The Nanny Trap

With a family as large as Bella’s, a strange car approaching the house was cause for curiosity. As the vehicle rolled to a stop, he was surrounded by two dogs, a goat and four children ranging in age from about five to the midteens.

Blake exited the car, stretching as his feet hit the gravel driveway, and smiled in as friendly a manner as possible. “Hello,” he said. “I’m Blake Ford. I’m here to see Bella.”

“She’s in New York,” one of the boys said.

“Why do you want to see Bella?”

A dog drew close and growled.

“She told me she was coming home for a visit.”

“We haven’t seen her since Christmas,” the oldest girl said. “Is that your baby?”

“Yes.” Before Blake could stop her, she’d opened the car door and unfastened him from the seat. “His name is Drew.”

“He looks exactly like Ben when he was a baby.”

“I’m sure all babies look alike.”

“Maybe.” The girl carried Drew toward the house. “Come inside and I’ll show you Ben’s baby pictures. You’ll see for yourself.”

Blake trailed after the girl. As they neared the farmhouse, a woman stepped through the screen door. She dried her hands on a dishcloth and looked from Blake to Drew.

“Hello,” he said, coming forward to offer her his hand. “I’m Blake Ford. We spoke on the phone a month ago.”

“I remember,” the woman said, taking Drew from her daughter. “You said Bella took care of your son. Is this him?”

“Yes.”

“Mama, don’t you think he looks like Ben when he was a baby?”

“He does.” Bella’s mother fastened a hard look on Blake. “Why is that, Mr. Ford?”

“I think that’s something we should go inside and discuss.”

Thirteen

It only took one night of clubbing with Deidre for Bella to realize this wasn’t what she should be doing. They were out until dawn, going from club to party to breakfast with some of Deidre’s friends. By the time Bella fell into bed at five in the morning, she’d wished a hundred times that she’d spent the evening with Blake and Drew.

During the trip back to the city, she’d decided against going to Iowa. Her family’s farm wasn’t where she belonged anymore. Home was wherever Drew lived.

While she struggled against what her heart told her to do, Bella moped around her apartment. Restless, edgy, eating little, sleeping badly, by the fifth night, Bella’s nerves were stretched thin.

She lay awake, staring at her ceiling, watching the day brighten and feeling as if she’d made nothing but a series of bad decisions. Yesterday, Deidre had sat her down for a reality check. Her roommate made a great deal of sense. There was no perfect relationship. If she spent her life chasing after one, she’d probably end up miserable and alone.

But could she marry Blake and be a family with him and Drew knowing that he didn’t love her?

Yes.

Being with him and Drew had made her happy this summer. Deep down she’d known he didn’t love her, but she’d been more content than ever before. She belonged with Drew. And with Blake.

The bus trip back to the Hamptons seemed endless, offering her way too much time to rehearse what she was going to say to Blake. She imagined a dozen scenarios. Each one ended with Blake throwing her out of the house and telling her never to return.

Telling the taxi driver to wait, Bella headed up the front walk to the beach house. She rang the bell rather than use her key. Blake might be more receptive to her return if she didn’t barge in with a presumptuous air.

Mrs. Farnes answered the door and looked surprised to see Bella. “You’re here?”

Bella’s heart sank. “I came to see Blake.”

“He’s not here.”

“Did he return to New York?” She should have called before making the trip, but what she had to say needed to be said in person. She couldn’t risk Blake hanging up on her before she’d spoken her heart.

Mrs. Farnes stepped back and gestured Bella inside. “He’s in Iowa.” The housekeeper looked amused. “Visiting you.”

“But I didn’t go to Iowa.” She thought of all those phone calls from Blake that she’d not answered and her spirits rose. “How long has he been gone?”

“He left yesterday morning.”

That meant he’d been with her family for almost twenty-four hours. “I’d better call him.”

Bella returned to the taxi and paid the driver. For the moment she wasn’t going anywhere. On her way back inside the beach house, she dialed Blake. He answered on the third ring.