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“I have three older brothers. I was always being left behind and hated it. I had to learn to speed up if I didn’t want to be left out of things.”
Brothers, thought Collin, all older and probably protective where baby sister was concerned. More reasons to keep his thoughts in check—and his hands to himself.
“Bet you didn’t have to try too hard to be included. But back to the bed problem…don’t they make those beds that can stand alone while the kids are young, yet can be stacked as they grow up?”
“I suspect you can ask her,” Sabrina said of the woman who was approaching them. “Oh, I wish you’d have let me stay in the car.”
“Darling, you look fine,” Collin declared in a normal street voice. “Anyone with a clue as to what kind of day you’ve had with trying to prepare the condo and talking colors with painters and whatnot will commiserate completely. Ah, the cavalry,” he added beaming at the saleswoman who was within hearing distance.
“Good evening. I’m Brenda. What can I do to help you?”
“We need a bedroom suite for twin girls.”
As he hoped, the woman turned to Sabrina and dropped her gaze to her tummy. “Oh, how lovely for you. Congratulations!”
Sensing Sabrina was about to correct her, he quickly grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Thank you very much. Um…we’re receiving a ton of baby things already and thought we’d skip the crib part and prepare for the toddler-to-teen stage. Do you by chance have white bunk beds we can keep separated until the girls are old enough to cope with the height thing?”
“Of course, sir. Let me show you—and how insightful of you to already be cognizant of child safety. You’d be surprised at how many first-time parents overlook that in their excitement to create the perfect room for their new family.”
“Isn’t he wonderful?” Sabrina slid him an adoring smile, all the while twisting his pinky until he was forced to release his grip on her hand.
“Remind me not to underestimate your strength again.”
“Pardon?” the saleswoman asked.
Collin cleared his throat. “I was just telling Sabrina to be careful maneuvering around all of this furniture. She’s refused to quit her warehouse managerial job yet and I fear doing way too much and staying on her feet too long.”
The saleswoman nodded knowingly. “You do look amazingly small for carrying twins. If you don’t mind my asking, how far along are you?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t be showing at all if I hadn’t indulged in dessert tonight,” Sabrina replied through gritted teeth. “Stop exaggerating, Collin, dear, and let’s get this done or I’ll go wait in the car, hugging the barf bag.”
Despite the woman’s worried look, he laughed uncomfortably, “Don’t frighten the poor woman with all of these beautiful furnishings, darling.”
Sabrina grabbed his sleeve and held him back until he found himself gazing into her flushed face and blazing eyes. He’d never seen her closer to eruption—or more provocative.
“Call me ‘darling’ one more time and so help me, I will get sick,” she whispered fiercely.
“Whatever you say…dear.”
It was forty-five minutes later when they finally exited the store. By then Sabrina was certain she’d sweated through her clothes. Collin had taken some secret glee in making it seem that the furniture was for their children and she could have, should have taken one of several opportunities to correct the situation—and make him look the fool. Now she was the fool for not exposing him, she thought, shivering as they walked to his Mercedes.
It had been a lovely Indian Autumn day in Dallas, but the nights held the bite of fast-approaching winter. Also fatigue from her relentless schedule lately didn’t help.
“Sorry, why don’t you take my jacket?” Collin asked, starting to remove it.
But that would leave him in shirtsleeves. As annoyed as she was with him, she couldn’t do that to him. “Thank you, but if you’ll turn up the heater once we’re in the car, that should be fine.” Besides, the idea of being surrounded by his masculine scent the whole drive to his home was more than she wanted to bear.
“Consider it done, but we’ll head to a mall next and get you some warmer clothes.”
Groaning inwardly at the mere idea of another stop, Sabrina replied, “I appreciate the gesture, but if you’ll give me an advance on my salary, I’ll do it tomorrow after work.”
“You can’t return to that place. Besides, they’re delivering the beds and dressers tomorrow. Plus you need to be on the phone warning your credit card companies, your bank and the DMV of potential identity theft.”
Stopping midstep, Sabrina covered her face with her hands. The mess her life was in rushed back at her with the devastating results of a tornado. She should never have accepted his offer. Bothering her parents in Wisconsin was out of the question; they still worked their two-hundred-acre farm, but she should have called her oldest brother Sayer, who plucked up businesses and property in trouble like some people haunted garage sales. The problem was that he would have sent her a one-way ticket home and she would never be let off a leash for the rest of her unmarried life. Her brother Seger didn’t need the burden any more than her parents did, what with a second child on the way and his construction business suffering due to the economy. As for Sam, well, he was Sam—sweet, devoted to their parents, and denying himself a life to keep the family farm intact. No, she’d done the right thing to handle this herself regardless of the headaches involved. Only how could she fulfill new commitments when she hadn’t completed the old ones?
“What?” Collin asked hovering beside her. “I’m just trying to be helpful. You’re usually the pragmatic one. How can the idea offend you? Consider it part of the package.”
No longer the trusting ingenue she’d been when she first ventured beyond the safe haven of her family and college, she dropped her hands and surmounted a strong defense. “Why? So you can continue embarrassing me in front of salespeople? Did you hear that woman back there? She thought I looked pregnant.”
“No she didn’t, she said—”
“I was there, Collin, I know what she said!”
His lips twitching, he replied, “Well, your mood does make you act like you’re…with child.”
Throwing back her head, Sabrina screamed into the night.
“Fine, fine.” Glancing around with chagrin, Collin urged her to the car. “Home we go. I’m sure there’s an unopened package of pajamas from a Christmas past that I can offer you. If not, will a Dallas Cowboys’ jersey signed by all of the cheerleaders do?”
Sabrina yanked the car door out of his grasp and slammed it, almost knocking him off balance.
As Collin climbed into the driver’s side, she said in a defeated tone, “Thank you for the offer. On second thought, it would be wiser to purchase a few items tonight. Because I really need to go into work in the morning and give notice.”
“How can you do that? I told you—”
“I remember the furniture and the calls, okay? There’s just the small technicality that this is still my employer.”
“Who worked you like a slave because they were saving money by having you do management and the work of two others.”
Sabrina almost regretted telling him as much as she had about conditions at the place during dinner. “That’s beside the point. I owe them two weeks’ notice if I’m going to ask for a referral down the road.”
“I’ll give you a referral—as my assistant. This way you don’t need them.”
“That’s not ethical.”
“Let me tell you something—if you were going to be fired, they wouldn’t think twice about showing you to the door without notice. That’s what the severance check is for. It clears their conscience.”
He was probably right, but it just wasn’t the way she was brought up, or the way she wanted to think the world was. She had asked her boss, the district manager, to allow her to hire one or two more people, but he’d point-blank told her it wasn’t going to happen.
“I’ll think about it,” she told Collin.
It was close to an hour later when, empty-handed, she returned to the car. She gave him a look through the passenger window that warned him not to utter a word until she spoke. He leaned over and pushed open the door.
“Can you please come inside?” she asked, sounding even more defeated that she had earlier.
“What’s happened now? Don’t tell me that they wouldn’t accept the credit card. There’s no balance on the account. I rarely use it.”
“Thanks. So that’s why they think I stole it. Either you come in and assure them that I didn’t, or I will sleep in an orange jumpsuit in a holding cell tonight.”
It was when she motioned over her shoulder with her thumb that he saw the security guard that had accompanied her and was standing watching them.
“Good grief.” Collin hurried out of the car and locked it with his remote. “We definitely have to talk to your obstetrician about those hormones, darling.”
Passing an openmouthed Sabrina, he went to assure the security guard.
At least this time it was only an additional fifteen minutes of humiliation for Sabrina to endure, but enough was enough. “Please can we just go somewhere that I can get to sleep?” she asked him.
Collin got them back to the high rise. Conversation was kept to a minimum because she didn’t trust herself to speak without having a total meltdown. All she could think was what had she gotten herself into? What had she done to deserve all of this?
As he escorted her into the lobby, they were greeted by the night security guard.
“Evening, Mr. Masters.” When he spotted Sabrina, his gaze darted back to Collin. “Sir? Everything okay?”
With formal politeness, Collin announced, “This is Nanny Sabrina. Ms. Sinclair. Sabrina, this is Sonny Birdsong, not only the best security guard in the city but, if you start your day in a bad mood, his whistling will make you think you’re in an Audubon wildlife sanctuary.”
Chest swelling from that praise, Sonny nodded. “Welcome, ma’am. If I can be of any assistance while you’re toting the little ones, don’t hesitate. I must admit, I’m looking forward to having a few more young faces around.”
“You’re very kind…Sonny. So you’re updated about what’s about to happen? Will I need to sign in with every going and coming? What are your regulations?”
“If I could take a copy of your driver’s license, that would be perfect for now.”
Immediately digging into her purse, Sabrina crossed over to the counter to make that available to him. Thanking him when he returned it to her, she added, “Are there city buses in this part of town or do residents rely on cabs? The reason I ask is that I was hoping to take the twins on short field trips appropriate to their ages.”
Sonny eagerly reached for a flyer. “This is the DART bus schedule and I’ll be happy to assist you if you need help with strollers or anything.”
“That’s so good of you. I think the girls are beyond strollers, but I will rely on your expertise regarding the parks and—Oh! Is the farmer’s market still tourist-shopper friendly?”
“We have several residents who shop there daily, and one chef who resides here and is also a regular shopper there.”
“Wonderful. I’ll ask about where his establishment is located tomorrow. By the way we’re expecting furniture deliveries tomorrow.”
The dark-haired man with the dimple in his right cheek replied, “I’ll direct them to the freight elevator and alert you as they head up.”
“Bless you. You’ve already reassured me a great deal.”
Sonny blushed and slid Collin a self-conscious look. “Any time, miss. Have a good evening. Good night, Mr. Masters.”
Waving, Collin waited for the elevator doors to shut. Only then did he muse, “I wondered how long it would be before you made a pet out of him. You’ll be having everyone in the building nosing around you like a litter of pups within a week.”
“If it weren’t for those two little girls and your sister, I would tell you to take a flying leap into the Trinity River, Mr. Employer.”
Collin looked taken aback. “What animosity! If you weren’t smaller than my sister, I’d be worried. All I was pointing out was that you’re a fixer and a caretaker, a natural mommy. Most women would be flattered by such a compliment.”
“Maybe I didn’t see what you said as a compliment. I may not have worked for you all that long, but you’re a fairly easy read, boss.”
“All men are,” Collin replied with a sigh. “We need medals and sports jerseys and tool belts before we’re even remotely interesting to a woman, otherwise we’re considered as shallow as most wallets. Sonny doesn’t know how lucky he is. He’s got the uniform and the gun. And before you let your head get turned, let me inform you that my cleaning lady, Graziella, has him in her sights for her eldest daughter Isabella.”
Staring in disbelief, Sabrina replied, “Is everything fodder for your audience-of-one comedy routine?” Sabrina told herself she would not cry, but this day had pushed her last button and she had run out of thick skin. The tears started welling in her eyes before she could turn away to hide them.
“Wait a minute. There are No Crying Clauses in our contract.”
Feeling and hearing shifting beside her, she looked over to see him fumbling in pockets.
“Please stop,” he continued with increased unease. “I don’t have a hanky or tissue. Would it help if I took back every compliment and tease? I can also say ‘Sorry’ in four languages.”
Despite everything, Sabrina had to smile. “I’d forgotten that you weren’t just a little crazy, you’re seriously crazy.”
Collin shrugged, his expression suggesting he didn’t see that as a problem. “I was only trying to keep up your spirits.” More gently he asked, “Are you going to be all right?” He began to reach out to stroke her hair as it fell forward hiding her face from him, then quickly dropped his hand.
“For someone who came home from work and realized she’d lost her entire adult and independent life? Yeah. Or rather I will be. Don’t forget, I come from stoic farmers.”
“Yes, with three protective brothers,” Collin added under his breath. “We will not forget that again.”
They arrived at his floor, ending her chance to wonder about his last comment. What she had to focus on now was getting a quick tour and some desperately needed sleep. She was dead on her feet and that filling but wonderful meal was making it difficult for her not to yawn.
As she entered the spacious high-rise condominium, Collin locked up behind them. Joining her at the other end of the foyer, he gestured self-consciously. “Mi casa, su casa.” Stepping forward he nodded toward the kitchen. “Graziella is pleased with the microwave, but I can’t say whether the dishwasher or oven have ever been turned on. As for the refrigerator…well, there are mostly wines in there at the moment, since I tend to eat out rather than cook—or else bring home takeout.”
“Is that going to continue?”
“My eating? I certainly hope so.”
Sabrina slid him a sidelong look. It wasn’t fair that his English accent made everything seem deeply considered and intelligent even when intentionally ridiculous. “I mean shouldn’t you consider spending dinnertime with the girls? You know, establish family time, a schedule?”
Collin’s eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. “Hadn’t given that much thought to it. You see? You’re already invaluable. Well, I suppose I could ask Graziella to make us something. Although, she has eight children, plus her parents now live with her and her husband.”
“Then she has more than enough to do. I’ll do the cooking.”
“You can cook?”
“Yes, sir, you hired a bargain. I can also bake, crochet…and butcher a chicken or duck for you if you’ve a mind for fresh poultry or fowl.”
Urging her into the living room, Collin pointed toward the French doors that led to the balcony. “Pigeons rest on that railing. Don’t let me find them on the dinner table. Sometimes we talk.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“When you’re brainstorming ideas for a demanding client, one uses the audience that’s available.”
He did a slow 360-degree turn. “Should be roomy enough for two active children. Large-screen TV and all the equipment for games and videos. Great view of the city.”
Sabrina had begun biting her lips as she passed the chrome and glass coffee table murmuring, “Sharp corners and so much glass.” The balcony concerned her the most, though. “There’ll be no running, and the view will be mostly closed drapes unless there’s a childproof lock put on those balcony doors.”
“The barrier is shatterproof and steel—and the railing well over their heads. No way they can fall through. Are you just covering that you’re afraid of heights?”
“Afraid, no. Mindful, yes. And you’ll thank me when we return those children back to their mother without casts or stitches.”
Upon arriving at the far side of the condo, she saw that her room would be right beside the children’s, across the hall from the condo’s second bathroom. There were no windows in the children’s room or hers, and only a small one high up in the bathroom.
Collin’s master suite was on the far side of the condo. She didn’t ask for, nor did he offer a tour, but considering that this had to be at least a two-thousand-square-foot living space, the layout gave her considerable relief. Until the girls arrived, she would still feel awkward staying here alone with him, but the doors had locks and she didn’t have to worry that every word could be overheard if she was on her cell phone.
