“Are you sure you’ll be all right on your own?” I asked fretfully as my mother walked me to my car. My feet dragged a bit because of my nostalgia. I’d barely been home for a few weeks and was sad about leaving. Not this pitiful little town but my mother and spending the time with her. I had been comforted by the idea of being around and helping her with activities, but now, she would be on her own.

“I was fine when you were in San Antonio,” she responded, giving my shoulder a comforting squeeze. “And I’ll be fine now. You worry too much, Laurel. Things will work themselves out.”

I puzzled at how calm she was about me leaving and marrying someone I didn’t know at all—except that he was rich and would more than likely commit adultery with his executive assistant. She hadn’t called me crazy when I’d told her gently about the contract and the real reason behind me getting married.

All she had said was, “There’s no right or wrong way to how you choose a partner. As long as you both are happy with the arrangement.”

“Are you sure Dorette will come by to check on you?” I inquired uneasily. Dorette was her neighbor and friend, and had promised me she would check in on my mother.

“Even if she doesn’t, I’ll be fine,” Mom answered, and I could hear the exasperation in her tone. “Laurel, I have one question for you.”

At her concerned tone, I turned to regard her. The hesitancy in her voice was palpable. “I knew you weren’t comfortable with this,” I stated, knowing I wouldn’t leave her alone if she didn’t want me to go. “If you’d rather I didn’t, you know I won’t.”

“It’s your decision, dear, and I’ll support you,” Mom replied with understanding. “I know you’re doing what’s best for you and that’s a good thing.” Her face took on a more somber look. “What I want to know is if you’re sure this man won’t be a threat to you.”

I didn’t take the question lightly and thought about it as I had before. I doubted Jarrod was a dangerous man. When I’d looked him up, I didn’t see anything except his achievements. I had been bowled over by his achievements.

“He is the father of two little girls he obviously adores to be going through all this trouble,” I surmised aloud, hoping it answered her question. “I doubt he’ll turn out to be the next Ted Bundy.”

“Okay, I’ll trust your judgement,” she responded with a satisfied smile. “Let me know when you get there.”

“I will, Mom.” I hugged her, blinking away tears. “Besides, you’ll be at the wedding. You’ll meet Jarrod then. You’ll see he’s not all that bad. I could do worse than a billionaire,” I teased.

She chuckled. “Just take care of those two girls. I know you’ll do a good job with them. That’s what this job is all about, isn’t it?”

I pushed Jarrod’s handsome face from my mind before the image could completely take root. “Right. That’s it. I’ll call you later, Mom. Also, I expect you to call me when the hospital schedules your surgery. And I know you; don’t think of having this surgery without me and then call me when it’s done.”

She laughed guiltily. “I promise I won’t.”

“Great. I’ll call you when I get to Dallas. Love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, honey. And thanks for everything.”

With one final embrace, I waved goodbye and settled in my car for the long drive to Jarrod’s estate. I tried not to think about my actions for the journey because if I did, I’d probably make a U-turn and head back home. Instead, I thought about the two little girls I would be in charge of and how to be a mother to them.

Jarrod had more faith in me than I did in myself. I didn’t doubt my ability to take care of and show kindness to his daughters. But I knew nothing about being a mother. I wasn’t around people who had kids to learn from them. But anything I didn’t know, my mother was just a phone call away.

By the time I drove up to the automatic gate that allowed entrance to the estate, I was exhausted from the drive. I slowed and pressed the button for the intercom.

“Yes, how may I assist?” came the voice of the butler.

“It’s Laurel Snow,” I responded.

“How may I assist you, Ms. Snow?”

“Umm, I’m here to take on the post as caregiver for Mr. Simpson’s children,” I explained.

“Ms. Snow?” the voice returned. “I’ve not been instructed by Mr. Simpson of your arrival.”

“You haven’t?” I asked, taken by surprise. “Well, can’t you ask him?”

“Mr. Simpson isn’t home right now,” he answered. “He was called away on business. If you could give me a minute, I’ll ring him to ask the details surrounding your arrival.”

“Okay, sure.”

I was a little annoyed that Jarrod and I had arranged for me to come by this weekend and he wasn’t there. The least he could have done was inform his butler I was coming. I was also embarrassed having to explain that I was rightly there to the butler. I would have liked him to be there to introduce me to his daughters, but at least he was calling Jarrod to have everything sorted out.

“Ms. Snow,” the voice returned over the intercom.

“Yes? I’m here.”

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Simpson isn’t answering his phone.”

“But—” I stopped short when I noticed a car driving towards me. The driver seemed to be in a hurry as the car sped along the driveway, only slowing when it neared the gate. I could make out the silhouette of Jarrod sitting behind the wheel. “It’s okay,” I told the man over the intercom. “Mr. Simpson just pulled up behind me.”

“Good. He can sort this out and let you in.”

Jarrod parked behind my vehicle, and I saw his long legs before the rest of him alighted the vehicle. Although it had to be over ninety degrees of sweltering heat, he was dressed in a business suit and hadn’t broken a sweat. I quickly checked my armpits to ensure I wasn’t sweating as the air conditioner in the car was no longer functional. I relaxed when I didn’t encounter any dampness.

“Laurel, hi, what are you doing parked out here?” he asked, leaning in my window. “Didn’t anyone answer the intercom?”

“Yes, but apparently, no one expected me.”

His eyes widened in horror and I felt marginally better at his flushed face. “Damn, I didn’t tell Henry you were coming,” he announced. “I’m so sorry. It’s just been a crazy few days with last-minute meetings. I was supposed to be here to meet you and was called away. I hoped to get back before you arrived.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him with a gentle smile. “Although if I’d waited longer, I might have had to climb the gate.”

He looked relieved that I could joke about the situation, but he did look remorseful. “I’m glad you didn’t have to attempt such a daunting task,” he remarked. “I’ll open the gate and follow you to the house.”

I nodded, and he strolled back to his car. My eyes followed him through the rearview mirror, and I tried to keep my eyes on his broad back and not the waist that tapered down to a very masculine behind and long legs I’d admired earlier.

The gate parted slowly, and I drove through and continued along the driveway to the front porch. I parked and Jarrod did the same behind me, so I gathered it was okay to leave the car there for now. I got out slowly and waited on him to do the same.

“Robert will park the cars and bring your cases up to your room,” he announced, approaching me.

“Robert?” I asked.

He inclined his head, and I saw the man who hurried towards us. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, he was in his early twenties with light blond hair. Jarrod introduced me to the grounds keeper, who then took our car keys. With a touch of his hand to my back, Jarrod guided me away from the car and up the steps to the wrap-around porch. The door opened and the butler appeared just inside.

“Welcome home, sir,” he greeted.

“Thanks.” Jarrod prodded me in front of him. “Henry, I forgot to tell you Ms. Snow would arrive today to start taking care of the girls.”

“That’s understandable, sir. The last few days have been very hectic.” The butler turned to me with an outstretched hand. “Ms. Snow, welcome. I do hope you’ll make yourself at home.”

“Thank you very much,” I replied with an awkward smile. I’d never had a butler before. Well, technically, he was Jarrod’s butler, but when we eventually married, I would have a household with a butler.

“Laurel, anything you need while I’m not here,” Jarrod pointed out, “don’t hesitate to talk to Henry. He’s my right hand around this place, and the estate would be in shambles without his keen eye.”

“Why, sir, you’re too kind.”

I watched the exchange between the two and drew the conclusion that Jarrod was an excellent employer. An employer who could praise an employee for a job well done was far and few between. For some people, doing an exceptional job was simply getting your work done.

“Do you know where the kids are, Henry?” Jarrod inquired. “I’d like them to meet their new nanny.”

“They are in the recreational room, sir,” Henry replied.

“Thanks, Henry.”

When he left and I followed Jarrod along the hall and down a corridor, I couldn’t resist asking, “Wow, which century did you have to time travel to pick up that butler?”

Jarrod threw his head back and laughed, the sound booming across the corridor and filling me with unexpected warmth. “Now I can see why the kids said they preferred you to Pearl.” He grinned at me.

“They did?” I asked in surprise, pleased by the statement.

“Well, Pearl is not exactly the wifely—I mean motherly type.”

We stopped at the same room I had been in when I’d taken the wrong turn the day of the interview. He pushed the door open and gestured for me to precede him inside. The two girls sat on the carpeted floor, muddling through a jungle puzzle. They paused and looked up at us.

“Girls, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Jarrod said quietly. They both scrambled to their feet, standing side by side and holding hands. “This is Ms. Snow, your new nanny,” he explained further. “She will be living here and taking care of you. I hope you’ll be well-behaved for her. Laurel, this is Anabelle and Isabelle.”

I made a mental note to remember the girls. Anabelle was the one who seemed to be in control the day we’d met. The other one, Isabelle, was more curious. She darted glances at me as her father introduced us.

“Hello,” I greeted them. “Would you like some help with your puzzle?”

“I had thought to show you to your rooms first,” Jarrod told me. “You don’t have to start working this exact minute. You can settle down for the day.”

I waved him off and dropped to the floor where the girls had been sitting around the puzzle. “I like a good puzzle,” I told him. “You can show me the room later.”

“Uh…okay, if you’re sure.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Come on Ana, Isa, let’s see if we can muddle through this together.”

I held out my hands to them, and although they didn’t take them, they did move over to sit once again. I ignored Jarrod and focused on the twins. This was what I was there for, after all. Not to spend time with the man but with his daughters.

“Now what are we supposed to be forming?” I asked the girls, even though I could see it was a jungle of some sort with a lion in the middle.

“It’s a jungle,” Isabelle replied softly.

“Ah, that makes sense,” I reported. “How silly of me not to have noticed, right?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jarrod leave, and I breathed easier. The man stole some of the oxygen from me when he was close.

“Where do you think this piece would fit?” I asked the kids.

I did most of the talking, but they co-operated, fitting pieces once we discovered them. They were a bit stiff at first but relaxed as the pieces were put together and the lion was formed. It did take several minutes to fit everything together, but when we did, their eyes held triumph and they both held a hint of a smile.

“Whew! That was hard work,” I declared. “You’re better at this than I am. What do you want to do now? How about we check out what’s on the TV?”

They shrugged but their eager eyes gave me the answer I sought. I walked over to the huge television and retrieved the remote control. I managed to turn it on, but beyond that, I had no idea what to do. I was used to a television that you turned on and then flipped through the channels. Apparently, on this, I had to go through access, there were several apps, and I was completely lost.

“Do you know how to work the TV?” I asked them, and they shook their heads bleakly. I looked at them in surprise. “You’ve never watched the TV?”

I spun around the room and took another look at the state of the art TV, tablets, laptops, even the bleak look of the room. This wasn’t a room designed for kids. We would have to work on this room if the girls were to enjoy it.