The Holiday Nanny (3 page)

That man could have been Silver's father. Silver, the
child Wade would gladly give his life for if it would keep her safe and happy.

The beautiful blessed daughter he'd begun to doubt was his own.

Something wet dripped on Wade's shirt and brought him back to the present. Tears. But what good did they do? How could he give up Silver? It would be like ripping out his own heart.

But what if Wade was wrong to keep her? What if he'd torn her away from cousins, aunts and grandparents who would dote on her, fill her life with love—something he had so much trouble showing?

“I can't lose Silver, God. Don't ask that of me. Please.”

God hadn't answered Wade Abbot's prayers in a very long time.

“I
have to thank you, David.” Wade looked at the man who'd been his best friend since they'd been kids, the only person besides Jared whom he could trust as Silver's guardian. “Miss Ladden seems to be a perfect match for Silver.”

“Because of where she grew up, you mean?” David nodded as he adjusted his chair so the sun couldn't reach his eyes in the outside café. “I guess being the eldest of ten foster kids does prepare you for whatever a whirlwind like Silver can throw at you.”

“Ten kids? Wow! I didn't know the authorities would allow parents to foster that many children.” Wade bit into his pizza.

“According to my investigator, those who run children's services are so delighted with the results of this foster home that they will send as many kids as the Martens family are willing to take. Martens—that's the name of Connie's foster parents.” David signaled for a refill of his iced tea.

“Apparently, kids are clamoring to get in there.”

“Why?”

“Maybe because they get to live on a big farm in North Dakota with everything a kid could ask for—a creek to
swim in, a hill to slide down in winter, lots of woods to hide in and animals galore.”

“You sound like you've seen the place.”

“I checked it out.” David shrugged. “I had my god-daughter to protect, remember?”

Wade met his gaze. “Thanks, man.”

“My pleasure.” David grinned. “It's a fantastic farm. Not a lot that's modern but the Martens family make up for that. They seem to adore each and every one of their charges, and their kids beg not to be moved. Of the forty kids the family has had over the years, most have gone on to college.”

“Including Miss Ladden?”

“No, she stayed after high school to help the Martens family with a special needs kid. And call her Connie. She doesn't stand on formality.” David lifted his pizza then winced. “I can understand your reasons for preferring formality after the last nanny, but I'm fairly sure you're safe with Connie. She's had some bad experiences with men. I can't imagine she's interested in repeating the experience. Has she told you about her father?”

“No.” Wade wanted to know more about the vivacious woman who seemed to adore Silver. “She told me about her fiancé bailing though.”

“You should ask her about her dad,” David said quietly.

“She entered foster care when she was eleven and hasn't seen her father since.”

Wade couldn't imagine how Connie must have felt. He'd grown up with a beautiful home and parents who made sure he had everything he needed. Things had changed when Amanda arrived on the scene, especially after Wade's stepbrother, Danny, was born. But Wade had never been abandoned.

Until Bella in Brazil.

“That's the reason Connie came to Tucson,” David continued. “She's trying to find her father.”

Wade frowned. “Why?”

“You should ask her.”

“I will,” Wade assured him. “But right now I'm asking you.”

“I'm guessing she wants some kind of closure.” David grabbed another piece of pizza. “What do I know? I'm just a lawyer.”

“A very good one.”

“Thanks. What are you going to do about the company? You know Amanda won't let your decision to stay here go by without a fight.” David sighed. “Dear Amanda. Sometimes I wish your father hadn't left her those shares in Abbot Bridges.”

“You and me both.” Wade pushed away his plate, refused the dessert their server offered and asked for coffee. He sipped it then pushed it away as well. “The one thing I really miss about Argentina is the coffee.”

“Amanda?” David nudged.

“She can't force me to go back,” he insisted. “She'll just have to understand that I need to be here for Silver. I'll find someone else to take my place.”

“But you've always been the overseas foreman,” David said with a frown. “Are you sure you can let go of that?”

“Already have. I asked Hector Salazar to scout out the next location before I left. His work is ahead of schedule. Time means money, and you know how Amanda loves money.” Wade grinned. “When the board sees how much we'll save, they'll approve my plans.”

“I hope you're right.” David didn't look convinced. He checked his watch and laid down his napkin. “I have a meeting in ten minutes. I have to go.” He thrust out his hand and smacked Wade on the shoulder. “I'm glad you're
back, man. That little darlin' of yours needs her daddy around.”

“Thanks.” Wade slapped him back, just a little harder. It was a game they played. Toughest kid on the block. A relic of their past. “I appreciate what you've done for us, David. By the way, any new lady I should know about?”

“Like I've had time?” David snorted, then grinned. “If I could find someone like Connie, I'd make time, though.”

“Did you ask her out?” Wade asked, slightly irritated by the thought.

“She's not interested in me. Besides, I'm a lawyer.” David rolled his eyes. “Her ex was one.”

“Ow!” Wade winced but laughed.

“We legal eagles are always maligned. By the way, I hear Jared Hornby's back. We should get together. It's been too many years since the old threesome hit this town. Let me know if you hear from him.” David grabbed his briefcase, waggled his fingers and took off in the long-legged stride he'd once used to great advantage on a varsity football field.

Relishing the relative peace of the sidewalk café after Argentina's hustle and bustle, Wade remained in his chair, sipping coffee that was too weak and thinking.

“Daddy!” The squeal could only belong to Silver. She appeared, dragging Connie by the hand toward him.

Connie carried a large bag. It bumped against bare slim legs, which her lovely yet conservative yellow sundress revealed. The lemony shade enhanced the sunny highlights in her tumble of chestnut curls.

After a moment, Silver found Connie's progress too slow. She let go of Connie's hand and raced up to him, the tiny bells attached to her blue barrettes jingling merrily as she flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips
against his cheek. “Are you meeting us for lunch, Daddy? Is that the surprise, Connie?”

Wade's warning siren went off. Had the nanny arranged this “chance” meeting?

“No! Silver, I had no idea your father—” Connie's flushed face gave away her embarrassment. She glanced quickly at Wade and as quickly away. It was obvious she was recalling his comment from their conversation three nights earlier and was uncomfortable with the current meeting.

Wade returned Silver's embrace then released her as he reconsidered his rush to judge the nanny. He'd told no one he was meeting David. His assistant only knew he was to be out of the office for an hour. Connie couldn't have known of his plans. But a prickle of warning still feathered its way down his nerves. He'd been tricked before. It wouldn't happen again.

“Haven't you eaten lunch yet?” Wade took the parcel from Connie and set it on David's vacated chair. Silver chose the chair across from him, leaving Connie the seat next to his. Wade held it while she sat down, her head tilted to avoid his gaze. But that only gave him a better view of her long, lovely neck.

“I really didn't know you would be here. I had to go to the fabric store on this block. Silver needs an angel costume,” she muttered.

“They have those at the fabric store?” Wade motioned for the waiter.

“No. They have fabric,” she said, risking a quick look at his face. “I got some yardage. I'm going to make her costume.”

“You know how to sew?” Somehow it didn't surprise Wade as much as it should have. From the little he'd seen, Connie Ladden seemed to do many things well.

“Connie makes her clothes, Daddy. Isn't that amazing?” Silver sipped her water, her blue eyes shining.

“Very amazing,” he agreed, studying the lines of her dress. Connie blushed even more deeply so he looked at Silver. “What would you like to have for lunch, my treat.”

“Can I have a hamburger?”

About to agree to Silver's request, Wade happened to glance at Connie and saw the quick negative shake of her head. He sat back and waited for her to choose Silver's meal.

Connie didn't dictate or order for Silver. She consulted with her, offering choices. The end result was a healthy blend of several food groups, which the little girl seemed delighted about. For herself, Connie ordered a salad and soup.

“They do a wonderful shrimp salad,” Wade told her.

“Thanks, but no thanks.” For the first time since she'd arrived, Connie looked directly at him, a smile tipping up her full rosy lips. “I'm afraid I'm allergic to seafood.”

“Sad for you,” he said with a grin. “Shrimp, lobster, clams—I love them.”

“I guess many people do,” she mused quietly then quickly glanced away, breaking their gaze.

There wasn't a trace of “feel sorry for me” in her voice, and yet Wade found himself wondering what else this woman had missed out on.

“Daddy?” Silver tugged on his sleeve, drawing his attention. A tiny pleat marred the perfection of her pretty forehead.

“Yes?” Wade wondered if the strong sunshine would mar her skin, but no sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Connie pulled a hat out of her bag and set in on the child's head.

“Me and Connie went to a dancing thing. What did you call it again?” Silver twisted her head to study Connie, her face perplexed.

“Ballet. And we say Connie and I went, not Connie and me.” The tiny rebuke was accompanied by a soft squeeze to the shoulder. “It was the Nutcracker Ballet,” Connie explained as their server arrived with their meals. “Silver was quite intrigued by the dancers.”

“Yes, and we went behind the stage and saw how everything worked. I loved the Sugar Plum Fairy, Daddy. Could I be a Sugar Plum Fairy, do you think?” She crunched on a carrot then swallowed quickly. “When I get big, I mean. If I practice.”

“Ballet is awfully hard work, Silver.” Wade glanced at the nanny, hoping for some direction, but Connie was busy squeezing lemon on her salad.

“I'm strong. 'Sides, Connie says that if you don't ever try to do hard things, you won't ever know if you can do them.” Silver tipped her head up, a question in her eyes.

“Isn't that right, Connie?”

“Yes, honey. But I wasn't referring to ballet,” she assured Wade, tilting her curly dark head back so she could look at him full on. “A commitment like that has to be made by you and your father.”

Her father. But was he?

“I'll think about it, Silver. Okay?” He waited until she nodded, her cheeks full as a squirrel's storing nuts. He glanced at the clock. “I guess I'd better get back. We have a board meeting this afternoon.”

“Oh, can't you stay a few more minutes?” Connie's rushed whisper came as Silver turned away to watch a bird. “You've been away so long, and Silver really needs to reconnect.”

She had gray eyes, Wade suddenly realized. True
gray, not the changeable shade of blue-gray usually seen. They held his stare unwaveringly, searching his for—something.

Immediately, his hackles rose. He'd been wrong. She had found out he was coming here, had arranged for them to arrive just as David left so she could eat with him and beg him to stay. She hadn't paid any attention to his warning. Wade had a horrible sense of déjà vu.

And he couldn't, wouldn't, allow it.

“I told you, Ms. Ladden. I'm very busy.” Wade rose, tossed some bills on the table and pulled on his jacket. “I don't have time to dawdle over lunch with you.”

Emphasis on the last two words was lost on her. She leaned back in her chair and studied him for several long moments. Finally she nodded. She looked—sad. “I see.”

Wade heard a wealth of reprimand in the comment and felt a boatload of guilt. He'd only just arrived home. He wanted and needed to spend time with Silver, as she needed time with him. He wanted to see all the nuances of his quickly growing girl. But not now and not with Connie watching.

“I'll see you both at dinner. Be good, kiddo.” With an awkward pat on Silver's head, he escaped the nanny's intense inspection.

“'Bye, Daddy.” Silver grabbed his hand and pulled on his sleeve, asking him to bend. When he did, she planted her lips against his cheek and gave a loud smack. “You be good, too,” she said and then dissolved in a fit of giggles.

“Right.” Wade left, striding back to the office as if hounds pursued him. He'd have to warn Connie again. Tonight. Before things got out of hand.

But as he sat behind his desk, thinking about how he should say it, Wade could almost hear David's snickers.

What makes you think she's after you, Abbot? Bit of an egomaniac?

Wade felt a flush of embarrassment. Maybe that was true. But as he walked into the boardroom, he resolved that he was not going to allow a second fiasco. Maybe Connie would think him a self-important jerk, and that was okay.

As long as she didn't start thinking of him in a more personal way, as more than her employer.

 

“Mr. Abbot says he won't be home for dinner tonight, Connie. He'll get back to you about a time when the two of you can talk.”

“Fine.” Connie squeezed the telephone tightly while fighting to keep her tone even so Wade's assistant wouldn't guess she was upset. “Would you remind him that if Silver is to start ballet, tomorrow is the last day to register? Thank you.”

Two weeks. That's how long Wade Abbot had been avoiding her. But in those two weeks, Connie thought he'd had ample time to make a decision on Silver's request to take ballet lessons. And yet he still hadn't told her his preference.

“When's dinner?” Silver stood in the doorway, trying to stand on her very tiptoes as she'd seen at the ballet and wobbling so badly she gave up. Her tiny sneaker bells “pinged” joyously as she hopped around the room.