Page 11 of Touch My Shelves

“I’ll have… JuneBug moved to the garage,” I say with distaste as I pick up the suitcase and hold the door wide, allowing the two to walk inside. I start to take them to my office, but instead I choose the school room across from my office

“I can’t believe you live in a castle. This is really cool.” Poppy spins slowly, taking in the stone walls covered with tapestries and the mandatory suit of armor complete with sword and shield. Poppy stops in front of the dusty metal thing and stares.

Yes, I notice how the full skirt spins around, giving me a glimpse of her knees. I never considered a woman’s knees to be sexy, but hers are.

“It’s creepy, right?” Freeya beams with pride.

Poppy leans closer to look inside the eye holes. “Are you sure it’s empty?”

Freeya knocks on the stomach area and a hollow sound rings throughout the hallway. “See? Nothing inside,” she attests.

“Good to know,” Poppy remarks. “Do you ever dress him up?”

Freeya’s eyes widen with interest. “No, but we could.”

“It’s getting close to Halloween. We have lots of choices,” Poppy points out.

“A ghost,” Freeya suggests.

Poppy taps her bottom lip and my eyes go straight to the moist, plump pink area. “No, that’s too simple. Maybe we could research the period he’s from and dress him in an outfit from that time.”

“Could we do that?” Freeya squeals and claps her hands.

Poppy’s face brightens. “Well, I’m thinking we can figure something out.”

Freeya snaps her fingers. “That’s great! Can we start now? There’s some old trunks in the attic filled with clothes.”

I frown. There’s only one way she’d know that. I’ve cautioned her to stay away from the unrenovated areas of the castle. Why have the previous nannies not prevented her from wandering? This is why my daughter needs someone competent to keep her from getting herself into trouble. This woman screams incompetent for the job.

None of the previous nannies were capable of feeding Freeya’s unique temperament either. But Poppy? I’m not sure she’s a good fit. I bet she doesn’t even know CPR, and that’s one of the basics I require of applicants.

My lips flatten at the two heads bent over the bookshelf in the school room. One blonde and one purple, a striking contrast. Poppy wears her hair pulled back into a ponytail today. I would imagine it’s just below shoulder level when loose. Just long enough to…

“Can we, Daddy?”

I jerk my thoughts away from the direction they were going and focus back in on the two females staring at me. “I’m sorry, sweetie. What did you say?”

“Poppy said there’s another series likeHeebie-Jeebies. Can we order it?”

My gaze moves over to Poppy, who is biting her lower lip. She shrugs nonchalantly. “I did have it in my bookstore, but now I guess you’ll have to order it.”

She’s doing a poor job of masking the pain in her eyes.

It must be hard losing everything.

My back stiffens. That’s not my problem. “Sure. Just write down what you want and I’ll order it for you.”

The simple smile Poppy gives me does something to my resolve—and my cock—which only strengthens my argument against hiring her. I have a book that I’m struggling to finish and an impressionable little girl that acts older than her age. Hiring Poppy has disaster written all over it.

“Freeya, why don’t you go let Chef know we’re ready for lunch and then wash up. Poppy and I need to discuss things.”

We both watch as she leaves the school room and I listen for her footsteps growing fainter before I turn back to Poppy. We both start to speak at once.

“Listen…”

“I’m sorry…”

We both stop and Poppy lowers her lashes and grins. I smile back.

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