The Holiday Nanny Read Online Free Page A

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    â€œApparently, kids are clamoring to get in there.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œMaybe because they get to live on a big farm in North Dakota with everything a kid could ask for—a creek toswim in, a hill to slide down in winter, lots of woods to hide in and animals galore.”
    â€œYou sound like you’ve seen the place.”
    â€œI checked it out.” David shrugged. “I had my god-daughter to protect, remember?”
    Wade met his gaze. “Thanks, man.”
    â€œMy pleasure.” David grinned. “It’s a fantastic farm. Not a lot that’s modern but the Martens family make up for that. They seem to adore each and every one of their charges, and their kids beg not to be moved. Of the forty kids the family has had over the years, most have gone on to college.”
    â€œIncluding Miss Ladden?”
    â€œNo, she stayed after high school to help the Martens family with a special needs kid. And call her Connie. She doesn’t stand on formality.” David lifted his pizza then winced. “I can understand your reasons for preferring formality after the last nanny, but I’m fairly sure you’re safe with Connie. She’s had some bad experiences with men. I can’t imagine she’s interested in repeating the experience. Has she told you about her father?”
    â€œNo.” Wade wanted to know more about the vivacious woman who seemed to adore Silver. “She told me about her fiancé bailing though.”
    â€œYou should ask her about her dad,” David said quietly.
    â€œShe entered foster care when she was eleven and hasn’t seen her father since.”
    Wade couldn’t imagine how Connie must have felt. He’d grown up with a beautiful home and parents who made sure he had everything he needed. Things had changed when Amanda arrived on the scene, especially after Wade’s stepbrother, Danny, was born. But Wade had never been abandoned.
    Until Bella in Brazil.
    â€œThat’s the reason Connie came to Tucson,” David continued. “She’s trying to find her father.”
    Wade frowned. “Why?”
    â€œYou should ask her.”
    â€œI will,” Wade assured him. “But right now I’m asking you.”
    â€œI’m guessing she wants some kind of closure.” David grabbed another piece of pizza. “What do I know? I’m just a lawyer.”
    â€œA very good one.”
    â€œThanks. What are you going to do about the company? You know Amanda won’t let your decision to stay here go by without a fight.” David sighed. “Dear Amanda. Sometimes I wish your father hadn’t left her those shares in Abbot Bridges.”
    â€œYou and me both.” Wade pushed away his plate, refused the dessert their server offered and asked for coffee. He sipped it then pushed it away as well. “The one thing I really miss about Argentina is the coffee.”
    â€œAmanda?” David nudged.
    â€œShe can’t force me to go back,” he insisted. “She’ll just have to understand that I need to be here for Silver. I’ll find someone else to take my place.”
    â€œBut you’ve always been the overseas foreman,” David said with a frown. “Are you sure you can let go of that?”
    â€œAlready have. I asked Hector Salazar to scout out the next location before I left. His work is ahead of schedule. Time means money, and you know how Amanda loves money.” Wade grinned. “When the board sees how much we’ll save, they’ll approve my plans.”
    â€œI hope you’re right.” David didn’t look convinced. He checked his watch and laid down his napkin. “I have a meeting in ten minutes. I have to go.” He thrust out his hand and smacked Wade on the shoulder. “I’m glad you’reback, man. That little darlin’ of yours needs her daddy around.”
    â€œThanks.” Wade slapped him back, just a little