He must have seen her reaction. “Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot but the other nanny left me high and dry and I needed someone right away.” He moved to sit in the chair closest to her. Placing his elbows on his knees, he leaned toward her. His intense dark gaze held hers. “I’m grateful that you were able to step in. I can already tell you are great with Lily. I would really appreciate it if you could be flexible.”
With his pleading eyes and his calm clear voice, Grant was making it hard for her not to agree. He was a man desperate for help and admitting it. Something she suspected he rarely acknowledged. Could she keep her emotional distance from Lily for however long he needed her? On top of that she would be living with a stranger, and an attractive one at that. When had her life become a soap opera storyline?
Sitting back, he watched her. “I understand you’re a hospice nurse.”
“I am.”
His hands rested on the arm of the chair. “Tough job. Takes a special person to do that kind of work.”
“It’s rewarding.”
Now he was playing the charm card. He was desperate. In any other situation she doubted he’d be interested in her. She wasn’t his type. He was more of the glossy, statuesque and glamorous woman kind of guy while she was the homey, girl-next-door person. Outside of Lily and medicine, she was pretty sure they had little in common.
“I imagine it can be emotionally draining.”
“It can be.” She didn’t want to talk about it. With a sigh, she said, “I’ll agree to two weeks. No more.”
“Excellent.” He smiled then stood, returned to the fireplace and looked up at the portrait of a beautiful young woman. Sara assumed it was Lily’s mother.
“What’re my duties?”
“I just expect you to take care of Lily.”
Sara relaxed on the couch. “Having no idea I would be a live-in nanny, I brought no personal things with me.”
“Feel free to buy what you like. I’m glad to pay.” His tone implied that his thoughts were somewhere else.
He must be kidding. Who gave a woman carte blanche for clothes? “I’ll ask my father to pack me a few things. Could you send a delivery service to bring them here?”
“Give me your address and I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you. I’ll also need to have Saturdays off.”
He glanced at her, his face holding a stricken look. “I’ll work something out.”
“Am I to be responsible for seeing to the house and food as well?”
Grant appeared perplexed as if the thought had never occurred to him. “Uh, there’s a housekeeper who comes in once a week. Please handle the groceries and supplies for yourself and the baby. You’re welcome to have it all delivered. I’ll put some money at your disposal.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to keep a record of how it’s spent.”
“I’ll be in and out, mostly out, and I’ll leave all that to you. If you need anything and can’t reach me, just contact my assistant.” He fished a card out of his slacks and handed it to her. “By the way, there’s a car at your disposal in the garage behind the house. It already has a car seat in it. The key is hanging beside the kitchen door. You can pull your car around and use the bay next to the black sedan. I have to get back to the hospital.” With that statement he disappeared out the door.
Sara needed to call her father and let him know the arrangements. That she would not be home for a couple of weeks. When she had spoken to him last night he had sounded concerned about her staying at a stranger’s house but understood her need to remain there with Lily. Now, on the phone, her father sounded sad.
“Sara, you shouldn’t have to be doing something you really don’t want to. It’s my fault we’re in this position. You should be living your life, having your own family, instead of caring for someone else’s child and worrying over my stupid decisions.”
She winced at the words your own family. That might never be possible. “We’ve talked about this before and I don’t want to hear any more about it. We’re in this together. Anyway, everything is going to be all right. I’ll find us somewhere to live. Enough about that. Daddy, would you please pack a few things for me in a bag for the next few days?”
“Sure, little girl.”
Sara gave him a list. “A delivery service will come by to pick the suitcase up.”