it in the morning.”
“Are you ready to be gone for an entire summer, Sunny, away from family and friends?”
“Chase, what are you asking? I’m not sorry I took this job.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I just wanted to make sure. I don’t want to get to Florida and halfway through the summer you decide you want to change your mind and come home. Frankly I was a bit worried about my prior nanny and this trip. I didn’t think she could stay away from her boyfriend the whole summer. It may be a blessing I had a valid reason to let her go. I’m just glad Brice and I found you in Dr. Rose’s office that day.”
“I would never do that, Chase. I made a commitment to you and to those two precious babies upstairs. If things don’t work out, I won’t leave you in the lurch like that. I’ll see it through until you can make other arrangements.”
“That’s good to hear. And there’s no boyfriend waiting for you at home for me to worry about. I believe you told me you weren’t seeing anyone at the present.”
“I’m not seeing anyone. Scott, the guy I’d been with for several years, is married now.”
“I’m sorry, Sunny. Do you want to talk about it?”
“There isn’t much to say. We met in high school and dated all through college. Everyone, including me, thought we’d someday marry. It didn’t quite happen that way. He met someone else along the way. I was stunned the night he told me he was getting married to someone else.”
“That must have been painful for you. Have you dated anyone since then?”
“No, I haven’t. I just wasn’t ready and really hadn’t met anyone I could truly say I was interested in. So you needn’t worry about me taking off in the middle of the summer to chase a boyfriend back home. It isn’t going to happen.”
Chase replied, “Good to know, Sunny, good to know.” He stood up. “I think we’d better turn in soon. We both have a few busy days ahead of us. Don’t hesitate to ask Alma for help with the packing, Sunny. She adores the children and will do anything for them.”
He took her wine glass from her, extending a hand to help her up. When his strong, tanned fingers brushed hers she shivered. Hoping he hadn’t noticed, she said, “I’m sure we’ll get everything done in plenty of time.”
“Let me walk you up, I’m right next door to you.”
“All right,” she replied in a much calmer voice than she expected. She was far from calm, what with her tummy doing funny little flip-flops every time he looked at her.
When they had walked up the stairs and were in front of her door, he said simply, “Goodnight, Sunny.” He turned, leaving her in the hallway as he went into his room. He softly closed the door.
As she went into her bathroom to prepare for bed, she could hear him in the bathroom that adjoined hers. It would be so easy to open that connecting door.
Chapter Three
The next morning when Sunny arrived in the dining room, the children were happily eating pancakes. Chase was nowhere to be seen.
“Hi, Sunny,” Allison said as she looked up from her plate.
“Alma made her good pancakes for us today,” Brice added, taking a huge bite.
Alma handed Sunny a large mug of steaming coffee with cream, just the way she liked it. She took a sip and said, “Thank you, Alma. I could have gotten it myself.”
“Would you come into the kitchen with me for just a few minutes, Sunny?”
“Sure, “she agreed, following the older woman.
“Chase left this note for you. I imagine it’s to tell you we need to get the kiddos packed today so you can all leave tomorrow morning. He went into the office to tie up some loose ends.”
“Thank you, Alma.” Sunny opened the envelope and took out the folded note. She unfolded it slowly and read what he had written.
Sunny, I just wanted to tell you again how happy I am you are with us. I’ve enclosed some cash for you, in case you need to go into town to purchase anything for you or the kids, before we leave. George will be happy to drive you anyplace you need to go. Please feel free to take a break after the kids are packed and spend a few hours at the mall. Buy something for yourself, the money is for you as well as the