More Than Scars (2 page)

“You are ok with all of this?” The voice dipped into that warm register again.

“I am,” I whispered. “Thank you Mr. Byrne.”

I’m sure I only imagined the smile in his voice as he said, “I am glad.” He picked up a phone. “Please send in the girls.”

I waited in anticipation, head bowed, wondering if I’d be able to even look up to address the girls.

They didn’t even stop to notice me. They were around the desk and climbing on their father before I could even blink. I did look up, when I heard the wheels of the office chair turn. Liam’s back was to me, and the two girls were in his lap.

“Daddy come play with us,” a little angelic voice squeaked. I could see the girl’s faces over his shoulder. This was Amelia, the youngest. She had long curling brown hair and dimples in her cheeks.

“Or can we go ride the horses? You said we can’t go without you, but you are always busy!” Brianne’s face was in a pout. She too had long dark hair, but had bright blue eyes, where Amelia had dark brown. They were beautiful.

“Not today my loves. Today, you meet your new nanny.”

Simultaneously the girls each peered over each of his shoulders. One pair of blue, one pair of brown regarded me closely.

“Hello,” I said softly. I offered a smile, when they didn’t react immediately. “My name is Nerissa.”

Brianne slipped from her father’s lap, and then made her way slowly to me. “That’s a pretty name,” she said shyly. “I’m Brianne, that’s my sister Amelia.” I took Brianne’s offered hand in a shake, impressed by her politeness. I then glanced at Amelia, who looked at me cautiously, and clung to her father’s shoulder.

“Amelia? Like Amelia Bedelia?”

Brianne giggled at this. “Who’s that?”

Amelia glanced at her sister, and then soberly looked back at me.

“She’s a character in a book I read when I was young. You’ve never heard of her?”

Brianne shook her head. “Is it good?”

“My mother still has my books. I will get them and read them to you if you like.” I saw Amelia’s eyes widen at this. “Do you like books?” I asked her.

Amelia hid her face in Liam’s neck. He still had not turned about, simply held his daughter. I studied what I could see of him. He had dark hair like the girls, slightly curling at the collar of his well-made suit. I wondered if his eyes were blue like his eldest, or brown like the youngest.  I could see a fraction of his jaw line, prominent, strong. I could also see the tick of a muscle there, as though he were nervous.

“I would like to hear the stories,” Brianne cut in, as though she was now warring for my attention.

“I will bring them with me, when I come to stay. Well, that’s if you want me to come and stay. Your Daddy says it’s up to you.”

Brianne tilted her head. “Do you like horses?”

“Love them!

“Can you play games? Amelia and I like to play on our Wii…or color in our books, or Goldfish. Do you like those things?”

“I do!”

Brianne’s blue eyes lit, and she reached for me then, touching my hair. “Will you brush our hair?” She twirled a blonde strand of my hair in her fingers.

“And braid it, and curl it,” I said with a smile.

Brianne gave a nod, and hugged me about the neck. “I like her Daddy.”

Liam’s chuckle was genuine.

“I like
Barbies,” Amelia mumbled against his jacket.

“Me too,” I chimed in.

Amelia smiled shyly, and buried her face back into Liam’s neck. “I like her too Daddy and she’s pretty.”

Brianne’s arm was still about my neck. I held her on my lap, liking the trust she was already showing. I gave Amelia a wink.

“Can we keep her Daddy? She’s a lot nicer than the last one!” Brianne spoke up.

“Do you want her to stay little one?” He was speaking to the shyest. He already knew Brianne’s answer.

Amelia glanced back at me and smiled.

Liam set Amelia down. “If you want her to, you have to ask her yourself,” he said gently to the young girl.

Amelia bit her lip.

“Do you want the nice lady to stay?”

Amelia smiled again, and bobbed her head yes.

“Then go on, ask her.”

Amelia sauntered over to me. She clasped her hands behind her back and dipped her chin bashfully. I kept my gaze only on her, as I heard Liam turning his chair again. I knew he would see Brianne in my arms, and hopefully this would give him comfort in his choice. The little one stopped at my knee, and smiled a small smile. “You wanna stay?”

I wanted to laugh at the hopeful words. Did I want to stay? Did I want to be employed to this strange man? Watch over these beautiful girls?

The words Brianne spoke softly had my answer in an instant. “It would be nice to kind of have a mama again.” I turned and looked into that sweet face with her hurt filled eyes. I don’t know how long it had been since they lost their mother, but this one remembered.

“Can you stay
Rissa?” Brianne’s blues widened.

I gave her a squeeze, and then reached down to stroke Amelia’s hair. “Yes, of course I will stay.”

Amelia clapped her hands, and climbed up in my already crowded lap. I couldn’t help the lump in my throat, and wondered if I would have to use the wrinkled. L.B. handkerchief I had already stowed away in my pocket.

I felt his eyes on me, but wouldn’t look up out of respect. “So, when do I move in?”

Chapter 2 Moving Day

             
“Nerissa my love, are you sure? You know nothing about this family, and you are willing to move in and live there?”

             
I gave my Mom an eye roll. “I am thirty two mom, not eighteen! I think I can make a wise judgment call on my own! It’s okay. Mr. Adams is a close friend of Mr. Byrnes. He wouldn’t have steered me this way if it wasn’t safe. Besides, you should see this place! It’s like Fort Knox! Trust me, I’m safe.”

             
My Mom gave me that look, and sighed. Her green eyes, much like mine surveyed the boxes I had packed. “Maybe from the outside evils.” She held her hand up when I opened my mouth to protest. ”You will call me frequently?”

             
“Yes,” I laughed.

             
“And I can visit?”

             
“Not unannounced, but yes, you are allowed to come see me.  After my interview, the head butler, and strangely, Mr. Byrnes right hand man, gave me the rest of the rules.”

             
“Why do you sad strangely?”

             
I shrugged. “Stewart seems so proper. I just can’t see him being a confidant. ..A wing man to someone like Liam Byrne.” I stuffed another sweater into an already too full box. “But he’s kind, and I like him.”

             
“And what of this Mr. Byrne?  Despite his odd, don’t look at me request, is he kind?”

             
“I told you he was. You should see how he is with his children. It was quite touching. He had no problem letting them look at him,” I chuckled.

             
My mother bit her lip. “You sure Alonso shouldn’t check this out first?”

             
I threw my hands up. “Yes, let’s let my cop brother go interrogate my new boss! That’s a great way to earn brownie points.”  I went for another box for my books. I already had two packed.  A girl had to read!

             
“But you haven’t even seen his face! You don’t know what kind of freak…”

             
“Mama, he’s not a freak, ok? He’s just a man who has obviously been hurt.”

             
“By what and for why?”

             
I giggled at her wordage. “Mama…he’s sad, he’s scarred….I will find out more. But for now he’s paying me an amazing wage! I get to live in the most fantastic mansion I’ve ever seen…and those girls! I get to be a part of their life, and I get to help them!”

             
“Help them what?”

             
“Grow up….heal. Brianne still misses her mama. Amelia is so shy and timid. I can help them.”

             
My Mom smiled, walking over to wrap her arm about my shoulders. “I’m going to trust you in this,” she said softly.  “If this is what you feel you must do, then I will support you.” She smiled. “And if I get to come visit the most fantastic house you’ve ever seen, all the better.”

             
I shoved at her, laughing. “Less talking, more packing,” I demanded teasingly. We started packing once more in comfortable silence.

             
A knock at the door brought us both about.

             
“You expecting someone?”

             
I shook my head, and my brow furrowed as I made my way to the door. I peeked through the peep hole. “Stewart?” I half laughed, and threw open the door.

             
“Miss Meadows,” he greeted.

             
“What are you doing here?” I was so surprise, I almost did not notice the men behind him.

             
“We are here to pack you up Miss. Mr. Byrnes orders.”

             
I peeked behind me into the apartment. I didn’t think it would need an entourage to pack.

             
My Mom’s brows were raised.

             
“I’m faring well on my own,” I laughed, shaking my head at Stewart. “I don’t think we’ll need any help.” I gave him a grin.

             
He grinned back. “Orders Miss. We’ll have you packed up in a blink.”

             
I rolled my eyes. “Well, if it’s an order.”

Stewart nodded. “That is if you trust us enough to pack up your personal belongings.  Mr. Byrne wanted to make sure it was done properly. He wanted it so you didn’t have to stress before your actual start day.

I cocked my head. “Well, that is thoughtful of him.”

Stewart nodded. “Yes Miss, he is a thoughtful employer.”

The sudden dread I’d had of moving lifted. Sure, if Liam Byrne wanted to waste money moving one single girl let him! He certainly had a lot to waste! I stepped aside and let them through. The three able bodied packers followed Stewart in.

“Let me help,” I began.

              Stewart stilled my advancement. “Is there anything you don’t want us to pack…sentimental…or too private?”

I shook my head.

“Then Miss….it may be easier if you stepped outside. You could take your…” He looked to my mother.

             
“My mom,” I finished for him.

             
Stewart gave her a little bow. “Nice to meet you Mrs. Meadows.”

             
“Sandra,” she corrected him, accepting his hand shake. She seemed surprised at his properness, and the boldness.

             
“Take your mom for some coffee.” He paused, his kind eyes regarded me. “That is if you trust me to oversee all of this?”

             
I smiled. “Oddly I do Stewart.” I reached for my purse. “Thirsty Mom?”

             
My Mom hesitated.

             
“It’s okay,” I assured her. And I truly believed it.

             
Stewart stopped me before I could leave. “Here” He handed me a card…a credit card. “Mr. Byrne would like to cover your expense in every way. This is your card for lunch expenses, clothing, and toiletries... whatever you may need.”

             
My mouth gaped. “But I will be paid a wage already Stewart. I think I can afford coffee.” I stared down at the card in my hand. My name was engraved on it.

             
“Orders Miss,” he said with a smile. “Welcome to the lifestyle of Liam Byrne.” This he said with a whisper, so as to not allow the other workers, already expertly packing my things to hear.

             
I nodded, and gave him a small smile, and then followed my mother out the door.

             
“Rissa, I don’t know about all this.”

             
I looped my arm through hers as we made our way to the elevator. “It’s how men like him work mama. He has no control of things outside his business…outside his door, so he makes sure his house is in order. Happy employees make productive employees. I’ll be caring for his girls…he will take care of me!”