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“It’ll be good to have you with us,” she said to Erin and Cade wondered whether he had just complicated his future while making Amelia’s more secure.
Next, Cade took Erin to a suite that held four rooms. She walked into the center of the living area, turning to look at the room that had oak floors, a thick area rug in two tones of blue, watercolor paintings of horses on the walls, and glass and teak furniture.
Cade watched her turn to look around, his gaze running over her. He was still amazed by the changes in her appearance, even though common sense told him she wouldn’t look the way she had at ten.
“Go ahead and look at the bedroom, the closet and the adjoining bathroom,” Cade urged, wanting her to be happy with the job and where she would live. “There’s also a small office with computer equipment.”
He watched her thick red hair swing slightly across her shoulders as she walked out of sight into the bedroom. When she returned, she smiled—another friendly, dimpled smile that under other circumstances he would have accepted as an invitation to flirt.
“This is marvelous,” she said. “I’ll go back to the office and give notice today. They won’t mind letting me go because I’m temporary anyway. I’ll just leave sooner than I had planned.”
He suspected they were going to mind letting her go, but he merely nodded. “Good. We’ll stop by my office and I’ll write a check to you for your signing bonus.” They fell into step and he was aware of her close beside him. When they entered his office he hastily wrote the check, his fingers brushing hers when he handed it to her.
Every physical contact, no matter how slight or how much he tried to ignore it, was noticeable—all red flag warnings that he would have to deal carefully with her.
What made the feathery brushes of their hands noticeable besides his reaction was awareness that she responded, too. Her reaction showed in tiny ways: a surprised look, a flicker in her eyes, a deep breath. Some kind of chemistry existed between them, an attraction that he could not pursue and she didn’t want.
When they walked to his front porch, she turned to face him, offering her hand.
“Thank you for this fantastic offer. I’m going to love taking care of Amelia and now I won’t have to worry about finances so much,” she said, withdrawing her hand that was soft and slender.
“Even though you’re on a full scholarship, I know your brother has offered to pay your college expenses and you’ve always turned him down.”
“He put himself through school and I want to do this on my own, too, the way he did. I have my undergraduate degree now, so I’m making progress and I see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Congratulations. That’s commendable,” Cade said, realizing she had a streak of independence that was so like her brother. “For the present, you have my phone number in case you need anything. And the offer of help to move still stands. I’ll see you Monday.”
“Thanks. I never dreamed I’d be in a business arrangement with you someday. And I’m sure you wouldn’t have thought it possible to be in one with me,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I might as well have been wallpaper for all the attention you ever gave me back then.”
He smiled and held back a reply that came to mind instantly, that he definitely noticed her now and she wasn’t anything like wallpaper. He glanced at her full lips and wondered again about kissing her. More forbidden thoughts plagued him, thoughts that he would have to squelch. How many times would he have to remind himself?
“Cade, thank you again so very much for this job. I’m thrilled and looking forward to getting started,” she said.
With an effort, he stepped back. “See you Monday,” he said, taking a deep breath.
“Sure,” she said, giving him one more long look before she hurried to her small black car. She waved as she drove away.
He had an excellent, trustworthy nanny—and a nagging worry that he might be bringing trouble home in a big way. Was he going to be able to ignore the chemistry that smoldered between them today? Was he going to be careful to avoid trying to seduce his nanny? He had to or he’d lose his best friend forever. Besides, he wasn’t interested in commitment and Erin was the marrying kind. She had already been hurt badly and was vulnerable. He couldn’t hurt her more.
Cade watched her car go down the ranch drive, but all he really saw were big green eyes and a rosy mouth that looked ripe for kissing.
* * *
When Erin glanced at her rearview mirror, Cade still stood on the porch of his sprawling ranch house. A tall Texas rancher, a man worth millions, yet he looked like other cowboys from ranches all over Texas. Except he was more handsome than most.
Smiling, she thought about how he had been shocked that she had grown up. He had never paid attention to her the years he was in high school. All her brother’s friends had seemed big and intimidating and they had seldom taken notice of her, which was a relief to her. She just tried to avoid them and go ahead with what she wanted to do.
By the time Cade graduated from college, she was in her early teens and was attracted to him, thinking he was to-die-for handsome. She had a silly, schoolgirl crush that she told no one about. She knew the times he was at their house he didn’t notice her any more than he had when she was nine years old and he had been in high school.
She hadn’t seen Cade in years and it was a surprise to see an appealing, good-looking rancher. A grown man now—handsome, filled out and older, with that air of confidence that was as evident as it was with her brother.
Even though Cade was still her brother’s closest friend, there was only a little she knew about him.
When she rounded a bend in the road and his house disappeared from the view behind her, she let out her breath. With the check he had just given her, there was no way she could turn down his job offer, but it was going to hurt badly at times.
She still wasn’t over her losses completely, though the pain had eased somewhat. Losing her baby had been devastating and when Cade handed Amelia to her, she’d had a terrible clutch to her heart and felt tears sting her eyes. As she drove down the graveled, dusty ranch road, a pang still tore at her. She didn’t think she would ever stop hurting over losing her baby, even though it had been early in her pregnancy, and she knew that Amelia was going to be a constant reminder of what she had lost.
Now she had taken a job that was going to dredge up that pain again every day until she got accustomed to dealing with Amelia and could focus on her charge without thinking about her miscarriage. Amelia looked so adorable, she should bring cheer just by being a sweet baby.
Cade, however, might not be so easily handled. He loomed, another giant difficulty because of his incredible appeal. What might make working for him difficult was the chemistry between them. Where had that come from? She felt it and she knew he had. Or maybe he stirred that reaction in all the women he met.
Several times today, he had looked at her intently, giving her the look a man gives a woman when he actually sees her as an attractive woman. She wasn’t so out of practice that she didn’t recognize it.
It wouldn’t have mattered if he had spent the whole interview flirting with her. She didn’t want to date, didn’t want to fall in love, didn’t want any kind of relationship. The pain of her broken engagement was still too real, too intense. The consequences of any relationship would bring back too many hurtful memories.
She didn’t want to get involved emotionally with any man at this point in her life and definitely not Cade. She knew his views on relationships and his cynical view of marriage. She might not ever be able to have a baby, but she still wanted marriage and children in her future and that was not what Cade had ever wanted. If she could resist Cade’s appeal and deal with the hurt and reminders of her loss that Amelia would unknowingly cause, this job would be great. A huge windfall for her, and good experience for her future career. Cade’s offer had been irresistible. No way could she have turned it down.
Even though Erin tried to avoid thinking too much about her doctor’s warning that she might not ever be able to carry a baby full-term, it was impossible to forget. If she couldn’t bear a child, she would adopt. She would have a family, one way or another, but that would come in her future. Now she intended to concentrate on grad school and her career.
For a few months she would take care of a precious little girl. Amelia Callahan was a beautiful baby with lots of thick black curls and big dark blue eyes like her uncle. Erin remembered the few minutes when she held her and Amelia had stopped crying, looking into Erin’s eyes as if they were bonding.
And you bonded with her uncle, too.
She ignored the insinuating voice inside her head. She hadn’t bonded with Cade; she’d simply looked at him while he spoke to her. Yeah, and drowned in his eyes. And nearly ignited when he touched her.
Who was she kidding? Working for Cade was going to take difficult to new levels.
Living on the ranch, she could only hope Cade would be gone most of the day. It would make her job easier if he wasn’t around. She was going to love precious little Amelia and when December came, it would be dreadful to say goodbye.
In the meantime she’d simply avoid caring too much about Amelia’s appealing guardian.
* * *
On Monday Erin changed clothes several times, finally deciding on practical navy slacks, a short-sleeve matching cotton blouse with a round neckline and navy pumps. She brushed her hair and stood looking at herself until she realized she was thinking about how Cade would view her. She had to stop that. And she had to put a halt to the heart-pounding, prickly awareness of him that had plagued her all weekend.
Her apartment bell buzzed and she went to the intercom to hear her brother’s voice. “Am I too early?”
“No. I’m ready to go. Come up.”
She opened her apartment door and in minutes Luke swept into the room. “Hey, you look nice,” he said, studying her and then turning his eyes on her bags, laptop, carry-on and purse stacked near the door.
“Thanks, Luke, for helping me load my car.”
“Sure. I’m glad you’re doing this and I’m glad he’s paying you well. I figured he would.”
“The pay is fantastic. Now I don’t have to worry about school.”
“I still say, anytime you need anything or if you run short of money, let me know. I’m single, earning a good living and I’ll be happy to help you. You don’t have to pay me back, either—that’s the best part.”
She smiled at him. “The best part is that you made the offer. That gives me a secure feeling that I can always turn to you if something disastrous happens.”
“Damn straight. Speaking of something disastrous... Let me remind you again—”
“Luke,” she cautioned and laughed. “Don’t tell me to avoid going out with Cade. He never even noticed me until he wanted to hire me. He knows I’m your little sister and he won’t jeopardize his friendship with you. Now stop worrying about me.”
“I’m worrying about what Cade will do, although I don’t think he’ll hit on you for the reasons you just gave. I can promise that he notices you now. He didn’t when you were eight or nine years old, but...well, you look a lot different now. Let me remind you that while Cade loves the ladies, he is dead set against marriage. When it comes to long-term relationships, there’s not a serious bone in his body. He doesn’t know what a real family is—I know he always enjoyed being at our house partly because of our parents. He’s close with his brothers and his mother had good intentions, but she was more interested in a social life. What I’m saying is Cade is not your type and you don’t need another hurt.”
“Luke—”
“Be advised. I will come back from Antarctica and punch him out if he tries to date you,” he said, grinning at her.
She laughed, shaking her head and not taking him seriously. “No, you won’t. He’s your lifelong best friend. I think that covers it all. He knows how you feel and he knows I’m your little sister. I’m going to be the nanny. I’ll be with his grandmother and his little ward, but I won’t be with him. Frankly, I think he’s scared to take care of Amelia by himself and he doesn’t know how.”
“You’ve got that right. For once in his life he is terrified. He told me as much when I spoke to him. He doesn’t know anything about babies, even though he had younger brothers. They’re too close in age for him to have learned anything about babies. Oh, and speaking of his brothers... Little brother Gabe Callahan is single, closer to your age, likes to party and I imagine he’ll ask you out. And Gabe doesn’t take anything seriously—definitely not a relationship.”
“Duly noted,” she said, laughing at her brother. “If I get asked out, I can deal with that, and since I’ll be the nanny and Cade is desperate and doesn’t know how to care for Amelia, I’ll have the best possible excuse to turn down any invitations by any guys I meet. Cade’s already asked me if I would stay on Friday nights so he can go out. Stop worrying.”
“Okay,” he said, though she got the impression he really wanted to continue his dire warnings.
“Let’s get the car loaded before I’m late arriving at his ranch. I’ll text you and keep you posted on how I’m getting along. Everyone you work with there will wonder why you keep getting reports from me on my well-being.”
“They’ll know it’s because I can’t be there myself and I’m a class-A worrier when it comes to my baby sister. Cade is a great guy and my best friend, but I don’t want you hurt by him.”
“Luke, for the last time, you’ve got to stop. I believe you’re the one who wanted me to interview with him and go to work for him,” she said sweetly and Luke clamped his mouth shut. “Let’s go,” she said, picking up a bag which he took from her hands.
After her car was packed and her apartment locked, she hugged Luke. “I hope you love your work. You know, environmental engineers can find jobs in Texas.”
He grinned. “This is a change and I’ll learn new things. The South Pole needs protection. They have wastewater problems just like Dallas does.”
“Don’t give me one of your lectures about protecting our earth. I’m recycling.”
“Keep at it. Every little bit helps. For my part, I’m excited about working there.”
“Good. I’m excited about my new job, too. Amelia is a precious little girl.”
Her brother studied her. “You’ll work there a little over four months—you shouldn’t get too attached in that time.”
She brushed off his concern. “That little girl needs someone to care for her and I’m happy to get the job—and very happy to get the money,” she added lightly. But inside, she was afraid she was already attached to Amelia, yet willing to care for her because her guardian was clueless about baby care. “It’s too short a time for any attachment I form to get too strong,” she lied. “Now you stop worrying and take care of yourself.” She hugged him again.
“Don’t I always?” Luke grinned as he held open the car door for her to get behind the wheel. He closed her door and stepped back, and she saw him watching her as she drove away. She turned the corner and he was lost to sight, but his warnings about Cade echoed in her mind.
Would this job be the blessing for all as she hoped? Or was she driving straight into trouble and more heartache?
* * *
When Erin arrived at the ranch, Cade came out in long strides to greet her. Her heartbeat jumped. This wasn’t going to be the easiest job, she realized right away. The instant she saw him all her intentions to resist Cade’s appeal vanished like smoke in the wind.
August sunshine spilled over him, and locks of his raven hair blew slightly in the breeze. Emitting a contagious vitality, he looked tan, strong and fit in his tight jeans, boots, and a red plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
“Welcome to the ranch,” he said, smiling at her. “My grandmother is thrilled about your arrival today. Frankly, she’s not accustomed to caring for a baby and she’s worn threadbare.”
Erin smiled at him, aware of his dark blue eyes as his gaze swept over her. If he had stayed in Dallas where he worked with his younger brother Gabe, in commercial real estate, and left her with his grandmother, Maisie, Harold and the rest of his staff, her life would be peaceful. As it was, while she looked up at such blue eyes and thick, black hair, she wondered if she would have another peaceful moment until this job ended in December.
“I’m eager to get started and to get to know Amelia,” she said, trying to focus on her job.
Cade shouldered a carry-on and took her laptop from her hands. Their hands brushed in a casual touch that stirred more sparks.
“We’ll get all your things,” he said as Harold came out of the house and hurried to carry her luggage.
Holding Amelia in her arms, his grandmother stepped out and stood watching on the porch while Erin made her way up the walk, Cade beside her. At the top of the steps, she paused to greet Margo and Amelia.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Margo said.
She returned the pleasantry. “Let me take Amelia,” she said once she entered the house and set down her purse. Dressed in a blue-and-yellow jumper and yellow blouse, Amelia smelled sweet. When she studied Erin with her thickly lashed big blue eyes, Erin smiled at her.
“I’m glad you’re here so you can tell me about her routine,” Erin said quietly to Margo.
“We haven’t exactly established a routine. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had the care of a baby. I had two girls and Crystal was my youngest. She’s Cade’s mother. By the time the boys were born, Crystal had a nanny and help, so there was little for me to do about their care. They’re close together in age and I didn’t raise boys, so I didn’t really have them with me often.”
Erin nodded, thinking how different that was from her mother’s life and her own, caring for her little nephews who stayed with her parents for a lot of nights. Her parents had raised a big family with boys and girls and they loved having their grandchildren around.
“We’ll go to what is the nursery for now,” Cade said. “Amelia’s suite is between my suite and yours. The sitting room is now a playroom. Like I said earlier, we really didn’t have time to change things when I got Amelia. I wanted to get her settled and familiar with where she is. I think she needs stability after the upheaval in her life.” He clamped his mouth closed and a muscle flexed in his jaw. She guessed he was having a bad moment about losing his brother and sister-in-law, or possibly a bad moment thinking about Amelia losing a mommy and daddy. She could understand because of her own heartaches and she looked at Amelia, smoothing the baby’s unruly curls from her forehead.
Big blue eyes studied her solemnly and Erin smiled at Amelia, knowing the baby would grow accustomed to her as time passed.
She glanced at Cade to find him watching her and she wondered what he was thinking. But she didn’t ask.
Cade paused in front of Amelia’s suite and motioned her in, though he moved down toward another open door.
“I’ll put these in your room and be right in.”
Erin entered the baby’s suite and turned to see Margo settle on a sofa. She glanced around at a room she had barely looked at the day of her interview. Stuffed toys were scattered on a blanket on the floor. There were more on a chair, plus rattles and blocks. A toy box overflowed with baby toys on one side of the sofa. There was a baby swing at one side of the room and a baby chair in the middle of the room.
Erin sat in a rocker and rocked while still holding Amelia. “She doesn’t seem interested in getting down or in her toys.”
“She woke early this morning, so she might be getting sleepy again,” Margo said. “Cade is here with you and if you don’t have any questions, I think I’ll go answer my emails. Call me if you need me,” she added and Erin nodded, wondering if she was going to be alone with Cade often or if he would disappear to work. Whatever happened, she realized her job as nanny had started instantly and she wasn’t going to get any schedule from Margo regarding Amelia.
Getting down on the floor with Amelia, Erin rolled a clear plastic ball filled with sparkling objects and little silver bells. As she looked at the pretty little girl, she knew she was in for another heartache because she was going to love this baby so much by the time she finished her temporary job. Amelia was easy to love. Maybe she found reassurance from those who were taking care of her. Whatever made Amelia happy, Erin was drawn to her. In almost four months, she was certain she would love the girl as her own, but she would let her go because that would be best for Amelia.
If only she could guard her heart from falling in love with the handsome rancher who was Amelia’s guardian. How was she going to resist him when they had to be together for Amelia’s sake? How was she going to resist him, too, when he already made her heart pound and she wanted to be in his arms?
* * *
Cade entered the nursery and saw Erin on a blanket on the floor rolling a ball around in front of Amelia, while Amelia laughed and grabbed for it.
When Erin looked up at him, her red hair swung across her shoulders and he drew a deep breath. Why hadn’t Luke told him his sister had grown into such a beauty?
He knew exactly why and he needed to remember that he had promised Luke he would not do anything to hurt Erin. As he gazed into her green eyes, he tried to remember what he had intended to tell her.
