Do the math.”
“They drop by for…” Sophia thoughtfully tapped her lip. “Benefits when they’re in town.”
“Right in one.”
“And you’re jealous.”
Not a question mark anywhere near that statement. How irritating that she was so easy to read. Instead of outright denial, Libby attempted a flanking maneuver. “Why in the world would I be jealous?”
Sophia linked her fingers and settled her hands in her lap. “Because he’s a hot guy and you have a crush on him.”
“Give me credit for some maturity.” Again not a lie.
“Age has nothing to do with it. Secretaries fall in love with their bosses all the time. And the nanny falling for the guy she lives with is the stuff of romantic fantasies from Jane Eyre to The Sound of Music.”
Libby thought about confessing that her crush wasn’t a recent development and had happened years before she’d moved into the penthouse, then decided a lie was easier. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” her friend conceded. “So, you’re concerned because a sexy stewardess with a key is bad because there’s a child in the house.”
“A child who subsequently decided when she grows up, she wants to be a redhead with big boobs.”
“Oh, my.”
“No kidding.”
“That’s unfortunate, Lib, but give him the benefit of the doubt. This is a major lifestyle change for him.”
“I get that.” Libby picked up her pen and rolled it between her fingers. “If that was the only thing, I’d shrug it off. But he’s a workaholic. His priorities are budgets and business models. What concerns me is that so far he’s shown no inclination to change his lifestyle to accommodate Morgan.”
Sophia nodded. “That’s a concern.”
“Yeah. Charity and Ben took care of all the details before they left. They dotted Is and crossed Ts. Their decisions were made with abundant thought. And it begs the question—why did they trust me with Morgan for the short term, but make Jess her long-term legal guardian?”
“I can’t answer that.” Sophia studied her. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m just wondering who would be the better parent,” Libby admitted.
“As in changing the custodial status quo?”
“It’s crossed my mind. I have an appointment with an attorney.”
Sophia sat forward, her expression shocked. “You’re talking about suing for custody?”
“I haven’t really thought about it in those terms or that far ahead.”
“Have you talked to Mr. Donnelly? Maybe he would be willing, possibly relieved, to step aside. It’s possible you’d be doing him a favor. You might be able to work out a mutually agreeable solution.”
Libby clicked the top of the pen, sending the point in and out. “Before moving Morgan, I tried to talk to him and couldn’t get access. Rich people have a lot of insulation.”
“It’s probably because they need it,” her friend commented. “There are probably a lot of folks who’d like to separate him from a million or two.”
That was a good point and something Libby hadn’t considered. “I suppose it’s not easy to trust when you’re in his position. But I tried to talk to him when I brought Morgan, that very first day. He adamantly refused to even consider altering custody. Said he promised his friend.”
“Sounds awfully noble to me.”
Libby would have thought so, too. Except Jess had put a finer point on it and called Morgan a duty. But then, in the E.R., he’d been so sweet with her. Probably guilt for not being available to authorize her treatment. And yet his interaction with her had seemed to be completely natural. It was so confusing and she didn’t know what the right thing was anymore.
“What I know for sure is that I love that little girl like she’s my own. For me, walking away isn’t an option. I just want to talk to an attorney and find out what my options are—if any.”
Sophia nodded thoughtfully. “If he doesn’t voluntarily agree to walk away, you could be talking about a legal battle.”
“I know.”
“It could get expensive,” her friend pointed out. “No could about it. We’re talking lawyers and protracted legal proceedings. All of that can add up fast.”
“I get it.”
“He’s got unlimited funds and you—”
“Don’t,” Libby finished for her.
But technically she was working two jobs and saving every penny possible. Just in case.
Sophia studied her for several moments. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Yeah. Me, too.”
But Libby wouldn’t run away from it either. If she decided to go that route, it would be because that’s what was best for Morgan.
“I have to go. So much paperwork, so little time.” Sophia stood and looked down. “I have just one thing to say.”
“Do I want to hear this?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not directly about you.” She smiled. “Morgan is a lucky little girl.”
That surprised Libby, what with losing her parents and all. “Why do you say that?”
“Two good people care enough to be there for her. You and Mr. Donnelly are ready and willing to make sure she’s got everything she needs. He’s got the money, you’ve got the emotional thing going on.”
“That’s what Ginger said. It’s how I came up with the idea to be his nanny in the first place.”
“There are an awful lot of children that no one wants.” Memories turned Sophia’s eyes stormy and sad.
Libby wondered, not for the first time, about Sophia’s past, but when she looked like she did now, bringing up the bad stuff just seemed wrong. “Thanks for stopping in. It really helped to talk.”
Libby finished up her work, then left the classroom and locked the door before stopping by the day-care center to pick up Morgan. They were on the way to the car before she realized she’d forgotten the folder for a project that she’d wanted to look over for the next day. When they rounded the corner a man was standing there, peeking into her classroom window. She recognized him immediately and her stomach knotted.
Speaking of people who’d like to dip into the bank account of the wealthy, or the not wealthy. Just anyone he could use for his own
