Teresa Southwick - Marrying the Virgin Nanny / The Nanny and Me - Marrying the Virgin Nanny / The Nanny and Me

“Gus?”

“The man in charge,” Sister explained. “He said the job will take several days. Demolition—that’s taking off the old roof—will be the most time-consuming part. Because of the weather they’ll put plastic over it. But I’m thinking we might want to move the children in those upstairs rooms just to be safe.”

“Okay. I’m here to help however you need me,” Maggie assured her.

Sister draped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re a blessing from God.”

That was something Sister had said as far back as Maggie could remember, but now it felt different. She was glad that she’d been in the right place at the right time to make God’s plan happen for this very special home. But she knew, as surely as she knew the thermometer would hit triple digits in July, that if Sister was aware of the facts behind this donation, she would not consider it a blessing. And that’s why she could never find out.

Maggie would do anything to keep the smile on this woman’s face. Including a lie of omission.

“We also have to keep the children inside and away from the workmen for their own safety.”

“I understand.”

“Sister Mary and another volunteer took a group of older kids to the movies. We received some free passes and the timing couldn’t have been better. The little ones will be easier to look after inside.”

“Okay.” Maggie linked her arm through Sister’s as they walked toward the house. “We’ll keep them busy.”

“You can read aloud from the newspaper,” Sister teased.

“I promise you they’ll love it,” Maggie said.

“I’m sure they will. Sweetie, you could read the phone book and have them eating out of your hand. You’ve always had a way with the little ones.” On the covered porch Sister Margaret stopped and took in the sight of the workmen. “It’s so important to give them a positive start in life.”

“I absolutely agree.” Wasn’t she doing that with Brady? She was grateful for the chance to give him all the tender, loving care he needed for a positive start in his little life.

“I want to do more, Maggie.” Sister looked down at her. “This donation is so extraordinarily generous. With Mr. Garrett’s help it will go further than just the repairs. There will be money left over for unexpected expenses. Or maybe a scholarship for someone who might not otherwise be able to go to college.”

“That’s wonderful, Sister.” She’d struggled with money while getting her education. It would be fantastic to ease the way for an exceptional student with limited resources.

“It’s a gift that will keep on giving.”

Maggie looked at the woman beside her, the genuine happiness she felt at being given the means to smooth the way for others. Maybe even more good would come out of the deal she’d made. She’d always felt that she got a miracle the night the sisters found her on this very porch and took her in. Through The Nanny Network, God had put her in the right place, in Jason Garrett’s path, so that she could pay her miracle forward.

She hoped so because personally this deal had landed her right in purgatory. It was a state of temporary misery where a soul could make up for past sins and earn a pass to heaven. She’d been taught that it was a condition where one could see what they were missing out on but not participate.

By that definition, she was definitely in purgatory. She had a front-row seat of what a family of her own could look like, a clear view of what she’d always wanted. But it wasn’t actually hers.

She’d had a wedding, but no wedding night. And the more time she spent with Jason, the more her body felt the emptiness, the more she yearned to be his wife in every sense of the word.

He was a good man, a man she respected more every day. For the sake of the child he loved more than anything, he’d married a woman he could never love. Somehow she’d have to make peace with what she’d done.

She’d have to find a way to live with seeing what she wanted every single day, all the while knowing she couldn’t ever really have it.

Practically from the first moment Maggie had walked into his life Jason was aware of her in all the wrong ways. Tonight was no exception, unless you counted him wanting her more. That probably had something to do with feeling her absence. Not because flying solo with his son was an inconvenience. Just the opposite. He cleared his schedule without hesitation to make time for Brady. The more time he spent with him, the more confident he felt. But the penthouse had seemed so empty while she’d been gone doing her duty at the home.

That’s the thing. He couldn’t find a shred of a clue that she considered what she did a duty. Instead she only talked about what she got out of helping and felt selfish for getting anything at all. That purity of spirit was a big part of why he couldn’t get her off his mind. He’d never known a woman like her.

With an almost soundly sleeping Brady pressed to his chest, Jason walked the floor in the living room as he looked at the bright lights of Las Vegas below him. Maggie had returned this afternoon. Normally she was perky and chatty and full of stories about the children and activities at Good Shepherd. Today she seemed troubled.

And how long had it been since he’d actually been aware of a woman’s mood?

“Never.” When Brady squirmed in his arms, Jason gently patted his back and made the shushing noise Maggie had taught him. “Sorry, pal,” he said softly.

He continued to move until the baby completely relaxed, a sign that he was sound asleep. After walking down the hall into the nursery, he settled Brady on his back and gently brushed the dark hair from his forehead as tiny lips pursed and sucked in sleep.

A tenderness unlike any emotion he’d ever known welled up inside Jason as he pulled the blanket up to his child’s waist. He wouldn’t stay covered long because he was really moving around a lot, getting bigger every day. Maggie had informed him that soon Brady would be rolling from his back to his stomach. Amazing how much had changed since Maggie had come into their lives.

Including the fact that she was his wife, Jason thought.

His body went tight with need. Wasn’t life ironic? He’d never been without a woman when he was a single man. Now that he had a baby and a wife, regular sex was a distant memory.

After sliding the baby monitor in the back pocket of his jeans, he walked out of the nursery. In the hallway, he heard sounds of the treadmill coming from his home gym. He’d bought an elliptical trainer, free weights and treadmill for the convenience of a home workout and not taking time away from his son. In the evening, while he and Brady hung out, it had become her habit to use the equipment.

Work waited in his study but he was too restless and distracted for spreadsheets and reports. Knowing it was probably a stupid move, he headed in the other direction.

The door was open and Maggie was walking briskly on the treadmill, her back to him. She was wearing a tank top and knit pants, both of which clung to the curves he’d been dreaming about, shifting his body into high gear. Instantly he had a mental picture of those shapely legs wrapped around his waist while he was buried deep inside her.

She was the one exerting herself, but sweat popped out on his forehead. He’d swear he hadn’t made a sound, but only moments after he’d stopped in the doorway she looked over her shoulder and surprise registered in her expression.

“Jason?” She placed her feet on either side of the moving tread, then slid the speed lever to off so the machine slowed and finally stopped. “Is Brady all right?”

“Fine. He’s asleep.”

She grabbed the small towel draped over the handrail and wiped the moisture from her face.