the boys loved it as much as she did. What a great way to spend the vacation. Idly she reviewed her meeting with Luis’s grandmother. She wondered if she’d misread her room assignment. She smiled at the memory of the look on Luiss’ face. He’d looked horrified.
She almost giggled. She wasn’t really looking for a husband—she loved her work. What else could she do that combined her love for travel with her enjoyment of children? She’d never dreamed as a girl in West Virginia that she’d get to travel the world and stay in premier vacation locations. Vacation Nannies had only been in business five years, but she’d seen so much of the world that she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Well, maybe a home and family one day. But not this summer.
Checking on the boys, she was reassured they’d sleep for some time. Enough time, she hoped, for her to take a quick shower and maybe find some more coffee.
Descending the stairs to the second floor, she looked both ways. Which way to the rose room? Several doors were open, several closed. She walked down the hall to her right, looking into the rooms. A gold room, a blue room. This one had wallpaper of tiny little flowers with yellow and green the predominant colors. There was an old-fashioned bath with a huge claw-foot tub, wide sink and opened windows, letting in the sun and sea air.
The doors to the other side were closed. She tapped lightly on one, waited and when she heard no response opened the door. This was as lovely as the others, but more a taupe color than rose.
She tapped on the next door and a second later Luis opened it. He’d removed his jacket and tie and loosened the color of his shirt. She stared at him for a moment, taken aback by the casualness. He’d been all business since she’d met him. She liked the slightly disheveled look. It made him all the more appealing.
Forget it, she admonished herself. She’d never have thought that if not for the grandmother’s room assignment. He was just one in a long line of high-powered employers she’d work for over the next few weeks and likely never see again.
“I guess the next room is mine,” she said.
“No one showed you?” He frowned. “My grandmother’s usually known for her hospitality.”
“Well, I was up with the boys, who are fast asleep now. I thought a quick shower and change of clothes would be in order. When they waken, we’ll go to the beach. What time are the meals? Do they eat upstairs in the playroom?”
“Lunch is at noon. Dinner’s at seven. And the boys will probably eat with everyone else. I always did. Once the entire family gathers, it’s unlikely we’ll have one table that’ll hold everyone. But we’ll all still eat together. As long as the weather is nice, we’ll use the terrace.”
“I’ll make sure they’re ready for each meal.”
“Stacey.” Luis paused a moment.
“Yes?”
“Don’t read anything into the room arrangement.”
She almost wanted to challenge him on what he could possibly mean. But that would be silly—they both knew what he was talking about.
“Don’t worry, your bachelorhood is safe with me. I have no designs on you.”
She walked down the hall to the next room and opened the door slowly. Peering in, she was enchanted with it. Rose walls, a deep rose carpet and white duvet on the bed made it look fresh and pretty. And pink was her favorite color, in all shades.
She waved to Luis, still standing at his door, watching her, and entered, closing the door behind her. She wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or amused by his comment. Did he have so many women chasing him that he thought all were? Granted, there was that pesky awareness of him as a very virile man that flared every time she saw him, but she’d been around some of the world’s most exciting men—it was a mere aberration. Once she got a good night’s sleep, she’d be back to viewing him merely as the father of her charges.
Time to check out her room for the next three weeks. She noticed her suitcase near the door. When she picked it up, it was too light to contain clothes. Opening the wardrobe, she saw her dresses had been hung up. A quick look in the dresser showed the rest of her things. Nice to be pampered while working, she thought. There was an en suite bath on the side. The huge claw-foot tub dominated the room, but a modern shower was tucked in one corner.
Once showered and in fresh clothes, Stacey went back upstairs to await the boys’ awakening. It would be lunchtime soon, and after they ate, they could go to the beach.
Lunch was served alfresco on the veranda, with bread and cold cuts and spreads suitable for a wide variety of tastes. Stacey prepared sandwiches for herself and the boys and led them to a small table near the gardens. There was a larger table closer to the house, but she thought for this first meal they would feel more comfortable not sitting with strangers. She sat between them, to help when they needed it and to referee if required.
When Abuela Maria came from the house she stopped by the table to ask the boys if they wouldn’t rather eat at the long table set nearby, where Sophia was heading.
Pablo looked at Stacey with stricken eyes.
“I think this would suit us better,” Stacey said, smiling in response to his stricken look. “Once they’re more comfortable with everyone, then I think they’ll fit right in. Maybe in a day or two?”
“Perhaps tomorrow. I want them to enjoy their visit, and want to hear all they’re doing. But children take a little time to adjust,” the older woman said with a smile to her great-grandsons. “We want you to join us as well,” she said to Stacey. With another smile, she went to sit at the larger table with Sophia.
“She talks funny,” Juan said quietly, his eyes still studying his abuela.
“She’s speaking English with a Spanish accent, as a concession to you two who don’t speak Spanish. Maybe you can learn some words in her language while we’re here and surprise her. She’d like that,” Stacey explained. “I’ll teach you, how’s that?”
“I don’t want to learn stuff, I want to play,” Juan said, taking a bite of his sandwich. The he looked up. “Except learn to swim. Daddy said he’d teach me.”
“Ah, nadar,” Stacey said with a nod.
“Huh?”
“Nadar is Spanish for to swim. So if you want to do that, you need to say it in Spanish,” Stacey said.
“Nadar. Can we go after we eat?”
“Sí.”
“See?”
Stacey nodded. “Sí is Spanish for yes.”
She caught sight of Luis coming from the house. He looked refreshed and amazing in a polo shirt and khaki slacks. Her throat went dry. When he went to the buffet to fill his plate and then went to sit at the main table, it was all she could do to drag her eyes away. She wished she could check her hair, make sure her lipstick was still on.
Placing his plate on the main table, he came over to them.
“Not eating with the rest of us?”
