Page 31 of The Cowboy Takes a Nanny
“Hey, you were the one that swallowed all that. I just played along.”
Thankfully in the store, which incidentally almost blew Ella’s mind, he was much more controlled, even making sensible choices. That in itself was something, given the vast range he had to choose from. The store was probably as big as a football field that not only, offered quality brands, but also promised immediate delivery from their even bigger warehouse. So, all her warnings about not having furniture in time for the combined birthday party fell by the wayside.
Between them, they chose furniture for the living and dining rooms, Leo’s study, the family room, plus the casual eating area and the room he’d designated as a home theater. When they were almost done, he insisted she choose furniture and furnishings for her own room, and knowing she was doing him a favor, she immediately began searching. She and Benny would leave one day, and perhaps that day wasn’t as far away as she’d like, but by furnishing the room, she knew he’d have a stylish guest room. For another nanny?
The thought twisted so fiercely she lost the ability to breathe for just a moment. Someone else with her baby Mia? Loving her? Holding her when she was sad or unwell? Giggling with her?
Somone else there with Leo? Would they joke with him? Coax out his delicious cheeky smiles? Would he bite back? Make the new nanny laugh?
Would he look at that new nanny like he looked at her? Would he stir the same fires?
It was almost enough to make her ill. Swallowing the sudden nausea, she forced her head back into the game; determinedly eyed each piece, studying the soft furnishings critically, and biting back the sudden childish desire to make it ugly for the person she would leave it for.
She couldn’t do that and when she spotted a padded and buttoned pearl-gray headboard, one with fluted rim, she knew she had the scheme and style she wanted. The bed coverings were luxurious and classy, and with the soft yellow and pure white accents she picked out, it would look stunning.
Happy with their choices, Ella relaxed. It had taken an age, but the children had been brilliant, all things considered, but enough was enough. Leo carried Benny on his shoulders, much to the toddler’s delight, while she pushed Mia’s stroller. By the time they were done, both little ones had crashed, and while Leo held a sleeping Benny as he paid and organized delivery, she wandered through the store with the stroller.
The store was busy, lots of people browsed, and the aisles between the displays weren’t overly wide, so progress was slow. Coincidentally, she found herself by a display of beds for children and slowed to a complete stop. It wouldn’t be long before Benny would need one, and she took the time to see what was on offer.
Checking the softness of a display mattress, she stepped away from the stroller in order to lean in and feel the quality. That was all she’d done; nothing more and it took her barely a moment; yet, when she looked back up, the stroller was being pushed away. A strange man was taking Mia!
It was every nightmare she’d ever had. It was every fear she’d harbored since the day Emile died and left alone her with Benny: his precious child. Yet her mind was blank. She didn’t really think; had only one objective. Her scream surely must have alerted every single person in the store and beyond, but it was her flying leap that most would probably remember. Mindless of everything around her, she brought that man down, screaming at him … Reality seeped back and Ella blinked into the face partially turned to her.
Middle aged; a stranger—looked back at her with a combination of astonishment and fear, which was what any person suddenly attacked by a mad woman would probably feel.
*
The return journey to the Lazy H was mostly silent. Even the children seemed to know this wasn’t the time for a dissection of events and eventually drifted off to sleep.
Having apologized to the store managers and the man she’d attacked, assuring the latter was okay and largely unharmed and getting Ella treated for her own shock, Leo had simply taken care of both children’s needs, and then opted for an immediate return to the ranch.
His concern evident in the parade of glances speared her way as they drove. He’d made her eat chocolate. Told her the sugar was good for shock. Denied her coffee and instead procured hot tea. Even wrapping a blanket around her in spite of the car’s more than adequate heating.
Once home, he carried the still sleeping children to their rooms and ushered her inside before stoking the fires to life. Finally, he made sweet hot chocolate, with extra marshmallows and then joined her on the sofa where he’d suggested she wait.
She hadn’t had to wait there. He didn’t own her; she could have just gone to her room—they both knew that. But he was owed an explanation. Her problem was deciding just how much to tell him.
Now with him beside her, so close she could feel the warmth of his body, the only sound the soothing crackle of the fire, she knew her time was up. He looked across, his expression grave. “You okay?”
She nodded.
“You want to talk about it? Because while everybody else just accepted the actions of what they assumed was a shocked and terrified young mother, I don’t think I’m wrong in assuming that it was something else entirely.”
“There was an element of shocked mother.”
“Yep, I get that. I know how protective you are of both the kids. Still—Ella, the guy only moved the stroller a couple of feet so he could pass by.” He paused. “But you and I know that wasn’t the worst of it; that came from what you screamed at him.”
“Screamed?” She knew she’d bellowed at the guy. But in her shock, she wasn’t completely cognizant of what she’d actually said.
“Something along the lines of, I knew you bastards would come, but you’re not getting him, not ever! Not even over my dead body.”
Horror swept through her. “I said that in front of Mia?”
“Mia slept blissfully through the whole thing. It’s not that you said it, Ella, it’s what you said. Who are you expecting to come. And why?”
Words gathered, realigned themselves and she tried to navigate her way around them; determine how much to share with him.
“Ella?” He’d misunderstood the slowness of her response, obviously assuming reluctance over confusion. “Ella if you or Benny are in danger this is something I need to know, because that can directly affect Mia …”
