He tentatively put a comforting hand on her back, between her shoulder blades. She didn’t flinch away, so he left it there. Her shudder seemed to travel up his arm. She began to talk. David knelt beside her to listen to her quiet confession through her sobs. “I loved him. I really did.”
His eyebrows rose, though he couldn’t say he was surprised. He’d suspected she was a victim of heartbreak by the pain he’d seen in her eyes.
“I never imagined he had a wife.”
Everything within him stilled. He swallowed down the instinctive aversion he had for anyone who played fast and loose with fidelity. He’d had more than enough of that from his late wife.
“How stupid can one person be? To be taken in like that? To believe every lie and ignore any sign of the truth?”
All right. She’d been lied to. That didn’t exactly excuse it, but it did explain it. It also made her the injured party here. Her and the man’s wife. He’d been in that situation one too many times not to feel compassion for her.
With a sigh, David settled in the dirt beside the woman and put his arm around her shoulders. He was kind of hoping she’d get all offended and push him away. She leaned slightly into him instead. He gave in to the moment, as crazy as it seemed, and pulled her a bit closer. Her cheek landed on his chest, allowing warm tears to spill onto his shirt. He ran his right hand up and down her arm in a calming, predictable pattern while his left hand rested on his knee in full view of her downturned face, making it clear he wasn’t panning to take advantage of the situation.
Her sobs faded to intermittent shudders. The wet patch on his shirt began to cool. He dug a white handkerchief from his chest pocket and offered it to her. “You can keep this, so don’t be afraid to blow your nose if you need to.”
A small, watery laugh reached his ear as she took his offering. She wiped her face, then blew her nose before whispering, “Thank you, Pastor.”
David’s eyes widened. “I’m not a preacher. I’m a rancher.”
“A rancher?” Dismay filled her voice as she pulled back to look at him with hazel eyes that were an intriguing mix of brown, amber and green.
He tried not to grimace. It figured she’d be one of those women like his wife. The kind that against all odds got even prettier when she cried. Color flushed her cheeks while reddening her nose only slightly. A rich brown tendril came loose over her right eye. It threatened to tangle in the dark lashes that her tears had turned spiky.
He lifted a hand and brushed it back. She froze. Suddenly aware of the intimacy of the moment, he removed his arm from around her and searched for something, anything, to put distance between them. “Something wrong with being a rancher?”
“Of course not. My brother is a rancher. It’s only that being near the church and you being so kind and all, I assumed...” She trailed off with a shrug.
“No. I was just on my way to the parsonage and happened to see you. You say your brother is a rancher? How is it that I’ve never seen you around town before?”
“I haven’t been around town before. Not for several years, that is. I’m visiting my brother. His name is Matthew Murray.”
“I know Matthew. He’s a good friend of mine.” Matthew had mentioned he would be leaving town for a few days to attend his sister’s wedding. The puzzle pieces shifted into place. “And you’re Caroline.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “Yes.”
He hesitantly added, “I take it the wedding didn’t go as planned.”
“No.” She glanced toward the church. “It did not.”
That was probably for the best, though he wasn’t sure she’d appreciate him saying so. He kept quiet, watching for any indication she wanted to be alone. She turned to look up at him with curiosity. “I just realized I don’t know your name.”
“David McKay.”
Her lashes lowered toward her cheeks. “Well, David McKay, thank you for listening to my troubles and...”
“Holding you in my arms?” He probably shouldn’t have teased her, but he wanted to see if he could make her smile just once before they parted ways. He wasn’t disappointed.
Her laughing hazel eyes met his, acknowledging the underlying absurdity of the encounter, while her lips tilted into a smile. “That, too.”
Anytime, he wanted to say, but that would be inappropriate. It would also be flirtatious, and David hadn’t tried his hand at flirting since Laura had died five years ago. He wasn’t planning to start now. Especially not with a woman whose heart had just been broken. He knew from experience how long that could take to heal.
Granted, he could use another woman’s influence in Maggie’s life. Preferably it would be someone who could convince his daughter to stop cutting her hair shorter and shorter anytime she got the notion and someone who could teach her that there was nothing wrong with wearing dresses or acting feminine.
Of course, there were the triplets to consider now. The ten-month-old foundlings had been abandoned at the county fair last month. Their mother had left a note explaining that she was widowed, penniless and dying. No longer able to take care of the boys, she’d asked the Lone Star Cowboy League, a group of ranchers known for their compassion and ability to get things done, to take in her boys.
As a member of the league, David had stepped up to do exactly that when the folks originally charged with their care had to give up the babies because of an illness in their house. He’d gone through a lot of trouble to hire a nanny for them and his daughter. Maggie had a tendency to run wild when he wasn’t around. School being out for the summer only exacerbated that. He had a ranch to run, which meant that Ma was Maggie’s main caretaker for most of the day. At seventy-seven, Ma wasn’t as spry as she used to be, and keeping up with Maggie’s ever-increasing energy and mischief was becoming more of a challenge.
Of course, the truth was, even in her younger days Ma never had been able to find it in her heart to discipline her only grandchild. He understood. Maggie’s big blue eyes, honey-colored hair and button nose made her cute as could be. It also gave her an innocent appearance that unfortunately was too often only that—an appearance. Hence, the reason he’d been heading to the parsonage.
First, he needed to do the gentlemanly thing. That did not include leaving his new acquaintance by herself in this state. “Where is your brother?”
“He’s at the café with Emma. I should probably head that way myself.”
She made a motion as though to rise, so he jumped to his feet and caught her arm to help her stand. “May I escort you?”
“Oh, no. That isn’t necessary.” She brushed the dirt from her skirt, lifted her chin and offered one last faint smile. “Thank you again, Mr. McKay.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
He watched to make sure she was headed in the right direction before crossing the field to the parsonage. Brandon Stillwater answered the door with a welcoming grin. “Come in, David. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I need your advice on something.” David removed his hat and stepped inside the foyer.
“Let’s talk in my study. Can I get you anything? Coffee? A cookie? One of those little strudel things Mrs. Hickey is so fond of making?”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.” Entering the study behind Brandon, David paced back and forth on the bright square of light falling from the window onto the floor in front of the well-hewn desk.
Concern furrowed Brandon’s brow as he leaned his hip against the desk. “What’s going on?”
“Maggie put a snake in the nanny’s bed.”
“What?” Brandon asked in alarm.
“I know.” David sank into a nearby chair. “It was dead. I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse. Before I could even try to discipline her, my ma stepped in and fired the nanny for being angry at Maggie. It was a formality, really. The nanny was already
halfway up the stairs on her way to pack her bags of her own accord.”
“How long have you been without a nanny?”
“Two days. I’ve been racking my brain for a solution, asking around to see if any of the ladies in town would take the position. None of them are interested. In fact, I may have offended a few husbands and fathers by even suggesting their women might be able to use the extra income. I don’t suppose you’ve heard of anyone in need of a job? Perhaps someone in the congregation?”
Brandon glanced away, looking deep in thought, before he slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid not. The women in our congregation are mostly married or widows with their own children. The unattached women help out on their families’ ranches and farms. A lot of them are younger girls, too. Either way, you might run into the same problem of offending their menfolk. Of course, if we put the word out that you’re looking for help, a few of them might be willing to do so out of pure Christian charity—and a chance to catch the eye of one of the ‘wealthiest and most mysterious bachelors in Little Horn.’”
“Ugh.” David winced. “Is that really what they say about me?”
Brandon grinned. “I’m afraid so.”
“Well, nothing doing. I’m not letting those women into my house. The last thing I’m looking for is romance. There has to be someone else.”
“What about her?”
“Her? Her who?”
“Her.” Brandon tipped his head toward the window.
Confused, David followed his friend’s meaningful look. All he saw was an empty field with a few trees. It was the same field where David had been only a few minutes ago...holding Caroline Murray in his arms while she cried on his shoulder. Heat spread across his face. He met Brandon’s steady, amused gaze. “You saw that?”
“Sure did.”
“Why didn’t you come out to help me?”
Brandon shrugged. “You seemed to have everything well under control, so I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t have been intruding.”
“Are you sure about that?”
David glanced out the window and frowned. “Of course I am.”
“Who is she?”
“Matthew Murray’s sister, Caroline. She’s just here for a visit.” He shook his head. “There has to be someone I can hire.”
“Maybe, but not locally. Have you checked the newspaper? That’s where you found the first nanny, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s the first thing I did. I found the latest papers from Houston and Waco at the general store. None of the personal ads mentioned anything remotely close to a nanny, nurse or governess.”
“Governess.” Brandon held up a finger, then rounded the desk to open a drawer. “I saw something in an Austin newspaper about a governess.” He pulled out a newspaper and rifled through it. “Here it is. ‘Former governess of good reputation and character seeking Christian...husband.’ Oh. She’s a mail-order bride.”
“I didn’t say anything about marriage.” His ma had, though, countless times. She wanted her son to be happy and for her granddaughter to have a mother. Why she thought marriage would ensure his happiness after what he’d been through was beyond him, but there was no denying Maggie would love to have a mother.
“Now hold on. Don’t reject the idea without thinking about it first. You need someone to take care of the triplets until they find a permanent home, but you also need someone to help out with Maggie. This woman may have the experience you’re looking for.”
David gave him a doubtful look. “What else does the ad say?”
“‘Please inquire at—’ She doesn’t give a name. Just a PO Box in...” A wistful look flickered across his face. “Boston.”
“Well, that’s certainly straight to the point, isn’t it? Almost businesslike in a way. It doesn’t mention anything about love or feelings.” Hope started building in his chest. “Maybe I don’t have to, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she’s willing, we could have a marriage in name only.”
Brandon frowned. “David, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
That was too bad because the idea had real merit—not the least being the woman wouldn’t be able to run away as soon as Maggie got into trouble. If she did, she wouldn’t take his heart with him. Of course, there was a chance Maggie would get hurt if that happened. He could do his best to rule out that chance, though. In talking to this potential bride first and laying out all the parameters, they would both know from the start where they stood with each other and the marriage. There would be no passion or emotions getting in the way to confuse things. It would be a nice, straightforward marriage of convenience.
Decision made, David glanced up at Brandon. “May I borrow a pen and paper? I have a letter to write.”
Chapter Two
Caroline had lost her mind. There was no other explanation for why her thoughts kept straying to a man she’d barely met—a stranger...with the most amazing green eyes. The comfort she’d found in David McKay’s embrace had been a blessing in the moment and downright disconcerting in retrospect.
“Caroline, the potatoes.”
Blinking away her thoughts, she refocused on the skillet filled with potatoes in danger of being burned to a crisp. She removed it from the fire and stirred frantically. “I told you I’m a disaster in the kitchen, Emma.”
“You are not.”
“I am, but you’re much too sweet to say so.” She scooped the potatoes onto the serving dish and sent her sister-in-law a smile as Matthew breezed into the room just in time for lunch. “Matt, tell your wife I’m hopeless when it comes to cooking.”
Matthew stopped in his tracks. “She has you cooking? And for Sunday dinner, too? Oh, Emma, sweetheart...no.”
Emma frowned at them both. “It’s just takes practice.”
“No amount of practice will help my sister.”
“Well, thank you for the support, Matthew. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or insulted.”
Matthew patted Caroline on the back, then kissed his wife’s cheek. “I still can’t believe we’re finally all together in my favorite place.”
“I’ve visited here before, Matthew.”
“Once. Three years ago for the wedding.”
She lifted a brow. “That’s still more frequently than you visit Austin.”
“I have a ranch to take care of.”
“And I have a job, too...” She bit her lip. She’d given up her position at the prestigious Harmony School of Music to marry Nico. “I had a job.”
Emma’s voice was soft with sympathy. “Maybe they’ll let you have it back.”
“I doubt it. Not after I handpicked my replacement. That’s fine, though. I don’t need the work.”
“You needed it,” Matthew interjected. “Just not for the money.”
She smiled. “It did give me a sense of accomplishment, I suppose, and something to do while Mother and Father were involved in their rehearsals.”
“Well, then,” Emma said. “We’ll all pray that a new opportunity presents itself soon.”
“Yes, I think we’d better.” Caroline clapped her hands. “Now, my lovely potatoes and the actually palatable food Emma cooked are getting cold. Let’s eat.”
Lunch was a simple and delicious affair. Caroline did her best to listen while Matthew and Emma conversed about the everyday ins and outs of ranch life. Her mind kept wandering back to Austin. Had the men who’d gone after Nico captured him? If so, what had happened to Lucette and that sweet little baby? She hoped they were on their way to France and that their family would welcome them. It wasn’t her concern. She knew that. Yet she would forever be grateful that Lucette had shown up to put a stop to the wedding, as harrowing as that experience had been.
Ca
roline couldn’t keep thinking about it, though. It would drive her crazy just as surely as her thoughts about—
“David.”
Glancing up from her plate, she met her brother’s gaze across the table. “What?”
He nodded toward his wife. “I was telling Emma that our neighbor David McKay rode by to ask how we were handling the drought. The creek that cuts through both of our properties has been running low. He has another spring closer to his ranch house. He wanted me to know he would be keeping his cattle closer to that so as not to tax the creek.”
“Oh. I...I didn’t know he was your neighbor.” So much for taking comfort in the fact that she’d likely never see the man again except for across the aisle at church like she had this morning. “Does he stop by often?”
“Now and then.” Matthew tilted his head to survey her. “I didn’t know you knew him.”
“I don’t.” Watchful silence descended on the table until she finally gave in to Matthew’s silent probing. “I met him once.”
“You did? When?”
“Yesterday. I ran into him on my walk. He was very kind.”
“Was he? How so?”
“Well, I was obviously upset and he—Honestly, what does it matter?”
He grinned. “Just curious is all.”
“Beware, Caroline. Your brother is on a campaign to get you to move to Little Horn by any means necessary.”
He shrugged. “All I’m saying is it would be awfully convenient to have you living practically next door.”
Caroline let out a disbelieving laugh. “So now you already have me married to a man I hardly know and living next door.”
“Well, I think you’d know him pretty well by then.”
“Matthew, give her some time to breathe. She just barely escaped marrying a—”
“No-good, low-down skunk of a man,” he finished for his wife. “David is the exact opposite of that, from what I can tell. Besides, he’s been a widower for five years now. He’s likely to be of a mind to take another wife soon.”
The Nanny's Temporary Triplets Page 2
