Page 10 of Tangled Trust

"Cheers! To better days, old pal."

"To merciless forensic accountants," I grin.

* * *

"Hello. This is Mr. Moore. I’d like to arrange a meeting. I’m in need of an Au Pair for my son," I tell Mrs. Digby over the phone.

"Of course, Mr. Moore. I’ll send someone over with our portfolio."

We chat for a while, discussing specifics. I feel better once the call is made.

I’m back in LA. Jagger is coming home later, so I instruct my chef to prepare his favorite dinner. Come hell or high water, I plan on spending the evening with my son. Jagger’s been bugging me for weeks about getting a puppy. He should have one. The only reason I haven’t relented is that Amanda has allergies. But, now that she no longer lives with us, I don’t see why I shouldn’t make a young boy’s wishes come true.

I’m in my office when I hear Jagger’s footsteps as he runs down the passage.

"Whoa, slow down, little man," I laugh when he jumps into my arms. "Goodness. Have you been eating elephants on toast again? You’re heavy," I say, burying my nose in his halo of curls.

"That’s silly, Daddy," he giggles. "Elephants don’t fit on toast."

"Hey, I’ve got a surprise for you."

"Oohh. What is it, Daddy?"

"Let’s go for a drive."

"Okay."

Jagger skips next to me as we head to the car. I think he should choose his own puppy. He’ll know when he sees the right one. I remember fondly when my dad took me to the pound. I just knew that Skipper and I were meant to be as soon as he pressed his cold, wet nose against my leg.

"Where are we going?"

"I can’t tell you that. It’s a surprise."

"I hate surprises," he says with a fed-up look.

"Well, you’re going to love this one. You’re just impatient," I chuckle.

Kids. What I would give to be this free and innocent again.

4

CARTER

The Au Pair is stunning. It never occurred to me that she would be. For some odd reason, I assumed she’d be a Nanny McPhee type when Mrs. Digby told me she was from England. What can I say other than, I blame the film industry for my blunder?

So, here I am, sitting next to the pool with a woman who looks like a goddess. I have a quick talk with myself to remind me why she’s here. This is all about Jagger, and I would be wise to remember it. It’s not Ella’s fault that she’s ticking all the boxes on my list of very doable outside appearances.

I decide to focus on her personality. If she’s going to spend time with and take care of Jagger, she’d better be perfect. Although what I’m seeing here is as close to perfect as I could ever imagine.

Cut it out, Carter. Think with the other head.

"I was born in Oxfordshire," she tells me in answer to my question, "but I moved to London when I was in high school."

"I enjoy London. Perhaps not the weather so much, but there’s plenty to see in the exciting city."

Honestly, Carter. You sound like a travel agent. Get to the point.

"Yes, England could do with a little less rain and a lot more sunshine, I suppose," she smiles.

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