Page 33 of The Unconventional Nanny
I let out a loud exhale. "I know I did, but that was before your sister showed up on my steps looking to rent out my in-law suite. It was before I hired her to nanny for me, and it was certainly before things started to get serious between us. She's talked to me about you. She's worried because you've gone missing, and here I am feeling guilty because I have knowledge that would alleviate her fears."
Annie bites on the corner of her lip but stays quiet for a few moments. "She told you that?"
"Yes. After having dinner with your brother. They’re worried about you, and I had to pretend I didn't know you were in the same town as them. Hell, I had to pretend I have no idea who you are. When I signed that agreement, I never thought I would be in this position."
I can tell Annie’s taking the time to actually think about what I said. I doubt she expected me to be put in this position. Orthat her family would worry so much. She might be a grown-ass adult, but even adults can be easily missed.
"Give me a few weeks." I start to protest, but she stops me with a raised hand. "Give me time to get a few affairs in order and then you can tell her. I know it's not ideal, but I'm willing to forgo the NDA if you can do this for me."
No, it isn't ideal. But it's better than nothing. "A few weeks on one condition. If she finds out somehow, I won't lie to her."
This time Annie’s the one to let out a loud puff of air. "That's fair. And to be honest, now that I know Owen is looking for me, I'm not even sure I'll get my few weeks. He can be relentless when it comes to our family."
"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet."
"Oh, you will." Annie lets out a humorless laugh. "If you and Gracie are getting serious, he’ll demand it."
I have no doubt that's true.
"So, I'm not fired?" I was so sure that would be the case, I have to ask. Just to make sure I didn’t miss that hidden message in any of her words.
"After the ideas you sent me? Not a chance."
I smile with pride. It's always a good feeling when a client approves the design based on the ideas they gave. Since Annie didn't give me much to go on, I had to work with what little I knew about her.
"Speaking of. Now that you plan to make your presence known sooner than anticipated, would you like to move forward with the outdoor seating?"
Her face lights up. "Oh my God, yes! That would be amazing. I was trying to figure out how I could make that work, but was coming up empty. Now that I can have it, would you be willing to sell the plot next door for it?"
"I think we can work something out."
Annie claps her hands with excitement and I can honestly say I share in her happiness at being back on track with things.
I take the blueprints and spread them out over one of the makeshift workbenches my crew has set up. I don't even have to say anything before Annie joins me and we start to go over the plans in more detail.
An hour and a few minor changes later, I'm walking back out the door feeling much better than I did when I arrived. I might not be able to tell Gracie about her sister today, but I will soon enough. In the meantime, I have other parts of my life I can share with her. And today seems like a good day to do just that.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send off a quick text letting her know I'll be picking her and Everly up soon.
Excitement fills me as the gravity of what’s about to happen hits me. I never thought I would want to share personal parts of my life with someone after my wife died, but Gracie makes me want to do anything and everything. And I haven’t felt this happy in a very long time.
Chapter Sixteen
GRACIE
Everly and I wait outside in the front yard for Ang to pick us up. I'm curious as to what can be so important that he wants to go somewhere immediately.
"What do you think Daddy has up his sleeve?" I ask the three-year-old who seems more interested in picking the grass than responding to my question.
That's par for the course in our relationship. Everly usually only answers me when it's to tell me no. I have yet to fully break through the communication barrier with her, but I will. I'm determined at this point.
Thankfully I'm not forced to keep up a one-sided conversation for long. Ang's SUV turns the corner and I tell Everly, "Look, Daddy's coming."
Of course that gets her attention. She hops up, but I'm ready to catch her before she can dart into the driveway. I mentally pat myself on the back for my fast reflexes, and for knowing what the little girl was going to do before she did it.
"We have to wait until he stops the vehicle before we run over," I remind her.
She waits all of two seconds after the vehicle is in park to wiggle out of my arms.
