Page 12 of Baby Nanny

To his surprise she rested a hand on his arm and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it will help once she sees the changes you’ve made.”

It was the second time they’d touched since their embrace in the playroom. Not that she seemed aware of that fact. He wound one of her curls around his finger and tugged. “The changesyou’remaking, don’t you mean?”

She stilled and her pulse fluttered at the base of her neck. Standing this close he could see the smooth, rich texture of her skin, the color a gorgeous creamy shade accentuated by her dark hair. The attraction he felt drew him, even as he fought to hold himself at a distance. He shouldn’t be experiencing these emotions. They weren’t part of the plan. And yet, they were undeniable. What the hell would happen once they eventually married?

Ifthey married, he hastened to correct himself. He had a long path to walk from here to the altar. Considering Annalise’s willful nature, it wouldn’t be an easyone.

As though underscoring that point, she eased free of his touch and focused her attention where it belonged… on Isabella. “I couldn’t have made any changes if you weren’t here to reassure your niece and lend support.” She shot him a warning look. “Nor will I be able to make any more if we’re not in agreement on how our relationship should progress from here.”

He had to give the woman credit. Subtle, yet direct. Too bad she hadn’t chosen to enter the business world. She’d have been a natural. “So, what’s next on the agenda?” he asked with a calm he didn’t come close to experiencing.

“Lunch , Ihope.” A swift smile flashed. “Dare I suggest something casual, either al fresco or in the kitchen?”

“We’ll eat on the patio. Sara’s not too keen on having her kitchen invaded,” he explained.

The choice proved a rousing success. The serene location had a beneficial effect on Isabella. After they arranged for a place setting for her doll, she ate without protest or tears, and afterward played beneath a nearby tree, rocking her “baby” while humming tuneless reassurances.

“It won’t last,” Annalise offered. She dipped a hand in a glass bowl containing a selection of olives and popped one in her mouth. “I just want to warn you so you don’t get your hopes up.”

“And here I’d assumed you’d waved your magical wand and fixed all our problems.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “Sorry. The fairy godmother association hasn’t issued me my official wand yet. Until they do, we’ll have to handle this the old-fashioned way.”

“Hard work and luck?” he guessed.

“Mmm. We were lucky today. Tomorrow…?” She shrugged. “Who knows . Ido have another suggestion, however.”

“Go on.”

“If there’s any way you can arrange it, we should institute step two as soon as possible. Can you take a couple weeks off sometime in the near future?”

“And go where?” A hint of cynicism crept into his voice. “The Caribbean? Hawaii? Europe?”

“Is that what you think I’m after ? Afree vacation?” Laughter brightened her eyes. “No way, ace. I’m talking low-key . Alittle bungalow on one of the islands around here. Someplace modest where the three of us are tripping all over each other so we’re forced to bond.”

“Dangerous, all that bonding.”

Color dotted her cheeks and he could see the reflection of those moments in the playroom mirrored in her eyes. “Focus, Mason. I’m talking about bonding with Isabella,” she stated tartly. “Once we’ve spent some quality time together, we can come back here. It would help if you could transition to workingpart-time and hang around here with your niece the rest of the day.”

“Hell, honey. If I do all that, what am I paying you for?”

Annalise didn’t take offense, though her chin jerked upward an inch in open challenge. “You’re paying me to help Isabella adjust to a brand-new life , alife she didn’t expect or want or ask for. You’re paying me to get CPS off your back, although you neglected to mention that small detail during our interview.”

“Sorry.” He scrubbed his hands across his face. “You’re right, of course. I’m not handling this well. Blame it on exhaustion.”

It took her a minute to work out the reason. “Isabella’s nightmares?”

He nodded. “It’s hard to get her settled afterward. I’m down to about five hours a night. She can sleep during the day to make up for it, but I can’t.”

“That explains a lot. Isn’t there someone who can cover for you at night? What about the woman you mentioned during the interview?” She fumbled for a name. “Mrs. Walters?”

“She’s here five to ten but refuses to live in. And I’ve had enough trouble finding someone for the day shift without running the risk of losing Walters . Ineed her for those occasions when I work late or have a meeting out of town. Besides, the nights I’m with Isabella…” His mouth compressed. “You’ve talked about my bonding with my niece. Well, the nights when I sit with her, comforting her while she drifts back off to sleep, those are the times we come closest to bonding.”

Annalise nodded in perfect understanding. “And you don’t want to give them up.”

“No.” His response caused a hint of relief to flicker across her face. His back teeth clenched. “My guardianship of Isabella isn’t just about duty, Ms. Stefano, despite what you clearly believe.”

A smile quivered at the corners of her mouth. “Do you realize that whenever you’re annoyed with me, you revert to formality?”

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