The Holiday Nanny (14 page)

And neither could she.

Because Connie wasn't going to be abandoned a third time.

“I'm getting sleepy. I think I need to go to bed.” She eased away from him, rose and picked up their dishes. “I'll put these in the kitchen.”

“No, I will. You go rest. You've done more than enough for the Abbots today.” He lifted the dishes out of her hands and set them down. Then he grasped her shoulders. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your help. You are a very special woman, Connie Ladden.”

Then he leaned forward and kissed her again, but this time it was a sweet gentle kiss that reached down to the deepest secret part of her heart. It begged her to respond, to let go and enjoy the rush of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. But deeper still lay the yearning for a man to love her so deeply that she wouldn't be afraid to pour out all the love that had built up inside.

Only—Wade Abbot was not that man.

“Good night.” Connie pulled away and hurried from the room before he could respond.

Because to stay was to risk ignoring the warning her brain kept giving and give way to her heart's deepest desire for a man who saw her as only the nanny.

 

“It's important, David. Connie's had no success at finding her father, beyond what I've told you. I'm beginning to think he doesn't want to be found,” Wade told his friend.

“I know I could be opening a kettle of worms, but I still want you to find out whatever you can.”

“Why don't you do it yourself?” David asked.

“I haven't got the time. I'm building a dollhouse for Silver.” He felt a little bit of embarrassment saying that. But thinking about Silver's face on Christmas morning made it all go away. He lowered his voice. “I took DNA samples into the lab that you recommended.”

“And?”

“There's an outside chance I'll find out before Christmas.”

“And then what?” David asked.

“Then I guess I'll have a decision to make.” Wade remembered Connie's advice from last night. In fact, he remembered quite a lot from last night. Most of all, he recalled the way she'd kissed him then rushed away like a frightened bird. “You and Darla are coming tonight to help with the tree, right?”

“We'll be there,” David assured him.

After hanging up, Wade called Amanda. She answered her phone laughing.

“Hi,” he said, amazed by the lightness of her voice.

“How are the table centerpieces coming?”

“Connie is amazing, Wade. Do you know that? You should be paying her double.”

“I suppose you said that while she was present.” Wade rolled his eyes at her chuckle. “I might have known. Always trying to cause trouble.”

Dead silence greeted his words. Wade winced, wished he'd kept silent.

“I wasn't trying to cause trouble, but I do think Connie is a very valuable employee,” Amanda said stiffly.

“You're right. And I was just teasing.” He prayed he hadn't burnt another bridge with her. “Listen, Amanda, I wondered if you'd have any problem with Abbot Bridges funding part of this dinner Connie wants us to help out with? It's been a while since we've done anything major for the community. Maybe it's time?”

Surprisingly, Amanda agreed.

“I've already told the office to circulate a memo that anyone willing to help out should be here this afternoon or tomorrow. I've also ordered a large tree to be delivered. You'll be getting the bill for it and the decorations,” she told him defiantly.

“Good idea. The center should have called you in right
from the start,” he said. “You were always better at thinking ahead than me.”

Silence.

“Thank you, Wade,” Amanda said at last. “Your father used to say that, too. Oh, Connie wants to talk to you.”

There was muffled conversation before Connie's voice came over the line.

“Wade, would you be able to pick up Silver on your way to the center? The school phoned. Apparently her teacher isn't feeling well, so they're cutting the day short. They'll be finished by lunch. Twenty minutes?” She paused then rushed into speech. “I'd do it, but I promised Ben I'd help him and I don't want—”

“Connie.” He cut across her words.

“Yes?” Her shy response bothered him.

Was she still embarrassed about last night?

“I'll take care of her. No problem. Don't worry. We may be a bit late, though,” he warned. “I have an errand.”

“Oh. Okay. See you later then.”

“Uh, Connie?” He waited until he was sure she hadn't hung up. “Is everything okay—with Amanda, I mean?”

“Better than that,” she said, happiness lightening the words. “I have to go now, Wade. I'm supposed to learn something more about my dad this afternoon.”

“Okay. Bye.” He hung up wondering what she'd learn. He'd hoped to be able to find Connie's dad and reunite the two as her Christmas gift. But if she'd found him early—well, he knew how much it meant for her.

Minutes later, he was in the car, heading for Silver's preschool, excited about his plans. He was beginning to understand his father's excitement at planning surprises.

Silver squealed when she saw him and flung herself into his arms with abandon. For once, Wade hugged her
back, relishing the feel of those little arms squeezing his neck until it was hard to breathe.

“My teacher's sick. Did you know that, Daddy?”

“Connie phoned and told me.” He buckled her into her carseat and then got behind the wheel. “We're going to meet her and Amanda later, but first, would you like to go Christmas shopping? You haven't got a gift for Grandma yet, have you?”

“No. Only a card. Connie helped me make it.” Silver ran through a list of things she thought appropriate for Amanda.

“I'm not sure your grandmother wants a Baby Goes to Paris, Silver. Did she say she wanted that? Or the monkey game?” He pulled into the mall and parked.

“No,” Silver said, jumping free as soon as he'd unbuckled her. “But I like them.”

“Well, this is for Grandma, so it should be something she especially likes.”

“Okay. I don't have a present for Connie either.” Silver tucked her hand in his and skipped along beside him. “Can we eat first? I'm hungry.”

“Sure.” Wade let her choose hot dogs though he was fairly certain it would not have been Connie's meal of choice. Once he'd cleaned up the relish and ketchup from her face, they were ready.

Shopping was not Wade's favorite activity. However, he soon discovered that Silver was very good at it.

“Not that, Daddy,” she said, discarding item after item.

“Something special.” Almost an hour later, she finally spied her “something special.” “That's Connie's present,” she declared, pointing.

“That” was a picture of a farm in the summertime, painted by a local artist who had a stall set up in the mall.
Rabbits frolicked in the bright green grass while a flock of ducklings paddled on a sparkling blue pond. A little girl with shiny brown pigtails swung blissfully from a huge oak tree that looked as if it had withstood many hardships.

“It's just like the farm where Connie grew up. She always talks about the ducks she fed and the swing.” Silver dragged on his arm. “Can we get it, Daddy?”

“Yes.” Wade gladly paid for it, happy when the artist slipped the picture into an already-decorated gift box. Wrapping gifts was not his forte. “I have an idea for your gift for Amanda.” He explained it, relieved when Silver seemed delighted with his plan. An hour later, they walked to the car. “Remember, this is our secret. You can't tell Connie or Grandma.”

“I won't.” Silver sat patiently while he buckled her in. Then she asked, “What are you going to give them for Christmas, Daddy?”

“I'm going to give Amanda a gift certificate to a spa she likes. I don't know about Connie yet.” He hurried to change the topic to the center. That kept Silver too busy asking questions to mention Connie's Christmas gift again. Wade could only hope—and pray—that David would find out something about Connie's father before Christmas arrived.

A brightly decorated wreath was the only exterior change to the center. But inside it had been transformed. A huge pine tree sat in one corner filling the space with its fragrance. Sparkling with multicolored lights, it was simply decorated with chains of puffy white popcorn and red berries. Snowflakes hand-cut from white paper fluttered delicately from its heavy boughs. A white sheet formed a tree skirt, already partially covered with gifts in a sparkling array of papers and ribbons.

“Oh, Daddy, look.” Silver stood and gazed at the splendor. “I want our tree to look just like that.”

“Hi, there.” Connie moved from behind a table littered with paper and decorations. “We're a little behind.”

“My fault,” Amanda said, laughing. “I got carried away.” She waved a hand at the mass of table centerpieces lined up at the front. “Good thing you're here, Wade. You can help set up tables.”

A few people drifted in to help as the afternoon progressed, but mostly they were alone. Connie never flagged. Wade couldn't help wondering how she kept going. Her energy seemed endless as she moved between the hall and the kitchen, pitching in wherever she was needed. And when Silver tired, she found a place for her to rest quietly. It wasn't until halfway through the afternoon that Wade noticed how Connie froze each time the door opened, how she hungrily searched each face.

Wade kept repeating a prayer that she wouldn't be disappointed by whatever she learned today.

He'd just finished peeling the last potato when he heard Ben, the director of the center, call Connie's name. Hope fluttered through her eyes as she turned to face the director and moved closer to listen.

“This is Harvey Frank. He was in treatment with your father, Connie.”

Wade didn't like the expression in Ben's eyes. This was not going to be good news.

“Nice to meet you, Harvey,” Connie murmured, shaking the wrinkled hand of the small man. “Do you happen to know where I might find my father?”

“Sorry, miss. He passed on.” Harvey shook his head sadly. “One day he was there, in the bed next to me at the hospital, and the next morning when I woke up, he was gone. Real shame, it was. Max was one of the best.”

“You're saying my father died?”

“Well, yeah. One day he was there, and the next day he wasn't.”

“I see.” Connie's face blanched. She sat down on the nearest chair, fingers fluttering nervously against her hair.

Wade immediately went to her and cradled her icy fingers in his own. Connie looked at him gratefully, but her focus returned to Harvey.

“When was this?”

“About three years ago, maybe. They'd found something in his liver, I heard,” Harvey said sadly. “He'd done a couple treatments but got awfully sick from them. Max figured he was terminal. I guess he just couldn't hang on any longer—or didn't want to.”

“Oh.” The stark sorrow in her voice hurt Wade.

“I asked the nurses about his next of kin, but they didn't know.” Harvey shrugged. “Never heard another word about him until I came here and saw your sign on the notice board.”

Connie sat staring at him, numb, Wade thought. He took over.

“Thank you for making time to come and explain, Harvey. I know Connie appreciates it.”

“Oh.” Connie blinked back to awareness. “Yes, thank you.”

Ben guided Harvey away. Wade hunched down beside Connie.

“Are you all right?” he asked and then realized what a stupid question it was.

“I don't know. It's so strange. I always thought I'd have a chance to talk to my father, even if it was one last time.” She blinked, and a tear formed on the end of her lashes
before plopping onto her cheek. “I never really believed he'd be gone.”

“You've done enough here,” Wade said. “Let's go home.” He signaled Amanda.

“Don't worry, honey. I'll finish up the details,” she said.

“Go with Wade and Silver.”

“Thank you.” Connie rose and glanced around for her jacket. “I just wish I knew where he was buried.”

Wade found her bright red coat, helped her into it and did up the buttons while Connie simply stood there, staring at him. Then he roused Silver. He told her what had happened and asked her to be extra gentle with Connie. Silver's eyes watered, but she scrubbed at them then nodded.

The ride home was solemn. Connie broke the silence occasionally with a memory of her father, newly recalled. Wade let her talk, offering only quiet agreement from time to time. When they arrived, he helped Silver out of the car, but Connie didn't move. He opened her door, undid her seat belt and grasped her hand.

“Let's have some tea, Connie. Then you can lie down.”

“I'm not tired,” she said quietly, eyes wide, brimming with confusion and pain. “It's just—I don't understand, Wade. I was so sure God led me here. How could I be so wrong?”

“You don't have to think about that right now. It's enough to absorb what you've learned.” He drew her into the family room, settled Silver beside her and then went to ask Cora for tea.

“It's her dad, isn't it?” Cora asked.

“A man told her he'd died,” Wade said. “It's hit her pretty hard. She's going to need some help to get through the next few days.”

“It's about time somebody gave back to that girl after
all she's done for us,” Cora muttered with a dark look at him that suggested she thought Wade should have done better by her.

And he should have. But he'd been too self-involved.

“I have to make a phone call,” he said. “Can you stay with her till I get back?”

“Of course. At least Silver will cheer her up,” Cora said.

“Thank God for that little bundle of blessings. Our lives would be awfully empty without the little one. We all love her a lot.”