The Nanny Bargain. Glynna Kaye

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СКАЧАТЬ known Tess since she was a baby, so that could account for that.”

      “You’re being too modest. Sunshine mentioned you grew up babysitting neighbor kids, as well.”

      “I did.” That had been the only means of earning money for her artistic endeavors until she was old enough to work in one of the tourist-frequented shops. Infant care had scared her, but by the time her charges reached the toddler stage she’d done fine. Okay, maybe better than fine.

      “Sunshine says you’re bright, well-grounded, sensible and loyal to a fault,” he continued, making her sound like the next best thing to a golden retriever. “She says, too, that if you err, it’s on the side of caution. That’s what I need. Someone I can entrust with my little brothers.”

      She looked at him doubtfully, uneasiness continuing to gnaw as he handed her a slip of paper with the Selbys’ phone number and email address. “You’re telling me, then, that you don’t know anyone else in town who fits the bill?”

      * * *

      The pretty blonde with gray eyes and a pixie haircut was sharp alright, homing in on that point. Truth was, in addition to her other job-suitable assets, Tori was relatively new to town. Having lived here off and on for under six months, it appeared she hadn’t yet formed deep attachments aside from the established one with Sunshine. She wouldn’t be attuned to the histories of those who lived here—like his—and wouldn’t be likely to make assumptions or confide in others. She was a churchgoer, too, which would win persuasive points with his siblings’ grandparents during an interview. A solid recommendation from a past and present pastor and any former employers would further strengthen her prospects.

      “Truth of the matter is, Tori, I’ve known Sunshine for several years and the family she’s marrying into even longer, and she highly recommends you. I personally don’t know anyone else who appears to meet the needs of the situation I’ve found myself in. I’ve never before had to be a nanny recruiter.”

      He offered what he hoped was a winning smile, but Tori made a face.

      “Please don’t call the position nanny.” Color rose in her cheeks, almost matching the soft pink of her turtleneck sweater. “That word always makes me picture a goat herding—pardon the pun—kids.”

      He managed not to laugh as his spirits lifted at the cute expression on her face. He’d have to watch himself if she’d be working here as well as with his brothers. He couldn’t afford to let himself get distracted right now, not with the Outpost needing his full attention. He couldn’t put his livelihood at further risk by not giving his best to keep it afloat. And he certainly couldn’t risk it for what would in all probability be another here-today-gone-tomorrow relationship. But she’d obviously taken exception to the nanny label. Might that mean she was seriously considering his offer?

      “Then nanny is tossed out the door. Babysitter? Caregiver? Childcare worker?”

      “Much better.”

      After rising from his chair, he moved around to the front of the desk and sat on the edge of it. “What other questions do you have?”

      If he wasn’t mistaken, he needed to come across as open and approachable, especially considering her reservations about the possibility of being involved in a custody battle. He honestly didn’t want to be part of anything like that any more than she did. No way. What would he do with two little kids underfoot? Children were time-consuming. Demanded attention. With him being next in line for legal guardianship, per the wishes of the boys’ parents, he hoped with all his heart that Therese and Ray were perfectly capable of raising his little brothers. If investing a few extra bucks in hired help increased that likelihood and kept him out of direct oversight of the twins, it would be money well spent. And if that hired help provided him an inside line to the household dynamics, all the better.

      A crease formed between Tori’s brows as she looked around his office, then toward the door that led to the main room of the business he’d inherited from his grandfather right out of college. Hunting, fishing, camping and hiking paraphernalia packed the rustic interior of a building that faced the winding, pine-lined main road through town.

      “This other part-time job you mentioned,” she said, focusing again on him. “The one here. What would that entail? I’m not sure I’m the right fit for clerking in a place like this. I don’t know anything about hunting or fishing and not much more about camping, although I’ve hiked.”

      “There you go. And you’ve rung up a sale on a cash register before?”

      “In shops that I worked at in Jerome, yes. But—”

      “You wouldn’t have to advise someone on purchases. Les, Diego or I’ll be around to do that.” He hesitated, then brushed back the hair from his eyes and gave her an apologetic look. “It’s not glamorous, but in addition to stocking, inventory and general office work, I could use assistance with upkeep.”

      “You mean housekeeping, right? Not toolbox types of stuff, but dusting and cleaning and that kind of thing?”

      “Right.”

      To his relief she merely shrugged, unfazed. Hopes mounting, he hurried on. “Depending on the schedule you arrange with the Selbys, you can work your hours in around here as you find most convenient.”

      She tilted her head slightly. “That’s assuming, of course, that I get the childcare job. If I decide to apply, I mean.”

      His rising spirits faltered. “Right.”

      “How many hours a week are we talking about?”

      “That depends on what you agree to with Ray and Therese. Assuming it’s at least twenty hours a week there, I could probably make up the difference on this end to bring it up to a total of thirty-five or forty.”

      That sounded plenty generous to him and probably more than he could afford right now. But he caught uncertainty in her eyes. “Is there a problem?”

      “Well, I do have a business of my own that I’d hoped to get off the ground after a too-long sabbatical.”

      “I wasn’t aware of that.”

      “Not that I’m not looking for a job,” she said quickly. “I am. But I’m also trying to use the months before summer to prepare a body of work for the Hunter Ridge Artists’ Cooperative.”

      He knew from Sunshine that Tori hailed from Jerome, Arizona, an old mining town turned artists’ colony and tourist attraction. So last night he’d touched base with the mother of a friend who lived there. She’d mentioned—among other things—Tori’s involvement in the arts. Although one reported incident from Tori’s teen years might make the Selbys leery of hiring her, nothing about it alarmed him. She was still a top-notch candidate.

      “I’m a quilter.” She met his gaze almost cautiously, as if watching for his reaction. “Not only bedspreads and comforters, but wall hangings and other home and office decorations. Pillows, purses and tote bags, too.”

      That sounded practical enough. Unpretentious. “My mom always wanted to quilt. Never had time, though, with three rambunctious boys.”

      He didn’t miss the curiosity that flickered through her eyes, but he wasn’t wading into the past today. Then he glanced down at the photo of the twins, a professional picture taken not too СКАЧАТЬ