Page 11 of Hold My Heart

“Excuse me?”

“You seem to be in a bad mood whenever we talk.”

She huffed. “As this is the only time we’ve talked to each other that didn’t involve either a phone or a screaming toddler between us, that’s hardly enough to go by. Likewise, I have no idea if you annoy me or not.” She turned away, her chin raised. “I’ll have to get back to you.”

He inclined his head. “Sure. You let me know.”

Renee chose that moment to walk around the corner, clutching a blanket in her hands. “Harlan?”

“Right here, angel. Making something special for you to eat.” His voice came out in a warm rush of syllables, sounding strange and foreign to Olympia’s ear. Not baby talk, but comforting in a way she hadn’t expected.

Not to be outdone, she plastered a smile on her face. “Hey there, sweet pea. Did you have a good nap?” she asked Renee.

Renee ignored her. That was no surprise. It was, however, a surprise when she walked straight up to Harlan with her arms outstretched for a hug.

He stifled a chuckle at Olympia’s thinned lips. The way her skin twitched like a horse’s hide. Speaking low, he bent to gather Renee against his chest. “I told you, we’ve been getting to know each other. Don’t be surprised if she clings to me a little at first. It’s a natural reaction.”

“Where did she get the blanket?” Olympia didn’t recognize it.

“It’s one of mine. I carry it with me because I find it helps some children to have something to hold on to. Something soft and warm. I can buy her a new one if you want.”

“No, I don’t want.” She fought against the urge to stand up and take Renee out of his arms. This strange man standing in her kitchen, cooking her food, and snuggling her ward. The daughter she hadn’t wanted yet but was here now nevertheless.

The logical portion of her mind told her to calm down and not look for faults in her hired nanny—correction, a male nanny was called amanny, and was there a more ridiculous sounding word? The other, less rational side, the one severely affected by no sleep and having her schedule blown to shit, was convinced there was something absolutely wrong with Harlan and chose to lash out in the only way she could.

Bitter sarcasm.

“Let’s hope you cook as well as you BS,” she responded, turning her face away. “Otherwise it’s going to be a long few months together.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve decided to keep me around.” It wasn’t a question. His hand traced tiny circles on Renee’s back.

Olympia’s fingers curled into claws. She hid the reaction under the table. “I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.” She shrugged, affecting nonchalance.

“That’s an infantile evasion if I’ve ever heard one.”

Her gaze whipped up to his. “You’re not funny.”

“Sorry.” He set Renee in her chair and secured her in place. “I thought I was. I apologize for my lack of amusement.”

“More like your lack ofsense. No wonder you can’t find jobs if you talk to clients like that.”

If anything, his grin widened. “Some of my clients in the past have appreciated my honesty and humor. I always considered myself a funny guy.”

“I’m not seeing it,” she replied bluntly.

“Give it time. I’ll grow on you.”

“I don’t want you to grow on me. I want you to take care of Renee and do your job. Period.”

He was unfazed. “Well then, beginning tomorrow, I’d like to start taking her to the park in the afternoons. While the weather is still nice. We’ll be running out of good days soon.”

Renee ignored Olympia when she tried to reach out and rub her shoulder. Jerked away to avoid the touch.Okay, then. No big deal, she thought. She refused to take it personally, even when it stung.

Harlan doled out a couple of scoopfuls of broth into two bowls. “Rice will be a few more minutes.”

“Hold on. You saidpark. That’s twenty minutes away. You can’t walk there.” She took the offered bowl, blew on a spoonful, and slid it between her teeth before it had time to properly cool. Despite the third-degree burn, she had to admit—grudgingly—the soup was good. Really good.

“Yes, the park. There are a few couples I know who bring their kids and it would be good for Renee to start socializing with children her own age.” He set a dish of green beans and carrots and a small cup of milk in front of Renee.

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