It’s hard to find a man like him.”
“I didn’t notice.” I picked up Cupid from the shelf to put him in the back for safekeeping.
Stella gawked at me. “You’d have to be blind not to notice him.”
I shrugged as I passed the sofa. “He’s okay ... I wasn’t looking at him. I mean, I had to look at him to talk to him obviously, but not like that.”
Stella’s eyes beamed while she rocked back in her chair. “Not like how, Kaitlyn?”
“What?” I halted half way to the back room and pivoted toward her.
“Never mind. Whatever you say,” she murmured and pulled up the computer to input something. “I’ll finish the invoice of the transaction.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll be in the back room.”
“Yup. It looks like Cupid did his job.”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind. Happy painting,” she said. “Too bad you didn’t get paint on him this time. He was one sexy mess yesterday. Someone to dream about.”
I shook my head and snorted, though I had thought the same thing.
Chapter Eleven — The Beach Front House
After I dropped off Tyler at his preschool, I called a cab and went to the interview for the nanny position.
A family that could afford a nanny was obviously well off, but I didn’t expect a private beach where all the homes were within walking distance to the ocean. I’d have brought my camera if I’d known I’d be looking at this view.
Families strolled on the beach, their children laughing and kicking up white sand. Dogs on leashes trotted beside their owners, and a few braved the cold water to swim.
As the cab drove away, I shivered when a cool breeze brushed my neck as I walked up the curvy driveway. Yellow, white, and red hibiscus bloomed on either side of the front porch, and their sweet scent spiraled around me. A Christmas wreath hung on the front door, adorned with gold baubles and one big red ribbon on the top.
One of the double doors opened after I rang the doorbell and a woman peeked out.
“Hello. I’m Mona. You must be Ms. Summers?”
Mona smoothed a hand down her long-sleeved, flower-print dress that brought out the blue in her eyes. Strands of loose white curls had come undone at her temples. She was older than she’d sounded on the phone.
“Yes, I am, but you can call me Kate.”
She nodded. “Come in.”
As my shoes clicked on the beige marble floor, I peered up at the high ceiling. A crystal chandelier with teardrop pendants glistened against the sunlight beaming through the window. Farther in, I admired the sweeping staircase with a festive garland curling around the handrail, then the giant Christmas tree decorated with silver ornaments dominating the foyer.
“Please, follow me.” Mona led the way as I continued to marvel.
The family room was three times the size of Abby’s. A smaller Christmas tree was stationed in the corner with a few presents under it. Across the mantel stretched a paper garland made from a cutout of a child’s handprints. My heart tugged at the sentimental touch.
I realized then that I never asked how many children I would be watching over, and there were no photos of the family displayed in this room. Perhaps in another room? Also, there were no toys. In Abby’s house, Tyler’s toys and books were always scattered about. But then again, Abby didn’t have a nanny or a huge house to set boundaries.
“This is the family room,” Mona said. “Let me show you the other rooms.”
We strolled into the kitchen—my dream kitchen—with white cabinets and cream granite counters. All stainless steel and state of the art appliances, top quality no doubt.
“It’s lovely.” Not a spot stained the stove. I wondered if they had a side kitchen.
“Come, come.”
Mona escorted me to the guest room and an office with only a bookcase and a desk. I eyed every fixture, every space. Again, no photos of the family. So strange. But the painting hanging ... I went closer.
Mona cleared her throat to get my attention.
“Sorry. Did you say something?” I asked.
“No, but you’ve been staring at the painting. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Dreamy clouds backed by the day sky hung over the glistening ocean. It reminded me of Kauai.
“Yes, it is.” I always appreciated the work of a talented painter.
Then we climbed the stairs. She skipped the master bedroom, but showed me other bedrooms and bathrooms
The last bedroom contained all-white furniture: the bed frame, desk, bookcase, and the dressers. A pink unicorn comforter blanketed the bed and a giant stuffed unicorn with