The Nanny Bargain

by Glynna Kaye

  “They’ll be okay?”

  “They’re doing fine. It was silly me that decided they needed to be together tonight.”

  “That’s not silly. It’s smart. Makes sense.”

  He sure didn’t look forward to heading out to his cabin and lying awake alone with his thoughts. What a day. Between Cubby’s close call and the kiss he’d shared with Tori, he’d toss and turn all night.

  She walked him down the stairs to the front door, where they stood awkwardly. Dare he try to steal a parting kiss? Or would she rebuff him, thinking there had been enough of that for one night?

  “I guess I’ll be seeing you later, then,” he offered in his most gentlemanly tones.

  To his surprise, she stepped forward to touch her lips to his. He didn’t need any further coaxing and matched her kiss for kiss.

  When with a laugh she finally pushed him out the door, it took a moment for him to orient himself to where he’d parked his truck. He grinned as he slid in behind the steering wheel. Man, that gal could kiss.

  He could get used to this.

  * * *

  Tori flipped the dead bolt on the front door, then leaned back against it.

  Sawyer had kissed her.

  She’d kissed him back.

  I’m hoping that says it all.

  That’s what he’d said at the conclusion of one of his mind-blowing kisses. But what was he really saying? Stating a fact that he enjoyed kissing...or something more?

  She closed her eyes. “What have I gotten myself into, Lord?”

  Surely Sawyer didn’t mean what it sounded as if he meant. That he was interested in her. Wanted to see more of her. Wanted...what? A future together? She was no outdoorswoman. Her professional interests lay elsewhere. She was the paid childcare giver, not him, but she’d lost track of his precious little brother. Yet he hadn’t blamed her. Claimed responsibility himself.

  “Please bless Cubby’s rescuers,” she murmured, her heart overflowing with thankfulness, “for bringing him back safely. And thank You for answering Sawyer’s and my prayers. For showing him You do listen. That You do care.”

  She stood there for some time, a thankful heart reviewing the events of the day. Not surprisingly, her thoughts eventually made their way back to Sawyer. His kisses. His intriguing words.

  “Please, my Heavenly Father, let me not rush ahead of You and strike out on a road You don’t want me taking. I don’t want to be like Cubby, moving excitedly into territory where I have no business being, not realizing I’m lost until You have to come find me.”

  In the quietness of the night, a peace settled in her heart. A reassurance that together she and God would take one step at a time.

  And yet...a tiny voice nagged in the corner of her mind.

  Had Sawyer’s kisses been driven by nothing more than relief? The aftermath of their shared fear for his little brother’s safety?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sawyer didn’t miss the surprised looks on a few folks’ faces—or Kyle’s big grin—when he slipped into the pew next to Tori and the boys on Sunday morning. Ray, on the other side of the twins and next to Therese, seemed downright flabbergasted.

  But all he cared about was the happy look in Tori’s eyes—and the assurance in his heart that God welcomed him here. The Lord had come through for him in rescuing his Cub. The least he could do in appreciation was to show the world whose team he was fully on now.

  During Pastor McCrae’s morning message, Sawyer couldn’t help but surreptitiously steal his hand over to clasp Tori’s. She didn’t pull away, and if he wasn’t mistaken, her cheeks flushed rosier than usual. He could only hope, though, that those around them couldn’t hear his heart thrumming when she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it as they stood for the closing song.

  After the service, Cubby and Landon followed him into the aisle.

  Cubby grasped his hand and looked up at him with hope-filled eyes. “Can I go home with you?”

  Where had that come from? He’d never had the boys out to his cabin, but the mere thought of them romping around out there tugged at Sawyer’s heartstrings. “Not today, buddy.”

  “When?”

  He caught Ray’s frown. “Well, sometime.”

  “When?”

  He and Tori had filled the Selbys in on the fishing trip events that had transpired only a few days ago. Playing down, of course, the length of time Cubby had gone missing and the terror that had laced their hearts. For Cubby and Landon’s part, they didn’t seem the least bit fazed by the close call. Cubby hadn’t yet fully grasped that he had been lost. But Sawyer suspected Ray was rethinking the camping trip and he didn’t need any other mishaps with the boys weighing in on that decision.

  Ignoring Ray, Sawyer squatted down by his brother. “I’m fixing things up at my cabin. There are sharp tools and equipment, so it’s not a good place for little boys right now.”

  Landon bumped his brother out of the way. “Maybe we can live with you when you’re done. You know, when you marry Tori.”

  Stunned, he looked up into Tori’s equally astonished face. Behind her, Ray didn’t look any too thrilled either.

  “Hey, bud.” He kept his voice casual. “Who told you Tori and I are getting married?”

  He cringed. His wording made it sound like a confirmation, as if it were a fact.

  Landon’s face scrunched. “Cubby said you kissed her.”

  A wave of heat rushed up his neck. Had Cubby come clear down the stairs the other night, or far enough down that he could see them in the parlor doorway, before scurrying back to the top to call down to them? Or had he peeked down later to spy Tori giving his big brother that amazing send-off at the door?

  “Just because someone kisses someone, it doesn’t mean they’re going to get married.” Careful here, Banks. Don’t dig yourself in too deep.

  Cubby pushed in front of his brother. “But we want you to. We decided. Then we can move to your house.”

  How was he going to get out of this one? If he said they weren’t getting married, what message would that send to the woman standing beside him? They hadn’t talked about anything of that nature since the evening after they’d lost Cubby. He hadn’t ruled it out, that was for sure. But they weren’t anywhere near there yet.

  Would the boys interpret his words as if it were okay to kiss any pretty woman you wanted to, whenever you wanted to, commitment-free? He’d have his hands full when they were teens if that’s the lesson that got lodged in their heads.

  “Believe me, guys, you don’t want to move into my house. My...my dogs are stinky.” His pinched his fingers to his nose. “They need a bath.”

  Cubby’s eyes widened. “You have dogs? More than one? And room for a pony?”

  “One for each of us?” Landon shot his twin a look that said their older brother’s house was the answer to their dreams.

  Think fast.

  “You like to eat, though, don’t you?”

  Both bobbed their heads.

  He looked at them sadly. “I’m sorry, but I can’t cook.”

  Two pairs of eyes turned confidently in Tori’s direction as they spoke in unison. “She can.”

  Was it his imagination, or were the people around them lingering longer than necessary? Listening in on the minidrama—or was it a comedy?—unfolding right under their noses.

  “Boys!” Ray’s voice, low but firm, captured the attention of his grandsons. “It’s time for lunch now. Let’s go.”

  “But—”

  “No buts.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Your grandma is going to fix fried chicken and mashed potatoes, so let’s not keep her waiting.”

  “I imagine there will be green beans, too,” Sawyer encouraged as he stood again, the disappointed looks on his brother
s’ upturned faces breaking his heart. But what could he do? He was in no position to take the boys in, even if Therese and Ray were on board with it. And they most certainly were not.

  And what did the Selbys think of the fact that he and Tori had carelessly allowed one of the twins to see them sharing a kiss? Or two.

  As Ray ushered the boys down the aisle, Sawyer got up the gumption to turn to Tori, fearful of what he might see in her beautiful eyes. Who would have thought the boys would boldly announce their kiss to the world? And in church of all places!

  * * *

  Just because someone kisses someone, it doesn’t mean they’re going to get married.

  She knew that. It didn’t come as any surprise. But Sawyer’s words served to remind her that they were a long way off from making any commitments.

  His gaze met hers in apology. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “It’s not your fault,” she said softly, mindful of those around them as they headed out a side door, then into the parking lot. “I had no idea Cubby had seen us.”

  “Me neither. But somehow I need to clarify to Ray and Therese that’s all Cubby would have seen. He didn’t stumble onto some hot-and-heavy make-out session.”

  Her face warmed. Would the Selbys jump to conclusions and assume that’s what she and Sawyer had been up to when they’d misplaced Cubby on the fishing trip?

  “I also hope,” Sawyer continued, “that they don’t think I’ve been planting seeds of discontent. The boys have never been out to my place. I’ve never so much as hinted that they come visit me, let alone move in with me.”

  “I can confirm that, Sawyer. You’ve never been with them but when I’ve been with you, too.”

  He nodded in the direction of her car, and together they walked to it. He opened the door and she slipped in behind the steering wheel.

  “I want to apologize, Tori, that on top of the fishing trip fiasco, the boys have further put you in an awkward position with your employers because of what Cubby saw.”

  “I’ll talk to them. Get things smoothed over.” If she could.

  “Again. I’m sorry. But—” he leaned in slightly “—I still don’t regret that kiss. I hope you don’t either.”

  And with that parting line, to which she had no chance to respond, he shut the door and headed to his pickup. She sat there for a long moment digesting his words. He didn’t regret the kiss. But seeing how it had confused the twins and complicated her relationship with the Selbys, did she?

  She didn’t have much time to think about it as she headed straight home to change clothes and step in to help Therese with lunch preparations. It was only after mealtime when Ray had taken the boys on a walk that she had privacy to speak with Therese.

  Loading the last of the pots and pans in the dishwasher, she quickly evaluated her friend’s mood and energy level. Both had been even keel throughout the meal. “Do you have a few minutes to chat, Therese, before Ray and the twins get back?”

  Therese moved to the cleared kitchen table and pulled out a chair. Tori did likewise. How do you broach a subject like the one she needed to engage in? Jumping in feetfirst appeared to be the best way.

  “I know you heard Landon say that Cubby saw Sawyer kissing me.”

  The older woman gave a thin smile as she clasped her hands on the table. Nothing more. She wasn’t going to make this easy.

  “I want you to know that nothing like that had ever happened before. Not until the evening after we got Cubby safely home. We—I think we were both so relieved, thankful that nothing more serious had happened, that we let our guards down. Sought reassurance. Comfort.”

  “I see.”

  “I want you to know there was nothing improper about it. Nothing happened beyond a kiss.”

  Or rather several kisses, but that was immaterial to this conversation.

  Therese’s clasped hands tightened. “Thank you for sharing that with me. While Ray and I sensed some mutual interest there, we hadn’t realized...you know, that the two of you were becoming quite so close. Then when the boys started talking marriage and moving in with the two of you—”

  “That’s entirely in their imaginations,” Tori was quick to clarify. “It’s only been a few days since Cubby got lost. I’ve had no further communication with Sawyer since then. Not until church this morning. So there’s been no talk of marriage or anything in the least bit futuristic.”

  Therese seemed to relax somewhat.

  “I also want you to know,” Tori hurried on, needing to clear the air completely, “that Sawyer has had no contact with the boys except when I’ve been there with him. You have my word that in no way, shape or form has he alluded to the twins that they should move in with him. Or us. That’s entirely their fabrication based on what Cubby thought he saw.”

  “What he did see, you mean.”

  Tori drew a breath. “Yes.”

  “Well, I do thank you for being open with me, Tori. This eases my mind and I know it will Ray’s, as well. We know that we’re not as young and dynamic or as fun as you and Sawyer in the boys’ eyes. But we do love them and we want them to be happy. It’s unsettling that suddenly we’re hearing them voicing an eagerness to move in with the two of you. To leave us in the dust.”

  Tori reached out to cover the older woman’s hands still clasped on the table. “They don’t want to leave you in the dust. They’re four and a half years old. They don’t know what they want, except what seems most shiny at any given moment. Five minutes later that can change.”

  Therese cracked a smile. “That is true, isn’t it?”

  “It is. So please, Therese, don’t take to heart anything like that. I’ve been here long enough to know those two little guys love you and Ray to pieces. That you’ve created for them a safe, secure and happy home.”

  “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

  “I’d be more than happy to repeat it anytime you’d like me to.”

  Therese squeezed her hand. “You’re a dear young woman, Tori. You’ve been such a blessing since you’ve joined our family.”

  “And I needed to hear that, too.” She’d been worried the past few days with all that had happened on the fishing trip that the Selbys might be having second thoughts about bringing her into their home. And now this kissing business...

  “While we’re here, Tori...” An uncertainty flickered through Therese’s eyes, and Tori tensed. “It’s probably none of my business, and you can tell me so and it won’t hurt my feelings in the least. Maybe I’m being an old busybody.”

  A wave of uneasiness washed through her, but she smiled anyway. “What’s up?”

  “You said not long ago that you’d come out of a disappointing relationship.”

  “I did.”

  “You’ve come to mean so much to me in such a short time. I don’t want you to be disappointed again.”

  “You mean, with Sawyer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Therese, I need you to be honest with me. I’ve picked up on something that I can only describe as tension between Ray and Sawyer. You yourself alluded in the past that Sawyer might not be who I think he is. I need to know what it is that concerns you about him—and me.”

  Were they aware of his gambling past? Had they reason to believe that wasn’t over after all, as he’d led her to believe? That more recent gambling impacted the many bills he was currently paying off?

  Therese remained silent.

  “Is it fair,” Tori prompted, “to withhold from me something I may possibly be getting myself into? Has he done something illegal? Immoral?”

  Therese sat back, her eyes rounding. “Oh, dear me. Nothing of that nature. Not to my knowledge anyway.”

  “Then what?”

  “Oh, sweetie...” Therese sighed. “Sawyer is a bright, ambitious and charming
young man.”

  “And that’s why you think I should steer clear of him?”

  “No, I mean that on the surface he looks like every young woman’s dream.”

  “But you’re saying he isn’t.”

  “I’ve come to care for you, as has Ray. We’d like to see you with a young man who can be counted on. One who hangs in there when the going gets tough. Believe me, there’s probably not a marriage in existence, including those proverbial matches made in Heaven, where times haven’t gotten tough.”

  “What makes you think he’s not that kind of man?”

  Therese studied her thoughtfully. “When my daughter gave birth to the twins, Sawyer was one proud big brother. Not as we would have guessed at all. We thought he might resent his dad starting a second family. But not Sawyer. He was over at their place at every opportunity, gamely changing diapers and giving Mama and Papa a break whenever they needed one. Vanessa used to get tickled at how he doted on the boys.”

  “And then?”

  “When my daughter...” She paused, blinked back tears. “When Vanessa and Anderson were killed, we fully expected Sawyer would continue to be involved in his brothers’ lives. After all, he was a legal backup should something happen to Ray and me. We thought his presence would lend stability. But he didn’t come through. In fact, for a time he disappeared out of their lives altogether.”

  “Wouldn’t that be understandable? I mean, the boys’ father is his father, too. He was grieving, as well.”

  “That’s what we initially assumed, so later we reached out to him and were delighted that he again made an effort. The boys took to him like you wouldn’t believe. Looked forward to his visits. Stuck to him like glue every time he’d pop over.”

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. But after a few weeks he stopped coming around. It was nearing the anniversary of his father’s death. Maybe that had something to do with it. But the boys were brokenhearted, asking about him all the time. They’d both run straight to Sawyer when we’d encounter him around town. He always acted as if he was happy to see them, but he didn’t come to the house anymore.”