The Reluctant Au Pair

by Melinda Barron

  “Of course.”

  “Liar.” At the top of the stairs they met the men, who were coming down. Michelle had thought Alliot would take Alex. Instead, he took the bottles and, once they were all stored inside the refrigerator, he nodded at Luc.

  “We’re off,” Luc said. “Bea will come back in the morning to check on you, Mic. I’ll bring your things back for you in a few minutes. Good night all.”

  After the women had hugged, and Michelle and Alliot were alone, she struggled to find something to talk about. “I guess I’ll put Alex down.”

  “Yes. Then come upstairs, please. Second door on the right.” He pointed to a baby monitoring set. “Make sure you turn that on before you leave.”

  He left and Michelle turned to Alex, who seemed very sleepy. She changed him, then couldn’t decide whether to feed him or not. In the end, he decided for her, by falling asleep before she could get anything warmed up. After several minutes of trying to decide whether to put him on his back or stomach, she settled for his back, tucking a small stuffed animal next to him.

  He looked sweet and content and she studied him for a few minutes, then turned on the monitor, took a handset, and went in search of Alliot. The house seemed ominous now that it was dark, and there was no one around. She found the staircase and hurried upstairs.

  She found the office easily enough. Alliot stood on the outside deck, smoking a cigarette. She walked to the French doors and stopped. He turned and offered her a cigarette, which she declined.

  “A bad habit, I know. I have cut down since coming here, though. It’s being around, Alex, I suppose. I never smoke when he’s in the room.”

  “That’s good. Does he sleep through the night?”

  “Mostly. But I’m glad you had the foresight to prepare bottles just in case.”

  “That was Bea’s idea, not mine.” When he didn’t respond, she turned to the office and her eyes widened. He didn’t see her face, but she heard his heavy exhale of smoke.

  “It’s a mess, I know. When we cleared out my brother’s room, I had any papers, or things I thought related to the business, brought up here. It only added to the mess, I’m afraid.”

  “Mess is right.” Papers were piled on every surface. Michelle walked over and examined one. “Some of these letters have never been opened.”

  “Yes, I know. That’s part of your duties now.”

  “Aren’t you worried about overdue bills?”

  “If they are overdue, we’ve gotten notices. I expect you to take care of the current mail, too. I will write bills, but you will be expected to see that I get what I need from the mail.”

  She nodded, and then said under her breath. “Might just be better to toss everything and start over.”

  “Not a very good idea. I want a better handle on what’s going on, book wise, with the winery.”

  “Of course. I didn’t mean for you to hear, it was, um, just a joke.”

  “A joke. Of course.” His voice made it sound as if he were anything but certain it was a joke. He walked to a sofa and sat down, indicating she should sit next across from him in a chair. When she was seated, he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

  “Someone is stealing money from the business.”

  “Is, as in current?”

  “Yes. I had thought, at first, that it was just my brother’s carelessness. Of course that is probably what started the whole thing. But, the accounts are very low. Just today, the bank called to say that a check to a supplier wouldn’t clear. The books show that there was more than enough money in the account for it to clear.”

  “I see. When was the last time the books were updated?”

  He sniffed, then ran his fingers over the arm of the sofa. “I make sure they’re done now. But, like I said, my brother was less than stellar. Who knows what was paid out, but never recorded? What I’m hoping is that in these stacks of papers you will find information that he failed to enter into the books, and my suspicions will prove unfounded.”

  “In other words, you want me to prove that no one is stealing. You just want it to be poor bookkeeping on your brother’s part that is finally catching up on you, now that he’s passed on.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Who has access to the accounts?”

  “Officially? No one but me. But, who’s to say that someone didn’t come in here during the confusion after my brother’s death and help themselves to information that could have allowed them to access the accounts?”

  “I hope you don’t mean Luc, because he wouldn’t do that.”

  “I don’t know Luc that well. My brother hired him, and frankly, I wonder sometimes.”

  “I do know him.” She could feel her blood starting to boil. “He’s not a thief.”

  “You knew him once, many years ago. People change, and you think you know someone, but you don’t.”

  “He’s married to my best friend, and she’s not a thief, either.”

  “Who else would I consider? Luc has the most access to the books.”

  “I can’t believe this. You just sat and had dinner with the man like nothing was wrong. That makes you a jerk in my book. If you believe something like that, you should confront him with it. And, if you really do think that, perhaps I should leave.” She stood and stared at him, her frown deepening when he actually smiled at her.

  “I appreciate your loyalty. I have to admit that your familiarity with Luc made me consider, very carefully, about using your services. In the end, I wasn’t impressed with any of the individuals who applied here. In truth, I don’t believe Luc is stealing from the winery. He’s too honest for that, I believe.”

  “Then why did you try to goad me?” Her anger was still right under the surface. When he didn’t answer, she shook her head. “You provoked me on purpose. You’re a real bastard.”

  “So I’ve been told. But, making you angry let me see what you’re made of. I don’t want a milksop who will tell me what they think I want to know. I want someone who will look these things over, and tell me the truth. Now, I believe you are that person.”

  “Why, because I got pissed?”

  “Exactly. As a new employee, you should still be on your best behavior. Yet you leapt to defend your friend, and weren’t afraid to tell me what you thought of me. That’s exactly what I wanted you to do. Now please, sit back down.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “I may have done what you wanted, but that doesn’t mean I’m so sure about you, you know. Are you going to play mind games with me the whole time I’m here?”

  “Probably.” A grin tugged at his mouth and she sat back down. “Luc tells me you’re honest and strong-willed. He also told me about what happened with your last employer, which reinforced the fact that you were honest.”

  “Really? Maybe I’m just smart enough not to get caught.” She narrowed her eyes at him, and he rewarded her with the first laugh she’d heard from him since she’d arrived.

  “Touché.” He stood and straightened his clothing. “I’m going to retire now. I trust you’ll start first thing in the morning.”

  “Yes. But, it will take me longer having to look after Alex.”

  “I understand that. I’ll have things brought up here for you to use. He really is a quiet baby, for the most part, despite what you saw tonight. And, as promised, I will continue to look for a full time au pair. Good night.”

  When he was gone, she looked around the room again, shaking her head. This was a much bigger job than she’d thought it would be, and it would be hard to get done with a baby to take care of, too. Hopefully he’d find a full time au pair before long.

  She went to her room, where she found bags containing the items she’d bought that day. She showered, then went to bed, her ears trained on Alex’s room for the slightest sound, wondering exactly what she’d gotten herself into.

  When Alex cried, at just after five the next morning, Michelle lifted her head from the pillow, having trouble figuring out where she was. Her body felt
like lead, and it took several long minutes for her to remember she was in France, and that the crying baby was her responsibility.

  She tumbled out of bed and staggered into the other room, where she found Alliot, wearing nothing but a thin pair of pajama bottoms, holding a now-screaming Alex.

  “I’m sorry.” She stepped closer and held out her arms. “I’m a bit jet-lagged, I think.”

  “Understandable.” He handed her the baby, who quieted down and settled into her arms.

  “He really does like you.”

  “It’s just because I have boobs. Right now he’s thinking, ‘oh, breakfast.’”

  Alliot’s laughter was rich, and made Michelle’s spine tingle. “It’s a little early for breakfast,” he said. “Just a snack, maybe.”

  “Yes.” She went about warming a bottle, by zapping a cup of water in the microwave, then setting the bottle inside it for a few minutes.

  “You seem to know what you’re doing after all.”

  “Bea gave me this little tip last night. Trust me, this is the first baby I’ve held in years.”

  She took the bottle and sat down in a rocking chair. Alex happily fed, and when Alliot stepped close to her, Michelle became very aware of the fact that he was a half-naked man. She swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on the baby.

  “I’m going to sleep for a little while longer,” he finally said. “You should do the same, after he’s sleeping again.” He left the room quickly, closing the door behind him with a thud.

  Michelle knew he was right, that she should sleep more. But, even though it was only six in the morning here, it seemed like the middle of the afternoon to her now that she was awake. When Alex was fed, and sleeping again, she loaded him into his bassinette and carried him upstairs, determined to get started on the huge chore that faced her.

  She worked for two hours straight while Alex slept, making piles of unopened mail that was dated at least four months before Antoine and Luca’s deaths; bills that were stamped paid; bills that had nothing on them; and papers that would have to be looked at more closely. By the time the two hours had passed, she’d cleared one out of the more than eleven surfaces that were stacked high.

  Her stomach growled and she looked down at Alex, who was watching her with bright blue eyes.

  “When did you wake up?” She picked him up, holding him in front of her and smiling at his laughter. “Listen, you, I’m just a temp. Don’t draw me in with your smile, got it?”

  He wiggled his arms and gave her a gurgly baby laugh. “Cut that out. Now.” And when he laughed harder, she shook her head. “Thanks a lot. You know, you’re not supposed to be part of my assignment. I don’t want to get attached.”

  Her stomach growled again, and she pulled him close to her. “Let’s go get food.”

  In the kitchen, she was surprised to find Bea sitting with Amelie, eating eggs and bacon.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” she said with a laugh. She put Alex in his seat and held out her hand to the cook. “Hi. I’m Michelle.”

  “Yes, Miss Rawlins, Mr. Bauchet said you’d be down. Shall I cook you some breakfast?”

  “Um, sure. It looks great. I’ll fix Alex some cereal.” Michelle put her hand down when the woman didn’t take it.

  “I started it when I heard you coming down the stairs. I’m sure the young man is hungry.” There was no mistaking the rebuke in the woman’s voice and when she turned toward the stove, Michelle frowned at Bea, who stifled a laugh.

  “So, you’re Mrs. Thaxton?”

  “That’s right.” She turned and handed Michelle the bowl of cereal. “This is my kitchen, and I do the cooking. When I’m not here, of course, you may fix Alex’s food. But, I would prefer that you make sure you clean up after yourself.”

  “Of course.” Michelle sat down next to Bea, who took the cereal and started to feed Alex. When the woman turned to the stove, Michelle mouthed, “She’s a peach.”

  Bea leaned closer. “She’s usually pretty nice. I wonder if she feels threatened by you, you know, with Alex. Maybe she wants to be the au pair, and is secretly running off all the other ones behind Alliot’s back.”

  “Could be. Where are the boys?”

  “With Luc. They like to go and help out sometimes, when they’re not in school. How did things go last night? Did he get you all set on your new job?”

  “Of course he did. The man is all business.” It was hard for Michelle not to tell Bea what really terrible shape the winery was in. She had some idea, true, but not the whole story. But to tell her would be to break her promise to Alliot, and she didn’t want to do that.

  Instead, after Mrs. Thaxton delivered her breakfast and then excused herself, they talked of their friends at home, and who was doing what, who was married to whom, and who was messing around with someone else.

  At some point, they’d moved to the large patio overlooking the gardens that led toward the vineyards. Amelie and Alex were both sleeping as the women talked. It was only the clearing of a throat that made them both look up.

  Alliot stood on the steps, a frown on his face.

  “Sorry. We got carried away talking after breakfast.” Michelle looked at her watch. “Oh my. It’s almost one.”

  “Yes, it is,” Alliot said. “Mrs. Thaxton will have sandwiches made, and then you could get back to work.”

  Bea stood slowly. “Why don’t I take Alex for the afternoon? That way you won’t be distracted.”

  Michelle looked to Alliot for approval. When he nodded, she did the same.

  “Why don’t you come for dinner tonight? Both of you? It’s not as fancy as the big house, but I can cook.”

  “We’d be happy to,” Alliot said before Michelle could answer. His assumption in using the word, “we,” bristled her just a bit, but she kept it quiet. When Bea had taken the children and left, she turned to him.

  “Sorry.”

  “Need I remind you that you’re here to work, not talk with your friend?”

  “No, you need not do that. I did do some work today. I got through a stack of papers.”

  “One whole stack, in five hours. Extraordinary.”

  “Now, I don’t think I care for your tone of voice.” She tried to keep her tone light. “You sound like my junior high school teacher who got mad when I wouldn’t write five hundred times, ‘I will not talk in class.’”

  “Did she punish you for that?”

  “Yes, she did.”

  “How?”

  “Five swats that hurt like hell.”

  “Well, I’m sure I have a paddle around here somewhere that I can motivate you with, if that’s what it takes.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t see one stack as highly productive. And don’t even think about blaming Alex when all you were doing is chatting with your friend.”

  “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “I understand that. Please get back to work, Michelle, before I take a page from your teacher’s book, and introduce you to the business end of a paddle.”

  Chapter Three

  “Take a page from your teacher’s book. The business end of a paddle. Find a paddle my fanny. What a creep.” Michelle slapped an unopened envelope down on an already towering stack and continued to mutter to herself. It would take her a while day just to go through this stack and see what was inside the envelopes. And she still had eight more stacks of stuff to go through.

  Still, in the four hours since Bea had left, she’d only been through two more stacks. Looking at the dates, and trying to decide which stack the paper should go on was taking longer than she thought it would.

  Of course it didn’t help that every few minutes she was thinking of her boss, and not of her work. She hated to admit that, but it was true. As much as she wanted to ignore the fact, he was a man that was hard to ignore. And he made her insides tingle, she had to admit.

  And this was only her second day. She hated to think how she would feel after spending more time with him. Of
course, maybe he would start to grate on her after a few days. Maybe it was just the newness of things that had her so up in knots. Or maybe it was jetlag. That could be it, too. Her body had just not adjusted to the time change. She needed more sleep.

  “Why is it every time I’ve seen you today you’ve been sitting on your behind?”

  She turned to the doorway where Alliot stood, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t like angry. In fact, he looked more than a little amused, which made her angry considering his earlier remarks.