Page 4 of The Cowboy Takes a Nanny
“Clever girl,” Ella praised. Not taking her eyes off Mia, she addressed Leo. “It’s a safe way for them to have fresh fruit without having to cook it or make sauce. They suck and gum it. It gives them flavor and texture, and they can munch away safely. She’s a bit little for chunks of fruit.”
Leo’s eyes remained on his daughter, his expression softening as he watched her gnawing away on the healthy treat. “You seem to know your way around kids. You’ve had other experience as a nanny?”
A little voice inside her scoffed. She’d had a mountain of experience with nannying, just not as a nanny. “Truthfully, I kind of learned with Benny. Number one rule: trust my instincts. Children? Babies especially? They don’t know what’s right either, but if they’re warm, dry, safe, and fed—and of course, loved—they’ll excuse you a few missteps along the way.”
He shrugged. “Amen to that. I’ve had to learn a hell of a lot in the past five months, and I gotta say I agree with everything you just said. So?” He paused, raised one dark brow. “You want to give us a try? Because, if you’re still willing, I guess the job is yours.”
Both relief and trepidation rippled through her. She wasn’t worried about caring for the children, that she was sure she would manage. But the offer had come with one of those smiles, slow and sexy, one she was sure he was oblivious to the havoc caused. “Y-yes. Great. Th-thank you.”
Panic shot a quick jab to her chest. Ella had schooled herself over her twenty-eight years on this earth not to ever appear vulnerable, always calm and controlled as required. A spark of frustration flared to join the panic at the uncharacteristic stumble as she’d replied. To blot out that image she thrust her hand firmly across the island counter. Naturally he responded immediately, but that’s when it all got awkward, as their palms met she instantly knew he’d felt the same tingle she did. It was obvious in the way his eyes widened in surprise. In the way they both drew back. And definitely in the way that, for just the briefest moment, their eyes held before each hurriedly looked away. It was possibly the shortest handshake in the history of handshakes.
Pushing back her embarrassment, she immediately went into rationalization mode; talking herself down. It was the novelty of spending almost one-on-one time with an attractive man. Nothing more, and just like the most exotic fare, the finest wines, smoothest cheese—even the most glorious views—all eventually lost their allure if one was subjected to them daily, so this, too, would pass. A lifetime of experience with all the former assured it always did. And this would be no different.
However, even though that truism did much to bring the moment into perspective, she still had trouble meeting his gaze. She glanced across at her son, seeking a distraction; a legitimate reason to busy herself, and as she dared a lightning-fast glance across at Leo, she suspected he was praying for something similar—even as he darted from the room.
The awkwardness was still there when he returned with some paperwork, keys, credit card—and all manner of things and information she’d require—and her need to bring some levity to cut the tension was paramount. As he finished his haltingly cumbersome speech, that need flowed over into the inane.
After signing the employment agreement, she raised one cheeky eyebrow. “And just so you know, I promise not to take Mia dancing around the rim of a raging volcano—at least for the first few weeks. And definitely not at the same time as I take Benny …”
“Dancing around—?” His perplexed frown relaxed, and he tipped back his head and laughed. “Dangerous situations? Okay … Not going to live that one down for a while then?”
“Possibly not.” She sounded in control, she knew she did—a herculean feat given that she was left staring at the strong column of tanned skin, white teeth, and wide firm mouth until he regained his composure. Laughter that smoothed some of the worry lines across his forehead, reminded her that he was merely a year or two older than herself.
It was quite simply breathtaking, and mentally she shook her head. Oh Lord, even her attempt at levity had backfired.
Really? Was she nuts to think she could make this work?
She’d made some bold decisions in the past eighteen months. Brave or just crazy—she wasn’t exactly sure. But her beautiful baby boy was safe, away from others who wouldn’t love him or care for him as she would, and did. For that reason only, she had to believe those decisions had been correct.
But this decision? It wasn’t the boldest, but just maybe it would be the most dangerous, for her. But if it meant she could keep Benny safe, she could do it—though maybe she was going to need a fireproof suit to protect her from those lazy smiles.
The thought conjured an image of all those suits of armor that graced her childhood home. She’d never ever seen the sense in them, but perhaps that had been hasty thinking. If one had been available right at that moment, she’d probably have grabbed it.
Chapter Two
Two days later, Ella discovered she’d been correct about the lack of furniture to the extent she was surprised to find a bed in the bedroom she’d been allocated. The whole place was empty but for the absolute basic of basics which gave over to her wondering again about how he lived his life.
Certainly, how they’d all manage now he had two more people living in with him in what was almost a spartan-like existence. Because living here she would be. She and Benny, twenty-four-seven, as the expression went. That decision along with her hours and remuneration—very generous—weren’t the only things they’d hammered out. Although Leo didn’t really need a nanny for the nights, he suggested they move into the house with he and Mia, to make it easier on Benny.
His argument had made sense, and she was gratefully surprised at his consideration of her circumstances. So, here she was. Moving in hadn’t been a huge hassle. They had only their clothing and Benny’s baby needs, the larger of which were all able to be folded for transport. And she’d soon familiarized herself with Mia’s routine, the house, and making plans to structure both children’s needs into each day.
The house was massive, diligently considered and she wondered how much his childhood home had influenced his decisions. The farmhouse he’d grown up in—now home to his eldest brother JD and his fiancée Evie—was, while very traditional, spacious with big rooms ready to accommodate large family gatherings and a load of bedrooms set over the two levels above the main living areas. Three levels in all.
Traditional wouldn’t be the way she’d have described this place. Maybe modern farmhouse? Though mansion seemed to fit better than farmhouse, even though that was what it was supposed to be. However, the spacious rooms, multiple living areas and six bedrooms upstairs certainly led her to wonder if Leo had also designed this house for a large family. His intended large family? But now?
Ella knew what it was to lose someone she loved, maybe not the same kind of love that Leo had probably felt, but a loss is a loss. But to have assumed you’d fill a home with laughing children with the partner of your dreams, only to have that ripped away? Her heart felt heavy every time she thought of what he must have suffered.
It was definitely a house meant for a family, though. Now, with both children down for a nap, and Leo for once not hovering, she set off to explore the lower level she’d not yet had a chance to get to. Though vast, it was kind of a half level that followed the contour of the land and was accessed from the main living area. Lights automatically illuminated the carpeted stairs as soon as she opened the door. She’d expected it to be cold, but the heating was working down here as well. The room at the bottom opened up to an area with a huge burnt orange sectional sofa facing a television almost as big as the wall, a pool table off to the side and a wet bar complete with swivel stools, all ready for someone to sidle up and order their favorite tipple.
Off to the far side, a light hung low over what she guessed was a poker table—or at least a games table. She had yet to learn what his favorite card game might be, and wondered if it would gel with hers. Though why she imagined they’d be playing games together was anyone’s guess. Well, those games, anyway. Since she’d first met him several weeks earlier, her libido had envisioned many other games that one might play with Leo Halligan …
Pulling her head back into the light-bathed room, she saw that the whole back wall was glass, opening up on a low terrace—now scattered with snow mounds that the early afternoon sun hadn’t yet melted—of crazy paving in river-stone like the builders had used upstairs. It was almost dazzling to look across the expanse to the view beyond. The stand of tall cypress; the majestic mountains further back, the dark brooding clouds doing an excellent job of obliterating the patches of blue sky that battled to penetrate their cover.
She let her gaze sweep the space one last time.
“Great space—but why is this area furnished and not the rest?” She was talking to no one, merely muttering her rather astonished thoughts, when she heard a noise behind her.
“Pretty crazy, right?”
