Chapter 4 – Addison
Chapter Four
ADDISON
W hen I see the agency's number on my phone, I cringe. I was planning to call them later, but given how quickly they are reaching out, I assume Robert has already done so.
I wonder if they'll be upset that I'm not willing to accept this offer. It’s just not a fit, but Robert could throw a temper tantrum, and people with money often get what they want in the end. That would be me getting fired because he couldn't strong-arm me into working for him.
“Addison Parker,” I say, answering the call professionally.
“We have a change of plan. There is another family in need of a nanny now. I need you to get over there ASAP.”
“Okay,” I blurt out quicker than I should. Asking her a few questions may have been a good idea before I agreed, but I'm simply relieved that she isn't questioning me about Remington.
If I could get hired by another family, that would be perfect. It would mean Remington gets turned down but I still get to keep my job. A little luck might be on my side.
“I’ll send you the address over now.”
“And the folder?” I could read over it on the ride over.
“Sorry, I’m away from my desk, but I will when I get back there.”
"All right, are there any additional details you could provide?"
“Name is McRae.”
“You got a first name to go with it?”
“Carr.” Well, crap.
“A wife?” There is no way I’m making the mistake of assuming this time.
“It’s complicated.” I inwardly groan at her response, but it can’t be worse than Robert. I could check it out at the very least. I really have nothing to lose at this point. It’s either the unemployment line or work with this complicated family.
“All right, send me the information when you can.”
“Will do. Address coming over now.”
“Thanks,” I say before ending the call. I copy the address and plug it into my Uber app.
It doesn’t take too long to get there, and I’m pleased when we get off the highway into the suburbs.
"Oh wow." I peer up the side of a beautiful green, lush hill that has a stunning mansion at the top that has to have a view of the city.
These people are well past rich. This is pure wealth. The Uber driver pulls up to the gate at the bottom of the hill, next to a little house. A man in a security uniform steps out. I bet I couldn’t even afford to live inside that gatehouse. I should have googled the name Lindsay gave me. This Carr person would surely come up if he owns this place.
“Name?”
“Addison Parker. I’m from Your Home, Our Nanny.” I hand over my ID before he can ask. He nods, handing it back.
“You can pull up to the main door past the carport.”
"Thanks,” I say.
“This place is swanky,” the driver says.
"Yeah." I suddenly feel underdressed, but I remind myself that these people are somehow desperate, and I'm coming at the last minute for them. What I’m wearing really shouldn’t matter.
He pulls around a freaking fountain to the giant front door. A man in a butler style suit steps out and opens my door for me. That’s promising. There is other staff around. So far, so good.
“Addison Parker?”
“That’s me.” I take his offered hand, and he helps me out.
“I’m Errol Hubbort. I run the McRae home.” Home is putting it lightly. This is more than a home. It’s massive.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Trust me. The pleasure is all ours. Come.” He tries to hurry me inside.
I grab my bag. “Can you wait for me?” I ask the driver, just in case I need to get the heck outta here.
“Not necessary.” Errol closes the car door. “We have a driver here. Ben can take you anywhere you need to go,” he adds. I eye him. Not that it matters now. My car is already pulling away. “We need you.” His shoulders drop. The older man's expression almost makes me want to laugh. Errol does seem harmless. To be honest, he looks desperate for my help. I may be being na?ve, but I get a good vibe from him.
“All right,” I agree.
“Thank God.” He lets out a breath.
“Is it that bad?” Maybe I should be worried. Have children overrun the house?
“You have three men trying to take care of a baby. It’s not going great.” I snort a laugh.
“Only the one?” I really have no details on this family.
“If that woman shows up with another—” Errol scoffs, shaking his head.
“The mother?”
“If you can call her that.” He opens one of the double doors, motioning for me to enter. The place is as lovely on the inside as the outside.
“So she’s not in the picture?”
“I’m sure she’ll pop up if she needs some money.”
"Oh my goodness, did she just abandon her baby?" My heart breaks for the baby. I know what that's like. Hopefully, though, the dad will step up beyond only hiring a nanny.
“Like it was last season's Birkin.” I didn’t know that a Birkin could go out of season. Not for how much they cost.
I run my hands down the lavender blouse that I got from Kohl’s, making sure it doesn't have any wrinkles. The mother of the baby would probably die if she saw my Kate Spade bag that I found in a thrift store. I thought I hit the jackpot when I laid eyes on it.
I follow Errol down a wide hallway. There are beautiful paintings hanging all along it. I fight the urge not to touch them, wanting to check to make sure it’s secure for a toddler with wandering hands. This place will need a few changes.
“Oh.” My ears perk up when I hear a cry.
“She’s this way.” Errol and I move swiftly toward another pair of double doors, but this time, they are open. A man in a suit stands with his broad back to us in front of a larger desk. Even from behind, I can tell his suit is expensive. The crying has stopped, but I can hear the baby still fussing.
“Sir?” I assume the man is Carr. He turns to face us, tenderly cradling a baby in his arms. That's a positive sign.
My breath catches at the sight of him. Holy crap. The dad is good-looking. That’s actually an understatement; he’s freaking hot. It doesn’t help that he’s got a baby tucked snuggly to his chest. Or that his suit fits him like a damn glove. In his arms, that baby appears tiny.
“You’re the nanny?” he asks. I’m not sure if I should be offended by the question. Is it because I appear out of place here?
“The one you needed at the last second.” As the baby girl begins to fuss more intensely in his arms, I move closer to him.
“I fed her and changed her. I don’t know what’s wrong.”
“Did you burp her?” He lets me take her from his arms.
“Yes, I’ve tried but nothing.” I place her over my shoulder, gently massage the center of her back, and then begin a firm, up-and-down pat. She lets out a giant burp. I smile while Carr’s eyes go wide.
“Excuse you,” Erroll replies dryly, but I can tell he's teasing.
“You’re hired,” Carr says. “You’ll move in today. Call Ben. We'll send someone to get her things.”
Well, isn’t he bossy? Why is that kind of hot when it should be really annoying?
“I never agreed to take the job.”
“That so?” Carr stands up a bit straighter.
“Do you always get what you want, Mr. McRae?”
“Yes,” he says without hesitation. It doesn’t come out cocky.
“Then parenthood is going to be rather challenging for you.”
“I’m adept at making deals. It’s what I do.”
I have a feeling he can do a lot more than that.