The Rancher's Nanny

She could dream though.

He seemed … miserable.

“You’re up early,” he said.

“I’m not much of a night person. I sleep because I have to. I’ve always been like that since I was a kid. Up early and late to bed.” When she had difficult kids to look after, she valued her parents’ patience with her when she couldn’t sleep. Granny placed a coffee in front of her, and she thanked her. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you,” he said.

She reached into her bag for something to do, and pulled out her references. “There are contact details there of all my previous employers. There is also one for a family who lives in France. I spent three years with them while they traveled around the world.”

“You came home?” he asked.

“Of course. It was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss, but this is home to me, so like always, I came back.” If there had been more opportunities to nanny in town, she’d have never left.

A lot of locals just thought she was trying to be a glorified babysitter. In a way she was, but she saw herself as more of a helping hand and a guidance while parents were busy. She never liked to interfere, and was always there for everyone she took care of.

When she glanced back at Caleb, she saw he was looking down at her clothes. She wore a pair of faded jeans and one of her father’s old checked shirts, which never failed to offer her comfort.

Dressing up in fancy dresses and clothes didn’t exactly work with kids. Unless some of the families demanded she do, she always stuck to hands-on clothing.

“Paige is seven, like I told you, and she has to be taken to school five days a week, and brought home. My son could also use a woman’s touch around the house,” Granny said. “I remember you saying that you didn’t mind cooking and cleaning.”

“Yes, children can get hungry at all sorts of hours, and the families I was with often had a chef. I know how to cook.” She’d taken the time to learn some things.

Maddie hated drama. She hated violence and nastiness, so she’d always make the extra effort to befriend everyone. Life was hard, but she didn’t have to make it complicated.

Caleb fired questions at her, which she answered. She didn’t think he liked her very much, and from the scowl on Granny’s face, she wasn’t too happy with her son.

Maddie resigned herself to maybe not getting the job, which was a shame, as she absolutely loved the place.

Chapter Two

There had to be a catch. Caleb wasn’t convinced that Maddie could hack it here full-time. He’d caught sight of her in the window. Her back had been to him, and she’d been looking out across the fields. When he opened the door, and she’d turned to him, he’d caught sight of the happiness in her gaze.

He also saw that she liked what she saw in him, and his cock may have responded. Her red hair had struck him first. She didn’t have it tied back, and the long length fell down her back in waves, looking thick and glossy. He’d been tempted to run his fingers through it, but of course, had stopped himself.

She’d also looked completely taken with his home. Her gaze had been wide, and the love clear to see. Every single emotion played across her face, and again, he didn’t like it. She made it far too easy to read her.

He asked her question after question, starting at the times he woke up, to Paige’s likes, to also creating ridiculous scenarios for her to solve, and she did so as well. He felt his mother’s anger at his questions, but he didn’t care, not at all.

“Ah, here is Paige now,” his mother said, bringing a stop to their questions.

Maddie looked toward the door, and sure enough, his little girl shot into the house.

“I’m going to go and wash my hands.”

No one stopped her as she charged away, going to the downstairs bathroom. Maddie smiled and turned to the table. “She’s so adorable.”

“You’ve not met her yet.”

The instant he said the words, he regretted them. The smile that had been on her face disappeared and she nodded, withdrawing instantly. “You’re right, sorry.”

“Forgive my son. He’s not exactly known for his manners.”

Maddie nodded and offered a smile.

Seconds passed, and Paige finally came to sit with them.

“Would you like some breakfast?” his mother asked, looking at Maddie.

“Would love some,” his daughter and Maddie said in unison.

Paige sat back and stared at Maddie. “Are you supposed to be my babysitter?”

“You don’t look like a baby to me.”

“That’s because I’m not, and I don’t need you.”

“Paige,” Caleb said, shooting his daughter a look. “Watch your manners. You may not like that you need taking care of, but you can’t drive a car, nor can you spell every single word in the dictionary.”