Page 35 of The Cowboy Takes a Nanny
After deciding against checking on the ranch hands in lieu of bit of time alone with his thoughts, his grandfather’s warning didn’t play into his decision to burn some built-up energy. He chose to tackle the logs stacked beside the feed barn. Built-up energy? Or was it frustration? Anger?
Hell, he didn’t even know what he felt. Cheated? Blindsided? The ax came down at the wrong angle, bounced, and the ensuing shudder ran right up his arm, jarring every muscle, leaving them trampled in its wake until the burn pooled in his shoulder. It didn’t stop him, and he brought the ax down again, this time hitting that sweet spot, throwing himself into this unnecessary task with even more vigor.
Again, his aim was out with the next swing and again he felt the burn, blamed being out of practice as much as being distracted. He hadn’t chopped wood since before his rodeo injury and while it had been months, there was bound to be a repercussion or two.
But… Lady Gabriella? Lady? She was titled. She mixed with royalty. What the hell? His cuss was roared into the ether as he swung down hard again, so distracted by his rioting thoughts, he failed to hear the approach of a vehicle because the first he knew he had company was when a shadow fell across his work area.
“I can get a load of cut firewood hauled down here if you’re short?”
Leo didn’t look up, merely grunted as the ax came down once more. “I think we’re good. Thanks.”
JD moved closer, put himself too close to the swinging implement, too close to possible wayward timber missiles—forcing his youngest brother to stop what he was doing.
On a sigh, Leo tossed the ax to the side, and JD clucked his tongue. “The old man’d have your hide for doing that. So, you wanna tell me what’s eating you, or should I guess?”
JD knew something. Leo’s head shot up, but he gave nothing away. He hoped. “Guess what?”
JD widened his stance, crossed his arms across his chest. “Word’s got around about what happened in Bozeman this morning. Ella really took out some guy? For attempting to take Mia?” He shook his head. “That male ego of yours take a beating because she showed you up?”
Relief swept through him as he eyed his older brother. That was all he knew? It somehow would have made it worse if the others had known Ella’s background while he was just now discovering it himself. That thought almost gave him pause, something he’d examine more closely later. Maybe. “Not quite like that, but yeah, she was pretty awesome, even if she has left some poor guy permanently terrified of cute, rampaging brunettes with crystal sharp diction.”
“Cute, huh?”
That comment aside, one he ignored, it felt good to talk to JD, and Leo happily corrected the story his brother had heard via a convoluted grapevine that had begun with someone’s cousin’s husband’s son from a previous marriage who worked at the store, all the while sidestepping the other revelations.
“So, she’s a super nanny? Gotta be happy with that.”
Leo was aware that JD was watching him carefully. They were a close bunch, all four siblings, and they knew each other probably even better than their parents did. “Evie said things looked pretty good between you and Ella. Said you were getting on well. Very well. Everything still okay?”
“A few bumps.” Leo ignored his brother’s rather obvious hint. “To be expected, but we’re working on it.”
“Yeah, well you know we all think she’s pretty special, and Benny’s a great little kid. She was doing it pretty tough before Melanie met her and took her under her wing, so to speak. Though Melanie keeps telling us that Ella wouldn’t accept any charity, insisted she work for whatever help Melanie offered. And you gotta admire that. And after today’s effort, it’s even more clear there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for Benny or for Mia. Considering what family means to us Halligans, that goes a long way in our book.”
If he didn’t know better, Leo might have believed someone had been in JD’s ear and told him to come down and put a case forward for Ella; to smooth things over between them. But JD was unaware of his and Ella’s current situation, and so it had simply been divine providence that he’d shared those thoughts today. Divine, because they’d actually helped. Helped clear the mist and allowed him to see more clearly.
“I don’t want to interfere, but you sure there’s not something you want to talk about?”
Leo scowled, “Like what?”
“Like having feelings for a pretty little nanny and her baby.”
“JD—”
“Or maybe you just want to rescue her …
“I’m not trying to rescue anyone.” Except maybe myself.
Still watching him, JD sighed. “Okay. Just thought I’d check in on you, but if you’re all okay, then I s’pose I’d better head on back. By the way I called in on the folks when I was in town. Told me they were sorry they missed you and Ella the other day. Dad’s chest cold has finally cleared away and Mom’s itching to get back into the family dinners and to get out to see all these little ones. Told me she’s missed all three, which was kinda cute that she included Benny, but not surprising.”
“Knowing Mom? Not surprising at all. So, she’s good for the kids’ birthday party?”
“Yep, can’t wait, but of course she wants to help. I think she intends to contact Ella for that. Said she’s been away from everybody for too long, but the best thing for me was seeing the relief in her eyes. They were staying away so as not to infect the kids or Evie, but with Dad’s low immunity, Mom panics every time he picks up anything.”
Leo simply nodded, walking the few steps back to JD’s truck as his brother readied to leave. They all worried since their father had suffered his heart attack. And somehow that reminder brought even more perspective.
JD glanced back over his shoulder. “Sure you don’t need a load of firewood?”
“Nah, we’re good. Thanks for dropping by, bro.”
