Mountain Daddy's Nanny Read online

  “Daddy…” Emma said as she crossed the room toward him and wrapped her arm around the back of his knees. He was so tall that she barely even came anywhere near his waist.

  “Emma, this is Morgan,” Trent said with a smile, but still with an air of caution.

  “Hello,” Emma smiled as she looked up toward her. Her eyes were so big and innocent, they were enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.

  “It is very nice to meet you, Emma,” Morgan said as she stepped forward and bent down to her level. She held out her hand and Emma considered it for a moment before she reached out and shook it.

  “Nice to meet you too,” Emma said with a wide grin.

  Trent seemed to relax slightly, and Emma moved toward Morgan and nodded toward a toybox in the corner of the living area that was exploding with dolls and tea sets.

  “Do you want to meet my bears?” she said with a lispy smile and a glint in her eye.

  “I’d love to,” Morgan grinned as she slipped her hand into Emma’s and let her lead her over to the game she had set up on the rug by the fire.

  Trent watched them with a wary smile, but with each moment that passed, Morgan could tell he was beginning to come around. Whatever had been troubling him when she had first arrived, was slowly beginning to melt away. And she could only hope he would give her a chance and let her prove herself.

  After an hour’s play, Trent came back into the room and sat down beside them.

  “Have you girls had fun?” he asked Emma warmly.

  “Daddy, Morgan is the best!” Emma beamed. “She showed me how to braid all of my dolls’ hair, look at them!” She held up two princess dolls with perfect French braids down the back.

  “Ah yes,” Trent half laughed, “I never was much of a master of the braid.”

  Morgan smiled and tried not to giggle.

  “She is awesome, can she come and play with me again, Daddy? Can she?” Emma jumped up and started to tug at the thigh of Trent’s trouser leg.

  Morgan couldn’t help but laugh this time and Emma looked back at her and grinned widely too.

  “I guess that depends on what Morgan says?” Trent said as he looked toward her. His dark eyes fixed in on her again and it made her heart race a little faster.

  “Well, I know I’d love to,” Morgan said with a smile. “If that’s alright with your dad?” she looked toward Trent who was silent again and had his fingers in a peak under his chin.

  He seemed hot and cold, and like he didn’t have a clue what he wanted out of this situation. And even though it was odd, and she didn’t know where the hell she stood, all Morgan knew was that Emma was a delightful child who could clearly do with some female company.

  “Emma, how about you and Morgan say goodbye for now, she and I are going to have a little chat,” he looked away from Morgan and she felt her heart sink. This did not look good.

  “Bye, Morgan,” Emma said as she jumped up and gave her a big, squeezy hug. “Next time, let’s do double braids, I have three more dolls upstairs that could use the Morgan treatment,” she said it so matter-of-factly that Morgan couldn’t help but laugh. She was very mature for her age and completely hilarious and brilliant.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Morgan said with a mock salute.

  Emma grinned and waved at her over her shoulder as she headed toward the door and disappeared back into the hallway. When the door closed behind her, Trent turned to face Morgan, and she felt an all too familiar sense of dread.

  “Look,” she began, “if you’re not certain, I understand, it’s a big deal hiring someone to look after your daughter…”

  “It’s not that,” he said with a weak smile. “I don’t think anyone would be good enough,” he laughed. “She thinks you’re wonderful, and her judgement is always better than mine.”

  Morgan felt her face flame red, he clearly didn’t like her at all.

  “If you’re still interested, the job is yours?” he asked. “If you want, we can trial it first? See how you settle in?”

  “Are you sure?” Morgan asked with wide, hopeful eyes.

  “One hundred percent,” he said. “You’re right, you are good with kids, and Emma clearly thinks you’re the best thing ever.”

  She smiled and shrugged.

  “I’ll need you here, though,” he said. “While we all get used to this.”

  “Of course,” Morgan agreed. “And that’s no problem.”

  “So how about it?” he said as he held out his hand to shake hers. “Come back tomorrow afternoon? Bring a case with you and start to settle in? I’ll be around then, so it won’t be as if you and Emma are just left to it straight away and we can see how things go.”

  Morgan nodded and took his hand in hers and shook.

  This time, when she felt his skin against hers, she was sure she felt a little tingle tremble down her spine. She looked up into his eyes, and even though she still saw the brooding darkness that had welcomed her, she was also sure there was something else lurking behind them.

  Maybe it was a secret…

  Or maybe it was part of his soul he wasn’t used to having on display.

  All Morgan knew was that she couldn’t wait to start her new job and find out.

  4.

  “Well, this seems completely crazy!” Morgan’s mother folded her arms over her chest and glared at her from the other side of the kitchen. “I can’t believe you, Morgan, first you insult Mr. Sweeney and quit your job, and now you’re off to be a nanny up the mountain?” She looked exasperated and completely dumbfounded.

  “It may sound crazy to you,” Morgan said sternly. “But, to me, it’s just another chapter. The next step, if you will. I couldn’t hang around in that cruddy store for much longer, it was turning my brain to mush. Plus, it’s not like I’m leaving town, I’m only about two miles away… It’s just that I’ll be a little tricky to get to, that’s all.”

  Her mother was slowly turning red with anger, and Morgan could feel her eyes burning into the back of her head.

  “I don’t need your permission,” she said carefully as she looked at her mom over her shoulder. “I’m twenty-five. If I want to take a job or move out, then I’m more than entitled to.”

  “It’s not that I’m bothered about,” her mother said with a roll of her eyes. “You can do whatever the hell you want, I just think it sounds as if you’re being a little reckless, that’s all. I hope you’re not in self-sabotage mode.”

  “Oh, come on,” Morgan laughed. “Don’t overreact or anything. I take a job that will be much more personally rewarding and suddenly I’m self-sabotaging? Where do you come up with these crackpot theories?”

  Morgan laughed, but it was clear that her mother didn’t see the funny side. She turned to face her and walked toward her before she rested her hands on her shoulders reassuringly.

  “Mom, everything is fine,” she told her seriously. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m going to give you the address and directions and I’ll have my cell phone on me at all times. I mean what is there to worry about? I’m basically just babysitting. Have you ever worried about me when I’ve babysat before?”

  Her mother shook her head and looked as if she were admitting defeat.

  “I may not even end up staying long, he may hate me… or it may not work out…” she offered as a way of consolation.

  “I just think it’s strange,” her mom said as she walked over to the window and looked out toward the mountain. “A man none of us know, moving into this town? No one ever comes here unless they have some ties to it. And what about the little girl? Surely, she must be starting school?”

  “She’s adorable,” Morgan smiled. “Her name is Emma, and yes, I assume school will be in the equation. And anyway, he told me why, his grandfather owned the cabin they’re living in and he spent each summer there. He said he was sick of the dangers of city life and had always planned on moving back to Wakestone Pines, I guess maybe he just decided this was the right time.”

  “An
d what about the child’s mother?” her mom asked.

  “She isn’t in the picture,” Morgan said sadly. “It really is tragic. She is so lovely, she needs a mom figure in her life…”

  She remembered the adorable way Emma had played with her and made her feel so at home, it was as if she had been waiting for her almost.

  “Well, I’m sure we’ll meet him soon enough,” her mom said. “I mean, you’re right, it truly is tragic, and he must be doing the best he can. I don’t think your father could have raised you alone.”

  “Exactly,” Morgan said with a weak smile. “I feel bad for him… even though he is a little bit of a jerk.”

  “A jerk?” her mom’s voice raised a little as if she wanted to know the ins and outs, but Morgan shook her head.

  “Let’s just say I’m not sure whether he’s ready to give over any sort of control. He looks as if it’s paining him to let her grow up and to spend time away from her, but he has to for work.”

  “I wonder what happened to the child’s mother,” her mom said again.

  “I don’t know, mom,” Morgan said irritably. “Why don’t you drive up there and demand an answer, huh?”

  She glared at her with her arms folded over her chest in annoyance.

  “Okay, okay,” her mom said as she raised her hands. “I get it, I’m being too intrusive.”

  “Yes, you are, and way too suspicious,” she said genuinely. “They’ve obviously been through it and he’s wanting to start again somewhere new and raise his daughter right. He mentioned the dangers of city living and how he didn’t want Emma being exposed to that.”

  “Well, he sounds like a decent man,” her mother agreed as she leaned back against the kitchen table.

  “He is, I’m sure,” Morgan smiled.

  “So, when do you leave?” her mom asked, and Morgan gritted her teeth and shrugged nervously.

  “Right now…” she smiled. “I didn’t want to tell you until I was about to step out the door because I knew you would try to change my mind. And to be honest, mom, it’s made up… So, don’t even bother.”

  “Honestly, Morgan, you are just like me at your age,” her mom laughed and shook her head affectionately. “Always knowing best and never willing to listen to one scrap of advice.”

  “Well, you know what they say… the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

  Her mom wrapped an arm around Morgan’s shoulder and gave her a reassuring hug.

  “Well, you know where we are if you need us,” her mom smiled. “And don’t forget to check in regularly.”

  “Mom, I am literally there,” she pointed toward the window. “I don’t think you need to worry this much.”

  “I know, I know,” her mother said as she laughed and brushed her hair behind her ears.

  “Okay, well thank you for the understanding, and I’m sure I’ll see you in what, oh I don’t know… a day or something.”

  Morgan winked as she headed toward the front door and waved over her shoulder as she went.

  “Don’t forget to check in!” her mother called after her. “I mean it, Morgan, don’t make me come up there and embarrass you.”

  Morgan shook her head and laughed. Her mom was crazy, but she had a heart of gold and meant well.

  It made Morgan realize all the more how sad it was that Emma had never had a mother figure around her, and as she slipped behind the wheel of her car and started the engine to drive up the mountain, she made a promise that she would do her very best to be her guide.

  “So, your room is going to be on the other side of the house at the end of the hall,” Trent said as he scratched the back of his neck and pointed to a door at the side of the kitchen area. “I thought that would be best, then you have plenty of privacy. It’s almost like an annex down there I guess, just without the kitchen… but you have access to this one and the rest of the house without question.”

  Morgan let her eyes drift toward the door and then she turned back to him and smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said. “That sounds great.”

  “I can show you down there and you can unpack your things if you like?” he asked. “And then I thought maybe we could sit and go through a few house rules? I can show you where everything is and explain about Emma’s routine… Well, what there is of it,” he snorted a little as he laughed and it made Morgan smile.

  “Sure,” she said as she picked up her bag.

  Trent moved toward her and took it out of her hands.

  “Allow me,” he said, and it made her whole chest feel warm. He may have been cocky and rude, but he was also a complete gentleman. It was as if he was just doing his best to subdue it.

  He pushed open the door at the side of the kitchen with the tip of his boot and moved through it, holding it open with his shoulder for Morgan to follow behind him. She could see that they were in a laundry room that was open and wide with counters and the machines on either side, and then directly opposite the door that they had entered through was another firmly closed.

  “You can lock this if you like,” he said. “It keeps the whole area completely separate from the rest of the house, but I don’t know if you’d find it a little isolating that way.”

  He shrugged as he twisted the key and unlocked it and then pushed the door open with his shoulder. It was dark beyond him and Morgan reached out and held the door for him as he groped around and found the light switch. When he flicked it on, she was pleasantly surprised and couldn’t help but smile approvingly.

  They had stepped into a separate living area which had big, dark curtains closed at the side of the room. Trent placed her bag down on the floor and he moved over to them and opened them wide, and sunlight streamed in, and exposed a wonderful view of the valley.

  “Wow,” she said. “Look at that!” she walked toward the window and looked out at it and couldn’t believe how incredible it all was.

  “Oh, I know, this house has some seriously good views,” he said. “It’s one of the things I remembered the most about it, and one of the reasons why I always wanted to come back.”

  She turned and looked back at the living area and couldn’t believe how lucky she was… There was a large, plush looking couch that looked as if she could sink into it. A small electric fire mounted on the wall, a coffee table in front of the TV, and a furry looking blanket draped over the corner of the door.

  “I wasn’t expecting all of this,” she said. “I just thought I’d have a room.”

  “Well,” Trent said as he moved toward the door at the other side. “It’s just this really and then the bedroom, there’s a small adjoining bathroom with a shower, but it’s nothing too impressive.”

  He stood back and let her get a good look, and she knew she was going to have to disagree with him. The place was great, and a lot more than she had had down in the log cabin back at her parents’ garden. She turned to him and smiled.

  “I’ll leave you to it,” he said sternly as he eyeballed her.

  It was like he was still trying to decide what she was all about, and there was so much awkwardness between them it was almost infuriating.

  She watched as Trent disappeared back toward the laundry room and the door closed lightly behind him. When she turned and looked back at the two rooms of the cabin that were now hers, she grinned widely and slumped down onto the couch.

  She was right, it was soft and plump and consuming, and she knew she could easily spend many nights there falling asleep in front of the TV.

  She got quickly to her feet and then went back into the bedroom and opened the curtains in there too. There was a double bed against the back wall and a wardrobe, but that was pretty much it. The room was basic, but it would serve its purpose, and she knew she would easily settle in there.

  She heaved her bag up onto the bed and turned on the lights, before she looked out of the window again and smiled at the view of the mountain lake and the valley that was rolling out ahead of her.

  “Idyllic,” she sighed. “An
d to think, I had no idea this was all up here.”

  She opened the closet and unzipped her bag, and then she started to unpack. She had officially found herself a new job, and a temporary new home. Now she just had to make sure she didn’t screw it up like she had done back at the general store.

  5.

  By the time she had finished unpacking and had changed into some jeans and a thick, wooly jumper, she realized that it was getting toward dinner time.

  Morgan left her annex and stepped back through into the kitchen where she could see that Emma was sat in the living area, playing with all her dolls, the braids still in their hair from the day before.

  “Morgan!” she shouted when she realized that it was her. “Look, I have everything set up for us!”

  “That’s great, Emma,” she smiled as she walked over to her and sat down next to her on the floor.

  She couldn’t hear or see Trent, but there was a part of her that knew he was watching them somehow. She hadn’t yet looked around the rest of the mountain cabin, but it was big and open, and she had the distinct feeling he may have been at the top of the stairs or in one of the adjoining rooms.

  “Daddy says you’re coming to stay with us,” Emma beamed as she passed one of the dolls to Morgan and patted it on the head.

  “Yes, I’m going to stay for a while,” she smiled. “Your dad needs some help because he has a lot of work coming up.”

  “Oh, I know,” Emma said. “He told me all about it. He said you’re our new nanny.”

  Morgan smiled and laughed.

  “That I am,” she said. “And I’m really happy to be here. I think we’re going to have a ton of fun.”

  “Of course, we are!” Emma beamed. “We have so much to do and play with. I can’t wait to show you all of my bears, and my bedroom, and the rest of my princess collection.”

  She was so excitable it was almost contagious, and as they settled in to play, suddenly, Morgan was aware that Trent had reappeared.

  She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled but he glared back at her as if he didn’t know what to make of it all.

  “Dinner,” he said as he slapped his hands together.

  “I can make it,” Morgan said as she got to her feet.