Panic set in. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. She didn’t have to impress him. She could cook spaghetti, that didn’t need an oven—except for the garlic bread. Maybe she could use her neighbor’s oven for that. Ruth had been generous in offering her kitchen whenever the Duncan women needed it. They’d taken her up on it a couple of times.
There, one problem solved.
Now if it were just as easy to explain to Charlene…
Timothy Parsons had been to dinner a couple of times. Now she was inviting her new boss. It sounded weak when she considered she didn’t feel the same about having Mac over compared to Timothy.
And after only a week? The reasons for the invitation she dared not reveal. She wanted to see him again when she wasn’t strictly Tommy’s nanny. Was that a rational reason? Would Charlene see through it and suspect the truth? That Sam was fast getting a crush on her new boss?
And if she did, so what?
Sam could admit she admired Mac. But that’s as far as she could go. She had her own plans for the future once she could swing things financially. And right now that did not include being tied down to Atlanta or the obligations Mac would bring to a relationship.
It was merely a friendly dinner for her boss. She needed to keep that thought firmly in mind.
Sam dressed warmly the next morning. The temperature hovered around freezing. She debated canceling the zoo visit, but really thought the little boy would love the exhibits. They’d visit the petting zoo and then stop for some hot chocolate to warm up before returning home. Even though it had been years since she’d been to the zoo, she remembered vividly the many outings her parents had taken Charlene and her on. They’d been such fun. She hoped to make it as fun for Tommy.
When she arrived at the McAlheny home, Mac met her at the door, dressed casually. Was this how he went to work on Saturdays? She let her gaze roam briefly from the wide shoulders down the long legs, and felt that nagging increase in her heart rate. She took a breath and stepped in, smiling widely, hoping he couldn’t see how he affected her. Just because she was intrigued with the man didn’t mean she had to show it to everyone—especially not him!
“It’s freezing. Tommy needs to dress warmly,” she said as she stepped inside. Trying to ignore the attraction she felt around Mac could prove a full-time effort in itself. She longed to reach out and touch his arm, just to connect. He had looked fabulous in his tux, dynamic in his business suit, but now he was so downright sexy that if he kissed her this morning, she’d be a goner.
She looked around for Tommy. The sooner they left, the better for her. Nothing like a shock of cold air to erase any lingering longings.
“He’s dressed as warmly as I could get him. Cords, wool socks and he even has mittens that Louise knit for him,” Mac said. The little boy came running into the foyer, his face alight. He ran up to Sam and hugged her legs.
“Are we going to the zoo now?” he asked, leaning back and lifting his arms for her to pick him up. He wasn’t the lightest thing, but she relished the sturdy little body in her arms and happily picked him up for a hug.
“We sure are. I see you’re dressed for cold weather. It’s sunny, so I think we’ll be okay. And after we see the animals, we’ll stop for hot chocolate.”
“Yeah! I love hot chocolate,” he said, beaming. Then he squirmed to get down. “Let’s go, Sam.”
“Jacket and mittens first,” Mac said. He patiently put the jacket on his wiggling son. Handing him the mittens, he watched to see if Tommy could manage on his own. With a glance at Sam, he said casually, “I thought I’d join you if you don’t mind. My meeting today was canceled.” No need to tell her he’d been the one to cancel it. Somehow compared with seeing his son enjoy a visit to the zoo, the meeting on production planning came in a very distant second.
She looked at him in surprise—that wasn’t horror on her face, was it? If so, she recovered swiftly.
“Oh, well, then if you can take him, I needn’t go.” He definitely picked up on the disappointment in her voice.
“He’s been counting on you,” Mac said, knowing that would ensure her going. He felt he was getting to know Samantha Duncan and how her mind worked.
“Oh.” She bit her bottom lip for a moment. He wanted to reach out and brush it with his thumb, feel the soft warmth against his fingertips. Feel her against him again like last night.
“Okay, then we’ll all go,” she said as if making up her mind.
He hid his amusement as he went to get his own jacket. Sam should never play poker; she didn’t hide her feelings very well. She clearly didn’t want him along, but wasn’t willing to disappoint Tommy. It was easier to have two watch Tommy than just one as she’d find out once they were at the zoo. He planned to enjoy himself and he hoped she did, too.
Mac insisted on driving since the car seat was already in place in his car. Tommy talked nonstop about seeing monkeys and petting animals and drinking hot chocolate. At least that was the gist of his excited discourse. Mac was glad Tommy didn’t feel the undercurrents swirling around in the car. It seemed as if Sam had gone tongue-tied on him. She gazed out the window, her hands clenched into fists. Every time he glanced her way he noted something new. Her profile was pretty. Nice nose, classic lines, soft hair pulled back so it wouldn’t fly into her face with the breeze.
Everything about her was pretty and feminine—from her dark hair to the faint pink tinge on her cheek. Her skin looked soft as satin and he knew her lips were. Swallowing hard, Mac forced himself to focus on the road and driving in the light traffic rather than keep looking at his son’s nanny.
He refused to think about the kisses they’d shared, that would likely have them ending up in a crash. He’d save up those memories for nights when he felt especially lonely in his bed.
The zoo was not crowded even though it was a Saturday. Probably because of the cold weather. The wind was light, but really carried a bite. They entered through the Flamingo Plaza, the birds not in evidence. He hoped they were bundled into someplace warm. Tropical animals wouldn’t fare as well in today’s cold spell. Only a few hundred yards from the parking lot and he already wanted out of the cold.
Sam reached up and undid her ponytail, allowing her hair to cover her ears and neck hoping for some warmth. She suspected this outing had been a mistake. It was freezing! She held Tommy’s mittened hand and wished she’d brought gloves. How long before they could stop in one of the restaurants and get warm?
“Maybe we should stop for hot chocolate before venturing to the petting zoo,” she said as she watched Mac zip his jacket closed.
“I don’t think all our party would concur,” he murmured.
Tommy was pulling Sam along as he charged ahead, his excited voice talking about animals and petting. His exhilaration was contagious and she felt her own spirits lift in response.
“Okay, we’ll see the petting animals then go somewhere warm.”
Once in the children’s zoo, she let go Tommy’s hand and watched him run a bit ahead.
“My hand is cold after holding his,” she said, smiling as the little boy skipped and ran to see the giant tortoise. Before she could think, Mac took her hand in his warm one.
“Can’t have you getting frostbite. You may need to drive home,” he said, tucking both hands in his jacket pocket.
Cold fled. Warmth swept through. A moment later she could speak. “Why is that?”
“Because I may freeze to death before it’s time to go. Your hand can keep me warm, too.” He looked down at her and she was struck again by how gorgeous the man was. Holding hands meant she was right beside him, feeling the warmth from his body along hers. She wanted to lean closer, find a sheltered spot out of the cold and just gaze at him forever.
However, duty called and she dragged her gaze away to look for Tommy. He was talking to another little boy next to the giant tortoise. She wondered if the other child could understand him any better.
“I should have checked the long-range f
orecast before offering this treat,” she said as they followed Tommy when he darted here and there to see everything. They reached the petting area and entered, finding it marginally warmer with all the small animals crowding around. It was also sheltered from the wind.
Tommy was in heaven. He solemnly followed the instructions of the zookeepers on duty and gently patted the rabbits and the goats. There was a donkey. A cow. And ducklings and baby chicks in a warming box.
Sam enjoyed the little boy’s reaction to all the animals. His laughter rang out when one of the baby pygmy goats gently butted his side. But she was totally caught up in the feelings racing through her holding Mac’s hand. She struggled against releasing all the cares of the world for a short time. She wanted him to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot about the cold. If she were granted one wish, it would be for him to see her as more than his son’s temporary part-time nanny.
Shocked at the thought, Sam pulled her hand free. “Let’s buy some of this food for the animals. Tommy will love feeding them.”
Tommy came rushing back when she called and Mac caught his son and lifted him high in the air before settling him against his chest. “Having fun?”
Tommy nodded and began to tell about petting the animals as if his father hadn’t been watching him. He squirmed around to point out the different ones he’d patted.
Mac listened until he ran down.
“Want to feed them?” Sam asked. She held a small ice-cream cone full of the pellets. Mac put Tommy down and then stooped down beside him to hold his hand flat so the little goats could eat off his palm.
Tommy shrieked with laughter. “It tickles,” he said.
Sam watched the two of them and was suddenly glad Mac had come with them. This reminded her of going with her parents and sister—a family outing. It was made more special for both her and Tommy because Mac was there.
“Ready for some hot chocolate?” He looked at Sam. “I am. Then we’ll hit the highlights of the rest of the zoo and find a warm place to eat lunch. Snow is predicted for later this evening. If the temperatures stay so low, I wonder how the animals will cope.”
“I’m sure the zoo has arrangements for the weather. But I bet some of them are surprised to find it colder than the African veldt,” she replied.
The rest of the morning passed swiftly. Tommy laughed at the monkeys and then made faces at the wise-looking gorillas. He wanted to pet the elephant and threw a short-lived tantrum when Mac said he couldn’t.
They decided to eat at one of the places opened in the zoo, and then browse for a keepsake for Tommy—like a stuffed elephant.
The drive back was different. Tommy fell asleep almost before they left the parking lot. The silence was cozy rather than awkward. Sam felt pleasantly tired, but not at all sleepy. She had dinner to prepare when she returned home. She’d thought she would have Tommy underfoot all afternoon, but since his father was home, she wouldn’t.
“You’re still coming to dinner, aren’t you?” she asked when Mac turned onto his street.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“I thought to make spaghetti if you like that. It’s something we can cook on our camp stove, and I know Tommy likes it.”
“Camp stove?”
“I told you that a large old oak fell through the back of our house during Hurricane George. It pretty much destroyed our kitchen. We’ve been cooking on a camp stove until we can afford repairs.”
Mac frowned. He knew the hurricane had damaged her home; she’d said that was the reason for the second job. But he hadn’t realized they were still impacted by it. “Hurricane George was months ago.”
“I explained that before,” she murmured.
“I thought you were paying off repairs, not waiting to get them.”
“We had the roof repaired and that’s what we’re paying off. Next on our agenda is the kitchen. Maybe by spring, with the lavish salary you’re paying me, we’ll be able to get that repaired.”
He said nothing, soon turning into the long driveway to his home.
“Come in and get warm before heading home,” he suggested.
“Maybe for a minute. Need any help with Tommy?”
“I can manage. If he doesn’t wake up when I take him out of the car seat, I’ll put him in bed to nap as long as he wants. Today was exciting for him and I think he might stay asleep for a long while.”
He did just as Mac thought.
Sam waited in the foyer while Mac took Tommy up to bed, and then returned.
“Coffee?”
She nodded and followed him into the kitchen, where a moment later he realized there was no water coming from the faucet.
“Odd,” he said, trying both the hot and cold. A trickle came from the hot, soon diminishing to a drip.
“Pipes frozen, I bet,” she said. “It’s cold enough.”
“As long as they don’t burst,” he said, heading downstairs to the basement. The area was cooler than the rest of the house, but not as cold as outside. The pipes looked fine.
He joined Sam in the kitchen. “If they are frozen, it’s outside somewhere.”
“So I’ll pass on the coffee.”
“With Tommy sleeping upstairs, I can’t run out to a coffee bar,” he said, slowly, stepping closer, invading her space. Sam resisted her inclination to step back. Her heart pounded. She studied his dark eyes, wishing for things unknown. It had been a long time since she’d felt special feelings for a man. She had her heart set on moving west, but until then, she wouldn’t mind a little companionship—more than her sister provided.
“I should be going home,” she said a second later. Should, but didn’t want to.
“Thanks for suggesting the zoo. Tommy had fun.”
“I did, too.”
“Me, too,” he said, leaning over to brush his lips against hers. “We’ll be at your place at six.”
Sam nodded and left, proud of the way she walked and didn’t run to her car.
By six o’clock Sam was a nervous wreck. The sauce was simmering on the camp stove burner. Water boiling for the spaghetti noodles. She’d told her sister she was inviting the McAlhenys and received a boatload of questions—starting with should Charlene admit she’d been the one to strongly encourage Sam to use the ticket.
“Should I thank him for giving you a job, or would that be awkward since he got you fired from the other one?” she asked.
“I’d made a big deal about getting fired, now I don’t want flak about taking a job with the man. I still feel a bit funny about it. I know he offered because he felt guilty. He didn’t deliberately get me fired. Just treat him like Timothy Parsons when I had him to dinner last summer.”
“We had a working kitchen then,” Charlene murmured, studying her sister. “As I expect Mr. McAlheny does. So why invite them here?”
“For a home-cooked meal,” Sam said, ignoring the fact Mrs. Horton cooked for them every day.
“And he’s coming here to dinner, with water-stained ceilings and a kitchen that’s half gone? A dining room that looks like a sewing factory and dinner in the living room?” Charlene looked at Sam as if she’d lost her mind.
Sam shrugged. “Thank goodness Ruth next door let us use her oven. I’d hate to offer spaghetti without hot garlic bread.”
“Hey, pancakes would have been fine,” Charlene teased, mentioning a meal they’d eaten a lot of over the past few months. Apparently realizing her sister wasn’t going to answer the other questions, she stopped pushing.
“Tommy would love that, I’m sure,” Sam said.
“I can’t wait to meet him. I hope the chair won’t put him off. We’ve never been much around kids, even when we were little—except ourselves.”
Sam shrugged. “That’s what happens with small families.”
“So go get married and give me lots of nieces and nephews,” Charlene said.
Sam shrugged again. Did her sister have no expectations of marriage and kids herself? Would it be possible? They’d n
ever discussed it. Sam felt a new sense of sadness at the thought of her sister never having a family of her own. Even if she couldn’t give birth, adoption was an option.
Only, Charlene went out even less than Sam—and she hadn’t had a date that Sam knew of since the accident almost ten years ago. Her older sister had been popular in high school and college. It wasn’t fair. Some man was missing out on a wonderful, loving woman.
Maybe instead of selling her patterns and quilted goods, Sam should be brainstorming ideas for Charlene to meet eligible men.
But not tonight, she thought as the doorbell sounded.
Mac held Tommy as they entered. Sam introduced everyone. The little boy looked around at their house, his eyes opening wide when he spotted Charlene. He tilted his head slightly to take in the chair and the woman sitting in it.
“Does that move?” he asked.
“It sure does,” Charlene said. “Want a ride?”
Tommy nodded and struggled to get down. Mac put him on his feet and peeled off his jacket before turning him loose.
Charlene leaned over and lifted Tommy to her lap. “Sit still and off we go,” she said, turning the chair and heading for the dining room.
“Is that allowed?” Mac asked quietly when Sam reached for Tommy’s jacket. She hung it up in the closet and then took Mac’s.
“Why not? I think it would be very cool if I were a kid. It’s only if you know she’ll never get out of the chair that it becomes more sad than fun.”
“It was nice of her to offer,” he said. He handed her a bouquet of flowers.
“They’re lovely. Thank you,” she said, smelling the crisp cinnamon scent of carnations and touching the mums with gentle fingers. “I love fresh cut flowers,” she said. How long had it been since anyone had given her flowers? She thought it might have been forever.
“Something smells delicious,” Mac said.
“Good. I need to run next door to get the garlic bread and then we’ll be ready to eat in a jiffy. What happened with your pipes?”
Nanny to the Billionaire's Son Page 9