4. Hannah

4

HANNAH

P art of me trusted Scott King. The other part told me to run far and run fast. He felt familiar and honorable, which made no sense. I’d never met the man before, so how could I even consider trusting him? My intuition was shit. I realized that after my scumball ex left me to raise Liddy alone. Chad Duvall had a trust fund to spend, and he’d been appalled at the idea of spending a dime of that money on his daughter.

I must admit, an attractive older man approaching me at a coffee shop with the promise of a job did seem suspicious. Liddy took precedence in my life. Everything I did was with her in mind. I’d given her priority since the day my pregnancy test turned up positive.

We left yet another store where the manager adamantly claimed they were not a daycare and made our way toward a park I’d spotted a block down the street. Liddy’s boundless energy demanded frequent breaks. She’d need dinner soon. I eyed my watch, my heart lurching at the late hour, and nibbled on a cracker as my stomach grumbled for real food.

I punched Scott’s address into my maps app and zoomed in on the mansion. A low whistle passed my lips. Liddy bounced over, her hair flying around her face, a purple smear of jam coloring her lower lip. She climbed into my lap and tapped my phone. “Pretty.”

“Yes, it’s beautiful.” Beautiful and dangerous, like the man who lived there. I’d already done a bit of research on Scott King, and the results caused my interest to waver. The articles touted him as an honorable man who gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to charity every year and still had enough money to make women—and men—crawl out of the woodwork to see him.

Did he consider me a charity case? Why offer me a job? The short burst of attraction I’d felt for him seared my synapses and sent heat flooding into my belly.

None of that , I reminded myself while standing and pulling Liddy onto my hip. Scott seemed genuine with his offer. The least I could do was check out the job. What was one interview?

The risk weighed on my shoulders. If he was a con artist intending to kidnap me, I had no one to come to my rescue. Hell, I didn’t even have a friend I could text to tell them where I was headed and to call the police if I didn’t check in later.

“I’m hungry.” Liddy grumbled and fisted her hands into her eyes. Hungry and tired. Not the best combination.

My feet ached from the miles we’d walked today. Miles that accounted for nothing more than blisters on my feet and a moody toddler in my arms. “Let’s go see Mr. King.” I cleaned the jam from her lip and smoothed her hair from her flushed cheeks. “Then we’ll go home.”

I booked a car and we rode in relative peace and quiet. If things went wrong, I’d have no one to blame but myself. Dad’s death seven years ago hardened me to most things I had to do on my own, and with Liddy to protect, I threw up all my shields against Scott’s charming nature.

The driver pulled around the circular drive and parked. He leaned toward the passenger window and gazed up at the massive stone mansion. “Nice digs.”

“Not mine.” I spoke hard and quick while paying for the trip and sliding from the car. Liddy took my hand and scampered up the white marble steps. All twelve of them. By the time we reached the top and I pressed the doorbell, I wanted to change my mind and bolt back to the car. We did not belong here.

Bells rang throughout the house, the long chimes trailing off and leaving Liddy gazing upward with wide-eyed excitement.

A latch clicked and the door opened. A tall man with silver hair and brilliant blue eyes stood in front of us. His mouth was pressed into a flat line, the wrinkle in his forehead deepening as he looked me over. “Can I help you?” A strong British accent saturated the words.

“I’m Hannah. Hannah Williams.” I swallowed hard, realizing I’d never given Mr. King my name. “I’m here for a five o’clock interview.” I tightened my grip on Liddy’s hand. This man must be the butler. The house was certainly big and fancy enough to need multiple staff. “I’d like to speak to the owner. He invited me.”

A surprisingly raspy chuckle escaped him as he smiled. “I’m Arthur. I own this house.”

I took a step back, dragging Liddy with me. “I’m sorry. I must have the wrong address.” I rattled off the number I’d memorized this morning, then showed him the picture of the business card on my phone.

“You are at the right place.” His accent deepened. “Please, come in. Scott said you would be here.” He swept an arm through the air, ushering me into the brightly lit foyer. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, a ceiling so high overhead that our voices echoed. “This way.” Arthur closed the door then moved past us. His steps were quick but he shortened his stride after glancing down at Liddy.

We left the foyer behind and followed Arthur into a study. Sconces with bright lights accented the walls, spilling onto the rows of books. Leather chairs occupied several spaces around the room. Scott lounged in one of them, his legs stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed. He winked at a man beside him. “There she is. My mystery coffee woman.” Scott poked the blond haired man in the shoulder.

I tried not to stare but how could I not? The three men in front of me were a complete contrast to each other. Arthur, with his silver hair and dry British accent. Scott, with his warm green eyes and playful charm. And a third man who wore his curly blond hair down around his face, watching me with a thoughtful look in his brown eyes. He stood and tucked his hands into his pockets. “Welcome to our home.” His nod of acceptance unlocked the tenseness in my spine.

Liddy pulled at my hand. I tried to shush her pleas to explore.

“Hannah, would you like to sit?” Arthur motioned toward one of the chairs. “Your daughter can play if she likes.”

I stopped myself from making a snarky remark that there was nothing to play with in this room when Scott pushed a chair aside, revealing what looked like a brand new set of dolls, stuffed animals, and a trio of children’s books nestled into a corner.

Three charming smiles threatened to further disarm me. Careful , Hannah . The warning came in Dad’s voice, the one I’d heeded all my life until Chad.

Liddy wasted no time bolting across the room and falling to her knees amid the toys. I tried to smile, but the sight of her happy face almost sent me spiraling into tears instead. That was the look I wanted her to have on Christmas morning when she opened her gifts. That was the look I wanted her to have every day.

Arthur sat with the stiff posture of a man with a stick up his ass. I stifled a giggle when he steepled his hands in front of his lips. “Scott gave you an idea of what we need, yes?”

“Um, no, actually. He only mentioned housekeeping.” I sank into the nearest chair that gave me access to Liddy and the door, facing all three men.

The sound Arthur made reminded me of a tea kettle about to boil over. “Right. Well, let’s start with introductions. You’ve already met Scott and I am Arthur. That’s Ryland.” He pointed both index fingers at the blond man, then tapped his fingers to his lips.

No wonder I’d thought him a butler. He had the rigidity and personality of a broom.

Arthur continued, “The three of us invested in this house together.”

“Mansion.” I corrected him automatically, then winced when three sets of eyes turned sharp as glass. “You can’t really call this a house.” My heart stuttered, and I licked my dry lips. “It’s a mansion. I’m guessing you have, what, eighteen rooms?”

“Twenty,” Scott corrected.

“Right.” I twisted my mouth to one side. “But whatever. It’s your place. Call it anything you like. Why did you invite me here?”

“We’re in need of a temporary live-in housekeeper.” Arthur remained motionless, the stiff upper lip British personality I’d always heard about showing up front and center. “Ours had an unexpected family emergency.”

Scott leaned forward. “You’ll be expected to cook and clean. Along with some planning and arranging of dinner parties that may occur.”

“We understand that Liddy is your daughter.” Ryland joined the conversation. The quiet way he spoke caused me to lean forward like I feared I’d miss a word. “She can stay here with you as long as you keep an eye on her.” My mouth popped open to speak but Ryland continued before I got the chance to object. “We have a pool. I had a gate and lock installed today; children are curious and tenacious.”

“She won’t be any trouble.” How many times had I said that exact phrase today?

Liddy chose that moment to leap to her feet and hurtle herself across the floor to my lap. She climbed up and shoved a stuffed hippo in my face. “Look. He’s chubby. Can I keep him?” I fumbled for an answer, a blush heating my cheeks when I realized they continued to watch me. Liddy turned and dropped onto her bottom, nestling against my chest and waving the hippo at Scott.

He wiggled his fingers back, his smile making me want to melt into the floor. “Do you have any questions for us?”

Only a million. I shifted my weight in the seat and tucked Liddy in closer. “Why me? I’m a complete stranger.”

“Anyone we hired would be,” Scott remarked.

Arthur’s motionless stance broke. He lowered his hands to the chair’s armrests. “We will ask that you sign some papers. A contract outlining your duties here. Deena was kind enough to leave you a list of her daily tasks and the best way she has found to accomplish them. You are, of course, free to choose your own method.”

“And we’ll be running a background check. You’re not a thief or a criminal, are you?” Laughter tinged Scott’s voice. He obviously found the idea ridiculous.

I found it offensive. “Squeaky clean.” I tucked Liddy’s hair behind her ears, giving my hands and thoughts something to concentrate on. The luxury might tempt some, but I worked for my wants and needs. Nothing came for free. Still, the offer was so perfect that it brought tears to my eyes. I choked them back and ducked my head toward Liddy to hide my expression until I regained my composure.

“Then you’re hired.” Scott jumped to his feet so suddenly that Liddy stiffened in my arms. He noticed and slowed his movements.

“This is all too perfect.” I hedged around my concerns. “And there’s a slight hiccup. You said a live-in housekeeper.”

All three men nodded.

“I have a contract on my apartment. I can’t afford to break it. The fees alone would bankrupt me, so I’ll need to commute.” I hated the idea. Hours traveling back and forth each day meant changing Liddy’s routine. Late nights. Early mornings. I might as well prepare for a daily temper tantrum.

“No need.” Scott made his way around the chairs and over to a rich, mahogany desk. He pulled open the top drawer and riffled through a stack of papers. “We’ll pay for your living accommodations as long as you’re living here, along with your hourly income.”

“And… how much is that?” Every word tasted like acid in my mouth, but the answer meant everything.

Scott rattled off a number that made my head spin. “Is that sufficient?” He frowned like he honestly had no clue about the typical hourly wage.

Numbness invaded my body but I managed to nod. “That’s very generous.”

He watched me, his eyes narrowing. A quick look passed between Arthur and Ryland. Ryland tipped his head toward me and Liddy. “Of course, all your meals are paid for. You’re welcome to whatever food is in the house, and there’s a credit card available for any groceries you might want or need to purchase.” Ryland joined Scott at the desk. They spoke in whispered murmurs.

Arthur’s gaze never wavered from me. It was the kind of look that dug straight into the heart. The kind of look that said he saw me—truly saw me—and had no qualms.

“When do I start?” Relief turned my body soft and pliant, and I thanked my lucky stars I was sitting down.

“Immediately,” three voices answered me in unison.