The Doctor's Secret Bride(6)

Mrs. Hayes smiled at him. “That’s all anyone can ask, Dr.”





CHAPTER TWO



Michelle stared at a collection of Monet landscapes lining one wall of the study. A smile ruffled her lips at the idea that she and the stiff-shirt doctor had something in common. He’d probably choke on that bit of info, she thought, her smile spreading to her eyes. What, a girl from the other side of the river with an acquired appreciation for fine art?

See, that’s the trouble with people, she thought. You think you know them until they surprise the heck out of you by doing something totally unimaginable.

Take her father for instance. He’d been a rotten parent throughout her childhood. In spite of his neglect and abuse, she’d earned a four-year college degree in three years by working two jobs and attending night and summer school. She’d landed a great job as Manager of Customer Operations at a well-established company, and moved into a nice apartment on Elm Street. She had a new car and a so-so boyfriend. Since she had no college loans to pay back, she was able to save a substantial amount of her salary.

Then it was all blown to smithereens one night when her father knocked on her door. He’d knocked on her door before, and she’d offered him a little food here and there—never money, because she knew it would end up in the cash register of the nearest liquor store. Once in a while, if she were in a good mood, she would let him take a shower and sleep off his intoxication on her sofa.

Michelle wiped her hands down her face. She wished she’d been in a bad mood that night. If she hadn’t been so nice to her father, when she was unexpectedly laid off a few months later, she would not have found herself penniless, homeless, and free-loading off her best friend Yasmine until she got back on her feet.

Michelle didn’t even know if she still had feet to stand on. What she did know was that she hated taking charity from anybody, even from her brother who’d been sending her regular checks to help her out. She didn’t want Robert’s money. She didn’t want Yasmine’s pity. She just wanted her life back.

A nanny position was just the kind of job that could give her back some control on her life. She would have a roof over her head, home-cooked meals every night, and time to plan out her future. She wouldn’t need to depend on anyone’s financial support or live in anyone else’s house—well only as an employee.

Michelle’s heart fluttered around in her chest when the door of the study opened and the doctor appeared in the threshold. She didn’t know if it was his presence or the uncertainty of her future that was affecting her ability to breathe.

His expression was still masked as he came further into the room. “Mrs. Hayes assured me that you are harmless,” he said directly.#p#分页标题#e#

Michelle wondered what else Mrs. Hayes had told him. She was sure she’d mentioned their acquaintance, and she was doubly sure it was the only reason Erik hadn’t marched back in here and ordered her to leave.

“So I’ve decided to give you the chance to prove yourself.”

Michelle buried the urge to jump up and throw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said, rising to her feet. “Thank you.”

“Don’t be so quick to thank me,” he warned. He glanced quickly back at the half-opened door before continuing in a lowered voice. “My daughter has been in a somber mood since her nanny left. If you can bring a smile to her face, the job is yours.”

“You’re putting me on the spot, Dr. LaCrosse? You advertised for a nanny, not a shrink.”

“Are you saying you’re not up to the challenge, Ms. Carter? You told me you’d be the best thing that ever happened to my daughter. Well, here’s your chance to put your money where your mouth is. Or should I say, my money,” he added with mock severity.

Michelle growled inside as she faced the challenge in his amber-grey eyes. Cad. He’d called her bluff. “Okay. I’ll make your daughter laugh.”

He turned and peeped around the doorframe. “Come here, darling.”

Michelle braced herself.

“Come on, Muffin,” he coaxed when no one appeared.

Muffin? Michelle’s eyes widened. Well, celebrities were known to give their daughters names like Apple, Scout, and Rumer. But Muffin? A child with such a ludicrous name would be the butt and butter of baking jokes in her neighborhood.

When she still refused to come, the doctor stepped into the hallway. Michelle heard a series of childish “Nos” in response to his gentle pleas. She was about to go get the little muffin herself when he reappeared at the door, dragging Muffin who was clutching to one of his long legs like a chimp to its mother.