Kitabı oku: «The Rancher's Nanny Bargain»

One

In his office at his ranch house, Cade Callahan sorted mail that had come while he was in Dallas at his commercial real estate office the past two days. But the letters blurred before his eyes.

All he could think about was the loss of his younger brother and his sister-in-law in the last week of June. How many times would he replay in his mind the moment he imagined their car had been struck by a drunk driver? Nate had been killed instantly, and Lydia had died on the way to the hospital. The drunk driver who hit them had died at the scene.

And Cade had been left as the sole guardian of his six-month-old niece, Amelia.

A shiver went down his spine as it always did when he thought about the tremendous responsibility he’d inherited. He knew nothing about caring for a baby. Which was why he needed Erin Dorsey.

He glanced at his watch. Within minutes she would arrive for an interview for the nanny job. He had high hopes for her.

At lunch, more than a week ago, with his closest friend, Luke Dorsey, Cade had complained about being unable to find a suitable nanny despite all the interviews he’d had. Luke had a surprising recommendation—his sister.

Recalling Luke’s younger sister Erin, Cade had remembered a timid, freckle-faced, scrawny little redhead, hovering in the background and keeping away from Luke and his friends. Cade hadn’t ever said more than hello to her and barely had received more than that in return before she’d disappeared from sight. She was years younger, probably twenty or twenty-one now.

When he’d mentioned to Luke that she was very quiet and very young, Luke’s blue eyes had twinkled.

“Not as quiet as when she was a kid,” he’d said. “And young is good. She’s energetic, upbeat, loves kids and they love her. Trust me, she’s great taking care of kids.”

“Is she an environmental engineer like you?”

“Not at all.” He’d gone on to list her credentials: an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Services, director of her church nursery, member of the Big Sister program while in college. “The only drawbacks for her would be a time limit and living on your ranch.”

“What’s the time limit?” Cade had asked, even though he’d had no intention of hiring Luke’s little sister.

“Erin just finished her bachelor’s degree. She’ll be starting back at the University of Texas for her master’s in January. She’s staying out a semester to earn money. I’ve offered to pay for school but she won’t accept my offer.” He’d grinned. “My sister is independent and wants to do it her way. Frankly, I can understand. We’re a big family and it will help Mom and Dad. I put myself through, something you know nothing about as Dirkson Callahan’s son who set all of you up in business.”

“Not Blake. Don’t get me started on my dad, or my mom. Mom won’t keep Amelia at all and made that plain from the first and flew to Europe with friends. Why the hell my dad had so many kids... Anyway, this is August, so it won’t help me to hire a nanny for a few months and then start over,” Cade had said before biting into a thick, juicy rib covered in dark red barbecue sauce.

“Think about it before you say no,” Luke had replied. “Hiring Erin now would give you time to get a really good nanny, and before she has to leave she could help you select the perfect replacement and train her. It would remove the pressure that you’re under now to choose a nanny quickly no matter how little you like any of them.”

He’d felt a slight bit defensive. “They all come highly recommended. I hate turning a baby over to a stranger, but I have to do something quickly. Grandmother and my cook have been taking care of Amelia and Grandmother doesn’t know much more about babies than I do. Maisie cooks, so she can’t care for Amelia all of the time. Sierra, Blake’s wife, has helped, too.”

“Hire Erin and you won’t be turning your niece over to a stranger.”

Maybe not a complete stranger, but he barely knew Erin and he hadn’t even seen her since he’d graduated from high school. He knew Luke’s argument to that—Cade had known his family since they were both kids. He knew he could trust her and believe what Luke told him about her.

“I wouldn’t recommend my sister to some of my friends,” Luke had said, “but I know I can leave the country and be certain you won’t hit on her.”

Amen to that one, Cade had thought, but he hadn’t say it aloud. “Well, hell—”

“You won’t hit on her because she’s not your type. She takes life seriously, while I know you’re a carefree, love-’em-and-leave-’em guy. Last year when the guy she was engaged to broke their engagement to marry someone else, she was crushed and she hasn’t gotten back into dating since then.”

Cade had been surprised to hear she had been engaged, but he’d said nothing. He still could only think of her as a waif who drifted in the background of Luke’s life. In addition to Erin, there were four younger kids in Luke’s family and they, too, had usually avoided Luke’s crowd.

“She has told a few people, but should you call her, I think you ought to know... While she was engaged, she was pregnant with his baby. She miscarried and that’s why the guy broke off the engagement. The doctors said she might be able to have a baby, but there was a higher than normal chance she might miscarry again. Her ex-fiancé said he wanted to know for certain that he had married a wife who could give him kids.”

“Well, damn, he must not have been deeply in love.”

“That’s what I thought, but what do I know—or you for that matter—about love and marriage? The breakup left her shaken and brokenhearted. We have a big family and she loves babies, so that loss tore her up because she wants marriage and kids. Plus she was in love with her fiancé. Now she doesn’t trust her own judgment in men. In short, she’s vulnerable. I know I can trust you not to cause her more grief.”

“If she works for me, some of the guys who work for me might ask her out, but she should be able to deal with them.”

“She’ll handle them, I’m sure. And I won’t have to worry about you, especially since you know this about her.”

“You act as if I’ve agreed to call her.”

“Go interview some more nannies and then you’ll call Erin.”

“It’s a shame you don’t have any confidence in yourself,” Cade had remarked.

Luke had laughed, then quickly sobered. “Look, Cade, she’s had a rough year and I’d like to see her where she can focus on a baby and get back to normal living. Take my advice. Stop worrying and get someone you know who can do the job.”

“I’ll think about it. Tell me again, what is it you’re doing?”

Luke smiled. “I’m an environmental engineer and I’ll be working for the government in Antarctica on wastewater management, permitting, removal of solid and hazardous waste—mainly effective wastewater treatment in the Antarctic which is not the same as in Texas—”

“I’ve got it. At least I’ve got as much as I want to hear about what you do. I’ll think about your sister,” he repeated.

* * *

Two days of interviews later, Cade contacted her.

Unable to get the image of a solemn, skinny kid out of his thoughts, he expected the same whispered, minimal conversation he’d got from her when they were kids, but was surprised to find the grown-up Erin friendly and confident. She’d turned him down politely, thanking him for the offer, preferring to keep her high-paying secretarial job until she went back to school.

But Cade had taken Luke’s advice to heart. He knew exactly what he needed: someone he knew, someone he could trust to watch baby Amelia. Using all his powers of persuasion, he’d convinced Erin to come interview before she made a hasty decision.

Now in his office at the ranch he glanced at the clock and saw she was due in four minutes.

As he shifted his attention to the papers in front of him, there was a light rap on the door. His tall, blond butler stood waiting. “Miss Dorsey has arrived.”

He smiled to himself. Erin Dorsey was as punctual as Mary Poppins. “Thanks, Harold. Tell her to come in.”

Harold stepped out of sight and in seconds she walked into the room.

For an instant Cade forgot his nanny interview. He could only stare at the tall, leggy redhead who entered the room. Blond streaks highlighted her long red hair that fell in curls around her face, framing her long-lashed green eyes. She wore what should have been a tailored, ordinary businesslike navy suit with a V-neck white blouse. On her, though, it was anything but ordinary or businesslike. The short skirt revealed long, shapely legs while a narrow belt circled a tiny waist. In a million years he would never have recognized her as Luke’s younger sister.

Dazed, he stared at her until he realized what he was doing. Then he stood and closed the distance between them as she offered her hand. When his fingers wrapped around her soft hand, the contact startled him again.

“You’ve grown up since I last saw you,” he said, causing her to smile, revealing a dimple in her right cheek. He didn’t remember any dimple, but he also didn’t remember seeing her smile as a little kid. But then again, he hadn’t ever paid attention to her. Now, her dazzling, dimpled smile sent the temperature in the room climbing. For an instant he thought he couldn’t hire her as a nanny because he wouldn’t be able to resist flirting with her or wanting to kiss that delicious mouth. Somehow he managed to shake that thought and pull himself back to business in time to hear her speak.

“I believe you have, too. I’m not still Luke’s ten-year-old kid sister which was probably the last time we saw each other.”

He bit back the reply that she sure as hell wasn’t. He waved his hand slightly toward two brown leather chairs that faced his wide cherrywood desk. “Please, have a seat,” he said. When she sat, he turned the other chair to face her.

He had already decided before she arrived that he wanted her for the job because he knew her and could trust her. More importantly, he knew her family values and they were what he viewed as ideal, what he wanted for his baby niece. Luke’s family was the family he always wished he’d had—caring and supportive of each other. His parents were invested in their kids and Luke had had his dad’s guidance and friendship—things that Cade had never known from his dad beyond financial support. Yes, Erin would be the perfect nanny in so many important ways. He would just have to resist her stunning looks and assume his normal professional manner.

“It’s been a long time since I last saw you,” he said, smiling at her.

She flashed a warm smile in return. “I’m surprised you remember me at all. I tried to stay out of Luke’s way when he had high school friends over. In those days tall, noisy boys intimidated me.”

Looking at her now, he doubted if any male intimidated her, because Luke’s sister had become a gorgeous, poised woman. Just the kind of woman that he hoped Amelia would one day grow up to be. As he thought about his little niece, he felt the too familiar dull ache that came each time he thought about her parents. He missed his brother and he always would. Little Amelia should have Nate and Lydia instead of an uncle and a nanny.

As if Erin guessed his thoughts, her smile vanished. “I’m so sorry about your brother and sister-in-law.”

“It was a tragedy. The drunk driver who hit them died in the crash, too. Three lives lost,” he replied, still thinking about his brother.

“At least their baby wasn’t with them, and how wonderful for you to be her guardian.”

“It’s an awesome responsibility and one that I never expected to have,” he replied, his thoughts shifting from Nate to Amelia. “You know, when Nate was working on their wills and he asked me if I would be Amelia’s guardian, I thought the likelihood of this ever happening was zero.” He remembered how shocked and dazed he had been over Nate’s and Lydia’s deaths back in June and how downright awestruck he’d been when he’d realized he had full responsibility for Amelia and would be his little niece’s guardian. “I don’t know one thing about babies.”

“Luke said your niece is six months old now.”

“That’s right.” He nodded. “Luke said you have experience taking care of babies and little kids. I—”

“Cade, I have to be honest with you.” She didn’t hesitate after her interruption. “As tempting as this job is, I have to decline. Out of courtesy to my brother, I’m here to talk to you, but I don’t see changing from the secretarial job I have till school starts.” Smiling, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but this won’t work out. We can both tell Luke we tried.”

“Don’t be too hasty. Let’s talk about it,” Cade said, unable to resist a glance as she crossed her long legs. How did that wisp of a shy, plain kid grow into this gorgeous, leggy redhead?

Once again he had to shift his thoughts to the reason for the interview.

“Before you turn down this job, listen to what I have to offer. My grandmother is currently minding Amelia, here on the ranch. Grandmother can’t deal with the care of a baby on a permanent basis. In fact, she can’t deal with it for many more days. Anyway, at least meet Amelia and then let’s talk.”

“That seems unnecessary because I can’t take the nanny job.”

“The nanny job will fit in a lot more with the degrees you’re getting to work with children,” he reminded her. “Also, your brother is going to ask us both about our interview and it’ll make him a lot happier if you at least listened to my offer. Besides,” Cade added, smiling at her, “how much time does it take to meet a baby?”

There was a flicker in the depths of her green eyes and for another electric moment, he was tempted to forget about Luke and the nanny job and just enjoy the beautiful woman who sat in front of him.

Then she blinked, glanced away and the moment vanished, but it resonated long after. It was another warning that hiring her might not be as problem-free as he had hoped. But as long as she could take good care of Amelia, he could resist the volatile chemistry that had to be off-limits.

“I suppose you’re right,” she said, nodding. “All right, I’ll meet Amelia and we’ll talk.”

Stifling a triumphant smile, he rose. “If you’ll come with me, we’ll go see my grandmother. She’s in Amelia’s suite. Technically it’s not a nursery, but it’s what we could do on short notice.”

When Erin walked beside him to the open door, he realized in heels she was taller than most women he knew. He caught a faint scent of an exotic perfume that was enticing. Keenly aware of her, he motioned her ahead and she walked past him with a polite, “Thank you.”

When she passed him, he couldn’t keep from letting his gaze drift down her back and linger on her hips. There was a slight, appealing sway with each step she took, and he thoroughly enjoyed the walk to the baby’s suite.

His grandmother, a tall, slender woman, stood in the center of the room holding Amelia. Strands of her gray-streaked brown hair had escaped the clip behind her head and a frown furrowed her brow. Her lavender blouse had come out of her slacks, adding to her disheveled appearance. Yet another reason to hire Erin instantly, Cade thought. His grandmother needed her rest.

Margo Wakely held her crying great-grandchild as she crossed the room. “Amelia is up from her nap and occasionally she doesn’t wake easily.”

“I’ll take her,” Cade said and instantly she handed Amelia to him. He spoke softly to his little niece while smoothing her pink jumper. Black curls framed her face and tears spilled from her big blue eyes. He kissed her lightly on the forehead while patting her back and talking softly to her for a minute before looking up.

“Grandmother, meet Luke’s younger sister, Erin Dorsey. Erin, this is my grandmother Margo Wakely,” he said, continuing to pat Amelia’s back.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Wakely,” Erin said.

“Thank you. It’s still difficult and so sad for Amelia.”

“Here’s our baby,” Cade said, looking at Amelia who continued to cry. “Usually she’s a sweetie who’s happy.” He shrugged. “This isn’t good timing.”

“I’ve had lots of experience with babies. Let me take her.” She took Amelia from Cade and walked with her. In seconds Amelia quieted while Erin lightly patted her and walked back to Cade and his grandmother.

“Luke was right,” Cade said, looking at her handling Amelia with more ease than his grandmother had and far more ease than he felt. “You’re good with babies.”

“With my younger siblings I’ve been around babies since I was two. But don’t let a few minutes fool you. Sometimes they cry with me, too, although usually they don’t cry a long time. Probably because I’m relaxed around them. Besides helping with my younger siblings, I did a lot of babysitting, helped with the nursery at church, that sort of thing.” She looked down at Amelia, talking to her softly. “You’re right—she’s a sweetie.”

Amelia babbled, reaching out a small fist to grab Erin’s suit lapel and tug on it.

Erin picked up a pink rattle from toys spread on a nearby table and in seconds Amelia focused on the rattle. She took it in her chubby hand, making it spin and shake.

“She likes you,” Margo said. “I haven’t seen you in years, Erin. I remember one time when Cade left his books at your house and your brother drove over. I answered the door and you handed me his books while your brother waited in the car. You seemed a lot younger than Cade or Luke.”

“I am younger. Eight years, to be exact,” she replied and Cade was surprised because she was older than he had guessed.

“Now you’re all grown up and a beautiful woman,” Margo said, causing Erin to smile another dimpled smile that carried an impact Cade tried to resist.

“Thanks, Mrs. Wakely.” She gazed down at Amelia who was happily playing with the rattle. “Look at those big, dark blue eyes. Such a beautiful little girl.”

“I have to agree,” Margo replied, smiling at Erin, then casting a nod to Cade, as if giving him her seal of approval.

Cade wholeheartedly agreed. Erin was perfect for the job.

As she looked at Amelia, Cade’s gaze raked over Erin. There was only one drawback. His attraction. There could be no flirting with her—something he never thought would be a problem where Luke’s younger sister was concerned. And no kissing, he thought as he watched her full red lips graze Amelia’s soft cheek. Talking to Luke last week, Cade had dismissed anything sexual between them. Now he realized he had probably never in his life been as wrong about something.

He just had to remember Luke was her brother. Other than his brothers, Luke was his best friend, and Cade was not about to jeopardize their long-standing relationship for a brief flirtation that would be forgotten when Erin left for grad school.

Not one bit. Telling himself he could do this, he cleared his throat and got the attention of the two women.

“Grandmother, we’ll give Amelia back to you because Erin has limited time.”

“Thanks for quieting her down,” Margo said as she took the baby. “You have a nice touch and she likes you.”

Erin smiled again. “She’s a sweet and beautiful baby.”

“She looks a lot like her father and she has a resemblance to her uncle,” Margo said, smiling at Cade.

“Grandmother, I’ll be back soon. Call Maisie if you need some help,” Cade said, referring to his cook. He had already made arrangements for her to help his grandmother with Amelia when she needed it.

“I always call Maisie when I need her,” Margo said.

As he walked with Erin into the hall he said, “Amelia sleeps through the night, but it’s still a lot for Grandmother to take care of her. I try to be here as much as possible so I can take care of her in the evenings, but because of business, there are times I can’t be at the ranch. I need a nanny as soon as possible. You saw both of us with her. I’m a novice and Grandmother has forgotten what she knew about childcare,” he admitted.

“You’ll learn what to do.”

“It’s scary. When Amelia cries, I feel like I’m failing her and Nate and Lydia.”

“Relax a little, Cade. You take care of a lot of things on this ranch that are far more difficult and complicated. She’s just a little girl.”

“I meant it when I said that I don’t know anything about babies or kids. And I especially don’t know anything about little girls,” he confessed. Then he rolled his eyes and let out a groan. “I can’t bear to think of trying to deal with a teenage girl.”

Erin laughed softly. “She won’t be a teen for a few years so stop worrying about that. You’ll get accustomed to Amelia in no time.” Erin paused in the hallway to face him and her expression sobered. “I’m sorry I can’t do this. While I’d love to take care of Amelia and it would fit with my future career, living on your ranch or driving back and forth to my home in Dallas every day would be too much of a hardship. And I make a very good salary where I am. I wish you luck.”

He looked into those deep green eyes that he knew he wouldn’t forget for a long time and he knew what he had to do. “At least hear my offer before you turn me down.”

He needed Erin. Amelia needed Erin. At the same time, he had known since she walked through his office door and he got his first sight of her, that resisting the urge to have her wouldn’t be easy. But he hoped it would be possible. Besides, it was only a few months, not long enough to be much of a temptation.

“Come on,” he said, turning toward his office and feeling her follow behind him. “Is there anyone you’re seeing who’ll be upset about you accepting a job on a ranch or being away from Dallas all week?” he asked as they walked.

“No, there isn’t,” she replied. “Luke leaves this week for the Antarctic and isn’t scheduled to be back for the rest of the year. Mom is visiting her sister who lives in Arkansas—” She stopped, as if she suddenly thought of something. “I guess you weren’t talking about my brother and family.” She shook her head. “There’s no man in my life.”

“At the moment that works out better.”

They entered Cade’s office and sat in the leather chairs again. She crossed her legs and looked at him expectantly.

He placed his elbows on his knees and leaned closer. “I know you’re capable and reliable. I know you and your family. I trust your credentials and I can trust you to care for Amelia like she was your own. You’re perfect for this job.”

“Thank you for such faith in me but—”

“I know. You don’t think you’ll make enough money for this nanny job to be worth your time. So, let’s make it worth your time. It’s five months counting December and then you’ll leave for graduate school, right?”

“I’m quitting my job mid-December because I want to get ready to go to the university and I want a little time at home during Christmas.”

“Okay. Only four months, plus two weeks, then. That makes a bigger salary even easier.” When he paused to think, she waited quietly.

“Whatever your salary is for secretarial work, I’ll quadruple it if you’ll work for me,” he offered.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him, saying nothing.

“You can have the use of one of my cars while you live here. That way you won’t have wear and tear on your car or gas to buy when you come and go out here. You can have Saturdays and Sundays off after the first month and a ten-thousand-dollar signing bonus upon acceptance. The reason for asking you to stay on the weekends the first month is because everyone else is gone on the weekend. I’ll get my cook to stay Saturday and take off one day during the week, but I’m not ready to be alone with Amelia and have full charge of her care.”

“Mercy...” As her lips parted, his attention was drawn to them and his curiosity rose over what it would be like to kiss her. It still shocked him that the same person he could so easily ignore as a kid now took his breath away, made his pulse race and inspired fantasies about hot kisses. He had to force his mind back onto his offer when she finally spoke.

“What you’re offering is ridiculous,” she whispered, still staring at him as if he had offered her all the gold in Fort Knox. “It’s definitely something I have to consider, now that I’m going to grad school.” Her gaze flickered as she said, “You know, if I hadn’t known you all my life and if you weren’t really close friends with my brother, I would suspect some ulterior motive for that kind of money. As it is, I know you well enough to know you’re offering me the job for the right reasons.”

“Yes, I am. Because I trust Luke’s recommendation. And because Amelia is the highest priority in my life and I want the best nanny I can possibly get.” He had to, for her and for his brother. When he was away from Amelia, he didn’t want to worry about her. Or even when he was with her. Funny, he thought, how he could handle all kinds of things on his ranch, but taking care of a little baby scared the daylights out of him.

He looked at Erin and held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t take a lot of time to make a decision.

She shook her head slowly and he wondered if she intended to say no. He needed her desperately. If she turned him down, how much more should he offer to get her to accept the job?

“I don’t need time. I can’t possibly turn down your offer. When do you want me to start?”