamn minute.” I felt a fission of fear prickle down my spine. “You aren’t taking Lilah! She’s just lost her mother, for Christ’s sake. She can’t lose her father as well. She’s only four years old.”
“That’s exactly the point, Finn.” Jennifer’s voice was rising. “She’s only four years old. She’s just lost her mother. She needs stability – which Michael and I can provide. We are both retired now, we have the time to devote to her. You don’t.”
“I spend time with her…” I trailed off. I knew she was right. I didn’t spend nearly enough time with her. But I was a busy man, and she had a nanny, didn’t she?
I thought of Amber, the nanny. Twenty-three years old. American. She had been in our employ for a year now, and was doing an excellent job. Very mature for her age, she had been wonderful with Lilah since Erin’s death.
But she wasn’t her mother. And she would leave one day, like they always did. She would go back to the States to keep studying for her degree from Harvard Law School. She was only taking a break to save up more tuition fees.
Amber. She was an attractive girl, I had always been aware of it. Tall and athletic, she had the most amazing legs. And then there was her hair, long and chocolate colored…
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. What on earth was I doing? Getting distracted by lustful thoughts of the nanny! I suppose it was inevitable, that the old stirrings would return one day. It had been six months since Erin’s death, after all. But it was neither the time or the place.
“Finn?” Jennifer’s voice was impatient. “Are you still there?”
“I’m still here.” What was I going to say to her?
The Morgan’s were a wealthy family in America. They had influence. If they wanted to battle for Lilah, they might win. But I was also influential – I was a billionaire, for Christ’s sake. From one of the most influential families in Australia. I could give them a run for their money. I sighed, wishing it hadn’t come to this.
“Finn.” Jennifer spoke again. “We are going to fight for custody of her. She needs stability.”
“What about if things were different?” I hardly knew where I was going with this. I just knew I needed to pacify her.
“What things?” Jennifer sounded confused.
“What about if I can give her the stability?” I rushed on, not thinking it through properly. “Just give me a little more time, Jennifer. I will call you back before the week is out.”
“Finn…”
“I’ve got to go, Jennifer. We will discuss this further – I’m taking you seriously. Just promise you won’t do anything before I speak to you again, okay?”
I heard a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. “Okay. But Finn – it would have to be something that would set our minds at rest, permanently. Otherwise we will start proceedings. Lilah deserves nothing less.”
“I know.” I balanced the receiver on the crook of my shoulder, thinking frantically. “We all want what’s best for Lilah. Speak soon.”
I hung up, staring out the window. But this time I wasn’t seeing Melbourne’s streets. I was trying desperately to hatch a plan. They couldn’t take her. She was my daughter, the last piece of Erin I possessed. I loved her, and I wanted her with me.
I thought of Amber, the nanny, again. Saving for her tuition fees to her Ivy League school. She would appreciate extra money for that purpose.
I stood up, walking toward the windows. Outside, trams rattled east and west through the city. The trees wavered in the wind, and pedestrians were turning the collars up on their coats. It was going to be another cold winter. Melbourne was famous for them.
My little girl needed a mother. At least for a little while, to get Jennifer and Michael off my back. And Amber needed money.
The pieces of the puzzle were slowly slotting to place in my mind. But would Amber agree to it?
Amber
“Amber! Look at my dollies!”
I glanced over at Lilah, playing in the corner of the living room. She had set up a whole doll’s tea party, complete with tea cups, chairs and pretend cakes. She had done a great job. Every one of her dolls had a chair.
“Well done, Lilah bear,” I said, ruffling her little blonde head. She looked up at me, smiling, then became absorbed in her play.
I walked around the living room, tidying up as I went. It wasn’t really part of my job description as nanny to clean, but I found it made things easier all round if I did some basic chores. Jean, the maid, was at hand to do the back-breaking jobs.
I stared out the living room window, at the grounds. I could see the swimming pool in the distance, cover on in winter. The tennis courts looked a bit forlorn, too. I hadn’t seen anyone play in a long, long time. Since before Erin had died, that was for sure.
I thought of Erin, Mrs Ormond. She had been a warm and caring person, and she had made me very welcome when I had first come to Australia to nanny. I had been so relieved. I was a bit out of my depth, travelling to the other side of the world for work. I had been scared that the people I was going to be working for would be horrible. I had heard all the nanny horror stories going around.
But Erin had set my mind at ease, picking me up from Melbourne airport herself, and letting me rest for a couple of days while I worked through my jet lag. I felt a lump form in my throat, thinking of her.
She had been American, just like me. She understood how hard it was living in another country. Even though Australia was similar in lots of ways, and spoke English, it still took a lot of adjustment. And it wasn’t as if I could travel home for lunch every now and again.
I picked up a framed photograph on a table. It was of the three of them – Erin, Lilah and Finn. Mr Ormond. It had been taken two years ago, when Lilah was only two. They looked so happy, laughing for the camera, both Erin and Finn’s eyes on their darling baby girl.
But life hadn’t been kind to this family. I still remembered the day that it happened.
It had been a normal Wednesday. I had picked up Lilah from ba
llet lessons, as usual, battling through the Melbourne traffic to get her home before dark. Driving was hard for me, Australians drove on the right-hand side of the road, which took some adjustment. So I was a bit stressed when I came through the door that day.
I hadn’t checked my phone in a while, and was a bit dismayed when I saw five missed calls. But the voice mail message made my blood turn cold. It was from the Alfred Hospital. Erin had been involved in a head-on collision on her way home from work at her trendy little boutique on Chapel Street. She was dead on arrival.
They hadn’t been able to get onto Finn. It had been my awful job to tell him that his wife had been killed in a car crash. The next months were a blur of sadness. Finn had been so angry in his grief, using work as an antidote. We rarely saw him. He had always been a workaholic, but he took it to another level.
Then there were Erin’s parents, who stayed on after the funeral. I could see they were upset at how Finn was reacting. They wanted him to spend time with his little girl, she had just lost her mother, after all. I glanced back at Lilah, playing happily with her dolls. It had taken her awhile to get to this. At the start, she had been confused, and kept asking when her mother was coming home.
And then she had withdrawn, getting angry at me, refusing to let me hug her or kiss her. As if scared that I was going to be snatched away from her, just like her mother had been.
I was startled out of my reverie by the sound of a Lamborghini tearing up the circular driveway. What on earth? I strained my neck to get a better view. It couldn’t be, could it? Finn home from work in the middle of the day? It was unheard of.
Yet, there he was, climbing out of the designer car and racing into the house. He did everything quickly, that man. He had so much energy it almost made my head spin. I glanced around. All good. Tidying up as you went came in handy, sometimes – like when the boss unexpectedly came home in the middle of the day.
“Daddy!” Lilah abandoned her dolls to their tea party, leaping to her feet to run into her father’s arms. Finn caught her, tossing her into the air. The little girl chuckled.
Stranded: A Mountain Man Romance Page 26