The Nanny's Secret

She smelled of wildflowers and citrus, romantic and energetic, a tantalizing and intriguing blend.

“When you’ve finished your shepherd’s pie,” she said, “you’ll find some bread pudding in the oven.”

With that, she followed Hugh outside, leaving him feeling confused and off balance, and unable to pin down the unsettling new emotions she’d stirred up inside him.

Felicity didn’t get back to Deerhaven till almost two in the morning, but though sleepy and bone-tired, when Hugh dropped her off she had that satisfied feeling of a job well done.

“Thanks, Hugh, I owe you,” she told him through his open window of his van. “I do appreciate all your help!”

“No problem.” He looked up at the house. “Lights are all out.”

Felicity yawned. “I’ll have to be quiet.”

“Have you got the bread and buns?”

“Right here.”

“Don’t forget to set your alarm!”

“It’s going to be a short night!”

She watched him leave, and then went around to the back door.

Once inside, she put on the kitchen light, and after putting the bakeries away, noticed a note on the island. Expecting that Jordan might have written a few words to thank her for making dinner, she flicked it up and with a feeling of anticipation, she read what he’d written:

Don’t forget to let that *&%$* cat out. He’s been yowling like a banshee all night.

Ungrateful wretch! she muttered.

And screwing the paper into a hard little ball, she flung it, in a fit of pique, across the room.

Jordan cautiously opened the kitchen door just before seven next morning, half expecting to see the cat throwing up again. But there was no sign of him.

The only thing on the kitchen floor was a wad of paper.

He picked it up, unrolled it.

And saw the note he’d written the night before.

Remorse stabbed him. She must have been exhausted when she got back—he’d heard the car arrive, around two o’clock. She’d have come into the kitchen, feet dragging, glad to be home…only to be greeted by his bad-tempered complaint.