Dottie wrung her hands. “I sure hope you’re doing the right thing.”
“Me, too.” Ethan pondered his action for about the millionth time. “It’s what you and I would want, but Haley? I’m not so sure. I do know this, though. She can’t move on with her life when she’s in limbo.”
Ethan’s phone rang and Ethan unclipped it from his belt. His sister’s voice greeted him. “Hi Big Bro. Is Mom there?”
“I’m fine, thank you for asking. And yes, Mom’s here. She’s sitting in my office. We were talking about the family reunion and her surgery.”
“She’s going to do it?”
“Yep. She just called her doctor to get it scheduled.”
“Good news. Hey, I talked to your new nanny yesterday. She seems nice.”
“She is nice. We’re all excited to see you, Ashley. Thanksgiving and Christmas went by way too fast.”
“Yeah, it did. It was great being with you guys.”
“We feel the same. Hold on. Mom’s motioning me to give her the phone.” He handed off his cell and left the study so his mom had some privacy.
He wandered to the kitchen where Haley was making the kids an afternoon snack. “I hear you talked to my sister yesterday.”
“Yes. It’ll be nice to meet her.”
“Ashley’s a lot of fun. You’ll like her.” Ethan picked up a section of sandwich and popped it into his mouth. “Yum, a homemade meal.”
He reached for another and she slapped his hand away. “Don’t poke fun. I’m the nanny, not the cook.”
“And a fine nanny at that.” Grinning, he pulled down two plastic glasses and set them on the counter. “You doing okay? I’ve been so busy we haven’t had a chance to talk in a few days.” He’d missed it, too, but he needed to get the dude ranch up and running before the big reunion—a reunion he was thrilled to be hosting.
“I’m doing fine.” Haley poured apple juice in a glass.
Ethan watched her pour the juice and noticed her hand tremble. He took the pitcher from her and poured the other drink. “Mom said she’s heard you up at night lately. You can’t keep going without sleep, Haley. Trust me, I know.”
She looked up at him with tired eyes. “I sometimes go through spells without sleeping. It’ll get better.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. After Tommy died, I finally threw in the towel and got drugs.” He shook his head. “Hated to do it, and still don’t like admitting it, but there you have it. I had to get some sleep.”
“I had sleeping pills in the beginning, but I was scared to take them. Scared I wouldn’t hear Ryan if he woke up.”
“I’m a light sleeper and I would hear him, so take the pills. I promise I’d come wake you to do your mama duty.” She gave him a half-hearted smile. He was glad to see any kind of smile. Actually she’d done a lot more smiling all the way around lately. Or had been until recently. “You slept better out in the country, didn’t you?”
“Until the cougar woke me from the dead.”
“That cougar is now at the zoo. You’d a thought Hank had asked Amos to cut off his left nut the way he reacted, but Hank finally talked him into it. Told him it’d be better for the cat all the way around. She’d have a pen about five times the size of the one at his house, and maybe a mate at some point.”
“Hank strikes me as someone who doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Ethan nodded. “Did you know he pulled the lamb through? Fifty two stitches in its neck, but the little fella’s going to make it. The kids will love giving him a bottle.”
Haley smiled. “I’ll have to get pictures of that.”
“Good idea. Pictures of country living at its best. Baby lambs. Fresh eggs. Clean air. All the good stuff in life.”
Haley wiped her hands on a rag. “Kayla and Ryan are dying to go back out there. They were grumpy all weekend because you went without them. Once they know about the lamb, you won’t get a moment’s peace until they’re back out there.”
“I know. That’s why I’ve kept my mouth shut. That, and the fact that I didn’t want to get their hopes up in case the lamb didn’t make it.”
“Hank must really have a way with animals.”
“He’s a vet. Used to work at a zoo actually. He’s one of the best exotic animal vets in the country.”
“Really?”
“Yep. And a few people actually like the guy.” Haley’s brows shot up. He grinned. “Actually most people like him even though he pretty much saves his charm for animals. Says people don’t deserve it.”
Haley frowned. “All people?”
Ethan chuckled. “Just about. He’s always been kind of a loner, but since his son died, even more so. He still likes a woman every now and again though.”
Haley arched her brows even higher. “And you know this how?”
“I keep count of the notches on his bedpost.”
Haley rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”
Ethan held in a laugh. “No bed post notches, but women fall all over him. I don’t get it. He’s a bear most of the time.”
“A good looking bear,” Haley added.
Ethan threw up his hands. “There you go, sounding like all the others.”
Haley shrugged. “Just an observation. You’re a good looking man, too.”
Her response pleased him. “And you’re a very pretty lady.” She blushed and he couldn’t help but grin. It still surprised him that a woman like Haley existed. She really had no idea how attractive—make that hot—she was.
Ryan ran into the kitchen, Kayla chasing him, and he was glad for the interruption.
“Gotcha,” Kayla hollered as she grabbed Ryan and began tickling his tummy.
“You two hungry?” Haley set the plate of sandwich sections on the table and then washed Ryan’s hands and face while Kayla stepped onto a stool and washed her hands in the kitchen sink.
Ethan set their glasses of juice down on the table, then scooped up Ryan and plopped him in his booster seat. “Don’t you two ever wear out?”
“I can answer that for you,” Haley said. “No.”
“Uh, huh. I wear Ryan out.” Kayla waved her hands in the air to dry them, and then sat down at the table. She snatched up a piece of sandwich and took a huge bite. “Grandma said Aunt Ashley is coming to the family thing.”
“She is,” Ethan said with a grin, as excited as Kayla.
“Yippee. She always brings me a gift.”
Ethan winked at Haley. “Guess what, kids?”
“What?” they responded in unison.
Hank saved the lamb that Lucy got hold of, so he’ll be there when we go back this weekend. He said you could give it a bottle.”
“Yay!” Kayla clapped her hands. “I’m naming him. Can we keep him, Daddy?”
“That’ll be up to his owner, Kayla, but I doubt it.”
“Then I want a puppy. Susie got a new puppy. He’s soooo cute.”
“Maybe after Grandma’s surgery. Right now we don’t need a puppy underfoot. Mom might trip on it.”
Scowling, Kayla plopped both elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands. “She won’t trip on it. I’ll keep it in my room. Pleeeeease.”
“Who’s going to clean up after it?” Ethan asked. Kayla darted a glance at Haley. “Don’t even go there. Haley has enough to do. She doesn’t need a puppy to take care of.”
“Puppy, puppy.” Ryan slapped his hands on the table, a wide grin on his face.
“I’ll take care of it, Daddy. Really I will.”
“We’ll talk about it after Mom’s surgery.” Kayla’s lower lip pushed out. Ethan shook his head and pointed a finger at her, which only made her stick her lip out farther. “Good thing you’ve swallowed that bite of food,” he said. “You might lose it with a pout that size.”
Kayla shoved back from the table, tears filling her eyes. “I’m the only one of my friends who doesn’t have a puppy to sleep with. I think you’re mean.”
“Your father is not mean, Kayla. He loves you very much,
but a puppy is a lot of work and he’s very busy right now. I bet most of your friends would love to have a lamb to take care of.”
Ethan smiled at Haley, appreciating the support.
“I can’t sleep with a lamb, though,” Kayla whined.
She had him on that, Ethan thought. “True enough. But I’ll let you take naps with him in the barn if you want.”
“I’m too old to take naps.” She jumped up from her chair and raced out of the room.
“And here I thought that was a brilliant idea.” Ethan picked up a section of ham sandwich and ate it.
“Me, too.” Haley wiped Ryan’s hands and face off and helped him out of his booster seat. He raced after Kayla.
Ethan gathered up the plates and cups and carried them to the counter. “She’ll get over it. Thanks for your support, Haley.”
“I wasn’t out of line? I worried about that the minute I opened my mouth.”
“Not out of line as far as I’m concerned.” He smiled at her, thinking for about the billionth time how lucky he was that Haley had come to work for him. “You’re a good person to have around. Even Mother’s more agreeable with you here.”
“Your mother’s wonderful. Ryan adores her.”
“She’s pretty crazy about him, too. And you. I hope you like it here as much as we like having you around. Everything seems to go smoother with you on board. And everyone seems happier.” Including me.
“I wouldn’t say Kayla’s happy right now.”
“True, but it could be a lot worse. Of course if you want to take care of a puppy, we could go find my darling daughter and give her the good news.”
Haley shot him an evil look. “Will I get a raise for cleaning up puppy puddles?”
“Absolutely. And even more of a raise for puppy piles.” She grimaced. “Seriously, no way would I ever ask you to do anything that might run you off. You’ve spoiled us. We couldn’t get along without you.” Ethan didn’t even want to think about her not being here. If she left he would miss her, and not just the convenience of having a good nanny, but Haley herself—her energy, her love for Kayla and his mother, everything about her. Plus he’d miss Ryan.
“You can never leave. We wouldn’t know what to do.” She blushed and it warmed his heart. With sudden clarity, he realized Haley was more than a nanny to him. She was fast becoming a good friend.
“After Mom’s recovered from her surgery, we’ll talk again about a puppy, but you have to promise to give me your honest feelings about getting one.”
She nodded and held up her hand, palm out. “Scout’s honor.”
“Were you ever a scout?”
“Actually, yes. In the sixth grade.”
“It must have taught you some good stuff. You’re one of the most honest people I’ve ever known.” She blushed and ducked her head. “I can’t believe you blush so easily,” he said with a grin. “You’re probably the only woman I know who does that.” The flush on her face deepened and he laughed, something he’d been doing a whole lot more of since Haley had come here. And for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why he laughed so easily at a woman who tended to be serious most of the time.
He’d like to think that living here had helped lighten her up a bit. “You know what?”
She shook her head and continued to wipe off the table.
“You’re the best thing that’s happened to my family in a long time.” Way better than his ex had ever been. He could trust this lady because she didn’t play games. Before she could respond, he took hold of her shoulders, turned her around and gave her a slight nudge toward the hall. “Go upstairs and take a break. I’ll watch the kids for a while.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“Yes you can. You might even fall asleep and that’d be a good thing. Now go.”
He watched her walk out of the room and couldn’t help but notice her curvy hips clad in soft, worn denim jeans. He turned away, irritated at himself for even looking. But, hey, he was a guy. She might be off limits, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t alive and kicking. As long as he never put the moves on her, he had nothing to feel guilty about.
He headed toward the voices of the children, wondering how long it might be before he got word about Haley’s husband. He dreaded the news, but it was something Haley needed to know. How in the world would he ever tell her that her husband was dead, if he were? But just as unsettling was the possibility that Dale might still be alive, and if that happened he and Kayla would miss Haley and Ryan more than he cared to even think about.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Tilt the bottle so the milk is covering all of the opening,” Hank instructed Kayla as she fed the lamb, her face one big grin.
“I think his neck hurts,” Kayla responded, adjusting the bottle. She patted the side of the lamb’s face, her own face scrunched up as if she were the one in pain. “It looks yucky.”
Haley couldn’t have said it better. Seeing the ragged, red incision made her stomach queasy.
“It won’t be near so inflamed once the stitches are out.” Hank’s big hand rubbed the lamb’s side.
“When will that be?” Haley asked.
“Tomorrow or the next day. At least most of them.”
Ryan, who was sitting on Haley’s lap, pointed at the stitches. “Bad boo-boo.”
“Yes, honey, the lamb has a sore. A big sore,” Haley amended, glancing again at the stitches that went from the bottom of the lamb’s right ear down its shoulder to where the cast for his broken leg began.
“When will the cast come off?” she asked.
“Not for another four or five weeks. I’ll take him into Nashville to a friend’s vet clinic and get it x-rayed in a few weeks. See how it’s healing.”
“Poor little thing,” Haley said, stroking the lamb’s downy-soft fur. Ryan scrambled off her lap and helped Kayla hold the bottle. Haley pulled her camera out of its case and took several pictures of the kids with the lamb before turning her attention to the rest of the barn. Rays of sunshine streamed in from the open barn door and poured over the lamb, almost like an angelic halo. She snapped a couple of shots. Dust moats floated lazily in the sun-filled air as she took one picture after another.
She used to take pictures a lot before Dale disappeared, but the only pictures she had taken the last year and a half had been of Ryan. It felt amazingly good to be enjoying her favorite hobby again.
“How’s the owl doing?” she asked after a few more shots.
“Turned him loose yesterday,” Hank answered.
She smiled, thinking how rewarding it must feel to heal hurt animals.
Ethan stepped inside the barn with a blanket, which he’d gone back inside the house to get so Kayla and Ryan could curl up beside the lamb. The man was an incredible father. Haley wondered if he would treat a woman he loved as good as he treated the children. If so, whoever Ethan someday fell in love with would be a lucky woman. His ex-wife had to be nuts.
She thought of Dale and longing filled her as she remembered how her life had been with him. She’d always felt as if nothing could destroy their love. She missed him terribly, but being Kayla’s nanny and having Dottie and Ethan treat her like one of the family had definitely dulled her pain.
Ethan spread the blanket beside the nursing lamb. “Nice to see he’s finally got a good appetite.”
Hank nodded. “He’s a fighter.” The lamb butted his head against the almost-empty bottle, knocking it out of Kayla’s grasp.
Hank picked it up. “He’s not really hungry anymore. He just wants attention.”
Kayla petted the lamb between his ears. “He’s so soft. Oh, look, he’s licking Ryan’s hand.”
Ryan squealed in delight and held his palm up, fingers spread, for the lamb to nuzzle. After licking all the milk off Ryan’s hand, the lamb nudged the boy’s tummy and he fell onto the hay, laughing.
“He likes you, Ryan.” Hank grinned, and Haley was amazed how it transformed his face from tough to handsome. She w
ondered why he had left his veterinarian practice and moved out here. She knew he’d lost his son, but she would have thought his work, which he obviously loved, would have sustained him through his loss.
“Here, let’s help the little fella lie down.” Hank picked up the lamb and laid him gingerly on his side.
“Can he get up and down with the cast on?” Haley asked.
“He can, but it ain’t pretty. Besides, I don’t want him straining his stitches.”
“I can sympathize,” Dottie said, coming into the barn. ”Two more weeks and that’s me. You going to feed me a bottle?”
Ethan winked at Haley. “You get an IV, Mom. Then if you behave, I’ll bring you ice cream.”
Hank wrapped an arm around Dottie’s shoulders. “Pay no attention to your son. I’ll bring you a bottle—a bottle of good red wine.”
Dottie grinned. “You know how to heal more than animals, Hank.”
He snorted. “I know a few people who’d disagree with that.”
“A few idiots you mean.” Dottie patted his arm. “I’m right, so no arguing.”
“Look, Grandma, he loves us.” Kayla stroked the lamb’s soft nose and lay down beside it.
“Nothing sweeter than a baby lamb.” Ethan ran a hand over the animal’s soft wavy wool, stroking from the top of its neck to its hindquarters.
He’s as gentle with the lamb as he is with the children. Haley watched, mesmerized by Ethan’s gentleness. He was a good man and incredibly good to her. The day she’d answered his ad for a nanny had been one of the luckiest days of her life. She breathed deep of the fresh smell of hay and thanked God for this job. Every day she was with this family, she felt a little more whole.
Ethan patted the blanket beside him. “Sit down and join us, Mom.”
She shook her head. “I’d never get back up.”
“Sure you would. I’d bring in a crane if I had to,” he replied, holding out a hand.
She slapped his hand away. “Always a smart ass.”
Grinning, Ethan cocked his head at Haley. “Have a seat before she changes her mind.”
A Home for Haley Page 6
