Temporary Nanny

She hesitated. “It’s not your fault. He lied to you and will be punished.” Crossing her arms, she turned to Jake. “You owe Royce an apology. Now.”

“Sorry, Royce. I just wanted so bad for you to teach me.” The longing in Jake’s voice wounded him.

And reminded him of his son’s pleas at about the same age. He’d always told himself Michael didn’t need him that much. Maybe he’d been wrong.

But Jake presumably had a father. And Royce wasn’t a good candidate to fill in even if the boy never saw his dad.

THE NEXT EVENING, Katy toyed with a hotel- issue pen while she phoned her mother. She’d landed in Chicago a few hours ago, but the ache of leaving Jake for several days was still fresh. Shaking her head, she was grateful her auction house only staged about ten out-of-town auctions each year. If she’d been with one of the larger houses, it might have been more.

Katy was about to hang up when her mother finally answered.

“Hi, Mom, how’s it going?”

“Fine, dear. How was your flight?”

“Fine.” No, it wasn’t fine. But she wasn’t about to admit it.

Come to think of it, her mother seemed a bit hesitant.

“Mom, are you sure everything’s okay?”

“We can talk about it when you get home. It’s about your arrangements with Sally. Nothing serious.”

“Your tone says it is serious. Please tell me.”

“I don’t like to distract you from your work.”

“Anything to do with Jake comes first. Tell me.”

Her mother sighed. “Sally wasn’t there today.”

“When you picked up Jake? I know. She told me she was going to leave a little early.”

“Sally never showed up.”

Katy rubbed her temples. “Not at all?”

“No, but a strange man was there. Your neighbor, Royce?”

“Why was he there?”

“Apparently he and Jake have some sort of code….”

“Yes. Royce lives below us. They exchange Morse code messages through the floorboards.”

“Are you sure that’s wise, dear? I have to admit I’m a little surprised. You’ve always been very cautious where Jake is concerned.”

“It’s not like I planned it, Mom. And Royce seems to be a good man. Jake likes him.”

“He’s…a little rough around the edges.”

“Why? Because he’s missing a hand?”

Her mother made a noise of censure. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Look, Mom, Royce has government clearance, which includes an extensive background check. And I trust him.” She was surprised to realize it was true.

“Well, I won’t tell you how to raise your own child.”

Since when?

Katy pushed away the disloyal thought. “I know you only want what’s best for Jake.”

“I just wish I’d been able to keep the house after your father died. There would have been plenty of room for you and Jake to move in.”

Katy smiled at her mother’s familiar refrain. “It probably wouldn’t have been good in the long run. Besides, your condo is perfect for you.”

“But I don’t like Jake being alone like that. Who knows what might have happened before I got there.”

The muscles on Katy’s neck tightened. She could feel a headache starting along with the realization that some changes needed to be made. “There’s not much I can do a thousand miles away. I’ll handle it when I get home. Sally’s all set to watch him after school tomorrow, isn’t she?”

“That’s just it. Her mother has a doctor’s appointment. Jake will be all by himself unless I take time off work to pick him up. I’m almost out of vacation time at the boutique.”

Katy had rarely felt so helpless. It made her wonder, not for the first time, if she was being the kind of mother Jake deserved. But she simply couldn’t see herself anywhere but in the world of car auctions.

“I don’t want you to do that. You’ve already done so much for us.” Katy hated owing anyone a favor, but the decision to spread the debt outside the family was especially difficult. “Maybe I can make other arrangements for the afternoon. Let me make a few phone calls and call you back.”

“Other arrangements? I can take the time off without pay. No need to—”

“Yes, there is a need.” She tried to infuse her voice with certainty. “I’ll call you back. Bye, Mom.”

ROYCE GROANED when the phone rang. He hoped it wasn’t Becca doing her long- distance mother hen thing again.

“Hello.” It came out sounding more irritable than he anticipated.

There was a hesitation, then, “It’s Katy, your upstairs neighbor. If this is a bad time, I can call later.”

“No, it’s fine. What can I do for you?”

“I’m in Chicago. Thank you for hanging out with Jake today. Apparently there was another babysitter miscommunication.”

“No problem. The kid said he was hearing weird noises, so I went upstairs to check it out.”

“We were lucky you were there. I owe you…about a year’s supply of dinners.”

Royce didn’t like the anxiety in her voice. And he didn’t like the fact that she seemed to think she owed him for such a little thing.

She hesitated. “I need to ask a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“Would you mind, um, hanging out with Jake tomorrow after school? It’s only for a couple hours and I’d be happy to pay you….”

Royce started pacing.

“Royce?”

“I’m here. Just checking my calendar.”

More like stalling for time.

In the past, he would have avoided getting tangled up in Katy’s problems. But that was before he woke up in a hospital room unable to recognize his own son because the kid had grown into a man when Royce wasn’t looking. Though he’d failed Michael, maybe he could help Jake. It was only one day, after all.

“Um, yeah, I guess I can do it.”

“You don’t sound too sure. I really shouldn’t have asked. It’s no big deal, my mom can probably take time off work.”

Clearing his throat, he said. “I’m sure. No big deal.”

But it was a big deal. Anyone who knew him well would have been downright amazed.

CHAPTER FIVE

ROYCE CHECKED the peephole before opening the door. “Mrs. Donovan, come in.”

“I’m here for Jake.”

“He’ll be ready in a minute.” He gestured awkwardly for her to enter, aware he was playing host in an apartment she probably knew as well as he did.

“Jake, it’s your grandma. Get your bag,” he called.

“Do I have to? I can stay here with you.”

“Not for the weekend, buddy.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.” Wasn’t that an appro priately parental way to dodge tough ques tions? “Now scoot.”

“My bag’s not packed yet.”

“Why not?”

“You didn’t tell me to.”

Royce sighed. “You’re ten years old, I shouldn’t have to tell you.”

Audrey Donovan stepped forward. “Jake, you know better.”

“Hi, Grandma. I’ll, um, go pack my bag.”

The woman crossed her arms over her chest and eyed Royce as if he were an escapee from the penitentiary. “How long has my daughter known you?”

“About a month.”

“She says you have some sort of government clearance.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I take it they check for felony convictions?”

“Among other things.”

“I don’t like Katy leaving Jake with someone inexperienced in child care. Do you know CPR?”

Did he know CPR? “Working in remote locations, I’ve even had to use it once or twice.”

Royce didn’t add that he’d flunked the baby Heimlich maneuver when Michael had been a toddler. He would never forget the panic in the baby’s eyes as he’d struggled to breath. How helpless Royce had felt.

And how he’d done possibly the worst thing—smacked Michael on the back hard enough to make the piece of hot dog fly out of his mouth. It could have just as easily lodged farther in his airway. After that, Royce had done everything in his power not to be left alone with Michael until way after he’d outgrown the choking stage.

Audrey’s eyes narrowed, as if she could read his thoughts. She continued to question his capabilities until Jake came out with his duffel bag.

“I’m ready.” His voice was glum.

“Why the long face?” Audrey asked.

“No reason. I just wanted to stay here with Royce. We played video games. You’d think he’d be really bad at it ’cause he only has one hand, but he’s pretty good. And he was going to play catch with me.”

“Time to go, Jake. You can see Royce… another time. I’ll lock up, you can go ahead and leave.”

Which he did, feeling as if he’d been dismissed in more ways than one.

On Monday, Katy replaced the phone on the cradle and started to pace. What in the world was she going to do? Sally had called her at work and quit without notice.

She’d hurried home to be there when Jake arrived. Then, she’d called the nanny agency and been placed on a waiting list. Apparently several high-tech firms had opened offices in the valley, their new employees creating a shortage of private nannies, especially those willing to work part-time. The story was the same at the second and third agencies she called.

Katy started to panic. She would have called her friend Karen, but knew she was on vacation in Cancun.

Flipping open her laptop, Katy started to check listings for nanny services.

She heard the door open and Jake ran in the apartment. “Mom, you’re home.”

Glancing at her watch, she tried to smile. “Hi, honey, I…got off work early. How was your—”

“Look who I found downstairs.”

Royce entered. His hair was windblown, his face tanned. It was good to see him looking so fit and healthy.

“Jake insisted I come upstairs with him. For a snack. I figured I’d make sure Sally showed up.”

“Thank you. That was very kind.”

“No problem.”

“I heard you on the phone with Grandma last night. About Sally taking so much time off.”

“That’s something I need to talk to you about, honey. Later.”

Jake had grown attached to Sally and Katy didn’t want to break the bad news with someone else here.

“I know Sally needs to be with her mom a lot.” Jake’s expression was earnest. “So I figured out a way she can do that.”

“Sally called a while ago. She had to quit to take care of her mom.” She held out her hand to him, determined to gloss over the very real challenges they faced. And the fact that Jake was losing another adult he’d come to count on. “I know it’s going to be hard, but we’ll get somebody new you like just as much as Sally.”

“We don’t need nobody new. We’ve got Royce.”

“Royce is a welder, not a babysitter.”

“He said he can’t be a welder anymore, ’cause it takes two hands.”

Katy couldn’t allow Jake to put Royce on the spot any more than he already had. The man had been very patient. “It’s out of the question, Jake. End of discussion. Now take your backpack to your room and start your homework.”

“But—”

“Now.”

“Yes, Mom.” Jake slung his backpack over his shoulder and trudged to his room.

“Wow, you’ve got that threatening voice down pat. I was ready to salute.”

“I’ve probably been too easy on him. Mostly because I understand that he’s looking for a father figure. His dad’s really dropped out of his life the past couple years. But I can’t let him continue to put you on the spot. You’ve been great. Absolutely great.”

Royce shifted. “So when will the new nanny start?”

“Good question. The agencies are having problems finding enough qualified people because of the high-tech boom. I’ll figure something out, though.”

I always do.

But this time, she had the feeling her luck had run out.

ROYCE STARED at the TV, but wasn’t paying attention. He kept thinking about Katy and the flash of panic in her eyes when she’d talked about finding a new nanny. He remembered how she’d said it was extra hard finding someone qualified who would work part-time and weekends.

So why was he concerned? It wasn’t his problem. Yet he couldn’t help but feel a bit protective of Jake and Katy. He’d never gotten actively involved in his neighbors’ business before, and that had been the beauty of being an expat. Royce could be as involved as he chose, because he knew he’d be moving on soon.

Royce resisted an idea begging to be explored. “No way. Not me.”

If not him, then who? He’d learned that sentiment in one of his high school classes. Funny that it’d stuck with him all these years. Funnier still that he’d been able to ignore it. Until now.

Katy had said Jake was looking for a father figure. Royce had failed his own son, but maybe, just maybe, he could step in and make a difference for Jake, if only in the short term.

Royce grabbed his keys, locked the door and took the stairs to Katy’s place. He knocked immediately, afraid he might change his mind. His idea was totally out of the norm for him, but somehow right.

Katy opened the door and motioned him inside. She was talking on the phone.

“Yes, I understand,” she said. “There’s no way you can find a replacement on such short notice. I’ll be there Thursday evening as planned. But I’m going to need some comp time to spend with my son.”

Her shoulders sagged as she clicked shut her phone. “Hi, Royce.”

“Hi. Still no luck finding a nanny?”

“No. I’ve called everyone I can think of. I tried to get out of the show this weekend, but no luck. That’s the problem working for a small house. I do several different jobs and can’t be replaced on a moment’s notice. We tend to have more auctions in the spring because the weather’s good.”

“Job security.” He smiled to lighten her mood.

“That’s one thing, I guess. Normally my mom could step in and take Jake for the weekend, but she’s working mandatory overtime because of a big sale at the store.”

“I might have a solution for you.”

“Really? Have a seat.” Katy gestured toward the couch and he complied. She sat in an easy chair.

Royce plunged in before he could have second thoughts. Or thirds. “Actually, it was Jake’s idea. I’m not working right now and I can easily arrange my physical therapy around Jake’s school schedule.”

“I didn’t think you’d seriously be interested.”

“Only on a temporary basis, until you find another nanny. One who’s qualified and all that.”

Her shoulders straightened. “I’d pay you, of course.”

He grinned. “Of course. I have to admit, I could use the cash until I get my disability claim worked out. My investments are long- term and I can’t access my funds right now. But that’s not the reason I suggested the plan. Jake’s a great kid. I’d like to do it.”

“It might just work. You’re right here in the building. Jake likes you. I…trust you.”

Royce loved seeing hope spark in her eyes. He felt good that he’d been the one to help put it there.

Katy placed her hand on his arm. His left arm, just below the elbow. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked.

Royce was mesmerized by the sight of her hand so close to his injury. He realized it was the first time anyone outside the medical profession had touched his damaged arm. It was a shock to find out how much he missed that contact.

“Positive.” He’d never felt so sure of something in his life. And that scared him.

CHAPTER SIX

WHEN THE PHONE RANG on Friday, Royce checked the caller ID display, half expecting it to read “unknown caller,” the digital trick employed by some telemarketers.

Instead, it read “Garner, Katy.”

“Hi, Katy. What’s up?”

“I was just calling to see how it went yesterday.”

“Fine. No problem. Jake’s an easy kid to be around. As a matter of fact, he insisted on loading the dishwasher.”

“Most of the time he’s very good.”

He thought he detected a smile in her voice.

“Most of the time? Now you’ve got me worried. Does he grow fangs during the full moon?”

Her chuckle was warm and made him smile.

She said, “I have the feeling this might be the honeymoon period.”

“Honeymoon?”

“As in, he’s on his best behavior because he doesn’t want to scare you off.”

“Hey, it takes a lot to scare me. I’m not totally unaccustomed to ten-year-old boys.”

“Not much recent experience, though, huh?”

“It’s coming back to me. Piece of cake.”

If Saturday afternoon went just as well, he would be home free. Jake’s grandmother would take him for the two nights and Royce would watch him during Audrey’s Saturday shift at work. And Katy would be home Sunday. Not a bad arrangement as long as it was temporary.

“Good. I’ll stop by with your pay Sunday night if I don’t get in too late.”

“Sounds good.” Not only to have some much-needed cash, but to see Katy, too.

“HOW ABOUT WE PLAY some video games?” Jake asked, controller already in hand. “Since Grandma can’t get here till seven.”

“Just for a few minutes. We still need to clean up our mess in the kitchen.” He’d shown Jake how to make his own Rice Krispies Treats.

Both Friday and Saturday afternoons had gone surprisingly quickly. Royce idly wondered why he could spend time with Jake and enjoy himself, but hadn’t been able to do the same with his own son without getting restless.

Royce suspected the answer was complex. As long as he thought of being responsible for Jake as a job, he didn’t get that panicky, hemmed-in feeling he’d gotten during Michael’s early years. He’d loved seeing the boy, but Royce’s mind had quickly strayed to the next job, next adventure.

But it looked as if there might not be any new adventures for him.

Royce pushed away the thought. It would be too easy to lose hope completely. Picking up the second game controller, he proceeded to give Jake a run for his money.

“Royce?”

“Huh?”

“D’ya ever get scared?”

If only the kid knew. It was hard to remember a time when he hadn’t been scared. But he would guess it had been roughly seven months ago. “Yeah, sometimes.”

“My mom gets scared. She tries not to show it, though.”

“Like scared of spiders? Noises in the dark?”

“Nah. Like if people come to the door and she’s not expecting them. Or weird things, birthday parties.”

Royce chuckled as he maneuvered the joystick. “Okay, I have to admit, clowns kind of freak me out. Maybe I’ve seen too many bad horror flicks.”

“Clowns make great bad guys. But it’s not the clowns…. I’ve never been to a birthday party.”

“Oh, come on. Not even one?”

Jake shook his head, his hand pausing on the controller. “Nope. I didn’t used to get invited to them much. But now, I have a couple of friends. When I bring home an invitation, Mom gets this really weird look and makes an excuse why I can’t go.”

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

“I don’t think so.” The boy’s expression was so glum it made Royce hurt for him.

“Sometimes adults have reasons no one else understands.”

“It’s not fair.”

“No, it isn’t.” He refrained from pointing out that a lot of things in life weren’t fair. Such as having his hand blown to bits and losing everything.

“I got an invitation to my friend Chris’s birthday party. He’s gonna be eleven.” Jake’s expression brightened. “I bet you could talk my mom into letting me go. She likes you.”

Even though it was an obvious snow job, Royce was flattered by the idea that Katy had a soft spot for him.

“You think?”

“Sure. You got a government clearance. And with only one hand, it’s not like you could choke her or nothing.”

Ah. His injury apparently made him non-threatening to women and children. Something he might consider using to his advantage in dating, if it didn’t make him seem so damn pathetic.

“I guess you’ve got a point there.”

“And you make her smile.”

“I do?”

“Uh-huh. Will you talk to her about Chris’s party?”

“It’s not my place to butt in, kid.” The whole situation smacked of getting involved. And the last thing he wanted was to get entangled in Jake’s life on more than a short-term basis.

“You’re my friend. And my mom’s. I’d help you if you needed it.”

The boy’s logic was so straightforward and, well, noble, Royce found himself nodding in agreement. “Okay. But only if the subject comes up.”

“What if it doesn’t?”

“Then we’ll know it wasn’t meant to be.”

KATY WAS RELIEVED when she saw the light shining beneath Royce’s door. Good. She didn’t want to wake him, but for some reason it seemed important that she pay him tonight.

Maybe the urgency came from the knowledge that he needed the money.

Who was she fooling? Katy simply wanted to talk to Royce, one adult to another. She’d been able to relax with Royce and found him easy to be around. Not her general experience with members of the opposite sex. Maybe that’s why she’d married Eddie. They’d known each other since kindergarten, so she’d never had a hard time talking to him. Until they were married with Jake on the way and couldn’t seem to stop fighting.

Katy knocked and heard rustling inside.

The door opened and Jake stood there, his shirt rumpled and his hair standing on end.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you? I saw your light on and thought it would be okay….”

“It’s fine. I fell asleep on the couch.” He rotated his shoulder. “Not a good idea.”

“No, I guess not.”

He stepped aside. “Come in.”

“Just for a minute.” Suddenly, she felt awkward about being on his doorstep.

“Have a seat.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Oh, wait. You probably need to get right back to Jake.”

She perched on the easy chair. “He’s still at my mom’s house. Since I’m so late, she offered to keep him tonight and take him to school tomorrow.” Handing him the envelope, she said, “Here’s your payment.”

“Great, thanks.” Royce tossed the envelope on an end table and sat on the couch.

“This arrangement seems to be working out. Jake is thrilled. You’re all he talked about on the phone. How do you feel about it?”

Royce grinned, setting her at ease. “Better than I even anticipated. We had a good time.”

“That’s great. I was afraid you might have had enough. Kids can be wearing when you’re not used to being around them twenty-four hours a day.”

“They’re definitely that. To be honest with you, Jake’s a welcome distraction. I’ve had too much of my own company since I’ve been back in Phoenix.” He leaned back. “Funny, when I was recovering at my sister’s house, all the activity drove me nuts. I just wanted peace and quiet. But now that I have it, I’m a little lost.”

“I know what you mean. My apartment seems really empty without Jake there. If my ex-husband insisted on his visitation rights, I’d probably be lost.”

“He’s not in the picture?”

“Not really. Eddie rarely asks to see him. Just often enough to confuse Jake. And my dad died when Jake was a baby. It’s mostly just me and my mom.”

“You’ve done a great job with him.”

His words meant more to her than he could ever know. She cleared her throat. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”

“It’s the truth. I wasn’t around much to notice what a terrific job my ex did until Michael was a grown man. Now I see how hard you work and I can appreciate Tess more.”

“You, um, still have feelings for your ex?”

“Not the romantic kind. I admire her, admire what she’s done with her life. And owe her big-time for pretty much raising our son.”

“It takes a secure man to admit that. I don’t know if Eddie will ever understand all he’s missing. Maybe after the new baby is born… His girlfriend’s pregnant.”

“How’s Jake taking it?”

“Better than I thought. Telling him was one of the hardest things to do. I owed it to Jake to be tactful and nonjudgmental when all I wanted was to say, ‘Your daddy doesn’t give a damn about you, but he’s bringing another child into the world, anyway.’”

Royce shifted, glancing around the room.