Page 13 of Wounded Cowboy
“Is money the issue?” Grandma Abigail asked, studying him intently.“Because if it is, I’ve already offered to pay Kelsey’s salary for the summer. When the school year starts again, you won’t need full-time childcare.”
Spring clenched his jaw, hating that she was right.
“And I’m sorry I tried to hire Kelsey without your approval,” his grandmother added.“You have every right to be angry with me for that. But I was just trying tohelp, and I was afraid that Kelsey would leave town if she didn’t find another job right away. Trustworthy childcare issohard to find these days. Won’t you at least consider it?”
She gazed at him, her expression filled with repentance.
Dammit.This wasn’t the way he’d expected this conversation to go. Her apology had knocked the wind out of his righteous anger.
Plus, he knew his grandmother was right. With the chaos of managing the ranch and the summer guests, he’d reached his breaking point.
“Fine,” he ground out, defeat bitter on his tongue.“You can hire Kelsey for the summer.” He forced himself to add,“The girls really like her.”
Abigail beamed up at him.“I’m so glad you’re willing to let us help you, Spring. You’ve been doing a wonderful job managing the ranch. Frank would be so proud of you. Now, won’t you have a seat and let me fix you a grilled cheese sandwich? You can tell me all about those bison selfies the other day…”
After lunch, Spring returned to home to do paperwork.
As he walked away from Grandma Abigail’s house, his thoughts churned with a mix of resentment and reluctant gratitude. It irritated him that instead of winning the argument, he’d ended up going along with Grandma Abigail’s plan… just like always.
Still, he felt relief at the thought of having reliable childcare for the summer.
Nick’s nanny might rub him the wrong way most of the time, but she’d done a great job of caring for Kegan while Nick and Winnie worked day and night on their various restoration projects around town.
Kelsey was experienced and responsible, and best of all, both April and Abby clearly adored her.
It’s not a defeat. It’s a strategic retreat, he told himself.
At least Kelsey’s presence was only temporary. He just hoped he could keep his focus on running the ranch and not get too distracted by the new nanny’s cheerful attitude or her curvy figure.
∞∞∞
“Daddy!” Abby shouted as Spring stepped through his front door.“Great-grandma Abigail called and told us Kelsey’s gonna be our nanny!”
Trust Grandma Abigail to make sure I don’t back out of our agreement as soon as I get home, Spring thought with unwilling admiration.
“So Grandma talked you into it, after all?” Autumn asked with a wry smile.
“She fights dirty,” Spring informed her.“When I showed up, she had tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches waiting. With strawberry shortcakes for dessert.”
Autumn laughed.“Yeah, I didn’t think you were going to win that one, but I figured you needed to find that out for yourself.”
“Thanks a lot, Tum-Tum,” Spring said, using the nickname his sister had always hated. He added,“And thanks for watching the girls this morning while the ranch hands and me moved the cattle to the south pasture.”
“Anytime, big brother,” Autumn replied, going up on tiptoes to ruffle Spring’s short auburn hair affectionately.“Just remember, it’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
“I know, I just…” Spring sighed, feeling the weight of his responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders.“I don’t want to let Mom and Dad down. And I need to be the best dad I can for April and Abby.”
“Then let Kelsey help you,” Autumn urged softly.“She’s not here to take your place, Spring. She’s here to support you and the girls.”
Maybe his sister was right—maybe having Kelsey around wouldn’t be so bad after all.
“Kelsey’s a great nanny, you know,” Autumn continued.“I saw how amazing she was with Kegan. I wish I’d had someone like her to help me when Jayden was younger.”
Spring nodded. He’d always considered his sister’s ex-husband Phillip to be a useless waste of skin. Luckily, she was married to Matt Parker now, and both she and Jayden seemed much happier.
As much as Spring wanted to deny it, maybe having Kelsey around would lighten the load on his shoulders while Mom and Dad were away for the summer.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said grudgingly.
