The Nanny Plan

Her back stiffened. “Twelve-fifty, if you must know, but that’s not the point.”

He felt himself grinning. This was what he’d liked in the coffee shop. She wasn’t afraid to push back. She wasn’t afraid to challenge him. “What is the point?”

“I have a plan. I have school obligations and employment obligations and charitable obligations that I will meet. I have to start organizing the back-to-school drive now. I can’t drop everything just to nanny your niece. You’ll find a perfectly qualified nanny, I’m sure.”

“I already have.”

“No, Mr. Longmire.”

He did some quick calculations in his head. He had to keep her here with him. He needed her in a way he’d never needed any other woman. Everyone had a breaking point. Where was hers?

“I will personally call your professor and explain that you’ve been selected for a unique opportunity.”

Her eyes flew wide in disbelief. “You wouldn’t.”

“Obviously you’ll finish your degree, but you’ll need to stay here during the month. Sleep here.”

“Excuse me?” She looked indignant. The baby, who had actually stopped crying and was possibly asleep, startled and began to make mewing noises.

“I’ll pay you five thousand dollars for one month.”

Whatever biting rejection she’d been about to say died in a gurgling noise in the back of her throat. “What?”

“One month. I can probably find another nanny in that amount of time, but I need you now.”

“Mr. Longmire—”

“Nate.”

“Mister Longmire,” she went on with whispered emphasis. The baby mewed again. Without appearing to think about it, Trish stood and began rocking from side to side.

Yeah, he was looking at his nanny. “One month. A temporary nanny position.”

“I’ll lose my lease. I’m—I can’t afford much. My landlord wants me out so she can triple the rent.”

“Ten thousand.”

All the blood drained out of her face, but she didn’t answer.

“Come on, Ms. Hunter. Ten grand could get you set up in a nice apartment. For one month of teaching me how to care for my niece and helping me find a more permanent nanny. I’d hazard a guess that you’d be moving out of that apartment after graduation, anyway. This can be the nanny plan. Just a slight change to your original plan.”

Her mouth opened. “A slight change?”

Which was not a no, but also wasn’t an agreement to his terms. Where was her breaking point? Then it hit him. The charity.

“Twenty thousand,” he said, impulsively doubling the salary. Let’s see her say no to that, he thought. “In addition to that salary, I’m prepared to make a donation to the One Child, One...whatever it was. One hundred thousand dollars.”

Trish collapsed back into the seat, which jostled the baby. She quickly stood again, but instead of rocking from side to side, she turned and walked to the window. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“I can and I will.” She didn’t reply. He realized she wasn’t necessarily playing hardball with him, but what the hell did a couple hundred grand mean to him? Nothing. He’d never even miss it, but he might change her life. “Fine. Two-fifty. My final offer.”

“Two...fifty?” She sounded like she was being strangled.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to your very worthy charity, to be paid half now, half at the end of the month, provided you stay here, handle the night feedings and whatever else has Jane up every two hours, and teach me how to do some of the basics.”

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