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“We made a good team, Jim.” She hoped that reminder would produce a smile, but his expression remained sober. “This has been the end to a perfect day, but Jeremy has school in the morning and you’re rescheduled for an appointment with your therapist, so I’ll see you two back at the car.”
Without waiting for a response she headed for his truck. She’d love nothing more than to stay there all day, but it was time to wean herself from Jeremy and his father. Tomorrow and Friday she had final interviews for two different jobs. With Vic being on vacation, he’d have time to find the right nanny.
They had an hour and a half drive back to Vic’s house. During the first part Jeremy chattered nonstop about the horses. But by the time they pulled around the side of the house to the barn, he’d fallen asleep against the seat. Vic carried him in the back door of the house to his bedroom. At that point Claire took over getting Jeremy ready for bed so Vic could unload the horses.
Jeremy woke up long enough to brush his teeth and get into his pajamas. After he got in bed, she drew the covers over him and sat on the end of the bed until he’d fallen asleep again. Vic came into the bedroom while she was deep in thought. “Claire?” She looked over at him in the semidarkness.
“He went right back to sleep. But I’m worried that when he has to go to school in the morning, he won’t want to go.”
Vic moved closer and sat down on one of the chairs. “Did he say anything?”
“No. But I’ve been trying to put myself in his shoes and know I’d be afraid after what happened.”
“I’ve been worrying about that, too.”
/> “Do you think when you visit Dr. Marshall tomorrow you could ask him to recommend someone who works with children? Jeremy probably needs to talk to a therapist.”
“I’m way ahead of you. Until then, when you drive him to school in the morning, would you walk him inside and see how he reacts when you tell him you’re going home? If he’s anxious, phone me. My first therapy session starts at nine and will be over at ten, but I’ll answer the phone in case there’s a problem.”
“Okay. I just thought I should remind you that I have a job interview tomorrow at eleven.” At the mention of it, a grimace marred his handsome features. “It’s downtown and shouldn’t take more than an hour. If Jeremy doesn’t want to stay at school, I’ll drive him home and wait until you get there.”
All of a sudden he got to his feet. “We need to talk, but not in here. Let’s go in the family room. I’ll leave his door open.”
Sensing his tension, Claire left the bedroom and headed for the family room. She sat in one of the leather chairs. He remained standing. “I didn’t realize your interview is in the morning.”
“The other one is on Friday. I hadn’t really thought about them until tonight.” Earlier tonight she’d discovered an important truth. Feeling the way she did about Jeremy and his father, it would be painful to stay with them any longer than was absolutely necessary.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Do either of the jobs look promising?”
“They both offer excellent salaries, but that’s just on paper.”
“Do either of them involve a change of location?”
“Both of them would be in Houston.”
Vic shifted his weight. “How many applications have you submitted so far?”
“Ten, but these two sound the most promising.”
He raised a black brow. “Do you mind my asking what salaries they’re offering?”
Nervous because she knew this was upsetting him, she moistened her lips. “For starting salaries, one said $70,000, and the other said $75,000.”
She heard a strange sound come out of him. “Either position pays more than double what I pay you. Would you consider working for me another year if I offered you $70,000?”
Stunned by his offer, Claire could only look at the floor. “I wouldn’t let you pay me that much.”
“That’s my decision, surely,” he said in what she thought of as his Ranger Malone voice.
“Another nanny would be more than happy to make the money you’ve been paying me.”
“But I don’t want another nanny, and I promise you that Jeremy doesn’t want another one, either.”
Claire had expected a strong reaction from Jeremy, but not his father.
“Vic—Jeremy will be out of school next week. You’re off work this week—now’s the perfect time for you to find a new nanny. I’ll help you pick the right person. You knew I would only be working for you until my graduation.”
His eyes blazed like black fire. “But circumstances in our household have changed. The kidnapping was traumatic for Jeremy.”
