She had heard of those websites, had even stumbled on one when she’d done her Google search. He was listed on a blog run by someone named Captain Justice called Presumed Guilty as Hell. It had struck her as ironic that the blogger posted personal information about suspects who’d been wrongly accused but kept his own identity hidden.
“No problem. I’m still trying to figure out the logistics of working from here. A week isn’t a long time.”
“Wow, it’s already been a week,” he said. “Are you glad I blackmailed you into helping me out?”
“Glad? No, not really. But I do like this job and it’s giving me a lot of ideas for my column,” she said, smiling.
“I’m glad to hear that. Is there anything else I need to know?”
“I’m scheduled for a talk at a women’s group a week from Thursday. Will you be back by then?” she asked.
“I will. I expect to be home either later tomorrow or the day after,” he said.
“Conner will be happy to hear it,” she said.
A minute later he was back in his bedroom. She scooted over so he could hold the iPad and talk to Kingsley again.
Conner leaned in close to the camera and gave his dad a big smile. “How’s my teeth?”
Gabi had to laugh. She wondered how much of last night’s upset had to do with being tired, because he was fine today.
“Perfect. See you soon,” Kingsley said.
“Bye, Daddy,” Conner replied, disconnecting the call.
She spent the rest of the morning trying to forget that moment when Kingsley had said he wasn’t on a date. It didn’t mean anything.
And during Conner’s nap, when she came across pictures of him in a club on a society blog, she realized it really didn’t mean anything. Except he’d lied.
Seven
“So this place is nice,” Melissa said as she put a stack of papers in front of Gabi to sign the next day. “Doesn’t seem like it’s much of a hardship to be living here. I think I’d spend all day staring out the window.”
Gabi smiled at her assistant. “Did I make the wrong choice when I promoted you?”
“Hell, no. Just saying. You weren’t too sure about working here—”
“Not because of the location. Who wouldn’t want to be on a cliff-top mansion with the Pacific Ocean stretching endlessly in front of them?”
“So how is the kid? Is he spoiled?”
Gabi shook her head. She turned away from Melissa, thinking about how sweet little Conner was. He was the kind of child that made being a nanny easy. She loved his attitude and the way he was well behaved. She tried to ignore the fact that a lot of that had to do with Kingsley. Conner had his moments when he went into toddler meltdown, but King was firm with him. She’d seen the way he handled Conner’s temper. He made sure Conner knew his behavior wasn’t acceptable and always got him back on track.
She was impressed.
Not just with the three-year-old. But also with his thirtysomething father. Kingsley might have come back to California for reasons he wasn’t being entirely clear with her on, but a part of her was starting to believe him when he’d said it was because he wanted Conner to have all the advantages of growing up in the sun and sand that Kingsley hadn’t had.
“Conner is great. It’s just that I haven’t nannied in so long and I’m busy with the admin stuff. Thanks for driving out here today to deliver this paperwork. I’m glad we got the visas for South America out of the way. We also need to have proof of vaccinations before any of our employees leave for the rain forest.”
“I’m on it,” Melissa said. “I need some advice on something.”
“Shoot.”
“Abby is back. She wants to try another placement. I feel like she’s taking advantage of our friendship,” Melissa said.
Abby wasn’t the best nanny; she flirted with a lot of the fathers so the moms weren’t exactly keen to have her living in. “What did she say?”
“Just that she really needs a job and since I was in charge of hiring...”
“She can’t go back into a house, but have you considered her as your assistant?” Gabi suggested. Gabi had a soft spot for Abby. She was a hard worker, and the kids loved her. And Gabi hated to think of anyone who was willing to work not working.
“I hadn’t. That’s a good idea. I will mention it to her,” Melissa said. “Thanks.”