Page 1 of Cedarwood Manny

Chapter One

“You’re leaving me?” Adrien Ellet stared at his nanny, Kelsi, but doubted what he’d heard. She’d worked for him for the last two years. Because of her, he’d been able to focus on his dental practice and keep busy during his divorce from his ex-husband, Gerry. She’d been the parent to his son, Kyle, when he couldn’t and she’d done a great job. “Why? Do you need a raise?”Why are we discussing this at the dental office? Can’t it wait until we get home?

“I’m getting married and won’t have to work,” she said. “That’s the best raise and you can’t provide it. I’m so happy.” She clapped and her curls bounced. “Would you believe it? I’m marrying a dentist.”

He couldn’t stop his pat answer. “Well, you’ll always have—”

“—free dental care,” she said, finishing his sentence. She laughed. “You’re so predictable.” Her eyes shimmered. “I will have the best care and will be happy, so it’s all good.”

“I can tell.” He folded his arms. At least she’d waited until there weren’t any patients present to have this discussion. He had to piece through what she’d said and the consequences. She couldn’t be his nanny if she was married.Shit.“What about Kyle?” Did he sound angry? Complaining?

“I love Kyle, but I can’t spend my every waking moment with him and you,” she said. “First, it’s not like you’re going to marry me and make me his mother. Second, you’re not over Gerry, although you should be because he was a dick. And third, you’re not my type.”

“Because I’m old?” He had to rationalize why she’d decided to leave. Right now, it didn’t make sense. Yes, he understood she wanted to move on and marry, but why not tell him before now? “I’m gay, and that’s the problem?” He wasn’t attracted to her, but he could make things work for Kyle’s sake. She was too young for his tastes, and a woman, but the care of his son came first. “Kyle loves you. He’ll be destroyed when he finds out you’re going.”

“He loves you, too.”

“I guess.” Adrien massaged his forehead. He’d always had a hard time connecting with Kyle.Christ.The kid was four years old. No matter how hard Adrien tried not to, he treated Kyle as if he were older and expected more from him than the child could do. Why? Because Adrien had been raised the same way. He hadn’t been given a chance to be a kid. His mother had expected him to behave like an adult. He processed things like a child would—because hewasa child. That didn’t help Adrien’s feelings of cluelessness. Kelsi knew how to reach Kyle and explain things on his level. Kyle had flourished once she’d become his nanny. Now she was leaving.

“You’re an arrogant jerk,” Kelsi said. “Aren’t you going to ask who I’m marrying or congratulate me? No. You’re trying to figure out how to fix this and change it to go along with what you want.” She snorted. “You’re thinking you’re in a bind—not how this is good for me.”

“I—” She had him pegged. “You’re right.” He hated being so callous.

“I knew it. This is your problem. You are selfish. How does the situation affect you—not how will this affect Kyle.” She rolled her eyes. “I know you want to care, but you don’t know how, do you?”

She was right. Again. “I don’t think I’m that bad, but okay.” He wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. “Congratulations. I hope he’s everything you want and you’re truly happy.”

“I am. I can’t wait to be married.” She beamed. “But you’re not off the hook. You must step up with Kyle. He’s a little boy and you can reach him. You’re not a bad guy—you just need rewiring when it comes to parenting. Better yet, you need a man who can work with you to be that better dad, rather than being Gerry.”

She had a point. Gerry had dominated parenting and had kept Adrien out, until Gerry couldn’t handle being a dad. Like Adrien had an idea how to parent? He didn’t. But right now he’d focus on Kelsi rather than his present situation. “Who is the lucky guy?”

“Mike. He says we’re leaving for Vegas tomorrow.” She hopped up from her seat on the edge of his desk. “I’ve never been outside of Ohio, let alone to Vegas.”

Mike? Vegas?“Hold on.” He needed a moment. “Mike? As in Dr. Cline?” His office mate was the only Mike he knew who happened to be a dentist.

She nodded and rubbed her hands on her thighs. “He proposed last night.”

Shit.He’d thought he knew his office partner, but Mike hadn’t said a thing about dating. Hell, he hadn’t mentioned wanting to get married a second time, either. But knowing what Adrien did now explained why Kelsi had seemed to hang around the office so much more. “So…tomorrow you’re flying to Vegas.”Doesn’t Mike have patients tomorrow?

“It’s last minute, yes.” She paced the length of his office. “We’re leaving after his last appointment. When I go to his house tonight, we’re packing so we can grab and go.”

“I see.” At least Mike was being responsible. “Are you going to tell Kyle goodbye? Or just disappear?”

“Disappearing would be cruel,” she said. “I’m going to tell him tonight, but he knew I was seeing Mike.” She paused. “Kyle will be fine. He’s young and I’m not leaving his life altogether. You’ll get a new nanny and step in as more of a hands-on parent…and he’ll be fine.”

“He loves you. He’ll be crushed.” Age had nothing to do with the problem. His son was attached to Kelsi.

“He can love someone else, too.” She tipped her head. “Maybe you could find someone, too. Maybe you’ll see you’re a good father who just needs a nudge in the right direction. If you stop being afraid of parenting and dating and life…you’ll be okay. I know it.”

“I’m not scared.” Not of the things she’d mentioned. Was he?

“You are, too. Ever since Gerry left, you freak.”

“I don’t.”

“You won’t date.”

“I’m busy.”

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