Chapter 37
***Zander***
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Olivia walked into the library and looked around the couches at where I’d just sat down with my brothers and Aggie. “I was hoping that we could discuss Gracie.”
I placed my whiskey on the coffee table and held in a sigh. Olivia had been in the house for two days and there’d been zero privacy since she’d strolled in. “Is everything okay?”
She nodded and cast a glance at Aggie. It was fast and barely noticeable, but it’d been there. Judging by the slight furrowing of her brows, she wasn’t going anywhere until she got out her thoughts. “I was hoping we could talk in private.”
The tension in the room simmered higher. I knew that something was going through Aggie’s head, but there’d been no time to force it out of her. She’d hadn’t been in my bed since Olivia arrived and her excuses were wearing thin. My patience was wearing thin.
“Here.” Aggie stood up and motioned for Olivia to take her spot. “I was just going to slip upstairs to tell Gracie goodnight anyway.”
Olivia hesitated and winced. “I’m sorry, Aggie. She’s already asleep and it’s so important for her to get uninterrupted sleep.”
Kyrin shifted forward in his seat, frowning. “Aggie’s been taking care of Gracie just fine. If she wants to pop in on Gracie, she can pop in.”
“Oh, of course! I’m sorry.” Olivia moved past Aggie and patted Kyrin’s knee. “I didn’t mean to imply anything by what I said. I think I just have something else on my mind and it’s making me sound like a brat. I promise that this will only take a few minutes.”
I studied Aggie, frustrated that I couldn’t just pick her brain. “You can stay, Aggie.”
Aggie caught the way Olivia sighed and pressed her fingers to her mouth. Patting the back of my couch, but nowhere near touching me, Aggie didn’t even bother faking a smile. “This seems like a private conversation. I’ll see everyone in the morning.”
Knight stood up. “I was heading up to bed. I’ll walk with you.”
“Actually, I was hoping to speak to all three of you.” Olivia turned to face Aggie and clasped her hands in her lap. “Sorry, Aggie.”
Aggie laughed, the sound flat. “Don’t worry about it, Olivia. You’re the nanny. I’m not exactly a part of this after tomorrow. What’s that they say about need to know and all that?”
“Oh, Aggie, you’re the nicest. When I’m done here, I’ll join you in your room. I want to finish picking your brain before you leave.” Olivia turned back to me, dismissing Aggie. “It’s about Gracie’s reading level. I really worry that she’s fallen behind.”
I looked between Aggie and Olivia, but Aggie didn’t hesitate in leaving and shutting the door behind her.
Sighing, I turned my focus on our new nanny and drummed my fingers on my leg while I listened to her.
Time felt like it stopped as she went on, but I was responsible for Gracie’s education.
I didn’t feel like I could leave in good conscience.
“I really appreciate Aggie’s help in adjusting, but I think it’s important to set a new standard.
” Olivia took a sip from her tea and frowned.
“I understand that this is new to you three. You weren’t parents and then you were.
There’s a lot that goes into making sure a child of Gracie’s standing is raised right.
She needs structure and focus. If she’s allowed to do whatever feels right, or whatever she’s doing now, she’ll stall out in this phase.
I’m afraid Aggie has encouraged her to sit in her grief. ”
I shook my head firmly. “No. Aggie has been great. Gracie has flourished under her care.”
Nodding quickly, Olivia clasped her hands to her chest. “I’m sure she has, Zander.
Aggie is wonderful. She’s been so kind to me.
She even listened to me ramble on and on the past two nights until she just passed right out.
I don’t doubt her heart. It’s just that.
.. I went to a school similar to the school Gracie will attend in the fall.
I have a feeling that Aggie didn’t. The children can be cruel.
I just want to make sure Gracie has the best chance at success. ”
Knight grunted as he stood up and grabbed his whiskey. “I’m going to bed.”
Kyrin stared hard at me. “Same. I assume you can handle this.”
I got the message. They both wanted me to set Olivia straight.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I’d gone over Olivia’s resume enough to know that she was well-respected.
Her references swore by her talent to offer childcare that prepared their children for their futures in ways they’d never seen done before.
She was the most sought after nanny from the most sought after company in the state.
There were no red flags in her professional career.
On the other hand, Aggie wasn’t a nanny.
It was something she’d shouted at me more than once.
She’d never wanted to be a nanny and she had no interest in ever doing it again.
She’d even said she didn’t want kids. She could look at a marketing problem and solve it faster than anyone I’d ever known, while giving multiple solutions to improve profits, but she hadn’t known if Gracie would be able to go to the bathroom on her own when she first arrived.
I was a logical man. I’d gotten to where I was in my life because I made smart decisions.
It didn’t make sense to doubt Olivia as a nanny.
I worked the options over in my head and came up with the one that would be the least problematic.
“I’ll relieve Aggie of her duties. Do whatever you need to do to make sure Gracie can assimilate into her new school.
I want it to be as easy as possible for her. ”
Olivia clapped her hands together and smiled. Crossing her legs, she leaned forward, looking up at me through her lashes. “I respect you so much, Zander. I look forward to working with you.”
“We won’t be working together, Olivia. My brothers and I have a close relationship with Aggie, but we don’t intend to become friends with you, or any other nannies.
” I saw her face fall and drained the last of my whiskey.
“Don’t take it personally. While checking your references, I saw that you’re more than capable at your job.
I respect that. I expect that same level of professionalism from you while working for us. ”
Her face went crimson as she stood up and clasped her hands together. “Of course. I’m sorry, sir.”
“Email me with anything you need for Gracie. When you have her schedule finalized, I’d appreciate a copy of it, as well.” I nodded to the door. “Leave the door open when you leave, please.”
“Yes, sir.” She hurried out and I could hear the sound of her shoes as she went up the stairs, disappearing into the house.
I groaned and pressed my empty glass against my eye sockets. The cool glass felt nice against the headache that was quickly forming. I was going to kick my brothers’ asses. As soon as I found Aggie and figured out what was going through her head.
Then I was going to kick my own ass after I told Aggie we didn’t need her to act as nanny any longer.