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“Fabulous. If they wake up early, they can play quietly until it’s time for breakfast,” she said, following him into the bedroom that held twin beds.
The boys came in, curious to see their bedroom. Juan bounced on the bed, then flopped down.
“I think we should wash our face and hands and lie down while I read you a story,” Stacey said as one of the maids brought up their suitcases.
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Luis said, anxious to escape before he started thinking along the lines of his grandmother. It was interesting to see Stacey’s interaction with Juan and Pablo. He was used to Hannah, loving yet a bit staid. Stacey made everything seem like an adventure.
Luis went down to the second floor and to his room. His things had already been unpacked and put away. Eyeing the bed, he considered lying down himself, but knew he’d be asleep in no time. He wanted to stay awake to adjust to European time as quickly as possible. Going to the windows, he looked out on the gardens. They were lovely, in full bloom. He opened the window, stepping out onto the porch that wrapped around the villa. The fragrance that filled the air also brought many memories.
How many summers had he spent here? A dozen at least. His father had led a busy life, and hadn’t wanted young children along, complicating things. His sister had enjoyed the summers. He had too, once he’d reconciled himself to staying. As a teenager, though, he’d rebelled more than once.
Turning, he started back into his room when his eye caught the open French doors next to his. That was the room where Stacey would be sleeping. He frowned. Maybe he should suggest a different room for her.
For the first time since Melissa’s death he considered what it would be like to marry again. He’d never meet anyone like Melissa. But it would be better if he could share the raising of his children with someone who would love them as much as he did. Maybe even have another child or two. He thought he’d like a little girl. One with blonde curls and a sunny smile.
He took one last look at the garden and went back into the bedroom. The fatigue from the flight was rattling his mind. He had work to do, not fantasies to dream.
Stacey settled the boys down on one bed and brought out one of her books from her tote. She lay down beside them and opened the big picture book to read. They were all crowded together with scarcely any room to move, but the boys didn’t complain, eager to hear the story. By the time she reached the end, both of them were sound asleep.
She covered them with a light blanket and quietly left the room, leaving the door ajar so she could hear them. She didn’t want them upset or scared when they woke in a strange place.
Entering the playroom, she walked around, studying it thoughtfully. This was where Luis had spent his summers. Had he missed his parents or been so thoroughly indulged by his grandparents he hadn’t had a chance to miss them? He’d mentioned a sister. Stacey supposed she would also be attending the birthday gathering. Would their parents?
She went to the window to look at the sea. She couldn’t wait to get out there. She hoped the boys loved it as much as she did. What a great way to spend the vacation. Idly she reviewed her meeting with Luis’s grandmother. She wondered if she’d misread her room assignment. She smiled at the memory of the look on Luiss’ face. He’d looked horrified.
She almost giggled. She wasn’t really looking for a husband—she loved her work. What else could she do that combined her love for travel with her enjoyment of children? She’d never dreamed as a girl in West Virginia that she’d get to travel the world and stay in premier vacation locations. Vacation Nannies had only been in business five years, but she’d seen so much of the world that she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Well, maybe a home and family one day. But not this summer.
Checking on the boys, she was reassured they’d sleep for some time. Enough time, she hoped, for her to take a quick shower and maybe find some more coffee.
Descending the stairs to the second floor, she looked both ways. Which way to the rose room? Several doors were open, several closed. She walked down the hall to her right, looking into the rooms. A gold room, a blue room. This one had wallpaper of tiny little flowers with yellow and green the predominant colors. There was an old-fashioned bath with a huge claw-foot tub, wide sink and opened windows, letting in the sun and sea air.
The doors to the other side were closed. She tapped lightly on one, waited and when she heard no response opened the door. This was as lovely as the others, but more a taupe color than rose.
She tapped on the next door and a second later Luis opened it. He’d removed his jacket and tie and loosened the color of his shirt. She stared at him for a moment, taken aback by the casualness. He’d been all business since she’d met him. She liked the slightly disheveled look. It made him all the more appealing.
Forget it, she admonished herself. She’d never have thought that if not for the grandmother’s room assignment. He was just one in a long line of high-powered employers she’d work for over the next few weeks and likely never see again.
“I guess the next room is mine,” she said.
“No one showed you?” He frowned. “My grandmother’s usually known for her hospitality.”
“Well, I was up with the boys, who are fast asleep now. I thought a quick shower and change of clothes would be in order. When they waken, we’ll go to the beach. What time are the meals? Do they eat upstairs in the playroom?”
“Lunch is at noon. Dinner’s at seven. And the boys will probably eat with everyone else. I always did. Once the entire family gathers, it’s unlikely we’ll have one table that’ll hold everyone. But we’ll all still eat together. As long as the weather is nice, we’ll use the terrace.”
“I’ll make sure they’re ready for each meal.”
“Stacey.” Luis paused a moment.
“Yes?”
“Don’t read anything into the room arrangement.”
She almost wanted to challenge him on what he could possibly mean. But that would be silly—they both knew what he was talking about.
“Don’t worry, your bachelorhood is safe with me. I have no designs on you.”
She walked down the hall to the next room and opened the door slowly. Peering in, she was enchanted with it. Rose walls, a deep rose carpet and white duvet on the bed made it look fresh and pretty. And pink was her favorite color, in all shades.
She waved to Luis, still standing at his door, watching her, and entered, closing the door behind her. She wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or amused by his comment. Did he have so many women chasing him that he thought all were? Granted, there was that pesky awareness of him as a very virile man that flared every time she saw him, but she’d been around some of the world’s most exciting men—it was a mere aberration. Once she got a good night’s sleep, she’d be back to viewing him merely as the father of her charges.
Time to check out her room for the next three weeks. She noticed her suitcase near the door. When she picked it up, it was too light to contain clothes. Opening the wardrobe, she saw her dresses had been hung up. A quick look in the dresser showed the rest of her things. Nice to be pampered while working, she thought. There was an en suite bath on the side. The huge claw-foot tub dominated the room, but a modern shower was tucked in one corner.
Once showered and in fresh clothes, Stacey went back upstairs to await the boys’ awakening. It would be lunchtime soon, and after they ate, they could go to the beach.
Lunch was served alfresco on the veranda, with bread and cold cuts and spreads suitable for a wide variety of tastes. Stacey prepared sandwiches for herself and the boys and led them to a small table near the gardens. There was a larger table closer to the house, but she thought for this first meal they would feel more comfortable not sitting with strangers. She sat between them, to help when they needed it and to referee if required.
When Abuela Maria came from the house she stopped by the table to ask the boys if they wouldn’t rather eat at the long table set nearby, where Sophia was heading.
Pablo looked at Stacey with stricken eyes.
“I think this would suit us better,” Stacey said, smiling in response to his stricken look. “Once they’re more comfortable with everyone, then I think they’ll fit right in. Maybe in a day or two?”
“Perhaps tomorrow. I want them to enjoy their visit, and want to hear all they’re doing. But children take a little time to adjust,” the older woman said with a smile to her great-grandsons. “We want you to join us as well,” she said to Stacey. With another smile, she went to sit at the larger table with Sophia.
“She talks funny,” Juan said quietly, his eyes still studying his abuela.
“She’s speaking English with a Spanish accent, as a concession to you two who don’t speak Spanish. Maybe you can learn some words in her language while we’re here and surprise her. She’d like that,” Stacey explained. “I’ll teach you, how’s that?”
“I don’t want to learn stuff, I want to play,” Juan said, taking a bite of his sandwich. The he looked up. “Except learn to swim. Daddy said he’d teach me.”
“Ah, nadar,” Stacey said with a nod.
“Huh?”
“Nadar is Spanish for to swim. So if you want to do that, you need to say it in Spanish,” Stacey said.
“Nadar. Can we go after we eat?”
“Sí.”
“See?”
Stacey nodded. “Sí is Spanish for yes.”
She caught sight of Luis coming from the house. He looked refreshed and amazing in a polo shirt and khaki slacks. Her throat went dry. When he went to the buffet to fill his plate and then went to sit at the main table, it was all she could do to drag her eyes away. She wished she could check her hair, make sure her lipstick was still on.
Placing his plate on the main table, he came over to them.
“Not eating with the rest of us?”
“I thought it best for the boys to get used to things slowly,” she said. “Did you want them there?”
“Not necessarily. I trust your judgment.” He looked at the twins. “And they seem to be doing okay. For a while there I was afraid the entire vacation would be full of complaints and comments about returning home.”
“We’re going to have too much fun to think about returning home. We’re going to la playa after lunch—will you be joining us?”
“I have some work to do. I should warn you, the boys don’t know how to swim.”
“Nadar, Daddy,” Pablo said. “We’re going to learn to nadar, if we say it in Spanish.”
“Ah, very good. So usted irá a la playa a aprender nadar.”
Juan looked at him in confusion. “What?”
“He said we’ll go to the beach to learn to swim,” Stacey said, smiling at the child. “Your daddy already speaks Spanish. We’ll have to surprise him, too.”
“Aren’t you going to teach me to nadar, Daddy?” Juan asked.
“If I get done with my work today. Otherwise maybe tomorrow,” Luis said.
He returned to the main table. Stacey couldn’t hear the conversation but she could tell from her posture that Maria was scolding her grandson. She hid a grin. The businessman didn’t look like anything could sway him, but for a second she could see the little boy he’d once been, listening respectfully to his abuela.
Luis listened politely to his grandmother chiding him for staying away so long.
“I’m not getting younger, you need to visit more often,” she said in rapid Spanish.
“I have been away too long. But it’s not easy to travel with children.”
“They are old enough now, certainly.” She looked at the boys and her expression softened. “They remind me of you and your sister when you came to visit. I love having children in the house.” She studied the three at the table near the flowers and nodded. “I think they like their nanny very much. But they should be with you. You work too long, this vacation should be about family and not work. Spend time with them, Luis.”
“I will. There are only a few things to see to, then I can. And they have Stacey. She’ll see they have a good visit,” he conceded, looking over. For a moment he wished Stacey had brought them to the main table. He watched as even Pablo seemed captivated by whatever it was she was saying. His shy little boy was warming to the temporary nanny. He hoped both boys enjoyed the visit. He did need to make time for them, but until he could, he was sure they were fine.
The beach was wide and white, the sand fine and clean when the trio headed out after lunch. The Mediterranean Sea stretched as far as the eye could see, various shades of turquoise and blue. A soft breeze blew off the water, keeping the temperature comfortable. One of the servants had set up a wide umbrella for shade, but the two little boys didn’t want to sit in the sand. They raced to the water, and splashed in, stopping when the water reached their knees.
Stacey dropped the towels and ran after them, grabbing a hand each and slowly encouraging them to walk farther into the water. It was shallow and even when they had walked out twenty feet the water was not too deep for the boys. They loved splashing, running to the beach and back into the water.
“I want to swim,” Juan called.
Pablo stopped near Stacey, and reached out to hold her hand. “It’s scary,” he said.
“Only because you don’t know how to swim yet. It’ll be fun. Juan, come here, we’ll begin.”
“Daddy said he’d teach me,” Juan said, standing near the shore studying the water with trepidation.
“When he can, I’m sure he’ll come out with us, but we can get some basics out of the way and surprise him,” she called.
A moment later he waded out to her. The water wasn’t even waist high on the boys.
“First we’ll practice putting our faces in the water,” she said, kneeling down to be more at their level. She showed them how and both boys dutifully put their faces in the water for a split second. Juan came up with a wide grin, Pablo looked uncertain.
“Let’s do it again, this time blow bubbles. Let’s see who can blow bubbles the longest.”
Several minutes passed as they all blew bubbles. Gradually Pablo became more comfortable. Stacey was delighted when he finally raised his face with a grin on it. “I blew them the longest,” he said proudly.
“Indeed you did, sweetie. You’re our bubble champ.”
“I can do that,” Juan said, taking a deep breath and plunging beneath the water. Bubbles popped on the surface. When he finished he stood up and grinned. “Now am I the longest?”
“It’s a tie,” she said with a laugh. These boys were fun.
A moment later she was surprised to see Luis striding across the sand, wearing swim trunks, a towel slung around his neck. His wide shoulders and muscular chest were already tanned. Where had he been to acquire that? she wondered. She’d thought he worked all the time.
Catching herself staring, she turned and focused on the boys, suddenly conscious of the bikini she wore. Perfectly suitable for the sea, it was still revealing. Not that children noticed, but there was nothing child-like about Luis Aldivista.
“Daddy!” Pablo ran out of the water to greet him.
“I thought you had work,” Stacey called, definitely not having expected him. What was she trying to do, send him back inside?
“My grandmother does not have internet service, and she was not willing for me to tie up her phone for long-distance calls. She very patiently explained the concept of vacations to me,” he said with a rueful smile.
Stacey was captivated by that smile. It took years off his looks, making him seem like a carefree younger version, out for a good time.
“The boys are delighted to have you here,” she said. Juan was already jumping up and down beside him, begging his father to teach him to swim.
“Shall I leave them with you?” she asked. It would be a great for him to spend time with his sons. She’d only be in the way.
“No, stay. One on one’s a better ratio.”
“I want to swim,” Juan called again.
“How about Stacey and I teach you both at the same time?” Luis asked, dropping his towel and walking into the water.
Stacey could have easily forgotten the children and feasted her eyes on him for the rest of the afternoon. His wide shoulders tapered to slim hips. His muscular chest seemed out of place with a man who commanded a software development firm and worked inside most of the day. This man seriously kept himself in shape!
She needed to get a grip. She was there solely for the boys, not to enjoy the physique of her reluctant employer. Concentrate on teaching the boys to swim, she told herself firmly. Easier said than done with a tantalizing male so near.
As the afternoon wore on, she was able to forget about ogling Luis Aldivista and enjoy the fun the children were having with two adults devoting their attention solely on them. Before long Pablo surprised them all by swimming by himself. He happily paddled between Stacey and Luis, kicking and splashing, but definitely moving through the water.
Juan tried, but he was too impatient and when he couldn’t he’d slap the water and pout.
“You have the magic touch,” Luis said after several unsuccessful attempts to teach him. “I’ll work with Pablo, on refining his technique, and you see if you can get Juan to the same stage.”
“Okay.”
Luis watched for a moment as Juan floundered around again. Stacey had a world of patience. She laughed when his son did, but never made fun of him or belittled his efforts.
“Daddy, can I swim again?” Pablo asked. Luis stopped watching Stacey and focused on his son. But one part of him was always aware of where she was and how she and Juan were doing.
She looked amazing in that bikini. Her body was curvy, trim and feminine. It’d been a long time since he’d seen such a scantily dressed woman. He swallowed once when his libido rose. He needed to focus on his children and not on their nanny. It had nothing to do with anything but the vacation atmosphere, the difference between being here and back in New York and working. Under any other circumstances, he would never have met Stacey. To think of anything but his children was futile. Deliberately turning his back, he encouraged Pablo as his son practiced what he’d learned.
As the afternoon waned, the boys grew more and more proficient. They soon were swimming between Luis and Stacey, who moved back a few feet each time.
Luis realized what she was doing but didn’t call her on it. The boys were learning and that was important. But more importantly he was enjoying himself. When Juan and Pablo launched themselves again to swim toward Stacey, Luis tried to remember the last time he’d spent the afternoon with his sons. Nothing popped into mind.
“I winned, I winned!” Pablo yelled, splashing in the water as he jumped up and down in excitement.
“I winned last time,” Juan said when he reached Stacey.
Luis was proud of them. His heart lurched when he realized he’d almost missed this special milestone in their lives. The day they’d learned to swim.
Not only was he here for that event, he was having more fun than he’d had in years.
“Ready, set, go!” Stacey yelled, and the two began swimming furiously toward him. His throat almost closed. How close he’d come to missing all this. What if his grandmother had not minded him tying up her phone for hours?
He held out his arms like a barrier. Their techniques were atrocious, but their enthusiasm and excitement couldn’t be measured. His laughter rang out when they both touched his hands at the same time.
Stacey grinned at the sound of Luis’s laughter. Who would have known the man had it in him? She’d been so surprised when he’d joined them, and even more so that he’d joined in their play. It would mean a lot to the boys to have their father’s attention. And if his involvement these last few hours were anything to go on, he’d actually enjoyed himself too.
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