Page 11 of Cedarwood Manny

The tips of his ears burned and he bowed his head. “Thanks.”

“Anyway, when Doc comes home tonight, we’re leaving for the airport. Don’t worry about the interview. I know you’ll be fabulous and will be a family by Christmas.”

“We’ll be a family right away. That’s how being a manny works,” he said.

“Sure,” she said, drawing out the word. “You’ll be more than that.” Before he could argue with her, she continued. “I know you’ll crush this interview. Later.”

“Bye.” He hung up and tossed his phone onto the dresser.Well, shit.She’d set him up. He trusted Kelsi. If she thought he’d be good for the Ellet job, then he’d go along with her judgment, but he’d give her hell later.

He checked the clock beside his bed. He should finish getting ready so he could be at the training center on time. Too many thoughts raced through his mind. The connection with Adrien was real, but he didn’t want the dentist to think he’d pulled a fast one. He wanted to be taken on his own merits. He ran a brush through his hair, then glanced at his reflection in the mirror. When he’d arrived in Cedarwood, he’d sworn he’d found his future. With the Ellets? He sure hoped so.

He stuck out his hand and imagined Adrien being there instead of his reflection. “Hello, Dr. Ellet. I’m Nathan Gordon and I want to be your manny.”

* * * *

Nathan groaned and drove across town for the second time in an hour. “Damn change of plans,” he grumbled. He pulled into a parking lot and stopped. He tapped his phone to dial Kelsi.

“Hi,” she said. “I take it you got the memo to change the venue?”

“Yeah. What gives?”

She didn’t say anything right away. “There’s a time crunch. Because I’m leaving today and Dr. Ellet can’t find a babysitter for his hours at the office, he wanted to get the next nanny right in. He knows you’re the one being interviewed because he has your info, just like you have his. If possible, he’ll want you to start today.”

“You couldn’t have mentioned this possibility this morning?”She has to know things would move quickly.She was the one pushing the situation ahead!

“I just found out,” she said. “Dr. Ellet has been pacing the length of the room for the last hour. He’s frantic because he thinks he’s letting his patients down. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he won’t listen.”

“So he’s keyed up.”Great.“He knows we’ve met, doesn’t he?”Fuck.

“Hon,” she whispered. “Slow down. This is going faster because of my situation, but also because of yours. He knows you. He feels confident that you’ll be the piece they need to make this all work. If he didn’t feel right about you, he wouldn’t have pushed. Promise.”

He wanted to believe her. What he thought didn’t matter. He had to regroup and adjust his attitude. If he wanted the job, he had to show he could do it. “Then I’m ready.” He put the phone on the console and switched to the speaker setting. He left the parking lot. “I’m on my way.”

“This makes me happy and, trust me, will make your day. You’re going to love it here,” she said. “See you in a few.”

“See you.” He tapped the button to end the call.She’ll be here? Good.He squared his shoulders and headed to the Ellet household. In fifteen minutes’ time, he reached Blanche Drive. His heart hammered. The memory of Adrien’s smile and the glint in his eyes buoyed Nathan’s spirit. He sucked in a ragged breath, then parked in the driveway. If he hadn’t known better, he wouldn’t have thought a doctor lived in this house. He’d expected a mansion—or at least a fancier home, not the quiet Victorian that looked like the rest of the homes on the street.

He forced himself to the front door and fought back the wave of fear.Why be afraid?He didn’t have time to worry about the what-ifs. He spied Kelsi’s car. At least she’d been telling the truth about being there and backing him up. He knocked on the door and held his breath.

Within seconds, the door opened and Kelsi smiled from inside the house. She held on to the handle. “Hello, Mr. Gordon.” She stepped aside. “Dr. Ellet, your company has arrived.” She turned her attention back to Nathan. “Please come in.”

“Thank you.” He almost teased her about the formality, but if that was what the dentist wanted, then he’d go along with it. He followed her into the foyer, then the living room. The home seemed cozy—more than he’d expected. The furniture appeared neat but lived-in and toys were scattered on the floor. Photos of Kyle and Kyle with Adrien adorned the walls.None of the images seem to have the ex-husband in them. Good.If there was a possibility that he and Adrien might have a relationship, he didn’t want visual reminders of Adrien’s ex all over the place.

He spotted Adrien and his heartbeat quickened. He’d have to get used to referring to the dentist as Dr. Ellet, rather than Adrien.Well, shit.Kyle was sitting on the floor and flipping through a picture book. Kelsi nudged Nathan.

“Dr. Ellet, this is Mr. Gordon. Kyle, I’d like you to meet Nathan.” She knelt next to the boy. “Remember how I said you were getting a new nanny? Well, you’re so special, you’re getting a manny.” She nodded. “Yeah, you graduated from a nanny to manny, and Nathan is yours. None of your friends will have a manny. See?”

Kyle’s eyes sparkled as he waved at Nathan. “Hi.”

“Hello, there.” Nathan matched Kyle’s grin. “I can’t wait to meet you.” He paused, waiting for Adrien to speak. Instead, he was met with silence. Seeing Kyle and Adrien in the room together proved Kelsi right—Adrien behaved as if he and Kyle weren’t part of the same family. No interaction. They looked similar, but had no bond, and that broke Nathan’s heart. His own relationship with his father was strained, but he had one. He held on to his messenger bag with one hand and offered the other hand to Adrien. “Dr. Ellet, I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Again?” Adrien stared at him.

“Yes, again.” At least he knew Adrien remembered him.

“Kelsi, will you and Kyle give me a moment?” Adrien asked. “I need to interview Mr. Gordon.”

“Yes, sir.” She ushered Kyle from the room.

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