The Lonesome Rancher / Finding Happily-Ever-After: The Lonesome Rancher

His mother turned back to him. “I will give you fifteen minutes. Then I’d like to show Jade the exercise room upstairs. That’s where I’ll be.”

Marta came through the door and helped Louisa with her walker.

A distant cousin, Marta had worked for the family since she was a girl. Now both she and her husband, Miguel, were employed by the Merricks. Louisa had always been loyal to her family and friends.

Being too trusting was one of his mother’s faults. That and being sucked in by strangers. Jade Hamilton was definitely a stranger. He’d learned the hard way that trouble sometimes comes wrapped in pretty packages. Crystal Erickson had been beautiful and distracting. So much so, he let his guard down. It had been an embarrassment for the family. Never again.

After his mother left, Sloan crossed the room and opened the doors that led onto a large patio area and the garden beyond.

“Let’s take advantage of the pleasant fall weather.” Jade stepped out into the brick patio framed with large ceramic pots of flowers. A manicured lawn was edged with numerous tea roses of every imaginable color. “Oh, my, this is lovely.”

“Gardening is another of my mother’s many hobbies.

She loves to quilt, too.”

“It’s nice that she has so many interests.”

“That she does. She’s always been active.”

“Good. Then she’ll want to get involved in her life again.”

Sloan eyed the attractive woman. She stood about five-seven, with long legs encased in tailored navy slacks and a simple white blouse tucked into her narrow waist. Very businesslike, but he was still curious as to why she’d come all this way for a job.

“Okay, let’s cut to the chase, Ms. Hamilton. Why are you really here?”

CHAPTER TWO

JADE willed herself to relax. He couldn’t know the real reason.

“I don’t understand, Mr. Merrick. I’ve explained that my mother passed away recently.”

“Dallas is about six hundred miles from Kerry Springs.”

She arched an eyebrow. “And that sends up a red flag to you?”

“Several. Having a father who’s a U.S. senator will do that to you.”

“I didn’t ask specifically for this area, but when I decided to return to work, I signed on with a nurses’ registry. This position came up and I decided a different area might be a nice change.”

She met his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. “I must have checked out, or your mother would never have set up an interview. And she seems to approve of me.” Jade paused for a few erratic heartbeats. “I thought I was here to help her?”

She looked over the handsome man. Tall and well-built, he had Louisa’s large brown eyes. She had yet to see his smile.

“Of course,” he told her. “And I’m here to protect her.”

“The loyal son.”

He shrugged. “You took care of your mother, I’m sure she had your loyalty, too.”

With a nod, Jade glanced away. There were a lot of memories both good and bad, and some she’d like to forget. Now she needed to find out who she was.

“No siblings, no father in Dallas?”

“No siblings. No father,” she repeated. “It’s all in my résumé.” She wasn’t going to beg this man for a job, no matter how much she wanted to meet Clay Merrick. “I think it’s time we end this, and you can discuss your dislikes with your mother after she finishes interviewing me. Thank you for your time.”

She headed toward the house, praying that he would call her back, but he didn’t. Okay, so this wasn’t going to work out. Then he finally spoke her name.

“Ms. Hamilton,” he called as she reached the doorway.

Her heart was pounding hard against the ribs as she turned and waited. “Yes?”

“Okay, if my mother gives you the position, I’ll agree to a week trial period.”

“You’ll agree? I thought it was your mother’s choice? After all she brought me here.”

“And I have to protect my family.”

She was frustrated. “I have excellent references, Mr. Merrick. I’m highly qualified for this position. A position that isn’t even permanent. Just admit it, you don’t want me here.”

Sloan looked uncomfortable. “I didn’t say that. I’d put anyone on a trial basis.” He glared at her. “And whether I like it or not, I am a product of my father’s very public profession. Sometimes it’s hard for me to trust people. But my mother trusts you and that’s what’s important. So if she gives you the job, I won’t interfere.”

Guilt washed over her. She’d got what she wanted. All she’d been looking for was a small piece of this life, this family.

An hour later, Jade had been hired as Louisa’s nurse, and shown the equipment that would rival some hospitals’ therapy rooms.

Now, she was standing outside what would be her living quarters for the next month or so. She’d gotten the job, but she didn’t feel like she expected to feel. For the first time since learning of Clay Merrick, she was questioning her decision to come here.

She opened the door and her breath caught. It was not where she expected to stay, not as hired staff. There was a sitting room with the walls painted a buttery-yellow, and carpet a light shade of green. A love seat was covered in ivory chenille and faced a marble fireplace. All the furniture looked to be expensive antiques.

She continued through double doors and saw a four-poster bed with a sheer canopy draping over the top. The bedspread was a hand-sewn quilt in yellow and green hues. She touched one of the intricate appliquéd squares. The detail was incredible and she wondered if Louisa had made it. Then she saw the LM stitched along the edge.

Again she glanced around the suite. It was all so perfect. And she didn’t belong here.

There was still time to leave. She had time to tell Louisa that she’d changed her mind.

She swung around as Marta walked in, pulling her wheeled suitcase. “Are you sure this is my room?” Jade asked.

She smiled. “Sí, señorita. Señora Louisa told me to put your clothes in this one so you are close to her. She’s across the hall.”

That could also mean Jade would be close to Clayton Merrick. “Doesn’t her husband also stay there? I mean, I don’t want to disturb them.”

Marta shook her head. “Oh, no. Not since the Señora Louisa had her stroke.”

Jade had a lot of questions about the senator, but decided they could wait. “I see.”

Marta finished hanging her clothes in the closet. Since Jade had worn uniforms for work, her personal wardrobe was minimal to say the least, so the task was done quickly.

“How long does Louisa usually nap?”