Page 7 of Nanny for the Tiger Daddy

I’m doing this so that you’re protected. When everything settles down and the others stop coming onto my land, I’ll tell you everything.

He crept closer, watching her walk further into the woods and closer to him. His heart pounded softly, and he purred, knowing she could hear him.

Her entire body froze up, and he nodded.

Good. A little fear was good to have. Maybe it would convince her to never do it again.

He knew that she was an adventurous person and that, eventually, she was going to try this. He was just glad it was he who found her and not another animal. He didn’t even want to think about what would have happened if it was someone else.

He crept closer, purring once more. He was just a few feet to the side of her now, and she turned, blinding him with her phone light. Her eyes widened, and he watched her entire face turn pale.

Scare her enough, and she will never do this again. She will stay inside the cabin unless you say she can come out. That was the point here.

Kirsten screamed, and he winced. He was not ready for that part. She turned and started to run back out of the woods, her scream still echoing around them.

He smirked, proud of himself. She wouldn’t be doing this again. He knew that much.

He also knew he really must love her enough to allow her to go against his word. If anyone else had done this, he’d be livid.

He watched her run, and he needed to follow. He needed to really scare her. He needed to ensure she never tried this again.

So, he ran after her. Not quickly, but just fast enough to prove a point. He ran after her until she got out of the woods. By then, her mind would be moving so quickly it would feel like he was still coming after her.

He smirked, watching her rush around the barn and head inside the house. He could hear her lock the door, followed by Zara’s cries. He shook his head.

He could get inside. Kirsten had no idea it was him the entire time. He didn’t look forward to telling her, but for now, everything was fine.

He listened as she moved quickly, trying to take care of Zara and calm herself.

You’ve made your point. She won’t be doing this again.

He rounded back up towards the woods and found the bear’s scent. He started after it, finishing the last of his run.

He lost the scent three times and then picked it back up in a different spot each time. It was pissing him off. He hated how he kept getting it and then losing it a mile later.

He reminded himself to check the cameras when he got home. That was if Kirsten let him in. He figured she was going to be a mess when he went inside. He wasn’t sure he was ready for that yet. How was he going to explain this one?

After he shifted back and dressed, he went inside the barn. He rubbed some sawdust onto himself and tried to make it look like he’d been busy and not running loose in the woods.

After he figured he looked good enough, he headed towards the cabin.

Inside, he could hear Kirsten in Zara’s nursery. He crept forward, wondering if she was paying enough attention now that he had scared her. As he pushed the door open and saw her jump, he knew that his tactic had worked.

SEVEN

KIRSTEN

Kirsten gently tucked Zara into her crib, her hands still shaking from the encounter. How could she be so stupid? Henry told her not to go out there ... but, of course, her curiosity and love of adventure got the better of her. Again.

Zara had slept like an angel through the whole ordeal until she started running. Kirsten’s heart slowed down as she gazed into the little one’s peaceful face. Suddenly, the door to the nursery creaked, and Kirsten jumped in shock.

“Just me,” Henry said, a hand on the door.

Kirsten flung herself into his arms, the safest place she could be. He was so tall and strong that she knew nothing could hurt her while they were together.

“Hey,” he said, soothing her by stroking her hair. It was a very paternal gesture, but Kirsten appreciated it, knowing how much he loved his daughter. “What’s wrong?”

“I went outside.” She buried her face in his chest to hide the embarrassment. “And I saw a freakin’tiger. There are tigers in your backyard.”

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