“Mr. Dunnegin. I’ll take the job.” She spoke into her cell phone.
“Aye. Ye’ll be a good nanny and teacher, Miss Blair” he said formally, putting their relationship into employer- employee mode.
Edwina was grateful. This is the way it would start, and she could deal with that.
“I will return to my daughter and inform the Gillespies you will be coming over. You’ll have to trust the word of a Scot to work out details. You’ll be paid according to your wishes, within reason,” he added.
“Of course.” She didn’t want any special treatment.
“I’ll wire travel money.”
“I can get there on my own.”
“Nay, lass, I will do the deciding.”
Edwina, contrite, said, “As you wish.”
“I will leave cash with your sister, since I assume ye will be coming to say your good-byes and leave from O’Hare?”
“Right.” He had worked out all the details.
“How soon can you come?”
“I do need to tell my landlord I’m leaving.” Edwina was shocked by her own words.
“Is two weeks enough time?”
“Two weeks?” she repeated. “Yes, it is.” If she was going to go, it had to be quick. If the Scot gave her too much time to think, she knew she’d renege.
“Aye, I can see we will get along fine, lass.” She didn’t know what to say. “Will you have a pet to bring? Anything I need to prepare for?”
“No pets.”
“I am going to inform my daughter that you will be arriving two weeks hence.” He paused. “I will not go back on my word to the child.”
Edwina nodded, even though she was alone. “I will be there.”
“Excellent.”
“Mr. Dunnegin, what is the child’s name?”
“Paige. Her name is Paige.” She repeated the name. “Ye have given me a great gift. I should hope to make it worth your while.”
“Thank you.” She was humbled at the Scot’s words.
“My cell will be our means of communication. Should you find a question that needs an answer, you may call me at any time.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Lass, you will address me differently in the presence of my home and family. Mr. Dunnegin or Alexander, whichever ye prefer. I hope to establish a straightforward communication with you.”
“Yes,” she agreed, hoping she could live up to the Scot’s standards. Her knees began to feel like she was standing in rushing water.
“I’ll be off. Reardon will pick you up at the airport in Edinburgh the moment you arrive.”
“Should I call you or Reardon or Bertie?”
“You will call only me. I will direct my staff.” Edwina’s face turned red.
“Of course.”
“Welcome to the Dunnegin family,” he said loudly.
“Aye,” she shot back. The Scot’s hearty deep voice boomed in her ear and then he was gone. And her goose was cooked. She had committed herself, and there was no way in the world she’d let the Scot down, nor his daughter.