A Nanny For Keeps

A Family in Need

With no teaching positions open, Georgia Marshall agrees to become the temporary nanny for the two little girls next door. But she soon becomes enamored of the precocious children and their dashing but distant widowed father. Though she’s falling for him, she can’t help but think that the nobleman is out of her reach.

After the tragic loss of his wife, Tyler Walker swore he’d never again give his heart away. Until his neighbor brightens his home and brings some much-needed stability to his motherless family. But he refuses to allow this arrangement with the pretty teacher to become permanent...no matter how much he wants Georgia by his side—forever.

“Don’t you think you could add a new lesson or two to their day?”

“Papa! She did already. We’re going to start reading lessons soon,” Polly said.

“Hmm, I’m not sure that’s enough.”

Georgia loved seeing him tease his daughters like this, but she didn’t like her reaction at his innocent wink at all. She was sure he had no idea how it affected her and she wasn’t sure at all why it had. Except that he was even handsomer than usual when he was in a playful mood like now.

“Oh, Papa, you’re teasing, isn’t he, Miss Georgia?” Lilly asked.

“Oh, I don’t know...” She played along with Sir Tyler.

“Miss Georgia!”

“In fact, now that you girls are through with your breakfast, I need to talk to Miss Geo...Miss Marshall about your lessons. So if it’s all right with her, perhaps you could go out into the garden while we have our talk.”

Georgia turned, finding Sir Tyler watching her, and something in his expression sent her pulse on a collision course straight to her heart.

JANET LEE BARTON loves researching and writing heartwarming romances about faith, family, friends and love. She’s written both historical and contemporary novels, and loves writing for Love Inspired Historical. She and her husband live in Oklahoma and have recently downsized to a condo, which they love. When Janet isn’t writing or reading, she loves to cook for family, work in her small garden, travel and sew. You can visit Janet at janetleebarton.com.

A Nanny for Keeps

Janet Lee Barton

And again, I will put my trust in him.

And again, Behold I and the children which God had given me.

—Hebrews 2:13

To my editor, Giselle Regus, for always being willing to brainstorm ideas with me.

To my readers who look forward to each new story.

To my husband, Dan, and my family for always supporting me.

And most of all, as always and forever, to my Lord and Savior for showing me the way.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

New York City

Spring 1898

Georgia Marshall stepped off the trolley and headed down the sidewalk toward Gramercy Park and Heaton House. The spring day was beautiful with clear blue skies and sunshine, along with trees and flowers beginning to bud, but she was preoccupied and barely noticed. After her interview with the school superintendent, it appeared she must give up on finding a teaching position until the next term, which meant she needed to find employment as soon as possible.

Thankfully, she had some money saved from her teaching days in Virginia. And when she arrived in New York City, Mrs. Heaton had refused to charge her rent until she found suitable employment. She’d insisted Georgia was a family friend and she didn’t want her to feel pressured. Because of her charitableness, Georgia hadn’t needed to dig into her savings.

However, she couldn’t take advantage of Mrs. Heaton’s kindness any longer. She would find employment, even if it wasn’t in her preferred field. She refused to return home. There was nothing for her there. She’d pour over the classifieds again later that evening in hopes of finding something she might be qualified for.

Just walking up the steps to Heaton House comforted her. Georgia had felt at home from the very first, and the warm and welcoming feeling always seemed to lift her spirits. She let herself in, surprised to hear a man’s voice in the parlor at teatime. It was unusual for any of the male boarders to be home at this time of day.

She peeked inside to see Mrs. Heaton speaking to her new neighbor from England, if his accent was any indication.

“Georgia, dear! Come in and join us. I believe you might have met at Matt and Millicent’s wedding last month, but if not, let me introduce you to Sir Tyler Walker. Sir Tyler, Miss Marshall is a family friend and boarder here.”

Georgia caught her breath as the tall, broad-shouldered man, who’d stood and started toward her the moment she entered the room, took her hand in his and bowed over it. “I don’t believe we did. But, Miss Marshall, it’s a pleasure to meet you now.”