Page 10 of One Hot Daddy

"Joshua and Charlotte are strong swimmers.Amelia thinks she's part mermaid.Henry's still working on his swimming lessons.He can manage a doggy paddle across the shallow end.Joshua swims well and loves to belly flop into the pool strictly to make the girls shriek."

"Sounds like a happy, loving family."

"Yes, we are that."

I watch her surveying the yard, noting that she spots the basketball hoop with its frayed net, the swing set that needs new chains, the sandbox that's become a toilet for our neighbor's cat than a play area.I haven't had time to deal with those issues.While most nannies see only maintenance problems, Jennifer clearly notes the possibilities.

"There's a treehouse," I point toward the ancient oak at the back of the property."Joshua built it last summer with minimal adult supervision.It's structurally questionable but somehow still standing.I ordered the children to stay away from it until I can fix the problems."

Jennifer shades her eyes with her hand, squinting up at the wooden platform wedged between thick branches."Looks like it has character."

"That's one word for it.The fire department had to retrieve Charlotte from it twice last year.She kept climbing up but forgetting she's afraid of heights."

"Classic eleven-year-old logic."

I study her profile as she examines the yard.The afternoon light catches the highlights in her hair auburn, and I notice that she unconsciously toys with her earring when she's concentrating.Professional distance, I remind myself.We've already crossed one forbidden line today.

"The children's schedules are fairly straightforward," I explain, pulling my phone out of my pocket.But I realize I'm not actually looking at my phone.I'm staring at Jennifer's lips again, remembering how soft they felt against mine for that brief, electric moment.

Focus, you bloody moron.

My trousers have grown tighter, though fortunately, not enough that she might have noticed.I clear my throat and focus on the screen."Joshua has football practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Charlotte has soccer practice on Wednesdays.Amelia refuses to commit to any activities because she's convinced they'll interfere with her 'transformation schedule,' whatever that means."

Jennifer pulls out her own notebook again and begins scribbling.I notice her hand trembles slightly as she writes.At least I'm not the only one still rattled by what happened earlier.

"And Henry?"she asks.

"He has swimming lessons on Saturdays, though he spends most of the time trying to dupe his instructor into believing his sister Amelia is actually a mermaid who lives in the pool."I scroll through my calendar, focusing on the task at hand instead of the lingering sensation of Jennifer's lips against mine."Henry also has a standing playdate with the neighbor's son on Saturday afternoons.They build elaborate LEGO structures and make up ridiculous stories about them."

Jennifer grins."That sounds adorable."

Then her attention returns to her notepad, and her pen moves quickly across the page.She's all business now, as if the kiss never happened.I should be relieved.

I'm not.

Jennifer puts away her pen and notepad."I think I've got everything I need for now.The rest I can find out on my own when the kids get home."

"I need to make an appearance at work.I should probably check in, make sure everything's running smoothly."I clear my throat, trying to sound like a responsible adult instead of a man who just kissed his new employee."Will you be all right here on your own for a few hours?"

"Of course."She adjusts her purse strap, looking every inch the competent nanny."I'd like to get settled in my room, maybe familiarize myself with the house layout before the children arrive.But I won't peek into their rooms.Kids need their privacy, especially with a stranger joining the family."

I nod and move toward the front door, though part of me wants to stay right here with Jennifer.To see how she'll react to Joshua's collection of dismantled electronics in the hallway closet.Or Charlotte's "Twelve Rules of Living with brothers" that she taped to her bedroom door.

"The spare key is under the ceramic frog by the front steps," I tell Jennifer."I know it's not the most secure hiding spot, but with four children constantly losing their keys..."

"Don't worry about it.I understand completely."

I check my watch."I really must head to the hotel.I've been away longer than planned."

"Go, go," Jennifer says, making a shooing motion with her hands."I've got this.You'll be back before the children come home.I'm looking forward to finally meeting them."

With the front door halfway open, I turn my head to glance at Jennifer."If the little monsters should arrive early for some reason..."

"Relax, Fletcher.I promise not to let the kids bamboozle me with tall tales about family life in the Murgatroyd clan."

"I'm impressed that you've already mastered our family's odd surname."

Jennifer's smile is warm enough to melt butter."Well, I wouldn't want to say it wrong when I meet the children."