Page 3 of The Sweet Chef and the Corporate Queen

"We're working through some childcare adjustments. Our nanny had a family emergency."

"I see." Evelyn nods thoughtfully. "Well, my son Declan is preparing a special lunch for your team. I'm sure he wouldn't mind having a helper in the kitchen this morning, if Mia would enjoy that?"

Before I can politely decline this suggestion from a complete stranger, Mia gasps with excitement.

"A real kitchen? With chefs and everything?"

"With one very patient head chef," Evelyn clarifies with a smile.

"Absolutely not," I say firmly. "I couldn't impose on your staff that way. Besides, Mia doesn't know your son."

"But Mommy, I want to see the kitchen!" Mia's lower lip begins to wobble dangerously.

Before either of us can respond, a tall man in chef whites appears at the edge of the terrace. His dark hair is slightlytousled, and there's a smudge of what looks like flour on his cheek.

"Mom, there you are. I need your opinion on the—" He stops, noticing our small group. His eyes, a warm hazel, land briefly on me before shifting to Mia. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt."

"Perfect timing," Evelyn says. "Declan, this is Jules Sinclair, head of the executive retreat, and her daughter Mia. Ms. Sinclair's childcare arrangements fell through this morning."

"Hi," Mia says, suddenly shy but clearly intrigued by his chef's coat.

Declan crouches down to Mia's level, his smile easy and genuine. "Hey there. I'm Declan. I was about to start prepping some chocolate chip cookies for your mom's lunch meeting. I could really use an expert taste-tester."

Mia's eyes widen. "I'm an expert at cookies."

"I'm sure you are." Declan stands, looking at me with an understanding that catches me off guard. "I heard about your strategy session in the Pine Room. Starts in about fifteen minutes, right?"

I nod, surprised he's aware of our schedule.

"Mia could hang out in the kitchen with me," he offers casually. "It's just prep work for lunch, nothing dangerous. And the staff lounge has some books and games if she gets bored."

I hesitate, torn between desperate need and parental caution. "I couldn't impose..."

"It's no imposition," Declan says. "Besides, everyone knows cookies taste better when they're made with kid supervision."

"Please, Mommy?" Mia tugs at my hand. "I'll be super good."

I check my watch again. Twelve minutes until my presentation. Panic flutters in my chest.

"I don't know you," I say bluntly to Declan.

He doesn't seem offended. "Fair enough. How about this? The kitchen has a view of the dining area. Mia stays where I cansee her, you can check in whenever you want, and staff members come through constantly." He gestures toward the lodge. "You can even see the layout before you decide."

I'm running out of options and time. "Let me see the kitchen first."

As we walk toward the lodge, I study Declan from the corner of my eye. He moves with the easy confidence of someone comfortable in their own skin, chatting with Mia about her favorite cookies as if they're old friends.

This is just a temporary setback, I remind myself. By tomorrow, we'll have a new nanny, and everything will be back on schedule.

Chapter Two

Declan

The woman following my mother into the kitchen looks like she walked straight out of a corporate magazine cover. Crisp linen blouse, tailored pants, not a single strand of her dark hair out of place in its sleek bun. Everything about her screams "I'm in charge and I know it."

The little girl holding her hand is a different story entirely. Curly hair escaping from a messy ponytail, bright eyes darting everywhere, and the unmistakable energy of a kid who'd rather be doing literally anything else than following her mom around a business retreat.

"This is the main kitchen," I explain, gesturing to my domain with a touch of pride. "That's the prep area, cold storage is through there, and the staff lounge is just around that corner."

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