A Nanny for the Cowboy

Glancing at her new employer, she realized he looked as if he’d been punched, and she wished she could think of something to say that would make everything all right. Absolutely nothing came to mind.

He glanced at his watch, then over his shoulder before turning his attention to her. “I know this is something we need to get settled, but—” He looked down, shaking his head. “It’s not like it isn’t important, because it is, but I need to get the chores done.”

In the distance, she could hear the bellowing of cattle, obviously waiting to be fed. She wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to let him walk away without settling the question of her employment, but she knew the importance of feeding livestock on time. “It’s all right,” she told him, hoping he didn’t pick up on her insecurity. “We can settle it later.”

He visibly relaxed, although his smile was shaky, at best. “Great. I mean, thanks. We’ll do it at lunch.” He started to move away, but stopped. “If that’s okay.” When she nodded, he let out a long breath. “Then I’ll be back around noon.”

Seeing that things were as settled as they could be for the time being, she turned for the house. She was nearly inside when she heard him call to her.

“I’ll just put these suitcases on the porch, until we decide what we’re going to do.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just...” What? Worry? She couldn’t say that, and she needed to reassure him that all would be well, even if she wasn’t all that sure they would be. “I’ll check on Brayden and get his breakfast started.”

She didn’t wait for an answer and, once inside with the door closed firmly behind her, she did her best to put aside the fear and disappointment that she might not have a job after all. Knowing that staying busy would help keep her from thinking of her current dilemma, she went upstairs and found Brayden’s room. She soon had him awake and out of bed, so they could start their day. He didn’t make a sound as she dressed him or while he ate his breakfast. When he finished eating, she checked the kitchen cabinets and pantry with thoughts of lunch and supper in mind, while he played in the family room with the toys she’d brought for him.

“Cow!” he announced, holding the plastic animal up for her to see.

“And a lovely cow it is,” she said, laughing. She hoped it wasn’t the only word he knew. After all, he was two and should have a better vocabulary than one word.

Later, when Brayden began to rub his eyes, Hayley took him upstairs to his bed for a nap before lunch, then she returned to the kitchen. She expected Luke to appear at any time, and she’d planned to have a more substantial meal ready for him and Brayden. But between her disgust at herself for assuming things she shouldn’t and the fact that there was practically nothing to eat in the house, she was left with literally throwing together some sandwiches.

“How’s it going?”

She turned to see the object of her thoughts standing in the doorway, and she searched for something to say. “I wasn’t sure if you like mayonnaise, but since I couldn’t find any—” She pressed her lips together, realizing she was complaining, and went back to the preparations. It took every bit of her concentration to place the thick slices of ham, tomatoes and cheese between the pieces of bread. There was no reason to let him know how nervous he made her, and she quickly chalked it up to her fear of losing the job. No matter whether it was live-in or not, she needed it to help pay off her student loan and finish her master’s degree. Not only that, but after a few hours with Brayden, she’d already fallen for the little boy.

Determined not to worry, she stacked the sandwiches on a plate. When she turned around, she was surprised to see Luke across the island counter from her.

“You didn’t need to do this,” he said as she placed the plate in front of him.

“It’s all right,” she answered with a shrug. “I consider it to be part of the job.” If she still had a job.

He settled on a tall, upholstered stool and picked up a sandwich. “I appreciate it. Today’s a little crazy, but it’ll get better.”

Instead of answering, she nodded and placed a glass of iced tea near his plate. “Lemon or sugar?”

“No, nothing. This is great.”

They fell silent as he ate and she started a quick cleanup. The quiet, along with not knowing where she stood when it came to the job, nearly made her physically ill, and she decided it was time to ask if he’d made a decision. “Mr. Walker? I mean, Luke,” she corrected immediately. He turned to look at her and she took a deep breath. “I just wanted to apologize—”

“Wait.” He held up his hand. “I need to say something, but I’m not sure how to go about it. And I’m a little embarrassed. What I tried to say earlier was that it was my fault you’d gotten the wrong impression about the job, and I...well, I apologize.”

The air whooshed out of her chest. Here she was, ready to apologize again, and he was taking the blame. She felt a small, warm glow of appreciation.

“Look, I know I shouldn’t make excuses, but it’s been a rough couple of years,” he continued. “I should have been clear to you and my sister about what I expected in a nanny, instead of letting Erin handle things.”

“Apology accepted.” She smiled, hoping that he would see she was sincere. And she was, but they still needed to settle the live-in situation. “Have you—” She cleared her throat, determined to get it over with. “Have you made a decision about whether I’ll be staying?”

He didn’t speak for a moment. “I don’t really need someone here all the time,” he explained, “and I’d pay extra for your gas and time, if that’s what’s bothering you.”

“It isn’t that,” she told him, although she had worried about the extra expense. “Driving back and forth leaves me very little time to study.”

“Right. I forgot you mentioned school. What kind of classes are you taking?”

Because he seemed genuinely interested, she answered. “I’m working on my master’s degree in hope of becoming a PA.”

“PA?”

“Physician’s assistant.”

There was a spark of interest in his eyes. “That’s like almost a doctor, right?”

She tried not to laugh. “Well, a little.”

“I’m impressed. So how much longer until you have your degree?”

“In May. If I’m lucky.” She didn’t add that without the job, she’d have nowhere to live. She’d been sharing a small efficiency apartment in the city with another nurse, but her roommate had gotten married. She couldn’t afford a place on her own. Not with college expenses to pay. The live-in nanny job was perfect for her, especially since she loved children.

“Then you’ll be looking for a medical job?”

“That’s the plan. Whether I find one or not is the question.”

He fell silent for a moment. “I probably could use the extra help,” he finally said, although there was a hesitancy in his voice. “And Brayden obviously took to you. Any problems this morning?”

She shook her head, thinking of the darling little boy who had wanted to share everything he could with her, from his toys to his view out the window overlooking the patio. “He was an angel. He even took a morning nap without prodding, and that’s not very common for someone his age. Two-year-olds will sometimes fight until they drop.”

Luke’s grin revealed his good humor. “It’s usually next thing to a world war when I try to put him down. You must have the knack. But I’ll warn you, it may not last.”

As if on cue, Brayden appeared in the doorway, his curly hair sticking out in every direction. “Wanna dink.”

Hayley hurried over to him and scooped him into her arms. “And how about a sandwich to go with that dink?” she asked him as she gave him a hug.

“Sammich!” He wiggled in her arms, but she managed to hold tight until she pulled the high chair over next to his dad and set him in it.

“He’s a bright little guy,” she told Luke. While father and son chattered at each other, she retrieved the jelly sandwich she’d prepared for Brayden earlier and poured a cup of milk.

“You managed to find your way around?” Luke asked.

“Yes,” she answered, tying a bib around Brayden’s neck. “It’s a beautiful house. And so much room, too,” she added, but suddenly wished she hadn’t.

He put his elbow on the table and propped his chin in his hand, obviously comfortable with the question, unlike earlier. “You like it?”

She took a seat on the other side of Brayden, and answered without thinking. “Who wouldn’t?”

Fearing it had been the wrong thing to say, she held her breath as Luke shrugged and pushed away from the counter. “It’s just big,” he said. “More room than Brayden and I need, that’s for sure.” He ruffled his son’s hair and stood. “You need to leave by six, right?”

“No, not tonight. I have early classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

“You’ll need a little time to settle in, then. I can be done by six.”