Page 9 of All Yours

‘Oh, I thought it was a girl . . .’ he stumbled, although why the hell did that matter?

‘Oh, no. Matty worked with me in Australia for three months and once we’d saved enough, we moved to a turtle conservation project in Bali. But he didn’t stay very long. Since then, it’s just been the two of us.’

Aha. So it was like that. Matty was the dad. He wondered if he missed his baby. Fox couldn’t imagine being away from the boys for even a weekend. Actually, scratch that. A weekend of adulting might be good fun, a welcome break, time to relax and unwind. Although the last time he’d been away from the boys had been the games convention. And look at what had happened there . . . And there he was, thinking about her naked again. He shook himself. He had to keep this professional. He needed a nanny. And, according to Wren and Rosie, Robyn needed a job.

‘So, have you looked after children before?’ he asked and then kicked himself. ‘Aside from the last few months of course.’ God, pull yourself together man.

‘Yes, I’ve au paired before for a family in Switzerland and also in Australia. Kids ranging from toddlers to teens,’ she said calmly. She certainly seemed to be holding it together better than he was.

‘I’ve got two boys,’ Fox said. ‘Reggie is seven. He’s noisy and confident and a bundle of energy, to say the least.’

‘Sounds like fun.’ Robyn smiled. ‘Seven is a great age.’

‘George is four. He’s my little thumb sucker.’ He saw a softness pass over Robyn’s face and he continued. ‘He just started reception at school and is permanently shattered. All he wants are snuggles on the sofa after school, sometimes even a nap.’

‘I know the feeling after a busy day,’ she said.

Fox found himself searching her face for possible warning signs. Was she the right person to look after them? It was a big responsibility. She certainly seemed to have experience but he didn’t have time to check references or go back through the nannying agency. He needed help today. Now.

He’d had to move a meeting this morning to get them to school, and another this afternoon to pick them up. The fridge was empty. The bin was full. The dog had eaten the pie he’d been defrosting for their tea. His deadline was a day closer and he’d managed hardly any work for worrying. He glanced at her and found her studying his face in return.

‘Plus, I have loads of other relevant experience that might come in handy,’ Robyn said cheerfully and now he caught the humour in her voice, the spark in her eye that had held him captive all night once. ‘I’ve cleaned toilets and done night shifts. I’ve served drinks and cooked meals. I’ve walked dogs, and done crowd control at gigs.’

He grinned. It was as if she’d read his mind.

‘Believe me, I can do this job. I will look after your boys well for you.’ She dropped a kiss onto the top of Willow’s head. ‘It’s all we want, isn’t it? That our children are well cared for, loved and happy.’

He heard the sincerity in her voice and knew he was going to give her the job. But first, he had to make things clear.

‘Just while nobody else is here,’ he said, glancing at Wren and Rosie at the counter. ‘I guess we keep our night to ourselves? It might make things easier?’

She held his eyes and he couldn’t work out what she was thinking.

‘Not that I’m sorry about it . . .’ he found himself admitting. ‘It was a great night. Amazing actually.’

She blinked at that and he rushed on, worried he’d said too much.

‘But if you’re going to work for me . . .’ He paused. She lifted her face to his. ‘We need to keep this professional.’

There was only a moment’s hesitation. A flicker of something across her face. Was that regret? Disappointment? Probably not. She was just putting things where they should be, in the past, and moving on.

‘Strictly professional,’ she said, nodding once.

He extended his hand and she took it. Her fingers felt hot in his grip. Almost as hot as her body had been under his. Stop it.

‘When can you start?’

Chapter Five

Robyn

An hour later, she was moving in. There was no time for wondering if she’d made the right decision before Wren dropped her off in the drive. She had to trust in what this was: an opportunity at the right time, in the right place. It was meant to be.

She rang the bell and Fox met her, talking on the phone as he opened the door. Looking very professional apart from his bare feet. He mouthed an apology and waved her round to the pool house where she would be staying. Cupping the phone for one second, he whispered, ‘It’s open, Robyn. Make yourself at home. Boys will be dropped off home from swimming soon. One of the other parents offered.’ And then he was back on his call, walking away into the main house.

Robyn hitched Willow onto her hip and took a deep breath. The exterior of the main house was beautiful. The garden, or grounds, were stunning. And the pool house was something else. A gabled cottage in its own right, red brick with white-painted windows, overlooking the outdoor pool. Like a little retreat just for her and Willow. She slid open the bifold doors and turned in a circle to take it in. Plush cream carpets, white walls. A big comfy corner sofa. Two bedrooms, and a little kitchen-diner with every mod con included. Laying Willow safely on the floor, she quickly unpacked her tatty backpack and then slung it under the bed. This was home for eight weeks. And it would do very nicely indeed. But, eyeing the contents of her wardrobe and having felt the chill of the evening outside, she might need to invest in a few warmer clothes.

Movement out of the window caught her eye. Fox was pacing on the patio, absorbed in his phone call. She watched him gesturing as he spoke, trying to explain something down the line. He paused mid-step, listening, then nodded and laughed loudly, a smile on his face. Robyn let out a quiet whistle. He really was a very good-looking man, there was no denying that. She could absolutely see what had drawn her to him the first time. He turned in her direction, and she ducked behind the curtain, holding her breath. The last thing she wanted was to get caught admiring him. This was strictly business.