Page 58 of The Rogue

She glares at me. “When am I off the clock?”

“Tessa. This can’t happen.”

She hops off the table. “Hate to break it to you, cowboy.” She scans me with those amber eyes like she sees right through me. “It already has.”

Tessa’s energy all day has been uncompromising. Focused eyes, easy smile, and a heart fit for a small town.

After she left the stables, she went back to the house and made several jars of mint iced tea and corn muffins for the staff. They all welcomed her with open arms.

Especially after Roger spread the word on how the new nanny took the rap for Jackson running off to the creek again.

Priceless.

And fucking adorable.

I expected her to avoid me all day, but she just smiles and talks like we didn’t cross that line.

And if we were keeping score—she’s winning the ‘acting like it never happened’ game by a landslide.

After dinner, I leave Jackson with Tess and head to the Inn. She made some chicken dish and didn’t cut any corners. Roasted vegetables, garlic sauce, garden salad and a side of French fries for Jackson.

Dad’s clearing glasses from the bar when I walk in. “Hey, need some help here?”

Since Tessa vanished two months ago, Dad never bothered hiring anyone else. Summers are slow at the Inn, and if I know Dad, he hates dealing with new people about as much as I do.

“Hey.” He looks behind me. “Where’s the rest of the fam?”

“Jackson’s watching a movie with his nanny.”

“Oh come on, even I considered Tess part of the family when she started working here. And don’t tell me you don’t consider every cowboy on Hideaway Ranch part of yours.”

“She’s the nanny!” I remind him. “You and I both know she disappears with the drop of a hat.”

He grumbles and reaches for my usual beer of choice, holding it up for me with a question.

“Maybe just one.”

He glances over at the couple by the window to see if they’re alright, then pops the lid off two bottles, coming around to join me.

“How’s she doin'?”

“Fine, I guess.” I takea swig.

He smacks my arm with the back of his hand like he’s got news. “You know who was in here today? Remember Carol Hendly? Susy and Danny’s kid. You believe she’s in grad school already?”

My jaw tightens and I take another swig.

He chuckles. “She told me the strangest story.” He shakes his head like he doesn’t believe it. “She said she was at your house just last week for an interview. Was damn right confident in herself, too. Years of experience, reliable, good small-town gal.Waytoo young for you and certainly not interested in any relationship.”

I set down my bottle and wait for the punchline.

“And yet mid-way through her interview…you followedmyold bartender out into the driveway andinsistedshe was your new nanny.” He chuckles and takes a sip. “Strangest thing.”

“Jackson likes Tess.”

Dad scratches his beard. “Jackson also likes worms.”

“You got a point?”

---