The Nanny Bargain

He hadn’t initially been pleased last week when she insisted that she’d tell them before accepting any job offer. “They were good with it.”

He looked at her doubtfully.

She didn’t attempt to elaborate. Couldn’t, in fact, because there was nothing else to tell except that Therese and Ray had exchanged a look, the significance of which she didn’t understand. Then Ray nodded and thanked her for telling them.

That was it.

So why did Sawyer seem to think they might not be pleased?

“Is there something you’re not telling me about your relationship with the Selbys?”

“What makes you think that?”

“You weren’t thrilled when I told you I was going to be up front with them about plans to work for you, and now you’re doubting me when I told you they didn’t have any problems with it. Obviously, you anticipated they might.”

“What can I say? It’s awkward. You know, their daughter being married to my dad. Me being a half brother to the product of that union. Me being an age most would expect the twins’ father to be. I’m part of the family, yet not really. It’s hard to figure out how I’m supposed to fit into the boys’ lives. Into Therese’s and Ray’s.”

She could see how that connection would be a problematic one, for the Selbys and Sawyer alike. Definitely complex. Maybe that’s all there was to the tension she’d sensed this morning. Nothing more.

Ready to move away from unsettling topics, she nodded to the wad of paper towels in his hand, her nose wrinkling. “Thanks for disposing of that. I hope I won’t need it.”

He laughed. “Naw. I think you’ll be fine.”

“I’ll remind myself of your words if I hear any rustling in the kitchen during the deep dark hours of the night.”

He lifted his hand that held the trap. “Call me. Any hour. Day or night. I’ll be on your doorstep.”

Her cheeks warmed as their gazes met.

“I’d better get going.” He moved toward the door to the hallway. “I have errands to run before I open up shop this morning and I need to let you get to your unpacking.”

“Lots to do.” She motioned to the stacks of boxes. “I guess I’ll talk to you next week, then?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Yeah, it was a plan alright. That is, unless she needed the mousetrap reset after all...

* * *

Sawyer had barely climbed into his crew-cab pickup when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, then grimaced. Kyle Guthridge.

“Yo, Sawyer.” His friend’s west Texas drawl echoed in his ear despite the fact the man had lived in Arizona since he was twelve. “Got your phone message that you’ll be late on tomorrow’s payment.”

At least he had the generosity of spirit not to say “again.” Sawyer cringed inwardly, acutely aware of the risk his longtime friend had knowingly taken in extending the loan, probably one his wife had loudly protested.

“My apologies, Kyle. Temporary cash-flow problem. But I’ll be able to make a deposit by the end of next week and will drop off a check then.”

“I totally get the cash-flow issue and don’t mean to badger you.”

“It won’t happen again.” But this was the second time in four months. He prided himself on his integrity. His financial responsibility. But since early last summer he’d been hammered by one unbudgeted expense after another, most related to building maintenance. Plumbing. Electrical. And who’d have thought a new roof and replacing a furnace large enough for a retail space would cost that much?

That series of events had led him to approach a few buddies for personal loans rather than the bank where he’d taken over Grandpa’s mortgage payments on the Outpost. But he’d sell his pop-up camper or his fishing boat before he’d allow a payment to be delayed a third time.

“You’re not badgering,” Sawyer continued, embarrassed for his friend at having to speak up as much as he was for himself. “We’re friends, but we’re also businessmen.”

“That we are.” Kyle paused. “I don’t suppose you’re going to the play at the church next Friday night, are you? Annie and I are taking the kids. Family friendly. You could bring the check with you. That would save you a trip to my place.”

Kyle lived a distance out of town, off a branching series of dirt roads that weren’t well maintained in the winter months. But a church play geared toward youngsters? Not exactly high on his couldn’t-wait-to-do list.

“I won’t be able to swing that, but you’ll have your check on Friday. Guaranteed.” He wouldn’t drop the check off in advance of making the deposit, though. Kyle had been known to get preoccupied—okay, absentminded, to be more accurate—and giving it to him early could risk premature cashing and bouncing of the check. “Thanks for the extension.”

“You’re welcome, buddy. Have a good rest of your week.”

Sawyer repocketed his cell phone and stared down the snowy street. Winter was still wreaking havoc with his bottom line, but by late spring he should see an uptick in demand for outdoor gear. Continuing to tighten the rein on everything but the most necessary expenses for the next six or seven months might allow him, by autumn, to get that personal loan paid off.

Was it a wise move, then, to employ Tori part-time right now? While she’d help out behind the scenes, by her own admission she didn’t know anything about hunting, fishing or camping. But with her hired to take care of his brothers, he needed to uphold his part of the bargain. Make sure it was monetarily worth her while to remain in Hunter Ridge.

He owed his dad and his dad’s wife that much. And the boys.

He’d come up with the money.

Somehow.

He started up the truck and headed in the direction of the Outpost. As Therese had mentioned, he hadn’t visited Cubby and Landon in a while. But he wasn’t sure how welcome he was. Like he’d told Tori, it was an awkward situation.

What he hadn’t shared, though, was that he couldn’t help fearing that Dad’s wife may have told her parents that Sawyer had promised her he’d take care of things while Dad was out of town. Feared they were silently watching, waiting for a confession that their daughter’s death was his fault. But they’d been on an Alaskan cruise the week of the fire and, gradually, he’d come to realize it was unlikely that Vanessa had contacted them about what at the time seemed a trivial matter. But that didn’t ease the guilt when he was around them.

Who’d ever heard of a hot water heater blowing up and catching a house on fire?

* * *

When she walked into church Friday night a week later, Tori couldn’t help but remember the first time she’d stepped through the doors with her friend Sunshine last autumn—Labor Day weekend. She marveled at how far she’d come since then.

Emotionally battered and bruised, still in shock at the unexpected turn of events with her fiancé, she’d been drawn in by the brown-brick edifice with its old-fashioned bell tower and stained glass windows. Now, greeting those around her and helping the twins into a pew near the front where they could best see the play, she felt right at home. Knowing, too, that she’d helped design and sew tonight’s costumes for the high school–aged actors gave her an even greater sense of belonging.

Amazingly she had an almost stranger, Sawyer Banks, to thank that she’d be able to remain in town after all.

“Why are you smiling, Tori?” Cubby stared up at her intently as she helped him out of his coat. “What’s funny?”

“Not funny,” she whispered, banishing the image of Sawyer that lingered in her mind. “I’m just happy.”

About things having nothing whatsoever to do with Sawyer, of course.

“I’m happy, too,” he whispered back.

“You are? Why is that?”

“Because I like church. Landon and I used to come here with our mommy and daddy when we were little. They’re in Heaven now.” His forehead creased as he gazed up at a stained glass window of Christ walking along a rocky road, a staff in one hand and a lamb cradled in His other arm. “Did you know my mommy and daddy?”

“No, I didn’t. I wish I had.”

He settled back into the pew. “I miss them.”

She patted his hand. “I know you do.”

“Hey, look!” Cubby’s twin cried out in a too-loud-for-church voice. But fortunately others were still finding seats and no one seemed to notice. “It’s Sawyer. See?”

Tori and Cubby both turned to look where Landon was pointing. Sure enough, Sawyer was standing inside the main door, visually searching the growing crowd and looking, if she weren’t mistaken, slightly desperate.

“I bet he’s trying to find us.” Landon scooted out of the pew and Tori made a grab for him, but he escaped by mere inches and headed up the middle aisle toward the rear of the sanctuary. At least she managed to detain Cubby, who’d also slid out of the wooden seat. He was attempting to squeeze past her knees, which she’d pressed against the pew in front of them.

“Stay here, Cubby.” But how could she retrieve Landon and keep his brother corralled at the same time?

“We gotta get Sawyer, Tori. With all these people, he can’t see us.”

She wasn’t convinced Sawyer was there to find the boys. He looked more like a man on a mission who wanted nothing more than to get in and back out as quickly as possible.

Then an unexpected apprehension stabbed. Had something happened to Therese and Ray and he was here to find her and his brothers? She’d offered to take the boys to the church play so the couple could gather with friends in Canyon Springs, a town about thirty minutes away. It would be, Therese had confided before they departed several hours ago, one of a few out-of-town evenings without the children that they’d managed since taking the boys into their lives full-time.

Queasiness roiled her stomach as she stood, hoping Sawyer would spot her. Unfortunately, Cubby used the opportunity to squirt past her and into the aisle. She caught his arm. “Hold on a minute.”

She glanced back at their coats and her purse on the pew. Surely no one here would bother them, would they? Then Cubby grasped her hand and tugged. “Okay, I’m coming.”

Like fish swimming upstream, they wove between the arriving playgoers, and up ahead she could see Landon in earnest discussion with his big brother and pointing toward the front of the church. Sawyer, on the other hand, was shaking his head and looking around him, apparently still in search of an elusive someone. Spying her and Cubby making their way toward him, he cast her a resigned smile.

Cubby’s hand slipped out of hers and he barreled himself toward Sawyer. Fortunately, his big brother saw him coming and caught him before he plowed right into him. Lifted the boy into his arms.

“We found you!” Cubby grinned in triumph.

“That you did, bud.”

Landon punched Cubby’s foot. “I found him first.”

“Yeah, you did,” Sawyer soothed, with a reassuring pat to Landon’s shoulder.

“He can sit with us now, can’t he, Tori?” Landon turned hope-filled eyes on her. “We have lots of room.”

“Of course he’s welcome to sit with us, but your brother may not be here to see the play.” Her heart still hammering an anxious beat, she gave him a pointed look, hoping he understood her unspoken words. Is everything okay?

“Tori’s right. I’m here long enough to drop off a check with someone who said he’d be here tonight.”

The tension eased. The Selbys were fine. But both boys stared at him, their disappointment evident.

“You’re not staying?” Cubby’s lower lip protruded, his expression darkening to thundercloud proportions, and she caught alarm flashing through Sawyer’s eyes. He no doubt recognized the makings of a public meltdown.

He gave the boy a hug, then set him down on his feet. “This is a little kid’s play, buddy. I’m a big kid.”

“Tori’s a big kid and she made the costumes, too.” Landon looked around the now-crowded space, noting mothers, fathers and grandparents in abundance. “There are lots of big kids. Don’t you want to sit with us?”

Sawyer glanced uncertainly at Cubby, whose lower lip was trembling. The overhead lights dimmed, then brightened again, signaling that audience members should be seated.

“Sawyer can’t stay tonight.” She reached for Landon’s hand, then stretched out her other one to Cubby. “Let’s find our seats. The play is going to start. It’ll be fun.”

But Cubby shook his head and turned away from her.

Standoff.

She sent a pleading look in Sawyer’s direction. Surely he could suffer through a single hour with his brothers, couldn’t he? Having spent but a week under the same roof with them, she hardly knew the boys, nor they her. She had no “street cred” with them. Hadn’t yet gained their respect or established her own authority beyond Ray’s warning, as he and Therese departed, to “do what Tori tells you to do.”

The lights abruptly dimmed and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness she looked anxiously toward the stage, where Pastor Garrett McCrae stepped out in front of the curtain to welcome everyone.

“I guess I could stay,” Sawyer whispered. “Sure won’t be able to find my friend now, even if he’s here.”

Landon squeezed her hand in excitement and, in the dim light, she felt Cubby searching for her other hand. Meltdown avoided. Thank You, Lord.

It took a bit of doing, but they found their pew near the front. Landon slipped in first, she followed, then Cubby and Sawyer. But they’d barely gotten situated when Cubby stood again and maneuvered his way to the other side of Sawyer. They all shifted in their limited space, leaving her sitting next to the rugged outdoorsman.

Like she’d be able to pay attention to the play with his rock-solid arm brushing against hers.

Chapter Four

Sawyer wasn’t quite sure how he’d gotten himself roped into this, but despite the twins’ manipulative tactics and the silently persuasive appeal by the woman now seated next to him, he had a sneaking feeling he was at fault. If he’d paid Kyle what was due him last week or had at least gotten out to his friend’s place before dark today, he wouldn’t have been lurking in the church doorway, where the boys could spy him.

He glanced at Tori from the corner of his eye, noting her attention was as rapt on the unfolding scenes before them as was that of his brothers. In his own defense, he had no idea she’d be taking the boys out tonight. Where were Therese and Ray anyway? Wasn’t it too soon to be leaving Cubby and Landon solely in the care of newly hired help? Sure, she was the help he’d recruited. But still...

Even though it lasted only an hour and he hadn’t minded in the least sitting by the sweet-smelling young woman next to him, he was restless by the time the youthful actors joined hands across the stage for the final applause. It hadn’t been a half-bad production. You know, if you were into that sort of thing. He’d been impressed, too, by the costumes Tori apparently had a hand in designing. Especially the shiny-scaled dragon that had the kids roaring each time he muffed well-known Bible verses. At first Sawyer had worried the actor had forgotten his lines, but as the play progressed that fear was put to rest.

“You are, aren’t you, Sawyer?” Landon tugged on his sleeve as they stepped into the wide aisle, but Sawyer’s eyes were scanning the packed sanctuary for his friend. It had been a long, trying day and he’d rather not have to attempt finding Kyle’s place on those unlit back roads.

“Are you?” Cubby echoed.

“What’s that?”

“Cookies.” Landon clarified. “Are you staying for cookies?”

“Cookies? No, afraid not.”

“But—”

“Boys.” Tori’s soft voice sounded firm as she drew their attention. “Your brother did as you asked and stayed for the play. But he can’t stay for cookies, too.”

“But we can, can’t we?” Cubby’s eyes searched hers.

“Yes. You each can have one cookie.”

“One?” Landon’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? Sawyer, can’t we have more than one?”

He glanced down at Landon, then met the look Tori leveled at him. “Uh, no. Only one.”

She smiled and his heart beat a jerky rhythm. He’d personally give up sweets altogether if she’d keep smiling at him like that. He again scanned the crowd. If he could find Kyle, he might give in and join the twins for postproduction refreshments. Ah, there he was.

Pulling the check from his wallet, he quickly made his way to his friend’s side and handed it over.

“Here you go, pal. Sorry again about the delay.”

“No problem.” Kyle’s expression clouded over. “Everything’s okay? I mean—”

“Cash flow. Scout’s honor.” He and Kyle had been friends since they were teenagers working at Hunter’s Hideaway for several summers. Then buddies in college. Neither had been Boy Scouts, but he’d get the drift.

Kyle nodded, satisfied, then cocked his head in the direction from which Sawyer had come. “Who’s the chick?”

“Chick?”

“The blonde you and the boys were sitting with. I’ve seen her here before. Seems to be a sweet gal, so I never associated her with the likes of you.” He elbowed Sawyer. “Getting back in the game, are you?”

“Don’t get any ideas.” Would no one who knew him in his college days ever believe he’d turned over a new leaf? “She’s a part-time nan—caregiver Therese and Ray Selby hired for my little brothers. Tonight’s her first solo evening event with them. Since I was here to see you, I stepped in to help keep the peace.”

Now might not be the best time to admit to hiring her to help at the Outpost.

Kyle tucked the check in his shirtfront pocket, then reached for his jacket. “Whatever you say.”

But when Sawyer turned back to where he’d left his brothers, they and Tori were gone. Probably off to get their one cookie.

Tori was tougher than she looked.

Much to his own surprise he found himself in the fellowship hall searching her out. The boys were in the refreshment line, Tori farther away, off to one side of those milling about.

“Not into cookies?” he said as he slipped in to stand next to her. “Not even one?”

She laughed. “You think I’m a meanie, don’t you?”

“I’m not the boss here. That’s what you were hired for.”

“Well, if you must know, Ray keeps a box of Girl Scout cookies on the kitchen counter and occasionally helps himself to one throughout the day.”

“And the boys discovered it and are regularly making off with more than a few themselves.”

“Bingo. I had to call them on it. Pointed out that those belong to their grandpa and they hadn’t been invited to partake.”

He nodded approval. “Even something as minor as that needs to be reined in for the boys’ own good. Not only putting a halt to absconding with Ray’s personal treats, but limiting the sugar consumption. This is the kind of thing I appreciate you being on top of.”

“You still understand, though, don’t you, that I’m not your spy in the Selby household?”

“You made that loud and clear.”

“I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding.”

“Not a chance.” But was she, by making a point of this again tonight, alluding to the fact that perhaps she’d seen things that concerned her? Things more serious than a potential sugar overload or “grand theft cookie”?

She glanced at her watch. “As soon as the boys finish their punch—and cookie—we’d better start for home. If Ray and Therese are back, they’ll wonder what happened to us.”

“They’re out for the evening?” How many other times that he wasn’t aware of had they left the kids with a babysitter and gone out on the town?

“There’s a visitation at the funeral home in Canyon Springs,” Tori continued, “then out to dinner with friends whose family member passed away.”

Okay, maybe that was legit.

As they waited for the boys, they chatted about nothing of particular importance—a welcome break in the winter weather, her settling into the apartment and no signs of a mouse.

“Ready to go?” Tori smiled as the boys approached, downing the last bites of what he didn’t quite trust had been a single cookie each. “Bundle up and we’ll head out. Full moon tonight, so it should be a pretty walk.”

Sawyer frowned. “You walked? On a bitterly cold night like this?” Hunter Ridge wasn’t that well lit either. Not once you got away from the business district along the main road through town.

She nodded almost guiltily. “I didn’t feel comfortable at night driving or trying to park the big SUV that Therese and Ray left for my use. It has car seats for the boys, but they look complicated and by the time I realized that, I knew I’d never figure out how to get them moved to my car in time for the play.”

He helped her into her coat. “Let me give you a lift home, then.”

Her expression brightened. “You have booster seats?”

“No, but—”

“Then we’ll walk.”

Stubborn little thing. Yeah, he knew the state laws, but it wasn’t that far of a drive and it wasn’t like he’d be hot-rodding. “Well, then, you won’t be walking alone. Come on, boys, get those coats and mittens on.”

She lightly touched his arm. “You don’t have to do this, Sawyer. We’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will be, but there’s no harm in keeping things on the safe side, is there?”

She gave what he took to be a resigned sigh. Too bad. As he held open an exit door to the fellowship hall for Tori and the boys, his friend Kyle caught his eye and gave him a thumbs-up.

Sawyer let the door slam shut behind him.

Outside, the kids scampered across the dimly lit parking lot, pausing only long enough to skim across frozen puddle patches as Tori attempted unsuccessfully to keep up, her warnings to slow down unheard by squealing four-and-a-half-year-olds.

He shook his head, then let out a piercing whistle that stopped all three in their tracks.

“Put the brakes on it, boys. Slow it down.”

Although the twins grumbled, they obeyed, waiting for Tori to catch up and for Sawyer to join them. Then the foursome headed off again, the boys leading the way.

“You’ll have to teach me how to whistle like that.” Tori’s tone held a note of admiration. “I think it may come in handy in this job.”

“Easier to buy you a whistle, I imagine.”

“Probably.”

As they left the parking lot, overhead light diminished considerably despite the rising round-faced moon, and Tori switched on a pocket flashlight.

“You’ve come prepared.”

“I gave ones to the boys, too, if they’d remember to pull them out.”

“What’s the fun of that when you can run blindly into the dark and fall into a snowbank?”

“True.”

They walked in silence for some distance, the voices of the boys, not far ahead, chattering about the nighttime adventure.

“So, how’s your first week on duty been?”

“Pretty good. Not a whole lot of time to myself right now—the boys seem to find their way to my apartment quite frequently.”

“I can see how that might be a problem.”

“I think once they get used to me being there, I’ll be less of a fascination.”

He doubted that, but he’d let her think what she wanted to. “If you can find the time next week, you should practice driving the Selbys’ bruiser of an SUV in the daylight. You may need it the next time a winter storm system moves through. Depending on where you have to go, that compact of yours might not be able to handle it.”

Her chin lifted as if she didn’t like to be told what to do.

“At any rate,” he continued, not giving her a chance to argue, “you need to tell the Selbys to invest in an extra set of booster seats that you can keep in your car. The boys are big enough that the backless kind should suffice now. Ray and Therese’s can probably be converted, too.”

They’d run out of sidewalk, had shifted to walk along the edge of the road, and Tori called out a reminder to go single file. At least the snow had melted enough that they didn’t have to walk in the roadway itself. The boys had pulled out their flashlights, too, sparring as though with lightsabers.

“Does it seem funny, Sawyer, to have brothers—half brothers—so much younger than you?”