Page 17 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

“You hired a nanny yesterday to start today?”

“I hired a nanny yesterday morning who started yesterday afternoon so I could make sure Janus Greigg’s sick ass stayed in jail where it belonged.”

“Isn’t Fletcher handling that hearing?”

“That was the plan, except the Handleman plea negotiations went longer than he anticipated. Since none of us wants the case to go to trial, and because Greigg obtained a short bail hearing date, Fletcher called me. I’m glad he did. The judge denied Greigg’s bail. Since you were in court all day with Dalwart, someone needed to be here to put out a few fires.

“Look, Zach, I appreciate you gave me time off. I’m back now.” She rushed to reassure him. “My head is in the game.”

“Must be quite some nanny.” Brown eyes shone with amusement.

“He’s a good guy who comes highly recommended.” Thank God the references had panned out.

“You hired a guy?”

His expression was comical.

“Not to say men can’t be nannies or, you know, house husbands…” His voice trailed off as he continued to backpedal.

“Relax, Zach. He has a daughter the same age as Calleigh. Mira and Calleigh go to the same preschool.”

“Mira…?”

Something in his tone made the hairs on the back of her neck come to attention.

“Mira Stevens. Her father is Russell. Rusty Stevens.” She didn’t miss the micro-expression that crossed Zach’s face. Her boss had very few tells. Issues affecting children were the only things to cause cracks in his implacable façade.

“Zach, what’s wrong?” She rose, placing a hand to her abdomen. Something was not right.

He shrugged but his shoulders were tight. “It’s not my place to tell you. You didn’t handle the case, so you wouldn’t know.”

“Rusty did something?”

“His wife did something.”

“His wife.” What the hell…? She could’ve kicked herself because she hadn’t bothered to ask about Mrs. Stevens. About Mira’s mother. Rusty’d known the job was live-in, and although Mira was coming with him, there’d been no mention of anyone else.

Her gut churned “What’re you not telling me?”

“Ask Rusty. You should hear it from him.”

“I’m asking you.” Not waiting for a response, she grabbed her briefcase and started shoving papers inside. “I have to go.”

He held up his hand to halt her hasty departure. “Get a grip.”

His tone was harsh and she halted.

“Rusty Stevens is a good man—of that I have no doubt. You need to calm down before you drive home like a maniac. The only reason I’m telling you to ask him is that it’s his story to tell. His past. I’m sure I don’t know everything, and you know how I dislike not having all the facts. Take a deep breath. Drive carefully.” He pointed to the pile of files on her desk. “And don’t you dare take work home. If you’re ready to come back on Monday, then so be it. But I meant what I said. Despite how heavily I rely on you, I can still cope. Remember to let yourself grieve.”

She wanted to snap back she didn’t have time to grieve, but she held her tongue. Something in his deep-brown eyes spoke to her—as if he could relate to what she was going through. Then the sadness fled, replaced by gruff compassion that made her equally uncomfortable.

“Thank you for your support.” She glanced around her office, cringing at the pile of files. “Unless there’s some reason to fire my new nanny, I’ll be here on Monday.”

As she headed to the parking garage, she couldn’t shake the unease. Her boss was a very private man who never engaged in gossip. If he believed she needed to talk to Rusty, there had to be a good reason.

Six o’clock and come and gone by the time she knocked on Rusty’s door. She’d calmed down during the drive over. If Zach said Rusty was a good man, then it should reassure her.

A smiling man with an open demeanor greeted her. He led her through the family room, where Calleigh and Mira were on the floor, stacking blocks.

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