Margaret Daley - The Nanny's New Family

Second Chance Family

Annie Knight has her work cut out for her as the McGregor family’s newest nanny. Dr. Ian McGregor means well, but the distracted single dad’s lost touch with his four kids. The new nanny brings much-needed calm to the chaos, including finding a service dog that could be a real lifesaver. And soon the good doctor’s making Annie’s heart respond in ways it hasn’t for years. But Annie’s cheery demeanor hides a heart-wrenching secret that’s as much a part of her as her carefully hidden scars. Annie doesn’t think she deserves happiness—but Ian and his kids will show the caretaker that with the love of family, everything’s possible.

“See you at home,” Annie said.

Ian caught her arm before she reached the SUV. She glanced back at him. The look of appreciation in his eyes jammed her throat. She felt special in that moment, more special than she had in a long time.

“Annie, I don’t even know how to begin thanking you for your help.”

She covered his hand with hers, the physical connection making everything fade from her consciousness except the man near her. She smiled. “You just did.” She continued her trek around to the car’s driver’s side, missing his touch.

That was too dangerous for her to get used to.

She’d let down her defenses in college and had risked her heart once before with David and ended up brokenhearted. She couldn’t go through that again.

As she started the car, she realized that when she’d said, “See you at home,” she’d felt as though his house was her home. More than she had at any place she’d been a nanny…

MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com.

The Nanny’s

New Family

Margaret Daley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

—Matthew 6:14

To all people who work with service dogs

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Second Chance Family Annie Knight has her work cut out for her as the McGregor family’s newest nanny. Dr. Ian McGregor means well, but the distracted single dad’s lost touch with his four kids. The new nanny brings much-needed calm to the chaos, including finding a service dog that could be a real lifesaver. And soon the good doctor’s making Annie’s heart respond in ways it hasn’t for years. But Annie’s cheery demeanor hides a heart-wrenching secret that’s as much a part of her as her carefully hidden scars. Annie doesn’t think she deserves happiness—but Ian and his kids will show the caretaker that with the love of family, everything’s possible.

Introduction “See you at home,” Annie said. Ian caught her arm before she reached the SUV. She glanced back at him. The look of appreciation in his eyes jammed her throat. She felt special in that moment, more special than she had in a long time. “Annie, I don’t even know how to begin thanking you for your help.” She covered his hand with hers, the physical connection making everything fade from her consciousness except the man near her. She smiled. “You just did.” She continued her trek around to the car’s driver’s side, missing his touch. That was too dangerous for her to get used to. She’d let down her defenses in college and had risked her heart once before with David and ended up brokenhearted. She couldn’t go through that again. As she started the car, she realized that when she’d said, “See you at home,” she’d felt as though his house was her home. More than she had at any place she’d been a nanny…

About the Author MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com .

Title Page The Nanny’s New Family Margaret Daley www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. —Matthew 6:14

Dedication To all people who work with service dogs

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Dr. Ian McGregor sank into a chair at his kitchen table, exhausted after wrestling with Joshua to take a much-needed nap. With his elbows on the oak surface still cluttered with the lunch dishes, Ian closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands, massaging his fingertips into his pounding temples. How did Aunt Louise handle Joshua when his youngest was dead tired yet fighting to stay awake?

With a lot of practice, no doubt. Something he lacked. Ian glanced at the clock on the wall and shot to his feet. The next candidate for nanny, one who had come highly recommended, would be here in ten minutes. He had high hopes she would work out because no one else had since Aunt Louise had passed away six months ago. Ian missed his aunt’s bright, cheerful smile and all the love she’d had for his family.

Locking away his sorrow, Ian looked at the chaos around him and noted he now had nine minutes. He snatched up all the dirty dishes and crammed them into the dishwasher, leftover food and all. Then after wiping down the counters, he stuffed all of his four-year-old son’s toys and the clothes he’d dragged out into the utility room off the kitchen and slammed the door closed.

Two minutes to spare. He wanted to be outside before Annie Knight rang the doorbell. He didn’t want Joshua scaring her away if he woke up from his nap, especially without the rest he needed.

Lord, please let this one work out. On paper she looks great. We need her.

He’d turned to God so many times in the two years since his wife had passed away. There had to be an answer to his most recent problem somewhere.

As Ian made his way toward the foyer, the doorbell chimes pealed through the house. He sighed, realizing that he should have foreseen, after the day he’d had so far, that Annie Knight would arrive early. He rushed across the foyer and swung the door open before she rang it again.

The woman greeted Ian with a bright, wide smile, and he looked at it for a few seconds before he lifted his eyes to take in the rest of her... His mouth began to drop open. He quickly snapped it closed and stared at the young lady, probably no more than eighteen, standing on his porch. She couldn’t be Annie Knight. That nanny had worked for six years, the past three years for a doctor he knew. She had graduated from college with a double major in psychology and child development.

Ian craned his neck, peering around the woman with thick shoulder-length blond hair and the biggest brown eyes he’d ever seen. Maybe she’d come with Annie Knight. But no one else was there. “Yes, may I help you?”

“Are you Dr. Ian McGregor?”

He nodded, surprised by her deep voice.

“I’m Annie Knight. Am I too early for the interview?”

“No, right on time,” Ian finally answered as he frantically thought back to reading her résumé. She’d graduated from high school ten years ago, which should make her around twenty-eight, twenty-nine. “Come in.” He stepped to the side to allow her to enter his house.