Nanny Behaving Badly (7 page)

Marco’s eyes glittered in response. ‘I sense you’ll be good for each other. Look after her for me, Lyle. She’s special.’

‘Unconditionally,’ Lyle solemnly stated. ‘Rest assured.’

Some minutes later Marco helped Josh put his prized pizza in a large box, and Maddie approached his table. ‘Job done. I think he’s enjoyed himself.’

‘I have too. Thanks for bringing us here. If your uncle needs you on Saturday, I’m more than happy to oblige – never hesitate to ask me if you need flexibility. You’ll probably be keen for space from us by the weekend.’

Maddie quirked her lip and teased. ‘I don’t need to escape – well, not Josh. You on the other hand … ’

Lyle reached out to fake-push her arm. ‘Hey, the cupboard locking incident is still on record. Tread with care; I might just lock you somewhere myself.’

‘You could try. But I’m pretty nimble.’ Her look was provocative, cocky.

‘Saying I’m not?’ Lyle jutted his chin in challenge. ‘Want to test me? You caught me off guard that day. Next time I’ll be primed as a contender.’

Maddie stifled a bubbling grin. ‘No need to bluff, boss. But even if you did manage to lock me in a cupboard I’d figure out a way to fox you. I’m a nanny; one step ahead is my code of conduct.’

Lyle raised a brow. ‘Really? I’ll hold you to that sometime.’

A blush rose at speed along her cheekbones. Lyle was as intrigued by it as he was upended that together they were both riding a mini-flirtwave without thinking through the implications. Lyle stepped closer, opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. How could he explain his own flirtation offensive when he didn’t understand it himself?

Marco approached with boy and pizza. Now was not the time to banter and spar with his nanny just because it was like a fix he couldn’t stand to walk away from.

‘Why don’t you come on Saturday, Lyle?’ Marco asked him. ‘It’s a few business colleagues gathering together. Come and network. You’re an Edinburgh businessman yourself.’

Lyle nodded vigorously. ‘As long as I’m not intruding.’

Marco laughed. ‘A new handsome business owner appearing out of nowhere. The female committee members will adore me.’

‘I look forward to it.’

‘So what’s next on the agenda?’ Marco asked rubbing his hands together. It was only then, when Lyle glanced at Maddie, that he noticed the creases on her brow. Had he caused those? Had he been so overzealous with Marco he’d failed to figure Maddie’s take?

If she had a problem, he’d step back, no matter how much he wanted Marco’s input. Part of his brain zoomed around the possibilities and a tiny flicker of awareness sparked – why did he find it so easy to accept Marco’s help, when he’d railed against early intervention by his niece?

Easy answer: strictly business, no hormones involved. Marco Bonafonte didn’t bring hot looks and potent attraction. But if Maddie had a problem with him, better to broach it.

Lyle pulled her to one side and hushed his voice. ‘About coming on Saturday, I don’t want to barge my way into your private life. I’m your boss and it’s not fair to make assumptions.’

Maddie shook her head but it still didn’t convince him. Her eyes grazed up his body, then met his full on. ‘Uncle Marco made the invitation.’

‘But I won’t accept if you feel I’m hijacking your free time.’ He stared into those pool deep blues.

Lyle pulled himself together; there was so much he could explain but wouldn’t. He knew how feeling squeezed out and compromised felt. He’d often been commandeered into uncomfortable situations by Josh’s mother. Especially over contact time; Becca had enjoyed her ‘maternal’ mantraps. He’d not been the magazine style, publicity-obsessed sports star she’d wanted from the off so she’d indulged her fascinations elsewhere. Sad that she’d had to use Josh to underscore his failings, her unfulfilled ambitions.

‘I don’t intend to gatecrash, Maddie.’

‘There’s no pity party to crash here.’ But her strip-search glare barred, accused. It fired his insides to jab back.

‘Courtesy. Not pity. Big difference,’ he answered. ‘Empathy over sympathy. Subtle but crucial.’

How could he begin to explain? Why the emotions inside threatened an instant tornado whenever his mind turned back to fighting for his son. ‘I don’t do intrusion. I know how that feels and it’s not pleasant.’

Maddie answered swiftly. ‘I don’t have a problem. My uncle is a generous man by nature, it’s one of the reasons I love him so much – come on Saturday with my blessing. Now it’s time for lunch. Josh keeps telling me he’s hungry.’

Lyle shoved the sharp feelings deep. Vetoed the attraction recognition. Now wasn’t the time for intense analysis on why Maddie’s approval counted so much. Why her angry-slash-hurt eyes fired him up enough to want to know why.

‘Let’s go eat,’ he echoed and followed her lead. She was right, always one step ahead of his moves.

Marco wanted Lyle at his meeting because he was successful and smart. What was she getting her emotions in a mix about?

But Maddie just watched as no fewer than three ‘yummy mummies’ at Josh’s nursery stared at him. As though he were the latest must-have export from the Gorgeous Man factory. Lyle appeared blissfully unaware of the interest; maybe it was something only female radar could intercept?

They’d visited the nursery staff to convey that Maddie was Brigitta’s replacement. Tomorrow she’d be taking over solo but she had no concerns. As they left the building, she noticed another glamour mum stare at Lyle all the way out of the door.

Perhaps he just didn’t see? He certainly didn’t interact or encourage it.

Once in the jeep they headed home. At the first set of lights they came to, Lyle turned to confide, ‘Josh’s best friend there is called Lewis. His child minder tells me Brigitta had planned a play date for Friday at our house but I’ve explained it’s only your first week so I’ve cancelled.’

Maddie turned to watch his strong profile. ‘If it’s a standing arrangement, I’m happy to fit in.’

‘I don’t expect you to jump into the breach. It’s only a play date.’

His grey gaze flinted against hers. Awareness skittered through her. Alone together felt potent, pronounced. Josh’s presence definitely proved a useful foil.

She ignored the hyped vibey
state of her nerves and took the lead. ‘Doesn’t Josh deserve a little fun after all the personnel changes? C’mon Lyle, it’ll be good for him.’

She knew the importance of peer playtime; as a child her father’s aspirations for her were violin lessons, homework excellence, fluency in French, Italian, Spanish. Funny how her own life had had to be so rule-led yet he’d been able to flout strict codes when it suited. But then she’d only found out about Clark Adams’s other life and other women once her parents had come clean – when it came crashing down like the fake background set in a movie. No substance.

She’d far rather have had the play date fun with school friends over the academic treadmill.

Lyle’s eyes searched her face briefly. ‘Okay?’

‘Sure.’
Yeah right.
Something about those bedroom eyes managed to make her fluster, react, feel light-headed, breathless.

‘I’ll confirm the play date since you’re so keen,’ he answered.

The light turned to green and he accelerated. Maddie found her attention straying to a strictly forbidden zone – that worked-out forearm as it shifted the gearstick. The tendons were strong, defined, and it made her gulp back a tremor of desire. As did the way his soft shirt hugged his body and revealed glimpses of chest hair at his throat.

Ack. The man was her boss – not eye candy, or a threat, or a love interest. He had a young son and had only recently lost his wife.

‘Remember, it’s not like I expect you to say yes all the time,’ he concluded. ‘But since you feel so strongly, we’ll go with the plans.’

Saying yes? Don’t even go there – I might say yes to dangerous things.

Maddie pushed on in an effort to convince herself more than anyone. ‘I’m here to enable you to get on with your day job. I know how important it is to you, Lyle, and I want to do my best for Josh.’

‘My son ranks first on my priority list. Even though right now the business tasks are stacking up, Josh is number one.’ She focused on her own hands to calm her pulse down but that didn’t help. Not when everything about Lyle smacked of raw, vital man and her body reacted so strongly. ‘He’s a great kid. He’s had a rough start. We have to make things work out now.’

‘You’ve both had a rough time.’

‘Becca, Josh’s mother, died in a car accident. It was a shock to us all.’ Lyle kept his eyes on the road. His fingers were flexed hard on the steering though. ‘Stuff happens. You deal with it. You don’t really have a choice.’

‘I’m so sorry.’ With a big effort at calm ease, Maddie shrugged. ‘You have a wonderful son. Josh is a prize to be treasured.’

‘I know. I’m lucky. Especially lucky that Josh wasn’t with Becca in the car when it happened. It could so easily have been the case.’

Seconds passed in silence at the serious implications of his words.

‘So,’ Maddie tried to lighten the conversation, ‘the play date is a welcome distraction. Then you can go to work tomorrow knowing normality has resumed.’

The more bodies – even little ones – around the better. Especially if they stopped her looking, noticing, glancing. Staring at his arms, or other parts of Lyle Sutherland. Scottish single daddy with notable assets.

Lyle stared hard. His thoughts ran deep.

His new temp nanny had a magic touch. She’d proved it today: amazing delicious, healthy supper with a high hidden vegetable content and Josh had even cleared the plate. A miracle.

She’d coped with his son with consummate proficiency, encouraged him to be creative with a pre-dinner art activity too. Right now she was in her room, sorting out her things, claiming she wanted organisation time and was making calls. She’d spent earlier hours scanning the closets of Acorn Lodge under the pretext of planning and working out Josh’s schedule.

Subtext – avoidance strategy. Oh yeah, he’d guessed as much.

Was he really that scary?

Or was she that intent on not blending in? Maybe he was long past blending in with? Maybe that’s what losing a wild, reckless wife, who’d caused him a truckload of sleepless nights and childcare battles, did for a man? In the doorway of the darkened bedroom, he watched his son, dreaming peacefully in bed. The space rocket nightlight cast a golden glow. His dark curls were a soft halo on the pillow. There was a warm fuzzy feeling in Lyle’s chest in response. He was so very lucky to have him, and Maddie was right. He should quash the doubts and enjoy the now. He might feel tested as a father, but he was entitled to novice jitters – he’d get there.

Home
was
what it was all about and maybe he’d overreacted the week before when he’d told Josh’s Aunt Lizzie that a solo trip with Josh was out of the question. Lizzie didn’t mean any harm, she just needed contact with her nephew. She had been, after all, Becca’s only sister. It needn’t threaten him or jeopardise things. Lizzie had never seen eye to eye with Becca, she’d often supported Lyle in the past.

Perhaps he’d call her soon to explain he’d arrange something in the future, when things had calmed down and a regular routine was established.

When he went downstairs he stared inside the refrigerator; Maddie’s amazing lasagne glistened temptingly under cling wrap. Plus an assortment of other containers with tempting mini-meals she’d cooked up, stacked like neat rations for a small army. Another of her achievements. She’d helped them have a constructive, pleasant day. Organisation was clearly her forte.

Was Maddie an enchantress as well as a woman with knockout looks and the kind of smile that made him want to stride over and kiss those lips? A domestic goddess who managed to disprove his assumptions?

One thing was for certain, a faint feeling of guilt lingered at how much he’d resented her presence before.

Lyle felt his brows rise as he regarded the paper effigy of Maddie, as painted by his son before supper. It hung resplendent on the hallway wall and it did nothing to flatter Maddie’s assets – bug eyes, crazy stripy hair. Yet there was something there – tangible energy. Vital, alive, exciting.

Sexy, even in 2D format.

His temporary nanny had made a mark. One he liked. She fought her corner, but she also soothed, energised. As Marco had told him, she was special. She’d suffered in the past too.

There was a noise above and when Lyle looked to the head of the stairs, Maddie was descending. She’d seen him standing staring at the pictures Josh had painted of the three of them.

‘Just admiring Van Gogh’s masterpieces,’ he lied.

‘Better hang onto those. One day they could be worth a fortune.’ She smiled but it wasn’t the full blast Maddie he knew and rejoiced in. ‘I’m going to make a drink of bedtime milk. It’s my big weakness. Want one?’

‘No thanks. Help yourself to whatever you need. I’ve got a date with the accounts in my office.’

‘Don’t stay up all night, calculators are fickle creatures,’ she quipped.

He tried not to notice the hands’ width of bare midriff that flirted with his good sense as she passed by in casual yoga pants and a tight tiny T-shirt. It knocked his sense flat on its back and pummelled it for good measure.

As he watched in her wake the only figure he’d be struggling with was Maddie’s.

Lyle sighed and headed to his office. First day over without major incident: other than the ones he only admitted to himself.

The next day passed on super-fast speed. Maddie and Josh went to the local play park in the morning followed by craft in the playroom. Before she knew it, it was time for lunch then the nursery run. Then pick up, tea prep and without any further watch glancing the day had morphed into evening. She’d only started clearing away the dinner things when she heard Lyle’s keys in the front door.

The sound of his shoes on the tiles made her look up. Then she cursed herself as blood seemed to pump hard in both her heart and her brain simultaneously. Like fast-forwarding to the action scene in a gripping film without any preparation for the adrenaline rush.