Page 7 of Wounded Cowboy
Abigail reminded Kelsey of her mom in that respect. Mom was one reason Kelsey had jumped at Nick’s offer to be his personal nanny back in the days when he traveled the state restoring historic home and public buildings.
She continued,“What can I do for you, Mrs. Snowberry?”
Abigail’s bright blue eyes twinkled.“Why don’t we order first? Everything here is delicious, but today’s special is Brock’s Chicken Pot Pie, which is one of my favorites.”
“It’s one of my favorites, too, Grandma,” Summer Snowberry said as she approached the table. Behind her, the swinging door to the kitchen closed.“And we’re featuring his strawberry shortcake as the Dessert of the Day.”
As usual when working, Summer wore a white chef’s jacket with The Yummy Cowboy’s logo and her first name stitched over the breast, along with her title: Executive Chef.
Summer squeezed between their table and the next one over, then bent and gave her grandmother a quick hug before turning to Kelsey.“Hi, Kels! How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks,” Kelsey answered with a genuine smile. She liked and admired Spring’s sisters—they were all successful women who’d worked hard to get where they were.
“So, what can I get you two?” Summer grinned down at them.
Before they could reply, a young woman wearing a Yummy Cowboy server’s apron marched over.“Hey, Chef, are you stealing my customers?” she joked.“Kitchen not busy enough for you?”
Summer gave her server an unrepentant grin.“Why don’t you take their drink orders, Katie?” She looked back at Abigail and Kelsey.“Let me guess: two chicken pot pies? They come with a strawberry-almond spinach side salad with balsamic dressing.”
“Sounds great,” Kelsey said.“And I’d love to try the strawberry lemonade.”
Abigail nodded.“You know what I like, my dears.”
Summer returned to the kitchen. Katie delivered two strawberry lemonades. Then, Kelsey and Abigail made small talk while they waited for their food.
When the chicken pot pies appeared fifteen minutes later, they turned out to be every bit as delicious as promised. Beneath a shell of buttery, flaky pastry, rich cream gravy surrounded a generous serving of tender chicken chunks, fresh peas, sliced carrots, and celery crescents.
“Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you here today,” Abigail said once they were halfway through lunch.
“You have me curious,” Kelsey admitted.“Is everything okay?”
“No, and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Abigail said, sipping her lemonade.“I heard about the treehouse incident from Nick and Winnie, and it got me thinking. My grandson is a wonderful and loving father, but he’s stretched too thin these days now that my son Bob is officially retired. Spring needs help with Abby and April, and that’s where you come in, dear. I have a proposal for you.”
Kelsey raised her eyebrows.“You know, Spring made it pretty clear to me yesterday that he doesn’t want or need a nanny.”
Winnie and Summer’s older brother was an enigma. He was an extremely reserved, tall, good-looking man who treated his kids and his family like gold. Aroundthem, he smiled, laughed, and even expressed a sense of humor.
He had a pleasant smile, and there was something about the tender way he treated April and Abby that made Kelsey’s knees go weak.
But with everyone else in the world—and especiallyher—Spring Snowberry was an out-and-out grump.
Something about her seemed to set him instantly on edge whenever they ran into each other. And Kelsey honestly had no idea why. Yesterday was the first actual conversation she’d had with the man since coming to Snowberry Springs.
Not that I care if he hates me for some weird reason, she told herself.
She wasn’t staying in Montana for much longer. The beaches and glamor of Los Angeles beckoned.
Thanks to her years of working for Nick and taking care of his son Kegan, Kelsey had almost saved up enough money for her big move to Southern California. She’d heard that experienced nannies were in high demand there, and who knew? She might end up caring for a celebrity or movie star’s kids.
Nick had already promised her a glowing reference—not a surprise, since they’d been best friends growing up next door to each other in Helena.
“Spring doesn’t know what he’s talking about, dear,” Abigail dismissed with a wave of her hand.“He’s just like my late Frank: a heart of gold, but oh-so-stubborn. Spring mostdefinitelyneeds a nanny, and once he sees how good you are with his daughters, he’ll come around.” She leaned forward.“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to my precious great-grandchildren. I would never forgive myself. So, I’m willing to pay you—” She quoted a figure that made Kelsey’s eyes widen in shock. “—to take care of April and Abby until the new school year starts at the end of August. What do you say?”
That’s four times what Nick pays me!
But Kelsey bit back her instant,Yes!
She took a deep breath and forced herself to consider the pros and cons. With an offer this good, there had to be a catch.
