Elizabeth August - Truly, Madly, Deeply

Wanda had then smiled brightly. “However, I do have a position open that I think you can handle quite well. The pay is excellent, and room and board are provided.”

There was something about Wanda’s smile that had sent a chill of warning down Minerva’s spine. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t as rosy as you’re trying to make it sound?”

“So, maybe it’s not a piece of cake. But it’s something to do until I can find you something else. And I can probably get you a little more money.”

Minerva continued to eye her suspiciously. “How many people have you tried to place in this job?”

“Five.” A coaxing quality entered Wanda’s voice. “I’ll admit it’s not an easy assignment but you can think of it as a challenge. If you survive it, you can survive anything.” Her tone became more practical. “Besides, it’s all I have right now that you’re qualified for.”

Minerva had groaned. She knew she was going to hate asking this. “So what is the job?”

“Divorced man with four children. You’d live in the home and take care of the children. The oldest is six. He’s in kindergarten half the day. And then there are three two-year-olds.”

The number of children didn’t concern Minerva, but she balked at the living arrangements.

“The father has custody of the children? Where’s the mother?”

“The mother went a little bonkers after having the triplets. She ran off with a lawyer friend.”

Minerva frowned. “What you need is a trained nanny.”

“You’ve got a degree in teaching elementary school. You’ve had child psychology courses and you worked for years with preschoolers. You’re as well trained as anyone I have. And, if you’re worried about being stuck with the laundry, cooking and housecleaning, don’t be. There’s a housekeeper who also lives in and she doesn’t try to push it off on anyone. Your only responsibility will be the children.”

The live-in housekeeper eased her mind about the accommodations. Still... “So why didn’t the other five you sent stay?”

“Two, he fired the first day because of incompetence. And he was right. They had told me that they’d had experience with children, but they hadn’t. As for the others, the children are fairly active. They simply burned out quickly.”

Minerva had been certain Wanda wasn’t being totally honest with her. “Most children are fairly active.”

Wanda sighed. “The father can be a little difficult. He really cares about his children, so much so, he’s a bit overly protective and demanding.”

“Just a bit?” Minerva asked skeptically.

“Well, maybe more than just a bit. But not impossible. The original nanny he had stayed from soon after the oldest son was born until just a little over a month ago. She left to get married.” A plea entered Wanda’s voice. “Please, you can take the job and just think of it as temporary. I promise I’ll keep looking for something better for you and get you out of there as quickly as possible. I’m desperate.”

And so am I, Minerva had admitted silently. Not taking this job could force her to delay her plans to claim her independence and that she refused to do. “All right. As long as you promise to find me another job soon.”

Wanda had grinned. “I’m already on it.” Picking up a sheet of paper in front of her, she extended it to Minerva. “Here’s the names, the address and directions. Call me when you’re settled in.”

Leaving the office, Minerva had wondered what she’d gotten herself into.

And, now she was again wondering that as she drove to the Graham home. Her jaw hardened with resolve. Anything was preferable to returning home a failure and proving her father right.

Judd Graham looked from the triplets who were in various stages of wearing their breakfasts to his watch. “The new nanny should be here in the next couple of minutes. She’d better not be late. I have to get John to school.”

Lucy Osmer, his housekeeper, frowned at the terse edge in his voice. “I hope you’re nicer to this one than you were to the three you didn’t fire. Not one of them stayed a full week. I’m a fifty-three-year-old woman. Taking care of this house, the laundry and cooking, I can handle. Add four youngsters and you’re pushing me past my limits.”

Judd breathed a tired sigh. “I really appreciate you not bailing out on me.”

Lucy’s frown softened. “I could never bail out on these babies. But I need help. I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“You’re right,” Judd conceded. “I’ll arrange today for a maid service to come in once a week to help with the cleaning.”

“That will help,” Lucy replied. “And maybe this new nanny will meet your requirements and be willing to stay.”

Judd frowned. “I can’t really say I was sorry to see those other three leave. Not one of them ever seemed to relax. I want my children to have a comfortable environment.”

Lucy’s gaze raked over the tall, strongly built man seated at the table, overseeing the feeding of the two girls. “They never relaxed because of you.”

He scowled at her. “I never treated any of them unkindly.”

“You have an authoritarian manner that many people find overbearing, even intimidating.”

“You’ve never complained.”

“My husband, Bill, may his soul rest in peace, was a strong-willed man just like you. Besides he liked you and I trusted his judgment. I figured there must be some good in you. So I stayed around to find it.”

Judd grinned crookedly. “And did you ever find any?”

Lucy grinned back. “As a matter of fact, I did. ’Course it took some determination to get past your bark.”

“I’ll try to keep my bark in check when Miss Brodwick arrives,” he promised.

“I certainly hope so.” Lucy caught a dish of oatmeal just before Henry, the third of the triplets, sent it flying onto the floor. “We could certainly use another set of hands at this table.”

“Nice place,” Minerva observed, parking in front of the elegant single story house in one of the more highclass suburbs of Atlanta. From the short bio provided, she recalled that Judd Graham was an architect with his own construction company. So, naturally he’d have a great house, she mused as she followed the garden-lined brick path to the front door.

Ringing the bell, she hid her nervousness behind a polite smile. The smile suddenly felt wooden as she found herself face-to-face with a mountain of a man in jeans, a button-down shirt and construction boots. He studied her grimly through a pair of dark brown eyes that held no welcome.

His facial features were average as far as appearances went. But she would never have classified him as an average man. She guessed he was used to intimidating people with a mere look...the one he was using on her now. But she was in no mood to be intimidated by any man. Today she had declared her freedom. Keeping her shoulders straight, she extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Minerva Brodwick.”

Accepting her handshake, Judd noted that she wore only a touch of lipstick, making no serious attempt to change her looks with makeup. He approved. He didn’t like pretense. That was a point in her favor. She was also punctual. That was another point in her favor.

Minerva was shaken by the strength of his hand. The texture of his palm was roughened by calluses. Not only did he dress like a construction worker, but he honestly looked the part. In no way did he fit the mental image of the spoilt yuppie she’d expected to be meeting.

“You’re right on time,” he said, releasing his hold and stepping aside to allow her to enter.

In spite of his words of approval, Minerva saw no change in his expression. It remained grimly stern, and she wondered what would have happened if she had been late. Would he have told her to get lost and then slammed the door in her face? The thought that she really didn’t want this job crossed her mind. But she had no alternative at the moment. Even being employed by this brusque bear of a man was preferable to returning home to her father’s ridicule.