Savannah nodded at the maps. “Show us where we’ll be hiking.”
Declan rose and leaned over the map of California, showing where San Francisco was and Yosemite National Park. He drew a marker along the Pacific Crest Trail showing where it became the John Muir Trail in Yosemite.
“It’s a high elevation,” Savannah murmured, following as he pointed it out.
“Some of it’s above ten thousand feet. And we’ll have higher peaks surrounding us.”
“Where are we staying?” Jacey asked, leaning forward to look.
“Camping out on the trail. We’ll backpack our stuff—clothes, tent, sleeping bags, food, everything. This is true wilderness. But the resort is here,” Declan said, pointing to a spot on the map not too far from Yosemite National Park.
Jacey pulled out her cell phone to check it. “Mom should be calling me,” she said.
“Maybe your mother has already started her summer,” Declan said.
“What does that mean?” she asked suspiciously.
“She obviously had plans this summer that didn’t include you. Why else would you be here for three months?”
“She likes to have me there.”
“I know she does. But she’s an adult and would like some time to herself,” Declan said.
“She can’t do much. She has to work all the time. We don’t have money for extras,” Jacey said.
“I have to work,” he said easily.
“Most people on the planet have to work,” Savannah added. Wow, Margo had done a number on this child. Money wasn’t that important in the greater scheme of things. Family, friends, experiences, all went together to make a rich, fulfilling life. Money helped, but there was more to life than money.
“You’re rich, you could do more for us,” Jacey said to her father, ignoring Savannah.
“What more do you want, Jacey?” he asked, looking directly at her.
“We’re always pinching pennies,” she grumbled.
“I send your mother a lot of money each month. It’s supposed to all go for you. What’re you lacking that my generous child support doesn’t provide?” he asked.
“I didn’t go skiing with my friends in February. Mom said we didn’t have enough money and you wouldn’t give her any more.”
“You’re old enough to understand a few things,” Declan said. “First we’ll discuss the money I send.” He told her how much money he sent each month. Judging from the way Jacey’s eyes widened, she’d had no idea. “Granted, some of it goes to supplement the rent and food and basic expenses like that. But if your mother managed the money well, there’d be plenty for extras like a ski trip in February. And, by the way, this is the first time I’ve heard about that.”
“It’s expensive to live in New York,” Jacey said.
“Your mother’s not managing the money I’m sending. Next time something like that comes up, call me directly. I’ll consider paying for the trip.”
“Mom needs money this summer,” she said.
“Now isn’t that interesting? I continue to pay the same amount every month, no reduction for the time you stay with me.”
Declan glanced at Savannah who was watching the interchange closely. He disliked airing dirty laundry in front of strangers, not that she was a stranger precisely, but he didn’t know her now. She’d changed over the years. He hadn’t a clue what she was thinking. Probably that all his problems served him right. He’d made a major mistake and could never forget that.
“So we leave in two days,” she said, trying to change the subject.
He nodded, suddenly wondering if his idea had been such a good one after all. Jacey was behaving worse than he’d expected. He hoped their time together would prove beneficial.
What really startled him was the anticipation he felt at the thought of spending the next three weeks with Savannah Williams. She’d done nothing even to hint she wanted to resume a friendship, much less anything more. And he couldn’t blame her. Looking back, he’d shattered something precious.
No one could go back to the past. Knowing what he now knew, he’d have held on to Savannah for all he was worth.
What would it be like to take this trip with her? What if they could have taken it alone? Spend days hiking spectacular country and then nights with nothing but the starry sky overhead and endless miles of empty land surrounding them? He knew the reality of their trip would be different, but, for a moment, he almost pretended.
CHAPTER THREE
TIME flew by and before she knew it Savannah was boarding a plane for the flight to San Francisco Monday morning. All weekend she’d dithered, talking things through with Stephanie because she couldn’t reach her sister. In the end, she decided to go. It might be a mistake, but she’d made plenty of those in her life. What was one more?
Declan had booked three seats in first class, a luxury she’d grown used to in her line of work. Most of the families who could afford Vacation Nannies had plenty of money and wanted their children to enjoy first-class travel as much as they did—as long as the nanny was there to watch them.
Sitting by the window, Savannah settled in with pleasure. Her lifestyle was so different today from what she’d experienced growing up in that small house on the outskirts of Palmerville, West Virginia.
“Want to sit by the window?” Declan asked Jacey when they boarded the plane.
“Whatever,” she said, going in first. Their two seats were together. Savannah’s was across the aisle.
Settling in, they watched as the rest of the passengers for the flight boarded. Once they were airborne, Declan got out of his seat and leaned over to talk to Savannah.
“There was a mix-up in the room reservation at the hotel in San Francisco. We have a suite, but only two bedrooms. Would you find it horrible to share with Jacey? I was confirmed for a larger suite, but found out this morning we got bumped to the smaller one. Some special envoy or something.”
She looked into his dark eyes. He looked tired. How stressful was it having his teenage daughter fighting him at every step? Jacey stared out the window, looking mad and unhappy.
“That’s what you’ve hired me for, to be with Jacey. It’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. If she says anything—I mean, I expect she’ll be a bit of a brat.”
“Remember you asked for a teen expert. I’ve handled recalcitrant teenagers before. Relax, Declan. She’s being a teenager. They really do better with boundaries and adults running the show. Start as you mean to go on.”
He nodded and sat back in his seat.
Savannah
