The Bachelor's Stand-In Wife

“I’m sorry,” Valerie said again, coming up beside David, watching the dog and the girl swim in circles.

“For what?”

“Not being ready for work when you arrived. I thought we had more time.”

“I didn’t expect you to work tonight.” He finally eyed her directly, all wrapped up in a towel that matched her hazel eyes, her wet hair dripping down her back. He’d been right about her looking younger with her hair down. “Your daughter is a miniature of you.”

“I can’t tell you how excited she is to be here. The cottage is beautiful.”

Belle followed a giggling Hannah across the pool, then headed for the stairs. The dog didn’t climb out but stood, resting.

“Are you all settled in?”

“We haven’t even unloaded the car yet.”

He considered taking a swim himself, but decided to wait until later. He figured Valerie would keep a strict employer/employee relationship with him, which would include making sure her daughter didn’t get in his way.

Which was fine with him. David had nothing against kids, he just didn’t know how to relate to them, even his nieces and nephews. He particularly didn’t want to get attached to an employee’s child. She had to be separate from the working relationship as much as possible.

“I picked up a pizza,” he said to Valerie. “Come up to the house when you’re ready and we’ll reheat it. We’ll talk business afterward.”

“Both of us?”

“Your daughter needs to eat, too, right?”

“I can take her a plate.”

“We’ll make an exception for tonight.”

Valerie nodded. He walked away, sensing her relief. He knew, given her background of false accusations of sexual harassment, that she would be more wary than most, more aware of potential impropriety. He respected that. He wanted a long-term, employer/employee relationship with her. He would be just as careful as she.

He got partway down the path when he heard the thunder of Belle’s paws pounding the flagstone behind him, getting closer. He turned. She bounded to a halt and shook the pool water from her fur, head to tail, drenching him.

Hannah shrieked with laughter then clamped a hand over her mouth. Valerie stood frozen, awaiting his response. He hunkered down and wrapped his arms around his great old dog, getting himself wetter in the process, glad to have her home.

So much for impeccable behavior, Valerie thought with a sigh as she and Hannah walked to the cottage a few minutes later. He’d caught her in her bathing suit, totally goofing off, acting like a kid. How embarrassing. Not an auspicious start to their business relationship at all.

“Belle’s a neat dog,” Hannah said. “I never knew dogs liked to swim. I mean, I know they can, because there’s even a name for it, right? The dog paddle? But I didn’t know they would just jump in and swim around.”

“Just don’t get too attached. She’s his dog, not yours.”

“But he’s gone a lot. You said so. She’ll be staying with us, won’t she? She can’t stay in that big ol’ house by herself. She’d be sooo lonely.”

Hannah’s eyes pleaded with Valerie, who tried not to laugh. Right. Belle would be lonely.

Valerie and Hannah unloaded the car, then showered and dressed for their first dinner with the boss. The evening temperature was perfect as they took the path to the house and climbed the back stairs. Through a window Valerie saw a kitchen and was glad she would be working in a space with such a spectacular view, not only of the pool but the tree-studded hills.

She knocked on the kitchen door. After a minute she knocked again. Finally she turned the handle and leaned inside. “Hello?”

“Be right there. Make yourself at home,” David called, the words muffled by distance.

“Wow. Our old apartment would fit in here,” Hannah said, looking around at the kitchen and breakfast nook.

The stainless steel appliances made it contemporary, but there was a rustic feel, too, in the pine cabinets and autumn-toned granite countertops. Not a curtain in sight, either, nor any plants. Nothing to soften the streamlined feel of the place, the home of someone who didn’t really live there, but used it as a base camp.

David breezed into the room. He’d changed from slacks and a dress shirt to jeans and a T-shirt, and was barefoot. Belle trailed him. Valerie wondered how old David was. Thirty?

“Settled in?” he asked.

“Almost. We haven’t put everything away, but it’s all in the house,” Valerie answered, keeping a hand on Hannah’s shoulder so that she wouldn’t run to Belle, who wagged her tail in greeting.

“The stove’s preheated,” David said. “Shouldn’t take too long. I hope you like pepperoni.” He slid a large pizza into the oven. “How about a tour while it heats.”

“That would be great.”

The inside of the house was as stunning as the outside. It was a man’s home, but a classy one, the environment clearly of someone who liked art and color, who had style. Maybe a decorator should get credit, but David would have had to approve everything purchased, so he must’ve had a hand in the final result in some way.

On the first floor was a living room with a stone fireplace, a family room holding a woodstove that piped heat into the rest of the house, a large dining room with a table and chairs for twelve, an office and a powder room. Upstairs were four bedrooms, two baths and the master suite, with its enormous bed and spectacular view, the same as in the kitchen, of the pool and mountains, even the cottage. Heavy green drapes framed the windows. She wondered how often he shut them.

She wondered, too, how often he had company. Female company. He was an attractive and successful man. Did he have a regular girlfriend?

“It’s an incredible home,” she said to him, having given up on keeping Hannah by her side. She and Belle had teamed up, following at their own pace. “Although a lot of house for one person.”

“I spend much of my life in airplanes and hotel rooms. I need a place to spread out.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“Had it built five years ago.”

They headed out the bedroom door and downstairs. Valerie motioned to Hannah, who played on the landing with Belle, tossing the dog’s rag doll, then throwing it again after Belle brought it back.

“How much are you gone?” she asked.

“At least half the month. My oldest brother, Noah, and I have owned the business for eleven years. We used to share the overseas work, but Noah’s wife died three years ago, and now he has their four children to take care of.” They reached the bottom of the staircase, which faced a wall of family photos. He pointed to a photo of a man and woman with four children. “He’s needed to be with them, I understand that, so I’ve been doing all the traveling. But someday I hope we can split the work again. I’m also trying to figure out ways to do less overseas and more here in the States.”

Valerie heard frustration in his voice. Or maybe weariness. “How old are the children?”

“He has two sets of twins, as you can see. Ashley and Zoe are twelve. Adam and Zachary are nine. They’re…very well behaved.”

Valerie wondered why he said that as if it was a bad thing. “You said he was your oldest brother. You have others?”

“One, Gideon.” He tapped a photo. “He’s the middle child.”

“Your parents like biblical names,” she said with a smile.

“Our father did.”

The man in the picture he pointed to resembled Noah most of all, but she could see David in him, too.

“We have different mothers. This one’s mine,” he went on to say, moving to the photo of a young woman, the picture probably taken twenty years ago, given her hairstyle.

“Do you want to eat in the kitchen or on the deck?” he asked in a quick change of subject.

“The deck,” Hannah said, focused on the photographs, apparently fascinated. Then she caught Valerie’s pointed look. “Please,” she added.

“You got it. I’ll cut the pizza into slices. There’s a salad in the refrigerator. Paper plates and napkins are in the cupboard next to the sink,” he said.

They settled around a table on the deck overlooking the backyard. Belle curled up at their feet.

“If you had the house built,” Valerie said, “then you also had the stables put in. Do you plan to get a horse?”

“It’s a dream. I’m not here enough.”

“Do you know how to ride?”

He grinned. “Nope.”

“Then why…?”

“Wide-open spaces.”

Valerie was beginning to understand him. He needed space but felt hemmed in by his work. He must feel handcuffed or something. And resentful? she wondered.

“What grade are you in?” David asked Hannah.

“Third.”

“Do you like school?”

“It’s okay.”

Valerie sympathized with her daughter. She’d attended three different schools in her short life. It was another reason for making sure she kept her job—she wanted Hannah to have the luxury of staying at one school and making long-term friends. Living a normal childhood, if Valerie could make that happen.

She wondered about David’s childhood, if, having different mothers, he and his brothers were raised together. Maybe they weren’t close in age. As an only child, Valerie had desperately wanted siblings, but her father had divorced her mother when Valerie was a toddler and had rarely contacted Valerie since. As far as she knew, he hadn’t fathered more children.

When they were done eating, Valerie stacked the paper plates and started to stand.

“I’ll take care of that later,” David said, then pointed toward the floor under the table. Hannah had joined Belle and was now asleep against the dog, who looked at David but didn’t make a move to get up.

“We might as well go over your duties,” he said. “I’ve written them up for you. Be right back.”

“What a good dog you are,” Valerie said to Belle, petting her. Belle closed her eyes, making a happy sound.

David returned, taking the seat next to instead of across from her. He set a piece of paper on the table between them so they both could read it. She was aware of him, of his arm almost touching hers. He hadn’t stepped over any line at any time, either with comments or looks, in fact had gone out of his way not to look at her at the pool until she’d wrapped the towel around her, covering her bathing suit. Not interested? She knew it was better that way, but—

“You’re probably worried about working at the house during the night, and leaving Hannah on her own at the cottage,” he said. “There’s an intercom system between the houses. You’ll be able to hear everything that happens in the cottage—or vice versa, if necessary. You just have to set the buttons. There’s also an alarm. I’ve never had problems here, but I know it’ll probably make a city girl like you feel more comfortable.”

“Okay, good.”

He went down his itemized list, explaining each of her duties. He would make his own breakfast but preferred she prepare his dinner. He was rarely home at lunchtime, so they would play that by ear on the occasions he stayed home. Valerie and Hannah could use the pool and patio anytime except when he was entertaining, and then he expected privacy, unless he asked for something.

Privacy for women friends? Valerie wondered. Probably.

“I know how to serve a household,” she said. “And Hannah will know to stay in the cottage.”

“She’s not to work in my house,” he said decisively. “I know your mother allowed it, but I think children should enjoy childhood. She’s welcome to have friends over when I’m not here, including to use the pool, as long as they’re supervised every second.”

Valerie’s throat closed. She blessed whatever fates had sent her to the At Your Service agency, which had led her here. “That’s very generous.”

“My childhood was one crisis after another. I don’t wish that on any child.” He cocked his head. “What about her father?”

“Not in the picture.”

A long pause followed. She figured he was waiting for her to expand on her answer, but she had no intention of doing so.

“Okay,” he said finally. “I’ve never had live-in help before, so we’ll both be feeling our way through the situation. You should speak up if you think something should be handled differently.”

“I will. You’ll do the same, right?”

“Of course. I’m sure we’ll spend a lot of time communicating, in person and by phone. There’s no purpose in holding back. The relationship depends on honesty and openness.”

“Like a marriage,” she said. Without sex, she reminded herself. Without any physical contact whatsoever. Without innuendo. They couldn’t even joke about it.

“I’ll take your word on that,” he said, flashing a quick grin. “Like a good marriage, maybe. But since I’ve never taken part in that institution, I wouldn’t know.”

“Neither would I.” She let that bit of information set in for a minute without explanation.

He glanced at Belle and Hannah. “And, as you know, I never expected a child to be part of the deal, so we’re especially going to have to feel our way through that, figure out what works for all of us.”

“Your needs and demands come first. You have to tell me if Hannah is bothering you. She’s obviously already made herself at home.”

He nodded. “We’ll talk more in the morning. You’ll have to come to the house for breakfast, since I know you haven’t had time to shop for groceries yet. I’ll be heading to the office for the day.”

He stood, so she did, as well. “Where is that?”

“In Roseville, just north of Sacramento.”

“What time do you want breakfast?”

“Eight.”

“Okay.” Valerie looked out over his property. Garden lights illuminated the pool and pathways, creating a beautiful picture. “Is the yard my responsibility?”

“I have a gardener.”

“You do?” She put a hand to her mouth, surprised that she’d blurted that out.

He grinned.

“You like the untamed look, I guess,” she said.

“I’ve pretty much just left it in his hands.” He walked to the railing, leaned on his elbows there and looked around. “I guess it’s not as nice as it could be.”

“It could be a showpiece, if that’s what you want.”

“Are you saying you want to add gardening to your many duties?”

“Maybe your gardener and I could work together on a new look. Would that be okay?”

“Sure, why not. I’ll give him a call and tell him you’re the boss.”

She’d never been the boss of anyone, unless she counted Hannah. “That would be great, thanks.” She knelt down to wake up her daughter, who made sleepy sounds of resistance as she snuggled against Belle. “Bedtime, sweetie.”

Hannah finally got her to her feet, although she leaned heavily against Valerie. It had been a long, tiring day for both of them. “Say good-night to Mr. Falcon.”

“’Night,” she said softly.

“Thank you for everything,” Valerie added, still unable to believe her luck.

“It’s a month, Valerie,” he said.

The grace period. She’d already forgotten about that, she was so sure of her ability to please him.

She nodded. “Good night.”

“I hope you both sleep well. Belle, stay,” he ordered quietly as the dog started to follow.

Valerie was aware of him watching as she made her way down the stairs and through the yard, holding Hannah’s hand and stepping carefully. She didn’t look back until they were entering the cottage. She could just make out his silhouette. He hadn’t moved.

Her heart swelled at the protectiveness of his actions. She was accustomed to looking out for herself and Hannah, without help from anyone. And although David was her employer, she felt he was also looking out for them.

It was a very nice feeling.

Chapter Three

Valerie had learned to cook at a young age and had begun teaching Hannah when she was a toddler. She wasn’t a picky eater. They often read recipes and talked about them—how a dish might taste, what could be served with it. Valerie looked forward to cooking for David, starting this morning.

Hannah was still asleep when Valerie was ready to head to the house. She went into her daughter’s room and sat on her bed.

“Good morning,” she sing-songed, brushing Hannah’s long hair away from her face.

“Mmpff.”

“Are you awake? I need to tell you something.”

Hannah flopped onto her back and opened her eyes halfway. “I’m awake.”

“I’m going up to fix Mr. Falcon’s breakfast. As soon as he leaves, we’ll eat. In the meantime, you can watch television.”

Hannah’s eyes opened fully. “I never get to watch TV in the morning.”

“Some things are going to be different for us here. We’ll have to figure out new rules.” She stood. “There’s an intercom by the front door. If you need me, push the talk button and shout, okay?” She guessed that’s how it worked, anyway. She wasn’t worried, since she could see the front door of the cottage from the kitchen window at the big house.

“Okay.”

“After breakfast we’ll go grocery shopping and stop by the school district office to get you registered, so put on some nice clothes. I put everything away before I went to bed last night. Check your dresser and your closet.”

Hannah sat up. “I’m kinda hungry.”

“There’s a box of cereal and a couple of granola bars in the kitchen cupboard but no milk. I’ll probably be gone about half an hour, however long it takes to make breakfast and put it on the table. Unless he has more to tell me or some job to do.”

“Mom, I’m eight. I’ll be fine.”

Yes, her grown-up girl. She’d had to mature fast, like so many children of single parents.

When Hannah was settled on the living room sofa, granola bar in hand and the TV turned to cartoons, Valerie opened the door and was greeted by Belle. She got up, wagging her tail.

“Good morning, Miss Belle. I assume you’re looking for Hannah.”

Belle barked. Hannah jumped off the couch and ran over, falling to her knees and wrapping her arms around the dog. “Belle! Mom, look. Belle came to see me. Can she stay?”

“For now. I’ll find out when I get up to the house. Don’t let her on the sofa with you, though.”

“Okay. C’mon, Belle.” They sat on the floor in front of the couch.

Valerie headed out and up the pathway. The morning was exquisite—a crystal-clear sky, the crisp scent of pine in the air, a mild midsixties or so, although probably another hot day ahead.

At the house, the kitchen door was unlocked, and since Belle was out, Valerie knew David must be up. She’d checked the contents of his refrigerator when she’d gotten the salad out last night, seeing very little beyond condiments, although he did have eggs.

“Good morning,” he said, coming into the kitchen. “How’d you sleep?”

“Exceptionally well.” He also looked exceptionally good in his khakis and light green polo shirt, a shade lighter than his eyes. His dark hair was still damp. He smelled good, too, fresh from the shower, kind of soap scented or a light, pleasant aftershave. “Could I fix you an omelet?”

“I’ll just have cereal, thanks.”

“Are you sure? You’ve got eggs and cheese and—”

“Okay, you talked me into it.” He poured himself a cup of coffee from a carafe on the counter. “I made a full pot, if you’re interested. Didn’t know whether or not you drink it.”

It was something she’d given up because she couldn’t afford it. “Yes, thanks. Do you have likes and dislikes, foodwise?”

“I like meat and potatoes. And most vegetables. Not a big dessert eater, except apple pie and chocolate-chip cookies. And ice cream.” David leaned against the counter, sipping from his cup, watching her whisk eggs and grate cheese. “When you have time today, I’d like you to read through the files I left on my office desk and familiarize yourself with them. We’ll talk about them tonight. Tomorrow I’ll stay home longer in the morning and show you how to access files on my computer.”

“When will you leave town again?”

“Sunday.”

This was Wednesday. He figured she should be up to speed by the time he left. They would spend a lot of time together, just the two of them.…

She poured the eggs into the pan, moving gracefully and efficiently from task to task, then he saw her realize he was watching her, and her cheeks turned pink. He shoved away from the counter and went to the window, surveying the morning.

“It’s so quiet here,” she said hesitantly, as if needing to fill the silence. “I feel like I’m on vacation.”

“I know what you mean. Some days I can’t wait to get home. And now that Belle’s home, too, it’ll be even better.”

“Oh, I forgot! Belle is with Hannah in the cottage. I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s fine. I saw her wander down there this morning and sit in front of your door.”

“You’ll need to tell me what to feed her, and when.”

“Her bowls are in the laundry room, and an extra water bowl on the deck. One scoop of dog food, twice a day.”

“When you’re gone, should she stay in the cottage with us?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“I think my daughter would raise quite a ruckus if Belle couldn’t be there.”

“I figured that.” He took another sip of his cooling coffee. He rarely had someone to talk to in the morning, and now he couldn’t decide if he liked it or not, accustomed to silence as he was.

“Is this enough food for you or do you prefer a bigger breakfast?” she asked.

“I eat what’s put in front of me.” Maybe he shouldn’t have told her he’d fix his own breakfast most of the time, after all. Maybe it would be nice having her there in the morning, fixing something hot and filling.

“You look like you work out.…” Her words drifted.

He turned in time to see her swallow, obviously uncomfortable.

“I mean, you don’t look like you overeat.” She stopped, closed her eyes. “I mean—Shoot.”

He decided to rescue her. “I could say the same about you.”

“Good genes,” she said in a tone indicating that conversation was over. She tipped the omelet onto the plate next to the toast she’d just buttered.

He came forward, taking the plate from her, not wanting things to get any more personal—for both their sakes. Maybe he should have let Hannah hang around more, to keep things professional.

“I’ll eat in front of the computer while I answer some e-mail, then I’ll take off,” he said. “See you around six o’clock.”

“When would you like dinner?”

“Plan on seven.” He went out the kitchen door then retraced his steps. “Don’t try to do too much today except get settled and acclimated. I know the house needs cleaning, but it can wait one more day.”

“All right.”

He didn’t believe her. Based on what she’d told him, he guessed she had a stronger work ethic than most. “I hope this works out, Valerie.”

“Me, too.”

He went to his office and shut the door. His computer was on, but he stood at the window instead, eating, the view of the yard the same as from the kitchen and his bedroom. After a minute he saw Valerie make her way to the cottage, carrying a carton of milk. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry, taking a little time to stop and look around, maybe visualizing what she wanted to do with the yard.

He should’ve probably held off letting her start on any major project until their trial month was up, but what damage could she do in the yard? The worst that could happen was that it got tamed some, thinned out.

Except he didn’t want a bunch of flowers planted. He should tell her that before she got started. He liked the natural look, which was why his pool seemed to be carved from the rocks. Women always had different ideas about things like gardens, however. His mother had loved to garden.…

An hour later David pulled into the company parking lot in an industrial area of Roseville. The large metal building housed several bays in which cars in various states of completion were being hand built. At the far right of the building were his and Noah’s offices. David had been a partner in Falcon Motorcars since he was eighteen, the year his father died, leaving his three sons the business in equal shares. For the first eight years it had been fun, each day a challenge, each job different. But since Noah’s wife’s death, it had become exhausting.