The Nanny Affair

Looking at the paper, and then back up to the mailbox, I thought I had found it. "Gosh, could this have been any further out in the boonies?" I cranked the wheel of my Jeep to go up the steep incline, gravel crunching under my wheels as I pushed the pedal down. The driveway wound up and around through a shroud of trees, the canopy of leaves blocking out the sunlight almost completely. Clearing my throat in an attempt to clear the nerves, I checked my reflection in the mirror for the fifteenth time, breathing in and out the techniques I had learned in this past months yoga class. I went through my mental to-do list, telling myself this was going to be fine.  My folder was in the seat beside me. Check. My hair looked presentable, not too frizzy for the humidity this time of year. Check.  My outfit made me look casual, yet competent. Check. I had finished my BBA around a month ago, and had had very little time to celebrate. The job market had not been very forgiving, either, since all of the applications I had sent out had come back rejected. No one had even scheduled a sit-down with me. Not until here. And this place was really more of a last ditch effort to make some money this summer to tide me over until things were more cemented in my life. I had never nannied before, but the salary was good, and the benefits seemed promising. Finding the end of the trees, I rolled to a stop, gaping in front of the imposing log cabin that sprawled before me. Scratch that. Log castle.  That was three stories high, had matching wrap around porches, and seemed to keep going in any direction you looked. I also noticed the amount of trucks in the yard. There were trucks everywhere: Pickups with trailers, some a little stouter for heavy duty work, and then on the other side of the yard was an innumerable amount of lawn tools. This was all canvased by a brown wooden fence that stretched down and back the mountain that I had just climbed up. Opening the car door, I hopped out, smoothing my skirt. I was still taking in the scenery, searching for cows or horses, when I heard someone yell my name. "Are you Hadley? Hadley James?" My head whipped around to find the voice. It was an older woman, potentially in her seventies, with wild gray hair, boots over her jeans, and a wooden spatula in her hand. She looked like a caricature out of an old Western. "Yes! That's me!" I started to move toward her, my hand stretched out to shake hers. She glanced down at me for a brief second, dismissing my proposed hand shake. "Come on this way. Fella's gonna be talking to you in there. You can keep me company while I boil this fat back." Stuffing my hand dejectedly into my pocket, I followed her up the steps and inside, amazed by the smells coming out of the kitchen, and the house on the inside itself. It was beautiful! Just. Filthy. My eyes looked up the cedar planks that framed in the sides of the house, admiring the unique architecture.  It was something that you would see from a Bavarian Fairytale.  I wanted to take a closer look, and really get lost in the place. The gray haired woman stopped long enough to let me get my fill of the house surroundings. "Yeah, she used to be something to look at, this old place. She needs a good scrubbing, that's for sure." And with that, she trudged further in still, her heavy boots clomping against the wood. Keeping up with her long stride, I followed her twists and turns through the hallways until we landed in the kitchen, where the bubbling pot of boil on the stove greeted us from against the wall. "My name's Granny." Her hoarse voice barked. "Everybody calls me that; you can too if you get the job. I stay around long enough to cook for the boys, and then I head home. If you're here to stay, I'll only cook for the farmhands, and Mr. Wilder. You can do the rest of it." She poked the contents of her pot, testing it for a few seconds before turning back to me. I nodded, her words flying a million miles an minute. "The kids are complete hooligans. I can't control them, never could. After their mother left, he let them go wild. You'll see soon enough what I'm talking about." She glanced back at the clock, wiping sweat from her brow. "It's about time for him to be back. He forgets that he needs to be here sometimes." I gulped, not sure if I even wanted to stay at this point.  The door was only a couple corridors down. It was overwhelming, being inside here, with this elderly lady shouting over the sounds of her popping stove.  I wasn't even sure if I wanted to nanny, so....If I left right now, there'd be no harm, no foul on my part. And the more I thought about it, the more tempting it seemed. "You know, Granny, I think that this may not be--" "Granny!" A deep booming voice cut me off. "We got her, Granny! She's beautiful, too! Clover did a good job; she's fine." He was grabbing Granny up from the floor, twirling her around. I watched the encounter, not able to take my eyes off of the shirtless man that just walked through the door. He was all muscles and shoulders and tall tanned skinned gorgeousness. And covered in something very, very....red. His forearms up to his elbows were completely stained. "Well, I'll be damned, that sure is good news! I was a might worried when you said she had been struggling. Are the rest of the guys coming up?" He nodded, still oblivious to me as he headed to the large farm sink. I watched as his tendons and muscles flexed with his simple movements, mesmerized as his bulky frame grabbed the soap up from the wooden plank of the counter.  He had the soap in his hands, scrubbing up his arms and chest, when I cleared my throat. Honestly, it was an accident.  I was worried that I might have been drooling.  "Oh, that's right!" Granny croaked, her head whipped around with her spatula still in hand. "Ashley! This is that girl I told you about. The one that put in the application for the nanny position."  Her spatula acted as a wand, directing his attention to my figure. Placing the soap back on the side of the sink, Ashley picked up a towel from the counter. Wiping his hands thoroughly, he took his time turning to me. "Oh, yeah? You finally scammed someone into watching the rascals?" Ashley turned, the amount of his full attention landing on me. I could feel my breath catch in my throat as his piercing blue eyes searched me, the intensity of his look catching me off guard. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss. Life can be very unpredictable on a farm this size. But! I'm glad you're here."  The way he rubbed at his arms made me think he was referring to whatever activity he had just finished.   I studied him back as he lightly took a step closer to me. His voice was low, too low. I was trying not to let a shiver shake my spine as he spoke. He stuck out a hand, offering his hand shake as introduction. I reached to take it, surprised at feeling a spark as our skin touched. I took a step back, breathless as he crooked another smile. My hand was tingling from the contact while he continued to shake it. "So, what do you think? Being out here in the BFE away from civilization and God knows what else?" A small slick of boyish charm tugged at the corner of his mouthy smile. His eyebrows had lifted up into his hairline as he watched for my reaction.  Telling my nerves to settle down, I tried to answer him, hoping complete sentences would form. "Well, I was just glad I had a Jeep to manage the trail you have out front. I don't think a car would've made it." I offered a small, awkward laugh, and he responded with a grin, his eyes never wavering from mine. "So, what makes you think you want to be a part of raising my two wild thangs? Huh? You ever been around kids b'fore?" His gaze was still so direct, but there was something like a tease behind his tone. I watched as his tongue came to rest in the side of his cheek. His eyes maintained their position, causing all of my nerves to rattle relentlessly.  "Uh, yeah!" I stammered. "I love kids! I was a counselor every year for Girl Scout Camp, actually. I have plenty of experience--don't worry. Plus, my grandparents lived on a farm the whole time I grew up, so I am somewhat familiar with this kind of lifestyle." Ashley came around the counter, his bare chest staring me in the face. "Oh, I'm not worried about them," he started laughing. "I'm worried about you!" He and Granny shared a look before hooting with laughter. "You've never met two sneakier weasels in your whole life, I promise ya." Granny said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "They've kept me on my toes for a long time. I need a break!" "I'm sure they're not anything that I can't handle," I countered, rising to my full five-foot-seven-height. "I've seen my fair share, trust me! I have a natural gift for children. I think it's important to instill principles and values young, while having a good time. And anything I've ever encountered, I've always come out on top. Plus," I hastily added. "I'm very energetic. Maybe they'll be chasing after me." Squaring my shoulders, I dared either of them to contradict me. They didn't know me! They had no idea what I was capable of. Why I wanted to prove it so badly was...well. A mystery.  "Principals and values," Ashley echoed as he slid closer to me, his eyes narrowed to a tiny slit as he contemplated what I was saying. I was painfully aware that there was nothing between us as his hip leaned to rest on the island counter. Dragging his eyes up, he slowly  examined me from head to toe, his lips parting slowly as he exhaled. "You sure have a lot to say," he drawled. I tried to stop the sudden intake of breath, the pit of my stomach lurching. "Mr. Wilder," I pressed on. "I just finished my BBA, and all of my different projects and all of my different internships have prepared me for this. Just think," I probed. "Who would know better how to negotiate bed time terms than me?" I was amazing myself.  I didn't even want this job a full ten minutes ago, and now I was fighting to prove I was the right person for it. Ashley chuckled, his gaze idling on me just a moment too long. Finally swinging his head away from me, he cleared his throat. "Let's get serious a second. My kids are still reeling from the absence of their mother. It's been almost three years, but. You know." There was a tiny tug in my heart for them, wondering how two tiny kids could process big emotions like that. It had to be completely mind shattering. I had seen what divorce and parental loss could do to some of my girls at camp. "I need them to feel safe, and secure." He continued, his hand coming to rub the back of his neck. "I need them to have structure. Is that something you can take on?"  "You said absence?" I ventured. "Can I assume Mrs. Wilder has passed?" I didn't want to pry, but there was something behind his eyes that told me there was more to the story. "No. She hasn't." There was a steel glint that took place of the boyish charm from just seconds ago. "I see," I said lowly, not sure what kind of situation I was stepping into. "Well, I understand. That's not something you can just get over. No matter what kind of absence."  I thought carefully for a few more moments, wondering if I was up to the challenge of raising them.  He nodded, a far off look in his eye. "Yup. Unfortunately, I think they take it out on me, Granny, and anyone else that's been offered a job looking after them." "I could definitely see why." I offered with a shrug. "But, I think it's something I could definitely do."  My mind was racing, strategies already coming to the forefront of my mind. All of my years as a counsellor might actually pay off. Licking his lips, Ashley leaned towards me, the smell of his musk overwhelming. I tried not to pay too close attention, but he was like cotton and sage... the smell of the outdoors mixed with intoxicating manhood.  I noticed the shift in our energy as he again locked eyes with me. "Well, Miss...? I'm sorry. I don't even know your name." His crooked smile sent my heart through a gymnastics routine. "Hadley. Hadley James." "Miss James, I guess the only thing left to do is let you meet the two snakes." Balking at the news, I took a second to re-center myself. Just minutes ago I was thinking about walking out the door and never coming back. Now, I was going through final interview stages. I had to think fast. Is this what I wanted? There was still time to back out. I swung my head to look at Granny, trying to gauge her reaction. She was busy pouring herself into her cooking, all but forgetting me. "Let's go, Hadley. August and Mav are gonna wanna meet their new best friend." The cowboy was striding past me, his boot clad feet making their way back to the front of the house. I still hadn't even completed a string of thoughts to decide which way to go! He marched us outside, taking us back into the woods where a lean-to shack was shakily standing. It looked like it probably just housed straw, not so much livestock or equipment. "Ya'll get down here!" Ashley's voice boomed over the field, and through the trees. He c****d a winning smile in my direction. "August is six and Mav is four. They think they're as big as the dogs, but truth told they're a mite small for their ages. Get it from their mom's side." Tracing his back side with my eyes, I'd was sure I'd have to take his word for it. At an estimated six-foot-four, I half expected his children to be giants. He raked his stained hands through his tawny brown hair. "Boys, no she-nanigans. I don't want any blood or broke bones today!" I saw a tiny blonde head emerge from a pile of wood about forty feet away. A sulky boy with ripped overalls and barefeet came towards us with a pout. "No fair, Dad. I'm not done pwaying!" He crossed his arms over his chest, a fierce scowl pulling his eyebrows into a sharp vee. "August said I had to come out so he could pull his plan! I wanna to do it!" "Mav, whatchyu talking about? What plan is August pulling?" As the words were exiting his mouth, a skimpy arrow soared through the air, striking the ground next to my foot. Recoiling and jumping backwards, I let out a tiny screech. Ashley grinned from up in front of me. "They're wild. I done told ya." His straight white teeth flashed a smile at me. Knowing this was my moment to prove that I was indeed cut of tough stuff, I wriggled the wooden twig from the ground, motioning for Mav to take my hand as we snuck back towards the shack. "OK Mav, here's your chance. Tell me where August is hiding so we can scare him!" Mav shook his head. "You won't find 'im. He's too high up." I started scanning the trees around us, not noticing a loft for the hay. "Did you know I can shoot an arrow, too?" I asked him, watching his blue eyes round. "If you get me a bow, I'll shoot him back." I wiggled my eyebrows, watching as his little face started to approve of my hatched plan. "OK!" He whispered, his scrawny legs carrying him to his hiding place. He brought me back a plastic bow, just one string, no guide, and a handful of twigs. "Here you go!" He squealed, his baby hands coming to cover his face. I took the makeshift arrow in my hand, and strung it in the beginners bow. Aiming in every direction that seemed plausible, I started taunting. "Come out, come out wherever you are! August, I'm gonna find you!" I heard a giggle coming from the shack. There had to be a loft. "August... I'm gonna get you buddy. You better not come out of your hiding place! Don't let me get you!" Mav stuck right beside me, laughing into his hands. Feeling Ashley's eyes trained on me, I led Mav as we crept into the barn. Hearing the rustling of dry tinder above us, I saw a flash of blue cotton come through the straw. Acknowledging my target, I pulled Mav behind me. Taking my arrow, I pulled it as tautly as was possibly against the twine string. Releasing it, it landed just above the bump of a boys head. "HEY! NO FAIR!" Another fair headed boy jumped up from his hiding spot, completely covered in dirt and hay. "This is my hiding spot! How'd you find me?" He gave me a wary once over, trying to decide if he was going to let me in or not. "Well. That's the thing. I know all about hiding places. Hi, August. My name is Hadley. And I think you and I are going to have a great time together. Now, let's go talk to your dad." Both boys came out of the shack with me. Mav had yet to let go of my hand, while August hummed behind me. Ashley rocked back on his heels, his face showing how impressed he was. "Golly, usually I have to step in and usher the nanny out and to safety, but you..." His eyes were beaming. "You stepped in and handled that situation nicely." "You haven't seen anything, yet." I quipped. I saw his tongue poke into his bottom lip. "Oh, I have a feeling you might just be full of surprises." I take a peek at his eyes, noticing they are locked onto mine. I feel a tension in my chest, wondering if he felt it too. Breaking the stare, he looked down to the ground, his thumbs going to hook into his pockets. "Maybe I should've been looking for Business Degree personalities a long time ago." He chuckled at his own joke.  "All right. Well, follow me." Keeping Mav's hand in mine, we walk back to the house. Upon seeing Granny at the door, curious as to what was going on, both boys broke into a full blown run. "Granny! She shot at me with an arrow!" August yelled, Mav on his heels. "Yeah!" Mav shook his head. "She shooted my awwow at his head!" Granny raised appraising eyebrows at me. "I thought when I saw you get out of that car in that tiny skirt that you weren't going to be worth much. Maybe I was wrong." With an unreadable look on her face, she sauntered back in the direction of the kitchen, each boy holding one of her hands. "We're going up the stairs, here." Ashley waved me down. We went up a flight of stairs, going past what I assumed was the family hall, and a tiny office. "These are the boys rooms," He motioned. The two brown doors were wide open, an array of clothes and toys spilling out into the hallway. "This is my room," he tapped the frame of the wood. There were tiny pictures scattered through the hall. Ones of the boys when they were babies, and another that I assumed was Ashley and his wife. Taking too much time to eye it, he stopped. "I'm sorry." I gulped. "I wasn't trying to..." "It's OK. You're naturally gonna have questions." He came to stand beside me. His voice was low as he offered, "That's her. I thought at the time, that was gonna be the happiest day of my life." There was still a tinge of pain to his words. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair immediately made me think of the boys. "I'm sorry." I reached to touch his forearm, noticing how warm he was. His blue eyes looked down at me, a soft expression painted across his face. "No need to apologize. We'll be living together. You'll want to know me, and I'll want to get to know you..." His eyes remained locked on mine, and I could feel my body almost being pulled to his. "And this," he shifted, shaking me out of my thought and pointing to the door adjacent to his. "Will be your room." "My room?" I said, certainly not expecting that. I pushed the creaky hinge back, happily surprised at what I saw. I stepped in, Ashley staying to lean against the door frame. It was painted white, with a large metal bed, and an armoire. "Jessica decorated this room before she left. It probably needs to be aired out. You can change anything you like, I don't mind." I nodded at him, lowering to sit on the mattress to test it. I looked around the room, noticing all of the cute details and knick-knacks displayed everywhere. "She sure knew how to decorate." I murmured. I heard Ashley's boots clump against the wood. "She was good at a lot of things. Save one. The boys barely remember her." Sighing deeply, his penetrating gaze rested on me, unwavering. "Well, you've seen my house. You've met my kids. You probably gotta feel for how I tick now. Do you mind if I ask you another question?" I gulped, not entirely sure how to answer him. "Sure." I managed, my mouth suddenly dry. "What makes you tick, Miss James?" I sucked in a deep breath, all of my senses on high alert. "I guess I'm driven by my need for results. I have a hard time taking 'No' for an answer. I take too many risks, but somehow," I rambled. "They keep paying off." I wasn't sure what else to say. The back of my throat was screaming for water. I noticed Ashley had shifted closer to me yet again.  I could feel myself drowning in his deep orbs as his pupils scrutinized every detail of my face. "You gotta a lot of fire pent up, don't you?' He asked it almost to himself. "I guess you could say that," I answered, my voice sounding small. My nerves were tingling from how close he was to my proximity. I waited, wondering if he was going to touch me. He had to have been the most handsome, sexy man I'd ever seen. "Good." He cleared his throat, snapping himself up to attention. "You can have the day to move in tomorrow."