A Nanny for the Cowboy Read online

  “Is there a particular station that’s best for the weather?”

  He hesitated before stepping up beside her. “Yeah, I’ll get it.”

  As he struggled to tune in the radio station that would have up-to-date information on the storm, he noticed that the lights from the fireplace and the candles they’d managed to find didn’t reach out very far. And while each of them going to their respective rooms might have been a good idea, he had a feeling that if they did, he wouldn’t get much sleep. In spite of the lack of light, it was still early, and if that or the storm didn’t keep him awake, wondering how she was faring in the other bedroom certainly would.

  Maybe this would be the best time to prove that the attraction to her that had grown since the first time he’d laid eyes on her was nothing to worry about. As if it was a sign, the radio station he’d been searching for suddenly came in loud and clear.

  With a smile of satisfaction, he stepped back and picked up the two blankets he’d brought from upstairs. “There’s no telling how long this storm might last. Time to get comfortable.”

  * * *

  FOR A MOMENT, HAYLEY thought she’d heard a tone in Luke’s voice that she hadn’t heard before. She hated to label it, but it sounded suggestive. Even seductive. But when she turned her head just the tiniest but to glance at him, there was no indication that he’d been either. In fact, he appeared to be focused on the voice of the weatherman on the radio.

  She let out the tiny breath she’d been holding.

  “It’s definitely getting rough out there,” he said, his attention still on what was being said over the airwaves.

  “I hope it doesn’t last long,” she ventured.

  He turned his head to look at her. “There’s no way of knowing, at this point. From what they’re saying, it could keep this up for the rest of the night.”

  “But is it supposed to get worse?” Having been born in Oklahoma and lived there all her life, Hayley understood the weather and how conditions could change quickly. It was one of the drawbacks of living in the middle of the country.

  “They aren’t saying.”

  “But what are the possibilities?” she asked, growing impatient. “Have they mentioned them?”

  “No particulars.”

  She couldn’t believe it, so she reached out to turn up the volume on the radio. She had no intention of sitting around all night, while he did or didn’t give her the information she wanted and needed.

  He turned to look at her, one eyebrow lifted, and it was hard to read what he was thinking. If turning up the volume bothered him, she didn’t care, and he might as well get used to it.

  “So you’re one of those people who likes to know what’s going on.”

  For some reason she couldn’t explain, his comment surprised her. “Yes, I am,” she admitted.

  “But it’s impossible to control the weather.”

  “Of course, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to know what’s going on. If I need to take some kind of action, I want to know so I can. I may not be able to control the weather or a lot of other things, but I can control how I react to certain things.”

  She didn’t even notice that he’d taken a step closer, until she looked up and saw the flecks of gold in his blue-gray eyes. Her breath caught in her throat and she couldn’t move. Her mind suddenly filled with the memory of the kiss they’d shared.

  “What kind of things?” he asked, his voice rough as it seemed to move over and around her.

  Opening her mouth to answer, she didn’t seem to be able to form a thought, much less the words she knew she needed to say. His smile was slow, warming her from her toes to the pit of her stomach, as fingers of heat skipped over every inch of her, until she thought she couldn’t stand it another second if he didn’t touch her.

  Just as she felt her betraying body lean toward him, he moved back slightly and put a folded blanket between them. For a moment, she still couldn’t move, then she forced herself to take the blanket and even managed what she hoped was a smile. “Thanks,” she said, but her voice didn’t sound like her own, and she wished she’d just been quiet. A simple nod of thanks would have sufficed.

  “Which end do you want?”

  Her mind still wasn’t ready to catch up and work like it should. “End?”

  He’d moved away and answered over his shoulder. “Of the sofa.”

  “Oh, of course,” she stammered, feeling like a fool and hoping he didn’t notice. None of what she’d thought had just happened had probably taken place. She was acting like a schoolgirl. “I’ll take that one,” she answered, pointing to the end on her left. “It’s closer to the stairs.”

  “Sounds good.” He moved the radio to the center of the table, and then turned to her with a mischievous grin but didn’t say anything else.

  Still feeling shaky, she quickly took possession of her corner of the sofa and curled up in the blanket. Once he settled at the opposite end, she felt halfway safe and almost sane.

  Neither of them spoke for several minutes as they listened to reports of the weather. Hayley wondered if she should go upstairs and check on Brayden, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move. A quick look at her watch told her it hadn’t been that long since Luke had gone upstairs to check on him, so she was certain he was probably all right. Knowing Brayden as well as she now did, she felt certain that if he awakened, he’d let them know, loud and clear. He was getting better, and therefore grumpier and more vocal.

  “So tell me about Dr. Hunt.”

  The sound of Luke’s voice startled her, but his question surprised her even more. “There’s nothing to tell.”

  “Yeah? He seemed to take quite an interest in you and talked like he knew you well. Very well.”

  It was the way he said “very well” that alerted her. Was he jealous? He couldn’t be. She was imagining things. Or was she?

  “I take your silence for a yes,” he teased.

  “Not at all,” she countered. “We worked together in the hospital for a short period. Like many doctors and nurses, we formed a professional respect for each other. Nothing more.”

  “Pretty much what I guessed,” Luke said, laughing. “I just thought there might have been some history there and was curious.”

  “Nothing of interest,” she said, hopefully putting the subject to rest. Derek Hunt had been kind to her when she’d been feeling sorry for herself because of Nathan. Needing to change the subject, she asked if the storm was going to cause more work for him and his brother.

  “A little. Mud makes things less possible.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “You and Dylan have done a lot on your own.”

  “I guess we have. A few people didn’t think we could do it, but most everyone helped us in one way or another. All we had to do was ask, and even when we didn’t there was always someone lending a hand or giving needed advice.”

  Hayley thought of the people she’d met since becoming Brayden’s nanny. “I’ve noticed that there’s a preponderance of good people around Desperation.”

  “Most of them. Not all. There are a few in Desperation who were determined to make it hard for us. My guess is that it was because they were hoping to get their hands on the land.” His sigh seemed to fill the room, and she waited for him to continue. “We had a dickens of a time at first. If it hadn’t been for Erin fighting to keep everything, there’s no telling what might have happened.”

  She understood, completely. “We nearl
y had the same problem. We’ve always been a close family, but my dad’s stroke brought our family even closer together for some of the same reasons.” She had to chuckle at the thought. “I’d hate to be someone who tried to tangle with any of us.”

  “Do you miss them?” he asked, leaning toward her. “You’ve obviously been on your own for a while. Do you visit them?”

  The touch of yearning in his voice reminded her that she did miss her family. “Not as often as I should,” she admitted.

  “You talk to them, though, right?”

  “I try.” But she knew it wasn’t as often as it should be, and she quickly made a promise to herself to call her parents soon.

  “It’s funny,” Luke continued, “but I see my brother every day. We talk. Have normal conversations. But we don’t really say anything. It’s all about things related to the work that needs done and not about us. Even Erin has trouble talking and doesn’t call often. It’s been almost a year since she’s been home to even say hello. Brayden barely knows her.”

  Hayley’s heart broke at the sound of regret in his voice, and without thinking, she moved to put her hand on his. “I wish I could help. If there’s anything I can do...”

  For a moment he didn’t move, and then he turned his head to look at her. “I’ve been putting off telling you, but Dylan has decided to leave.”

  It was almost déjà vu. She’d always felt that learning his brother was leaving had been a big reason why he’d hired her. “Again?” She felt bad for saying it and hurried to add, “For how long?”

  He shook his head. “He doesn’t know. I’m not even sure he’ll be coming back. He’s never gotten over what happened to our parents. I don’t know that he ever will.”

  “You’ll have more work than you can handle.”

  “I’ll hire some help.”

  All she could think about was how he’d have to take the time to train someone—if he could find anyone to hire. Until school was out for the summer and high school students were cheap, it might not be easy to find help. “That could be costly.”

  He looked down at her hand, still resting on his, and moved closer, stopping within mere inches of her. With his other hand, he reached up and touched her face. “You’re very important to us. You know that, don’t you?”

  Unable to answer, she nodded. Without meaning to, she curled her fingers around the hand beneath hers. Her mind and body had surrendered to his touch. She would have stopped, if she could have, but she’d lost that power.

  He moved even closer, and she closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. She felt his fingers trace her cheek, and then his lips, whisper-light beneath her ear, sent mini shock waves through her. How long has it been? She sighed, and his lips moved to hers. Too long.

  His kiss was tentative, as if he were asking if she was willing. When she responded with some of the passion that had begun to consume her, he deepened the kiss. His hand moved to the back of her head, his fingers diving into her hair. Tipping her face up, he started to move over her, and she leaned back to accommodate him.

  Just when she thought she might never be able to stop him, even if she wanted to, he pulled away.

  “Maybe I should go check on Brayden,” he said, his breathing heavy.

  “I can do it,” she said, sitting up as he straightened and moved back.

  “No, you stay here and stay warm. I’ll go.” He nodded toward the radio on the table, when he said, “Sounds like the worst is over.”

  As he walked away into the darkness, she called to him, as if they hadn’t just begun one of the best necking sessions she’d been a part of for quite some time. “I’ll help in any way I can.”

  A moment of silence ended with, “I know.”

  She watched him head in the direction of the stairs and then disappear. Whatever was going on between them, it kept getting stronger. Now that he’d left her to check on Brayden, her common sense took over, and she knew she shouldn’t have allowed what had just happened. Earlier that day, she’d given some thought to resigning, but she couldn’t quit now, knowing Dylan would soon be leaving, even if she thought it would be best.

  * * *

  “THAT’S THE LAST OF IT.” Dylan tossed the duffel bag behind the pickup seat and closed the door. Turning, he squinted into the noontime sun. “It was real nice of Hayley to take Brayden to her parents’ home for the day. Gave us more time to get everything done before I leave.”

  Luke nodded. “Still no idea of where you’re headed?”

  Dylan looked away, and shook his head. “Not really.”

  Left with nothing to say, Luke nodded again. He’d have given anything if he could think of a way to help his brother, but instead of helping, he always seemed to say something to make things worse.

  “I know this isn’t making things easy on you, Luke.”

  “I’ve told you before,” Luke said quickly, “you don’t have to apologize. Just—” He looked out over the outbuildings of the ranch where they’d grown up and felt pride in all the things they’d done over the past fifteen years. Somewhere deep inside, Dylan had to feel it, too. “You really think there are answers out there?”

  Shaking his head, Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. But I don’t know what else to do.”

  Luke wished he could understand, but he didn’t. “I hope you find whatever it is you need.”

  “Thanks.”

  “And don’t worry about things here. I can manage.”

  Dylan met his gaze and smiled. “I know you can. You’re the reason I can leave and not worry about the ranch.” When Luke started to argue, Dylan put up a hand. “Now don’t you think you ought to be leaving? That’s a five-hour round trip.”

  Putting his worries aside, Luke slapped his brother on the shoulder. “You’re right. You take care of yourself. And call. Often.”

  Once in his truck, Luke headed south. He’d dropped Hayley and Brayden at her parents’ farm in the southwest corner of the state the day before. He’d suspected she needed time away from him, and he wasn’t sure he could blame her. He hadn’t been able to keep away from her and knew it had been wrong to kiss her again. With luck, Brayden hadn’t picked up on anything, too excited about going on an overnight trip. He’d chattered and bounced for two hours on the drive there, then fell asleep the last thirty minutes.

  After dropping them off at the Brooks farm, Luke had driven on into the Texas panhandle to look at some cattle he’d been thinking of buying. Afterward, he’d returned home to finish what needed to be done before Dylan left.

  The return trip to the farm proved to be going quicker than he’d expected. To keep his mind busy and not on Hayley, he started planning how he’d handle the ranch on his own for an extended period of time. It might be a little tough at first, but he had faith in himself that he could do it. Having Hayley there to handle the care of Brayden made a big difference. He needed to find a way to let her know how much he appreciated her and everything she did for them, but he’d probably already managed to botch that, too.

  When he pulled into the Brooks’s yard, there was no sign of anyone around. But as soon as he parked and stepped out of his truck to walk to the two-story house, the front door flew open and his son burst outside.

  Short legs took the steps slowly from the porch to the ground, but once his feet hit the flagstone walk, Brayden raced to grab Luke by the legs. “Daddeeee!” he shouted.

  “Hey, there, buddy,” Luke said reaching down to pick up his son and give him a hug.
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  “He’s been watching out the window since this morning.”

  Luke looked up to see Hayley standing on the porch, her arms folded on her chest. He took her all in, from her hair knotted high on her head, to the ragged pair of jeans covered in patches and her bare feet. As his heart rate kicked up a notch, he wondered if he was the only one who reacted to her the way he did. He doubted it. He was pretty sure she’d had more than her share of admirers.

  “Dylan and I finished up the last of the work that needed to be done,” he explained. “He’s probably long gone by now.”

  Even from several yards away, he could see her frown, as she walked down the steps toward him. “I was hoping he’d decide to stay,” she said, followed by a soft sigh.

  He switched Brayden to his other arm. “No such luck. But it’ll be okay. I can handle it. And if I can’t, I’ll hire someone to help.”

  “Did he mention where he’s going?”

  “He said he doesn’t know.”

  She shook her head. “He really should see about getting some counseling. Whatever this is, it isn’t affecting just him.”

  “I know. It’s not like no one has told him that.” All Luke could do was hope his brother would finally be able to sort things out on his own, put the past behind him and get on with his life.

  “Maybe you should tell him how you feel.”

  He looked into her eyes and saw true concern. If only he knew what he wanted. Not just from his brother and life in general, but from her. “I wish I knew how.”

  She nodded and put her hand on his arm, making him even more aware of her and how much his feelings had grown in only a short time.

  “I know it isn’t easy,” she said, lifting her gaze to his, her smile soft and sweet and all for him.

  For a moment he forgot where he was, forgot that he held Brayden. It wasn’t until the little boy reached his small hand out to touch her cheek that Luke felt the full force of how much he cared about her. If only he felt free to touch her again the way his son did. But he couldn’t. He’d learned that the other night. He had to find a way to stop his impulses, before something happened that they’d both regret.