Page 19 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

Then, reality sinks back in. I’m in Mr. Wolfe’s office and we were talking about how he doesn’t trust me, how he hates women crying to get their way and how he thinks I’m after something.

And, he just saw me as I am.

I’m about to lose my job. I’m about to lose these kids.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, letting go of him.

“What the hell was that?” he asks but not angrily.

“I have panic attacks. I’m sorry.” I press my hands over my face. I’m so tired now, utterly exhausted, depressed and hopeless.

He’s confused, not sure what to say, but I’m pretty sure my breakdown was the nail in the coffin. Who would want a basket case like me in charge of their children? The stress of knowing he was coming home and his reaction may have triggered it but it’s not like I’ve got this completely under control.

It’s an effort to stand but I do. I move past him with my head down. “If you’re firing me, I get it but please tell Ryder and Jill that I have loved being their nanny.”

After everything they’ve lost, I couldn’t bear it if those kids thought I didn’t want to be with them. I promised Jill I’d keep her company with Lady Ducks gone. Ryder let me hug him tonight. The tears are going to start falling again. This time I don’t panic. I run.

I’ve made it out of his office and am halfway up the stairs when I hear his footsteps following me. He’s quicker than me and has longer legs. He overtakes me on the landing, a wall of solid chest and man. I tip my head back to meet his gaze, wishing he wouldn’t see me cry again.

Gingerly, he places his hands on my shoulders. His voice is gruff but softer than earlier. “Go to bed. Enjoy the weekend. Monday, I expect you’ll get the children up and ready for school like usual.”

I lick my dry lips, surprised. Did he really just say that?

“Why did you leave in such a hurry that night?” he asks me next, eyes so intense and full of… something.

“You called someone else baby over the phone. I thought you had someone special at home and you’d cheated.” I lower my gaze, flushing.

“I do have someone special at home, two someones who are very special to me. And, I would never cheat.” He releases my shoulders and strides past me towards his bedroom. “Good night, Ms. Quinn,” he says without looking back.

Only after his door is closed do I manage a reply. “Goodnight, Mr. Wolfe.”

9-Theo

Igot up early to work out in the home gym after I slept like shit last night. It was my first night back home but Imayhave deserved to sleep like shit.

I’m still not sure what to make of this coincidence, if it really is a coincidence, or Quinn’s issues. I don’t think she was faking that. Her terror was too palpable. But, I’ve also got two kids and their well-being to think of. And, trust tends to get you burned.

Maybe I should talk to Mom tonight. I’ll leave parts of the narrative out. There’s simply things one’s mother doesn’t need to know.

This morning, I’m taking the children to the local pancake place for breakfast and then the zoo. Quinn comes downstairs carrying an overnight bag and dressed in jeans and sneakers while I’m waiting for them. She’s as beautiful as ever but her eyes are noticeably red and puffy from crying last night.

Another surge of guilt hits me, tempered by other memories.It’s a hell of a coincidence. Don’t let your guard down completely. Remember what Tom did. And, what Nadine tried to pull.

“Good morning,” she says, cautiously.

“Good morning. Going somewhere?” I ask, indicating her bag.

“My sister’s for the night.”

“You’re close to your sister, are you?”

“Yes, Isa’s my best friend.”

I nod. “I feel that way about my brothers. I was with one of them that night.”

She blushes at the reminder of a night I can’t forget, a night I won’t be able to ever forget if she’s going to be living in my house.

An awkward silence descends. Are Quinn and Isa going out tonight? A ripple of jealousy pulses through me unexpectedly. Damn, what’s with that?

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