Page 47 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

But, we’re definitely blurring the lines of what our relationship is supposed to be and what it is behind closed doors. The photograph which ran in theChicagoTribune’ssociety page after the awards banquet was just a small example. The children haven’t seen it but many people did. I went from an unknown, mild-mannered science teacher-turned-nanny to the Mystery Beauty on the arm of a Billionaire Bachelor overnight.

Nadine Childress looked ready to spit nails when I’d seen her the Monday following the banquet at school drop-off. A woman I’d taught with at Price Academy four years ago had called me up out of the blue wanting to know if that was actually me in the photo. She’d sounded insultingly incredulous so, yeah, I took some pleasure in telling her itwasme.

And Margaret, who has been kind to me from the day we met, had expressed her surprise over me acting as Theo’s escort though supportive of ‘whatever may be.’ Her motherly manner had secretly made me feel guilty for keeping things from her.

I don’t want to disappoint her either but I’m not sure Theo will ever want a truly serious relationship after losing Kathy. Those wounds run deep.

Regarding that, I’m learning a thing or two about casual sex. I’m not great at it. I mean, the sex is great but keeping my heart separate isn’t working so well. Stupid, right? It’s impossible to keep my feelings detached when every kiss, every whispered discussion across the sheets seeps deeper into my bones and makes me want to be his in more places than the bedroom.

Keeping my role as Mr. Wolfe’s nanny and the one as Theo's lover separate isn’t any easier on days like this either.

“When I think of a tire swing, it’s always summertime in my mind. Do you remember ours, Isa?” I ask, tugging my jacket closed.

My sister hums softly, a nostalgic look in her eyes. “I do. Papa would push me as high as the sky. Or at least it felt that way. Perhaps Ryder and Jill will always think of Thanksgiving when they recall theirs.”

“Maybe so. Did you ever have one growing up, Mia?” I ask Jonathan’s girlfriend.

The lovely redhead nods. “I did. I wasn’t sure what to think when my father put it up so my nana got on it to prove to me it was safe. I have a photograph of that, it’s one of my favorites.”

We laugh together at the thought of her grandmother on a tire swing and watch the men’s progress. This is really nice. It’s also hard keeping the nature of our relationship under wraps. Mia’s a law student but openly dating Judge Wolfe whereas I’m the nanny of Theo’s children. It’s complicated, just like Isa warned me about.

I can handle a little complicated, can’t I?

My eyes settle on Theo who looks gorgeous in a fitted blue sweater which matches his eyes and dark jeans. He’s got his sleeves rolled up and there is something so hot about that to me. And the fact that he’s doing something manly and yet equally Dad-like today when other men might be zoned out in front of football on television? Yeah, he makes complicated seem worth it.

It’s Thanksgiving Day and the Wolfe brothers are installing a tire swing for the children under the directive of their father. They’re currently bickering over it. The children are loitering nearby, excited, eager and bickering amongst themselves over who will be first to test out the new swing.

Margaret comes out of the house to announce that the feast will be ready in twenty minutes. “Aren’t they done yet? We’ll never get the children in to eat if they’re still waiting to try out their contraption.” The Wolfe men turn and scowl at her carrying words. “Well, it’s true. Chop, chop! Time and turkey wait for no man.”

They return to their labors with renewed incentive while Margaret returns to the house. Mia follows her to offer whatever help she can and I’m left relatively alone with my sister.

It’s been years since Isa and I have done anything more than eat a grocery store rotisserie chicken together on this holiday. But I could hardly say no to Mrs. Wolfe and the children when they’d invited me to join the family’s celebration and, when Theo said he’d host this year, I’d invited Isa.

“How are things?” Isa asks the moment she’s sure no one is within earshot.

“Things are fine. Jill’s got a playdate with her friend Tim planned. She’s so excited. I told you Ryder’s entering that art contest at school, right?”

“You did but I wasn’t asking about the kids and you know it.”

If I’d thought about hiding what Theo and I were doing from her, that notion was dismissed the day following the awards banquet when she’d promptly dragged the truth out of me. We don’t keep secrets from each other.

“Things are good.”

“Good?”

“Very good. Are you all set with your cruise plans?”

Not fooled by my evasion, Isa’s lips quirk. “I am. Lots of tequila, a new bikini and hot bodies aboard. I think there’s still time to book you a ticket.”

“I’m needed here.”

“The kids will be out of school for the break. You could go with us for a few days, surely. He’d say yes. And it’s not like you’d have to do anything with another guy.”

“You know I would hate a cruise. Trapped on a boat with a couple of hundred strangers? No, thank you.”

“Alright, fine. I’m glad things are good between you two. But just how good are they, pray tell?” She waggles her eyebrows at me and makes kissy noises. I catch Theo glancing our way.

“God, Isa. You’re being a bratandmanaging to make me blush at the same time.”

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