Page 40 of Don't Fall for the Billionaire
“Is there a rule that nannies aren’t allowed to enter the school’s fall bake-off?”
“Uh, no. Anyone can enter as long as the child is a student at the school.”
I glanced at Kitty as she rolled her eyes.
“Thank you. Have a nice day.” I ended the call. “Well, you heard her, Kitty. There is no rule. So, I’m not sure what your problem is.”
“My problem is your nanny. She needs to be put in her place. Do you know what she makes you look like? I want an apology. In fact, I demand one.”
“I will have a talk with Charlotte.”
“You’d better make sure I get my apology.” She turned and stormed out of my office.
“What the fuck?” Charlie laughed. “I would have given anything to have heard that conversation between those two. Are you going to make Charlotte apologize to her?”
“Hell no. She deserved whatever Charlotte said to her. Kitty started it and Charlotte finished it.” I smiled.
“Well, I know a lot of women who are scared of Kitty Corners, and obviously Charlotte didn’t get the memo.” He chuckled.
After finishing at the office, I headed home. Climbing out of the Escalade, I stopped short. My townhouse had transformed overnight. Rust colored mums spilled from oversized ceramic planters. A large wreath dominated the door—an explosion of miniature white pumpkins, maple leaves in crimson and gold, and glossy acorns. A doormat in a fancy script with the words “Hello Fall” sat in front of the door. I paused momentarily as I stared at the small black X’s marked with what looked like electrical tape on the slate-gray steps, waiting for something she had yet to reveal.
Sighing, I opened the door, and a wonderful smell greeted me as I stepped inside. Setting my briefcase down, I walkedinto the living room. The fireplace mantel had been stripped of my things and replaced with fall candles and a cluster of small pumpkins in burgundy, gold, and pinks. And two oversized tall vases with fall florals sat on each side of the fireplace.
When I stepped into the kitchen, I not only found Charlotte standing in front of the stove but also noticed the décor on the island, which consisted of a three-tiered stand decorated for fall.
“Are you cooking?” I asked.
She turned and looked at me with a smile. “Hi. Welcome home. I am cooking. Sylvia wasn’t feeling well today, so I sent her home. I’m making chicken parmesan. That’s what Syvia was going to cook tonight.”
“I didn’t know you cooked.”
“I used to cook with my mom all the time since it was just the two of us.”
“Where’s Eloise?”
“Upstairs, finishing her homework before dinner.”
“I see you went on a shopping spree today.”
“What do you think?” she asked, grinning from ear to ear.
“I thought you said teeny weeny décor. Not a full-blown fall explosion.”
“You don’t like it?” I noted a hint of disappointment in her voice.
Now I felt like an ass. “I didn’t say that. I was just surprised. It looks nice.”
“Thanks. Eloise helped me pick everything out and decorate.”
“What’s with the X’s of electrical tape on the steps?” I asked.
“Those are the spots where the pumpkins are going to be placed. Eloise and I are going to the pumpkin farm tomorrow to pick some out and pick apples for my pies.”
“What farm?”
“Wilkens over in Yorktown Heights. Yesterday was the first day they opened pumpkin picking.”
“That’s an hour away,” I said.
