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“After you,” he said. Texas manners being what they were, she wouldn’t argue. She took a seat, holding her shy daughter on her lap.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, his voice low and deep and much more commanding than when he’d been in the hospital. He winced as he lowered himself down. There was a bandage draped over his left eyebrow; some reddish scrapes peeked through his dark blond stubble. His longish straight hair seemed to fall in a natural part, Brad Pitt–style. His eyes were alert, deep blue and mesmerizing, the kind of eyes it was hard to turn away from. “Is this your child?”
“Yes, this is Sienna.” Her daughter wouldn’t look at Jared. But it was okay. She wouldn’t force the issue. “She’s in a clingy stage right now.”
Jared smiled. His entire face brightened and she could see the man beneath the pain now. “How old is she?”
“She’s twenty-two months.”
“She looks like you. And that’s a compliment.”
“Thank you. How are you feeling, Jared?”
“I’m breathing and alive, getting by okay. I’ll probably be laid up for a couple of weeks.”
“You look...much better than the last time I saw you.”
“I suppose I do.” Again, he smiled. “I, uh, wanted to thank you properly for what you did. No, that’s not entirely true. I needed to thank you. You dragging me out of the car and bringing me to safety saved my life. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you.”
“Heavens, you don’t need to,” she said on a breath. “I’m just glad we were coming down that road at that particular time.”
“So am I. It was a lucky day for me. All I remember of that night was a soft hand covering mine, giving me comfort and soothing the panic that was building up inside. And then you spoke and the sound of your voice was like a gentle balm, an angel’s call telling me I was going to be all right.”
He inhaled and his face wrinkled up in pain.
“Does it hurt to talk?”
“No. Just to breathe,” he said, his eyes half twinkling.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m Texan. You know how we are.”
She smiled.
“Cooper filled me in a little about you. You’re a widow. I’m sorry for your loss, Bella.” He spoke with reserved respect that made it seem less like prying, less like opening up old wounds.
“Thank you. It’s been a bit tough, but Sienna and I are managing.”
“That’s good. I understand you’re between jobs right now. Is that by choice?”
“Heavens no. I’ve been interviewing but...well, it’s not going—” She paused and shook her head. “It’s not important.”
“I think it is.”
She blinked, gazing at his solemn face. “You do?”
“Of course I do.” His gaze traveled over to Sienna, who’d begun to warm up a little. She was peeking at him through her spread little fingers.
“You don’t owe me anything, Jared. Honestly.” God, if he wrote her out a check, she’d be mortified. She hadn’t saved his life for a reward.
“Well, the truth is, I’m thinking you can help me and I can help you.”
“How?”
“You met Marie. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s getting on in age and my present condition is taking a toll on her with all the extra work she has to do. For years, she’s worked part-time here and part-time at Cooper’s place. Now I’m afraid the chores are too much for her.”
“What are you saying to me? How can I help?”
“I understand you’re good in the kitchen and it just so happens I’m in need of a personal chef.”
She gulped air, totally surprised. “You need a personal chef?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Marie’s got too many chores around here as it is. She could use the break and...well, I’m offering you the job.”
“To...be...your...personal...chef?”
He smiled, his eyes lighting up again, as if he was glad she was catching on. Oh, yeah, she was. He was indebted to her and this was how he was going to repay her. “Yes.”
“But, you don’t even know if I’m qualified.”
“You can send me a résumé at your convenience. But I don’t need one. I trust you’re up to speed on your cooking skills.”
“Oh, yeah? And how would you know that?”
“Because...I already know what kind of person you are. Besides, I’m not fussy. Just put a burger and fries in my face and I’m happy.”
She laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
“So you’ll take the job?”
“I didn’t say that. There’s a lot to consider.”
“You need a job and I need a cook. What’s to consider?”
“You’re forgetting that you live way out here, miles away from Dallas. Working out babysitting arrangements would be difficult, if not impossible. I don’t want to be gone from Sienna for too long during the day.”
“That’s the beauty of this great big ranch house.” He spread his arms wide. The gesture cost him physically. Her heart went out to him, seeing him so bravely mask his pain. “You can have your own wing of the ranch house, two rooms just for you and Sienna upstairs. I’m basically living down here right now anyway since climbing the stairs is like a Ninja Warrior obstacle for me. You’d have all the privacy you’ll need.”
“My goodness, Jared. You want us to move into your house? I mean, that’s generous and all, but I can’t—”
“Don’t say you can’t. Think about it. You’ll have a job where you won’t have to leave Sienna at all. She’ll be right here while you’re working. She’ll have a yard to play in and wide-open spaces to run at her heart’s content. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful that you saved my life, but I really do need some more help here. My solution is a good one, for all of us.”
He had a good heart but her pride was getting in the way of her good sense.
“I don’t know...”
“Give it a try, Bella.” His voice cut into her senses. So deep, so sincere. He really wanted to help her and she appreciated that. “If it doesn’t work out, there’ll be no hard feelings. It’ll be up to you.”
He was offering her something better than she could ever hope for: employment, a home and a way to stay close to Sienna. Taking the job would buy her time to sort out her life and make some long-range plans. “Let me talk it over with my best friend. I, uh, just need a little bit of time.”
“It’s a deal,” he said and then glanced at her daughter. “Would you like a cookie, Sienna? You can have as many as your mommy says you can have.”
Sienna faced him and smiled, her sweet dimples lighting up her cheeks.
“One,” Bella said in her mommy tone.
“Like I said,” he began, “you can have one cookie. And I bet your momma would spring for some lemonade, too.”
Sienna giggled, nodding at the man who could barely move on the chair opposite her.
He was in bad shape right now and seemed genuine in his job offer.
Could she take a leap of faith and accept the job? Could she go through with it, concealing her true identity from Jared Stone in order to keep Sienna safe?
Or maybe the real question was, could she afford not to take the job?
* * *
Later that night Amy plunked down on the sofa next to Bella and handed her a glass of pinot grigio. “Here, take this and sip at will. There’s plenty more where that came from.”
Bella stared at the wine bottle sitting on the cocktail table in front of her. She probably would need to empty it before she could come to a decision.
Amy crossed her legs under her, sinking into a conversational posture on the sofa and sipping wine. “Not that I’m trying to get rid of you but, honestly, Bella, this man is offering you a golden opportunity. Why not jump at it?”
Sienna had fallen asleep an hour ago. And this was supposed to be Bella’s Zen time. Where she could find some peace in the quiet surroundings and shut her mind down a little bit. But Jared Stone’s offer kept interrupting her serenity. Amy was on board with the idea, but there was still a nagging notion that wouldn’t go away. “Because I know why he’s offering me a job. Or making up a job. He sees me as the poor widow, a single mom raising a baby all by myself. It’s charity.”
“For one, you are all those things and more.”
Bella stared at her friend.
“What I mean is, he sees you as a widow raising a child alone, but also as the courageous person who saved his life. It’s so not charity. If he was going to hire someone—and you said it yourself, his housekeeper really seemed like she could use the help—why can’t he hire you? I’d bet he’d much rather hire someone he trusts, someone who really needs the work, than a total stranger.”
“I am a stranger. He didn’t even want to see my résumé.”
“Lucky for you, he didn’t. What would you put on there? Former heiress of Forte Foods.”
“I did go to culinary school, you know. Even though I didn’t finish, I learned a lot and what I didn’t learn I taught myself. I have been around the food industry and chefs all my life.”
Amy smiled. “There, you see, you just made a great argument for yourself. You are qualified for the job. My goodness, he’s one man. You could cook for him with your eyes closed.”
“I’d have to move to his ranch. And I’d be deceiving him the entire time. Could I really do that?”
“For Sienna’s sake, you have to. It’s a darn good reason.”
“I don’t know.”
“What don’t you know? It’s perfect. What do I have here for you and Sienna? Concrete and glass. My balcony is too dangerous for Sienna, so the poor kid can’t even get some sunshine or breathe fresh air. Sienna would love being in a place where she could run wild. She’d be around cattle and horses. Maybe a dog or cat or two. And how long do you think it would take your father to find me, if he really wanted to? He knows we’re friends. If he came looking for you, you’d be out of luck. But this way...”
“I’d be on a ranch in the middle of nowhere.” Amy’s arguments made sense.
“Take the leap,” her friend said. “I’ll be right here if it doesn’t work out. You have nothing to lose.”
Bella finished her pinot in one large gulp. “Okay, I’m gonna do it. I’ll take the leap and call Jared Stone tomorrow.”
Three (#ulink_417926d7-9fea-5f1e-9945-4bef65be5dbe)
On Saturday morning, three days after meeting with Jared Stone, Bella followed a good-natured Marie up to her new rooms at Stone Ridge. The woman seemed genuinely glad to have her there. “I’ll be staying today to help you get settled in,” she said with a smile. “If you need anything, or have any questions, be sure to ask. Mr. Stone is down in his study. He’s anxious to get back to work. If you ask me, it’s too soon, but that boy is determined. He said as soon as you feel up to it, he’d like to see you.”
Jared Stone had arranged for her things to be moved into the house this morning. All she’d had when she’d walked out of her father’s house in Pacific Heights was a few pieces of luggage and three boxes of baby gear. She’d traveled light...well, as light as she could with a toddler in tow. Sienna had toys and special blankets and dolls that she couldn’t live without. Really, Bella could have boxed it all up and placed it in her car, but her new employer had insisted on sending someone to help move her.
“Thank you, Marie. I should be down soon. As you can see, I don’t have too much to unpack.”
Marie’s kind eyes warmed as she took in the meager boxes and suitcases on the floor.
Oh, goodness, she didn’t want to give the woman the wrong impression. She didn’t mean she was so destitute that these were all the things she owned in the world. Too late. Marie turned her attention to Sienna. “How’s the little princess today?”
“Sienna, say hello to Marie.”
Sienna wiggled her fingers in a shy wave. She didn’t want to cross the cookie lady.
“She’s going to have a bit of fun here on the ranch. You be sure to take her around and explore. There’s a lot to see through a toddler’s eyes.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“I’ll be off now,” Marie said. “Remember to ask if you have any questions. I’m just tickled as can be you’re here. You two will bring some life into these four walls.”
“You may get more life than either of you bargained for.”
“Nonsense. Children only bring the world joy,” Marie said as she made her way out of the room.
With Sienna latched onto her hip, Bella looked around the second floor of the house. Two adjoining bedrooms, both with queen-size beds, and a good-sized bathroom would be her new home. The rooms were lovely and in shades of light blues and lavenders with bleached white-oak contemporary furniture. She was pretty certain no one had ever stepped foot inside these immaculate guest quarters. Sienna would give the place a lived-in look within a matter of hours. Poor Jared Stone didn’t know what he was in for, inviting a toddler almost two years old into his home. And poor her, trying to keep Sienna’s antics down to a minimum. Jared didn’t know it yet, but his quiet existence would soon be replaced with chaos and noise.
Bella walked over to the window and peered directly down into a backyard full of thick green grass and a flowery garden. There was a pool with a rock slide and trickling waterfall. All of the pool chairs and tables were protected and covered, but she could just imagine how inviting the pool would be on a scorching-hot Texas day. Her gaze traveled farther out to a pasture. Those tiny specks across the vista had to be a herd of cattle.
She glanced around the room again and sighed. “Well, Sienna, time to unpack our stuff.”
Fifteen minutes later she’d organized the bathroom, complete with an Elmo toothbrush set, child-safe shampoo and body wash and Princess Jasmine towels. Sienna would sleep with her, until she got acclimated, and one way to do that was to put all of her toys in the second bedroom. All of their clothes combined didn’t take up one-tenth of the generous walk-in closet space.
It was weird coming to live here with a total stranger, though Amy had done a thorough Google search of Jared Stone and eagerly shared that he was a successful rancher, an astute businessman and a budding entrepreneur. Recently he and his brother Cooper had funded the building of a playground for the local community. And his charitable donations didn’t stop there.
He’s hardly an ax murderer.
Amy’s words sunk into her skull and she immediately felt better about coming to live here. “Okay, baby girl,” she said. “It’s time to say hello to the boss.”
Taking hold of Sienna, she climbed down the stairs and went in search of the study. The house wasn’t hard to figure out; it was as sprawling as a two-story ranch home could be, and after stepping into the beautiful gourmet kitchen, excitement stirred as she ogled her new “office.” Sienna babbled loudly in her own sweet language as she made her way past the kitchen to the hallway leading to the study. Sienna squirmed and fussed to be let down. She had yet to have her nap. “Here you go,” Bella said, setting the baby on her feet, “but please don’t touch anything.” She knocked on the partially shut door.
“Come in.” The pitch of Jared’s voice was deep and welcoming.
