Nanny to the Billionaire's Son

by Barbara McMahon

  “I’ll go home and come back in the morning to get him.”

  “For pancake breakfast,” she said, already gathering the ingredients for the hot beverage.

  Mac leaned against the counter, out of her way. He could watch her all day and night and still wish he had more time. Odd, he’d never noticeably felt that way about Chris. Of course, he’d known her most of his life. He’d loved her for years. But there was something special about Samantha Duncan that captivated him in ways he hadn’t known before.

  Conscious of the two women in the adjacent room, Mac kept their meeting brief. He finished his cup of hot chocolate as soon as it was cool enough to drink.

  “I’ll be by in the morning around nine,” he said, brushing her lips with his and then leaving.

  Sam stared after him, hearing him bid Alice and Charlene good-night. She had expected something more. But how awkward would a full-blown kiss have been with her sister ten steps away. Or worse, if she’d come into the kitchen for something.

  Sighing gently, she ran water in the cups and began to plan for tomorrow’s breakfast. She’d see him again in a few short hours. Remembering all they’d talked about during the evening, she went up to bed in a happy frame of mind.

  Sam was wakened in the morning when Tommy knocked on her door. Entering when bidden, he ran to her bed.

  “Time for pancakes,” he said, smiling at her.

  What a great way to wake up. She smiled back, delighted in his innocent excitement.

  “It just about is. How about I get dressed, get you dressed and we’ll go make the batter?” she asked. He loved helping.

  “’Kay.”

  In less than twenty minutes the two of them were in the kitchen pulling out bowls, mixing utensils and ingredients.

  She didn’t let him near the hot stove, but had him happily standing on a stool stirring the batter—thankfully only spilling a little. A small price to pay for his obvious happiness. She watched him, her heart swelling with love. He was a precious child. It was fun to see life through the eyes of a child. It made everything seem wondrous and new again.

  She was turning sausages in the skillet when she heard the knock on the front door.

  “I bet that’s your daddy,” she said to Tommy. Lifting him down, she turned off the stove and followed at a slower pace when he ran to the front door. The heavy knob was too much for him, so she knew he couldn’t open the door before she got there.

  Checking, she saw it was Mac and swung the door open.

  He smiled at her and reached down to take his son up in his arms. “Hey, sport. How are you doing?”

  “We making pancakes,” Tommy said proudly, struggling to get down. He ran back to the kitchen.

  “Making pancakes or a mess?”

  “Some of each. Come on back, I have sausages on the stove and don’t want him in there alone.” She hurried back, feeling flustered and excited at the same time. She was glad she’d taken time to dress first thing and apply a tiny bit of makeup. The slim jeans and sweater fit perfectly and she hoped he noticed.

  “What can I do?” Mac asked when he followed her into the kitchen.

  “Set the table?” she suggested, keeping an eye on Tommy.

  In a few moments, Charlene came in.

  “Coffee,” she said dramatically. “I may fall asleep right now if I don’t get some soon.”

  Sam laughed. She felt bubbling with happiness. Pouring her sister a cup, she handed it over. “Don’t want you falling asleep now, you might tumble to the floor. How late were you up?”

  “Far too late.” Charlene sipped the coffee. “Ah, ambrosia.”

  Mac had poured himself a cup and refilled hers. It was so domestic. As if they were choreographed.

  “It was after one when Alice left. Then I was so keyed up, I couldn’t get to sleep right away,” Charlene said after taking another swallow of coffee.

  “You should have slept in later,” Sam said.

  “Can’t. Monica is coming over this morning and taking me to her shop. She wants my help displaying the quilts she’s selling. And to see where she would let us offer classes. Alice is meeting me there.”

  “Cool. Maybe I’ll tag along,” Sam said.

  “If you like. Otherwise, wait until we have it all set up and come in as a customer and give us your honest opinion.”

  “I’d like to see it, too,” Mac said. “Maybe Sam and I can both come later. After lunch? Does that give you enough time to set up the display?”

  “Perfect,” Charlene said.

  Sam sped up the breakfast, making Charlene the first pancakes, then some for Tommy. Sitting around the table, she was conscious of Mac sitting only a few inches away. His and hers were finished at the same time and she enjoyed the meal more than any she’d had recently. Unless it was the one from last night. Or the Black and White Ball. Okay, so any meal with Mac had been special!

  When Charlene left, Mac offered to help with the dishes.

  “No need. I can get them done quickly.”

  “Then I’m calling Carson. He said he’d have estimated cost for the repair work here. Maybe we can get you started on that.”

  “It would be wonderful, but you must have other plans for Saturday.”

  “Not this weekend. I told Charlene I’d bring you by after lunch. You’re stuck with me until then.”

  She smiled; being stuck with him was not how she viewed it.

  The trip to Monica’s shop turned out to be fun. The storefront was larger than Sam expected—huge glass windows displaying completed quilts, crocheted sweaters and baby sets and knitted afghans. Plus displays of patterns, cross-stitch and skeins of brightly colored yarn.

  The inside was also spacious, but with a warm and cozy feel. They wandered through—just like a customer might. Mac carried Tommy, lest he dash around and get into mischief. He walked beside Sam.

  “Hello,” one of the salesclerks greeted them. She smiled at Tommy. “Your son is adorable.”

  Sam blinked. Did the young woman think Tommy was hers? She opened her mouth to tell her he wasn’t, but closed it and merely smiled. She couldn’t blame her for mistaking the image they must give. Strangers would think they were a family. For a moment she felt a pang. Would she one day find a man who would love her, want to share her life? Someone she’d love?

  It would have to be when she was established as a park ranger. She wouldn’t find someone like that in Atlanta. That would tie her down when she felt the future was just opening up.

  Except for Mac, something inside whispered. He would never tie her down.

  But that would never work. Her dreams lay elsewhere. And he was still connected to his wife even though she was long dead.

  Feeling a bit let down with the thought, she looked for Charlene. She saw Alice first.

  After complimenting them on the display, hearing about the classes offered and watching as two women who were listening immediately signed up, Sam was content when Mac asked if she were ready to leave. This was Charlene’s world now. And Sam was happy to see how well her sister interacted. She’d love teaching quilting and she was already happier than Sam had ever seen her.

  “Yes,” Sam said.

  “Let’s take Tommy to the park. There’s enough snow still for him to try making a snowman,” Mac said.

  “I’d like that.”

  She had other things she could do, but Sam relished every moment she could spend with Mac. And soon enough there’d be no reason.

  When Sam arrived at Mac’s home on Monday after work, Alice waited, giving her a brief rundown on Tommy’s day and then headed out for the class she taught. Sam had hardly begun dinner when Mac entered.

  “I didn’t expect you so early,” she said.

  “I wanted to have one of your home-cooked meals,” he said.

  The kitchen seemed instantly cozier, she thought. Tommy played with toys in the area farthest away from the cooking. He greeted his dad, then returned to the make-believe world he’d created.

&n
bsp; It seemed natural for Sam to ask how Mac’s day had been. He then asked about hers and the evening took on an even more surreal feeling. She remembered her mother and father talking together in the evenings, sharing the parts of their lives that were spent away from each other. Enjoying just being together.

  As she did with Mac.

  For the short time she had left.

  Soon she wouldn’t have to work for the extra money. But she didn’t want to think about that yet.

  Each evening during the week Mac arrived home earlier than expected. Whenever Sam suggested leaving, he’d always ask her to stay until Tommy was in bed. A ritual developed with them reading to Tommy and then both tucking him in beneath the covers. Mac would then offer her a cup of tea or something so she stayed even later. Each night ended in a kiss. Sometimes Sam wanted to leave earlier just to get her kiss earlier. But she reveled in every moment together.

  Thursday he surprised her again. “I asked Mrs. Horton to watch Tommy tomorrow. Same deal as last week. She and Charlene are meeting in the evening, so he was invited to your home again.”

  “With pancakes for breakfast Saturday?” she asked.

  He nodded. “Or we can eat somewhere on the road to Savannah.”

  “Let’s eat at home. Then if anything gets spilled, we can clean him up before we leave.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  “Do your parents know I’m coming?” Suddenly Sam wondered if this was a wise move. They wouldn’t read anything into their relationship, would they? It wasn’t as if he were taking her home to meet the parents, so to speak. Merely to show her Savannah while Tommy was with his maternal grandparents.

  “I mentioned I was bringing you. Is that a problem?”

  “No, they probably want to know Tommy’s caregiver,” she said, trying to be practical.

  “I think of you as more than that,” Mac said quietly. “Tomorrow night we’ll eat a quick bite and then definitely go dancing.”

  Sam liked the way he said that, as if he would not take no for an answer. As if she’d give one. Dancing with him at the Black and White Ball had been thrilling. She couldn’t wait to repeat the experience.

  She wore a new dress to dinner. One that had a flaring skirt that would allow her to dance slow, fast and in between. The rich burgundy color made her look her best.

  Mac took her to an Italian restaurant.

  “You remembered how much I love Italian,” she said. Their conversation last week had encompassed all kinds of information exchanges.

  “We’re not going to talk all night this time,” he said as he followed her to the table.

  “Because we’d miss the dancing,” she said with a laugh. Feeling almost giddy as she sat opposite him, she pulled out the menu and glanced through it. Taking a deep breath, she loved the aromas that filled her senses. She peeked at him and found his gaze on her.

  “I’ll have the ravioli,” she said.

  He signaled the waiter and gave their order.

  Sam was brimming with news. She beamed at him. “I may have just the nanny for you. Someone who can live in. That way you wouldn’t have to juggle schedules between Mrs. Horton and me, but have someone there all the time. She came into the office earlier this week looking for a live-in position. We’ve done a reference check and everything is perfect. She’s very capable, energetic and loves children. She worked for several years in a preschool in Augusta and moved to Atlanta after her husband died to be near their only daughter who’s going to Georgia State.”

  “Someone from the Foundation?” he asked. Mac knew there would be changes with Charlene now contributing to the family income. But he didn’t expect Sam to talk about leaving so soon.

  “Yes. She’s almost deaf, can only hear a few sounds. But in watching children, she doesn’t turn her back.”

  “I don’t think so. I need someone who can deal with a rambunctious three-year-old. Too much could go wrong with someone who can’t hear.” He appreciated her offer. But he wanted Sam in their lives. For as long as she’d stay.

  “She has a service dog—he’s her ears.” Sam leaned forward. “Donations are great, the Foundation needs every penny we get, but even more, we need people to be willing to hire qualified employees who may have a slight disadvantage. I would never recommend anyone who would cause a risk to another—especially to a child. Would you at least interview her?”

  “Let me think about it,” he said. He didn’t like the way this conversation was going.

  “I think it would easier for Tommy when I stop watching him to move into a permanent nanny. And I think Mrs. Horton might find a new direction if she continues to work with Charlene on this quilting business.”

  “I said I’d think about it.”

  Sam nodded, sitting back, her expression resigned. Mac felt a twinge of guilt. He couldn’t consider someone else watching Tommy when he wanted Sam there full-time.

  Sam felt let down. She doubted he’d even give Kristin a chance. She knew the situation could end up a perfect solution for all concerned. What little boy wouldn’t love to be around a dog, one so well trained as Buddy. And Kristin loved to cook and bake. She’d brought enough batches of cookies and treats into the office that Sam could give a testimonial. And her own daughter was proof of how well she watched children. Kristin had hated to give up her position at the day care center in Augusta, but wanted to be closer to her daughter.

  But the age-old concern about disabilities always rose.

  Mac reached out and caught her hand in his, squeezing slightly. “I meant it, I’ll give it some serious consideration. Maybe you can arrange an interview. I’m not making any promises, but I will interview her, see what she can do. I want harmony in my household, someone for Tommy to like.”

  She was afraid to hope, but she’d take what she could get. “I’ll see what I can arrange.”

  “But if I think it would in any way endanger my child, no, I won’t consider it.”

  “Neither would I,” she said, wondering if her real goal was to find Kristin a position, or find a reason to continue contact with Mac. Her hand tingled from his grip, and her attention was on Mac, not the possibility of finding a perfect match for one of their registrants. She hoped it was because she wanted the best for the older woman. But it wouldn’t hurt to have an ongoing connection with the man opposite her after her stint as child care provider was over.

  The waiter arrived with their salad. Sam hated to have Mac release her hand. She wished they could have held hands throughout dinner.

  She had it bad. And instead of saying something scintillating and enthralling, she had to talk about his hiring someone else to watch Tommy.

  She resolved right then that the rest of the night was going to be for them, no talk about Charlene or Tommy and especially not Chris.

  They discussed what time they would leave in the morning, what to see first in the historic city on the Georgia coast. Sam told him of a documentary film she’d seen recently and they discussed likes and dislikes of documentary filmmakers.

  When they finished eating, Mac called for the check and they were soon on their way. In less than ten minutes they entered the nightclub and immediately felt the rhythm of the music. They were shown to a table near the dance floor, drink orders taken, and as soon as the waitress left, Mac rose and asked Sam to dance.

  The pace was fast and fun. She moved with the beat and was delighted to note what a good dancer Mac was. This evening would prove fun on all fronts.

  They danced the next one as well, stopping to take a quick break when Mac saw their beverages on the minuscule table.

  “I love dancing,” Sam said, draining her sparkling water. She was warm from all the exercise, but having a terrific time.

  “We’ll have to do it often,” he replied, his eyes on her.

  A slow song started and Mac rose again. “This is why I came,” he murmured, pulling her out onto the floor and folding her into his embrace. She snuggled up against him. She was glad he want
ed to dance so close. Her forehead rested against his jaw. Partway through the song, he turned his head to give her a kiss. She looked up and he lowered his face to kiss her on the lips.

  Smiling against his mouth, she returned the kiss. Tonight was as magical as the Black and White Ball had been. Only better. She wasn’t worried about someone finding out how she came. Tonight, she’d been invited.

  The evening continued in a like manner until closing time. They danced almost every dance. Sam especially loved the slow ones. Conversation was difficult, but she didn’t mind. Mac held her as if she were precious and important to him.

  Finally the last call for drinks was given.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late,” she said, looking at Mac’s watch. It was well after midnight.

  “Ready to leave?” he asked.

  “No, I’m having too much fun, but all good things come to an end,” she said, picking up her purse. “Let me make a quick stop and I’ll be ready to leave.”

  “Not ducking out like last time,” he said.

  She looked puzzled then laughed. “No. I’ll be right back.”

  The drive home through the darkened streets almost put Sam to sleep. She was pleasantly tired. She hated to end their night together, but Mac was a father who had to be up early in the morning. And she had planned to be up early, too. Tommy would be in to see to that.

  Mac walked Sam to the door reluctant to say good-night. But it was late and he needed some time to come to terms with his feelings for her. It felt wrong to leave her at the door. He wanted her to belong with him. To share his life. Help him raise Tommy, and maybe have a few children of their own. Some sweet little girl with her mother’s big brown eyes, and her delightful laugh. Or another son or two.

  When he entered his home a short time later, he looked at it as he imagined she must see it. He’d bought the house after Chris died. They’d struggled so hard to get the business established, forgoing all but the basics until it took off. By the time it had, she hadn’t been there to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

  Did Sam know that? Did she like the way the house was decorated or wish to change things? His mother had decorated it. He wouldn’t care if Sam changed everything except Tommy’s room, if she’d agree to marry him.