The Beast's Nanny (The Nannies)

Caleb took the picture and she stepped away, sticking out her tongue with a giggle. She went to the oven, opened it up, and tested the turkey to find that it was done. Caleb took it out for her, and she quickly placed foil over it to keep it nice and warm. There was so much cooking to do, and she loved every second of it.

James kept bursting into carols. When he forgot the words, he’d mix up at least three into one song. It made her smile, and she was just so happy.

With all of their hard work, she and Caleb got a table for his men set up, and she helped to lay out all of the food.

“I hope there’s enough.”

“There is going to be plenty here. I have a feeling my men are going to fall in love with you. There’s not going to be any leftovers.” He rested one hand on her shoulder, and the other went to the curve of her waist. She laid her hand over his.

“I’m hungry,” James said, placing the final pecan pie on the counter.

She giggled. “Shall we?” she asked.

Their meal was already set and as they entered the dining room, she didn’t like how big it was for the three of them.

They sat around the table and she smiled. After taking a second to think of all that she was grateful for, she began to help serving.

This was the first Thanksgiving where she actually felt part of a family.

I’m so freaking odd. I consider my kidnapper family.

She made sure James’s food was cut and sat back. Glancing over at Caleb, she waited with bated breath as he tried her food. She hadn’t cooked for him, and other than breakfast, she’d never seen him eat an evening meal.

He closed his eyes and began to dig in with relish.

Smiling, she ate her own food, feeling happier than she had in a long time.

Don’t forget you’ve still got to have sex with him.

Like it’s hard. Look at him.

She kept her gaze on her food and James continued to make appreciative noises.

“I think we need to keep your nanny, don’t you, James?” Caleb asked.

“Keep her? You’re never leaving, are you?”

Grace shot a glare at Caleb and offered James a smile. “I’m not leaving. Not yet.”

“Don’t ever leave.” James climbed out of his chair and rushed toward her. For a three-year-old, he was so intuitive.

“I won’t leave. I promise.” She kissed the top of his head. “Go and eat your food.”

She promised herself she wouldn’t make a scene, but all she wanted to do was shout at Caleb for doing that.

This wasn’t her family nor was it her life.

They finished off their meal and pie in silence. Caleb wouldn’t let her do the dishes and before she and James went for his bath, she checked on the staff food. The moment she saw the empty plates, she was so happy. It wasn’t much, but it meant a great deal to her.

“Come on, James. Let’s go and get you bathed.” With all of the excitement of cooking and eating, James had his bath and actually crawled into his bed without another word, or asking to be read to. She sat in his room, watching him sleep for a good ten minutes. Grabbing his monitor, she left the room.

Guards were stationed all around the house, and they were becoming part of her every day. As she passed them tonight, they all thanked her for the food.

Feeling somewhat happier, she went to her own bedroom, only to stop when she saw Caleb in there.

So much for being patient.

“I don’t like the thought of lying to James,” she said, closing the door and putting the monitor on top of the drawer.

“Then don’t make it a lie.”

“Caleb, I’m not his nanny.”

“You are.”

“What?”

“It’s what I’m paying you for.”

“You’re not paying me.”

He pulled out his cell phone and started to type. She hated those damn devices. She found them so incredibly rude. People would bump into her because they were more focused on their phone than walking. It drove her crazy. He held the blasted thing up for her to look at the screen. Her banking information was right there in black and white, including payments for nannying.

“That’s impossible.”

“To most people. Not to me.”

“What about my other job?” she asked.

“I called and told them you quit.”

“What? No, I love that job. I can’t just quit.” She slammed her foot down.

“I think I’m proving to you, time and time again, I can do whatever the hell I want.”

“Just because you can do whatever the hell you want doesn’t actually make it right.” She growled at him. “You’re so in the wrong here, on every single level. I have a life. A life I want to get back to.”

“Not for a year. Do you really want them to put a person out of a job because you were too selfish to give it up?”