by Ciana Stone
“I see. Well, religious archaeology and anthropology is a very interesting, if somewhat unusual field. I have interests in several scholarly publications, as well as research facilities and government programs, that sort of thing. Quite an interesting field. Now, Nikki—you don’t mind if I call you Nikki?”
“No, sir, that’s fine.”
“Excellent. Nikki, you mentioned during our phone conversation that the only experience you have in child care is a summer job in a…what was it?”
“Day-care facility. I worked there for two summers and in the afternoons.”
“Yes, of course. And you have no other experience?”
“No, sir.”
“Richard, pardon, darling, but if you don’t mind?” Helen waved her hand gracefully, palm up as she spoke.
Richard inclined his head and Helen turned to Nikki with a small but brief smile.
“Tell me, Nikki, if you’ve had virtually no experience in the field, what exactly makes you feel you’re equipped for such a position?”
Nikki looked from her to Richard and back again. Her mind was racing, trying to find something she could say.
“Actually, nothing, I guess, except that I take responsibility seriously and I’m pretty good at seeing things through.”
“I see.” Helen turned to Richard with one delicate brow arched, before she looked at Nikki again. “Would you mind me asking, dear, why exactly you want this position?”
“No, I don’t mind. The truth is, I need a job. I’d kind of like to keep a roof over my head and be able to eat.”
“I take that to mean that you do not live at home?”
“No, ma’am. My parents are both dead. I’ve been on my own since I was sixteen.”
“And worked your way through college?” Richard asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, that certainly demonstrates determination and responsibility, doesn’t it? I commend you. Not everyone possesses the kind of resolve necessary to accomplish such a goal. Aside from your lack of experience, have you ever had the occasion to associate with disabled or handicapped people, Nikki?”
“Not really. Well, a little, I guess. I have friends with physical limitations, but I’ve never really thought of them as disabled.”
“I think what Richard is referring to is along the lines of a mental disability,” Helen said. “You see, our Maxwell is a—unique boy. He isn’t involved in sports or such activities, but prefers to spend most of his time in his quarters with his little electronic toys. He does enjoy swimming from time to time and occasionally playing in the gym or attempting to swat at balls on the tennis courts. Primarily, he’s very drawn to television and films.”
Nikki nodded. “I see. So, if you don’t mind me asking, exactly what would you need in terms of child care?”
“Primarily we need someone to keep an eye on Maxwell when he’s out of doors, someone to occupy him with games and movies, outdoor activities and the like. The staff will see to his upkeep in terms of keeping his quarters tidy and preparing his meals. You, if you were offered the position, of course, would generally function in the role of companion.”
“So it would be a more or less round-the-clock job?”
“Oh, heavens no. Of course not. Maxwell is quite regimented. He goes to bed promptly at nine p.m. every night and wakens at precisely seven am. The housekeeper Louise sees to his breakfast. Your day would begin precisely at eight. At noon Maxwell has lunch, followed by a two-hour nap. Dinner is at seven. Immediately after dinner, he bathes and is allowed to view a film or play with his computers until nine p.m. You would be given Friday evening off after dinner and all day Sunday, during which time Osgood and Louise will see to Maxwell.”
“Well, it doesn’t sound too difficult. But there is one thing I need to ask. I’m working on my thesis and there may be times I need to go to the university. Would that be a problem?”
“I don’t think so,” Richard answered. “Providing, of course, it’s not a habitual occurrence. However, I’m sure the staff will work out an acceptable schedule with you. And I’ll be happy to provide you with online access to the university, as well as several other fine research facilities, if you like.”
“Thanks.” Nikki smiled. “That’d be great.”
“Marvelous. Are there any other questions?”
“Yes. What does the job pay?”
Richard chuckled as if amused. “Forgive me, my dear. Your lodging and meals will, of course, be provided. You’ll receive a weekly allowance of a thousand dollars for personal incidentals, and if you prove capable of remaining in the position until our scheduled return you will receive a lump sum of fifteen thousand dollars.”
“Fifteen thousand dollars?” When he said a thousand a week she was thrilled. But fifteen thousand?
“Too little?” Helen asked in a somewhat catty tone.
“Oh, no, no. That’s fine, just fine.”
“Then if there’s nothing else,” Richard said.
“Well, there is one other thing.” Nikki hated to push her luck, but it seemed to be part of her nature. “Would it be okay if I met Maxwell?”
Richard quickly looked at Helen who spoke up rather hastily. “Actually, dear, Maxwell is probably napping. He had a rather hectic morning and was completely exhausted. I’m really not sure if he’s awakened yet.”
Something about the tone of Helen’s voice and the way she and Richard looked at one another made alarm bells go off in Nikki’s head.
“Well, maybe he’s ready to get up. And I really think it’d be better if we met. That way if he hates me on sight or something, I don’t have to waste any more of your time.”
Helen and Richard shared another look and Richard nodded. Helen picked up the phone and punched in two numbers. She was silent for a long time. Nikki looked at Richard who smiled in what seemed a forced manner. Finally, Helen spoke into the phone. “Maxwell, please join us in my sitting room immediately.”
She hung up the phone and smiled somewhat coldly at Nikki. When five minutes had passed, with the three of them making idle comments about the weather and such, Richard stood.
“Nikki, would you excuse us for a moment?”
“Sure.”
Richard escorted Helen from the room. Nikki watched them leave. As soon as they were gone, she slumped back in her chair and let out a long breath. She felt like she’d been holding it forever. Something was really odd about the Westons. Maybe Gaspar was right. Then again, maybe not. If the Westons really did have the Stones or the housing device stashed somewhere, it would be next to impossible to find it. The house was enormous and chances were she wouldn’t have the opportunity to explore it freely.
But then again, they were willing to pay a thousand dollars a week plus a bonus of fifteen thousand at the end of the summer. With her current situation, she’d be a fool to pass that up.
Cutting a look at the door, she got up and wandered around the room. It was filled with very expensive artwork and the windows overlooked a beautiful garden. Going to the window, she looked outside then continued looking around the room, peaking behind pictures on the walls to see if there were hidden safes and checking the fireplace and mantle for anything that would resemble a hidden mechanism for a secret compartment.
She felt a little foolish and told herself to not get too caught up in the secret-agent role. She also couldn’t help wondering what could be so unusual about the child that made the Westons so reluctant for people to meet him.
* * * * *
As Richard and Helen made their way down the hall, Maxwell hurried across the arboretum and to the door of his mother’s sitting room. He knew they were interviewing another prospective “warden” for him and wanted to get a look at the candidate without his parents being present.
Since the last “drone” quit, they’d been rather frantic about finding someone. Maxwell was accustomed to the succession of companions his parents hired to watch him, but he’d never seen them quite so urgent in their effort
s before. He wasn’t sure what their motivation was, but it was definitely something out of the ordinary.
He made a mental note that he needed to upgrade his surveillance of his parents. Apparently, he wasn’t getting enough intelligence on what was going on because he’d been unable to discover what the sudden flurry of activity to hire someone was really about.
He peeked inside the sitting room and saw Nikki standing by the window. She didn’t hear him when he slid inside and leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
She was pretty, at least from what he could see. Her long hair was loose, hanging in a shining wave down her back, the light dancing on the silky strands like gems twinkling. Her skin was a little dark, like she had mixed blood—Indian or Middle Eastern, perhaps. And her figure was definitely appealing. The way her jeans clung to her displayed her shape nicely, as did the white T-shirt she wore beneath the denim.
Maxwell was intrigued but also confused. Surely this couldn’t be someone interviewing for the job. Helen and Richard would never hire someone so young and pretty. Who could she be? A neighbor who’d just moved into the area? No, clothes weren’t expensive enough. The daughter of a friend? No, there again, the clothes were too cheap. How about someone who worked for his father? No, Richard never invited underlings to the estate.
Suddenly Nikki turned and saw him. Maxwell got his first good look at her face, and it was like time had come to a screeching halt. She wasn’t just pretty. She was beautiful. And a beauty that was intimately familiar.
Nikki felt a powerful jolt when she turned and saw the man leaning against the doorframe. In the space of a heartbeat, she was completely oblivious to everything else around her. Every sense tuned completely on him. Here was the face of her dreams.
Their eyes met and something she could not identify, something that affected every nerve ending in her body, took hold of her. It was as if for a moment, the laws of the universe were suddenly in flux and she along with them.
Tearing her eyes from his, she was able to stop the flood of sensation. Alarm bells rang in her mind but she ignored them. Never before had she experienced such a reaction. It was like she had fallen into her fantasy. But things like that didn’t happen in real life. Did they?
It dawned on her that the man hadn’t spoken or moved. Maybe he didn’t know she was there about the interview. All at once she felt uncomfortable, not just because she felt the need to explain her presence, but because of her reaction to him. She told herself to stop looking at him and then immediately ignored her own directives.
“Hi, I’m Nikki. Nikki Morgan. I’m here to interview for the job. Mr. and Mrs. Weston just went to find their son and asked me to wait here.”
A series of expressions seemed to dance across the man’s face. Nikki watched curiously, wondering why he didn’t speak and why he kept staring at her. But then she was just as bad, staring at him.
She heard voices in the hall. The man must have heard them too. He dashed across the room and through the French doors that led into the garden.
Nikki completely forgot about the Westons. Her eyes were glued to the man as he hurried from the room. He stopped after he stepped through the threshold and looked back at her for a split second before he closed the doors and disappeared into the garden. As before, the look made her heart leap, her breath quicken and her nerve endings do an electric dance.
“Please forgive us,” Richard Weston said from behind her. “It appears that Maxwell is indulging in one of his favorite games. Hiding.”
“Huh?” Nikki turned, hoping her face didn’t show a flush from the warmth she felt. “Oh…well, well, that’s okay. I guess I can meet him another time. If I get the job, that is.”
Richard and Helen exchanged a look. Helen gave a short nod and Richard looked at Nikki with a smile. “The job is yours.”
“What?” I mean that’s wonderful, but are you certain I’m capable of doing this? Does your son have special needs, is he autistic or does he suffer from Down’s syndrome? I’d love to have the job. I really need it, but I don’t know the first thing about dealing with children with…special needs.”
“Our staff is fully qualified to service Maxwell’s special needs,” Helen replied. “Your primary function is to be a companion. Play video games with him or go swimming. You’ll be given a pager and should anything arise you do not feel you’re equipped to deal with, you have only to page Osgood.”
If they already had staff capable of handling everything, why did they need her? Nikki was starting to think this whole situation was a bit bizarre. As much as she needed the money, maybe this wasn’t for her. What the heck did she know about dealing with a child who wasn’t exactly normal?
And why did the Westons seem so damn eager to pawn their kid off? She was feeling a bit apprehensive, but financial needs and the temptations Gaspar had filled her mind with made her willing to shove the misgivings aside.“ Well, thank you. When do I start?”
“We leave Friday morning,” Helen answered.
“Oh, okay. So I should be here what time on Friday?”
“We leave very early,” Richard said. “It would probably be wise for you to be here at least a couple of days prior to our departure to familiarize yourself with the estate and the staff.”
Nikki noticed he did not mention anything about meeting Maxwell. In fact, they didn’t seem too eager for that to happen, which made alarms go off in her head. What if the child hated her? Or what if he had too much of a handicap for her to deal with? There were a lot of ‘what if’s’ floating through her mind. So why the heck wasn’t she asking them instead of nodding like some trance victim? Was money really that big of an allure?
“Okay. Should I call in advance?”
“That won’t be necessary. Simply announce yourself at the gate. I’ll have a card made up for you.”
“A card?”
“A security card for the gate, dear,” Helen said.
“Oh, yeah, right. Thanks. Well, it shouldn’t take me long to get my things settled, so I’ll see you in a couple of days?”
“That will be fine.” Helen nodded curtly and started for the door. “Richard, be a dear and show Ms. Morgan out.”
Richard gestured in front of him. “Shall we?”
Nikki shrugged and accompanied him to the front door. “Thanks again, Mr. Weston.” She extended her hand.
“Thank you.” He grasped her hand in both of his. “May this be the beginning of a long and satisfying relationship.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that comment. She was only there for a summer job, after all. Disengaging her hand from his, she gave him smile. “Well, I guess I’ll see you soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
Nikki went to her car. As she opened the door, she paused to look at the mansion. What a strange turn of fate today had provided. First, she was handed a clue to a tantalizing possibility, got offered a job making more money than she had ever dared to dream, and then she saw him. The man whose face had inhabited her dreams for nearly a year.
What did he do for the Westons? Butler…cook…gardener…pool boy? It made no difference to her. She just hoped she’d have a chance to spend more time with him. For the first time in her life, she had experienced something she believed was only a wishful fantasy, and she had been bowled over at first sight.
Slow down, she told herself as she got in the car. Just because you want him to be the man of your dreams doesn’t make it true. Coincidence happens. He has the face, and the body, but that doesn’t prove anything. But even her advice to herself couldn’t erase the hope in her heart.
As she pulled away, it occurred to her that she still had no idea what Maxwell Weston was like. Hopefully she had not taken the job of tending some spoiled demon of a child. But she wasn’t really worried. After all, how much trouble could one child be?
Had she turned and looked back at that moment, she would have seen the man who watched from the window high on the third floor.
Chapter Two
Instead of returning to her apartment, Nikki drove into the city. She had to talk to Catherine, her best girlfriend and ex-roommate.
Cat was a CPA with a prestigious group, a junior partner, thanks to her father’s influence. When Nikki arrived, the receptionist informed her that Cat was with a client. Nikki opted to wait. Luckily, she didn’t have to wait long.
“Hey, what a surprise.” Cat smiled as Nikki entered her office. “What brings you uptown?”
Nikki flopped down in the chair before the desk. “You won’t believe what happened to me today.”
Cat took one good look at Nikki and grinned. “Oh my god, you met someone!”
“Not just someone,” Nikki sighed. “The one.”
“No way! You?”
Nikki laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it. I didn’t think it was possible.”
“So spill—and don’t leave out anything.”
Nikki didn’t tell Cat how she found out about the job opening or about her meeting with Gaspar de Troyes. She quickly laid out the meeting with the Westons and the fantastic salary offer, and then took her time relating the meeting with the handsome stranger.
“So, you think he works there too?” Cat asked.
“Apparently. He was there and this isn’t a place you just walk into by mistake. It’s like Fort Knox with all the electric gates and security cameras and all.”
“Well it’s sure bizarre. I mean who would’ve thought a baby-sitting job would bring you face-to-face with Mr. Right?”
“Tell me about it. God, Cat, you should see him. He’s…”
Cat touched her index finger to the tip of her tongue then to the back of her hand, making a sizzling sound.
“Yeah, that’s pretty close.”
“Well, watch out, Nik, anything that hot’s bound to burn.”
Nikki sighed. “It’s more than that. It’s…I can’t explain it. It’s like when I looked in his eyes I saw…” She trailed off. She couldn’t tell Cat about the dreams. “I saw something I’ve been looking for all my life.”
Cat got up to walk around the desk and take a seat in the vacant chair beside Nikki. “Listen, I don’t want to throw ice water on your fire or anything, but as a friend, can I just say one thing?”