by Kay Lyons
Ethan turned his attention to the flames, his thoughts barreling back to a time when Nick was so estranged from the family he’d cross the street to avoid them. Being the oldest and a college freshman majoring in pre-med, Ethan had felt superior to his younger, obviously idiotic sibling, and he’d run his mouth way more than he should, ordering Nick around, spouting off. Something he’d always regretted. “As to how I’ll do it…I’ve been thinking. I’ve made a few inquiries into day care and the more I hear and see, the more I appreciate the progress you’ve made with Simon. You said the job in Chicago wasn’t guaranteed. So why not stay here and be Simon’s full-time, live-in nanny?”
He thought she’d be happy, relieved. At least show a favorable response. Instead she looked at him with blatant suspicion, her features carefully banked. A spark of life shone through, as if she liked the idea, but was leery.
“What’s the catch?”
He didn’t like the hesitation in her tone, like he was going to demand sex and she was waiting for the snarky proposal. Sex and babysitting for a roof over her head. Some guys would do it. And maybe, before Niger, he would’ve suggested it, too. But like Megan had told Jenn last week, people change. Including him. He hadn’t exactly been a choirboy, but he wouldn’t take advantage of Megan’s situation. “No catch. I need someone I can trust with my son, and you have reasons for wanting to be here, which means you’ll do your best to keep your job. In the past week, you’ve proven your patience and kindness with Simon, and I figured we could help each other out.”
Megan rose and walked to the railing where the firelight didn’t reach. A cool breeze blew, bringing with it a combination of her perfume and something uniquely Megan. Watching her, he noticed the slenderness of her body, the delicate way the firelight played over her form.
Those long hours at work are going to come in handy.
Because even though Megan drew his interest sexually, he’d do whatever it took to keep Simon laughing, including ignoring his baser needs and his attraction to his beautiful houseguest.
In the time she’d been here Megan had changed the balance of things. Now he was able to see what was missing, what Simon responded to and liked.
Reminded of the scene in Simon’s bedroom, a pained grimace pulled at his lips. “Do you know Simon’s been here five weeks now and I never once thought to give him something to sleep with?”
She stared out at the night, her shoulders lowering a little at the praise. “You’ve had a lot on your mind.”
He set the tea aside and joined her at the railing, leaning against the banister and gazing up at the blanket of darkness highlighted by the moon’s glow. The air was crisp and cool, a perfect fall night—for a confession? “Megan, I’m out of my element and over my head.” Ethan lowered his elbows to the rail and clasped his hands together, staring off at the tree house at the edge of the yard.
He glanced at Megan and found her staring at him, watchful, listening. And the urge to kiss her was so powerful he had to look away and force himself to continue. “I planned on coming home from Niger with a fresh perspective, not a child. I figured…I hoped to have a family one day but I was going to do it in order. Marriage, honeymoon, kids. I didn’t plan on having this responsibility until I’d reached a point in my life when I thought I was ready. You’ll probably think it’s a guy thing, but when I made that promise to Isa, I thought it wouldn’t be that hard. Truth is, I didn’t have a clue.”
“Most parents probably feel that way.”
How typical that everyone thinks they’re the exception to the rule. “I can see that with newborns crying all the time but Simon isn’t a baby. I assumed so long as he was fed, clothed and watched, things would go smoothly.” He lowered his head and stared at his hands. “I never considered the problems with nightmares, day care and schooling.” The words didn’t come any easier, and he was glad the night covered the heat he could feel gathering in his face. “Simon draws pictures about my lousy cooking.”
“It was a good picture,” she said with a deadpan expression.
Ethan smiled wryly, her sense of humor teasing his own to life. He didn’t remember ever smiling as much as he had since she’d arrived. “It was a good picture, but it proved how Simon and I aren’t connecting. You’re the only person Simon’s shown any interest in since he’s been here, Megan. He talks to you when I can’t get two words out of him. I know what Jenn said about you, but I also know everyone makes mistakes, and that kids are great judges of character, especially kids who have been through what Simon has.”
A flicker of regret crossed her face, quickly followed by another weak smile of thanks. “The stuffed animal wasn’t a big deal. I had one when I was his age, and Simon looked so little in that bed.”
Surely Megan wouldn’t turn the job offer down? She couldn’t, not when Simon responded to her, smiled more. Jenn would be upset with him. She’d be furious, but wasn’t Simon’s health more important than hurt feelings over a boyfriend stolen years ago? Family was family. “Then let me put it this way. I’ve called every reputable day care in the area and toured some of the not so great ones. They’re all full.”
“Ah, so this isn’t about helping me and Jenn but the fact that you’re still desperate for child care?”
“It’s both. The situation would be to both our advantages. You’d have a job, a home and be in close proximity to the sister you say you want to get to know again.” Okay, so that was low, but some carrots had to be dangled.
Still, Megan was quiet so long he wondered if she was going to turn him down.
“How do I know you’re not going to come knocking on my door in the middle of the night for extra benefits to go with the babysitting?” she finally asked with a defiant lift of her chin.
He thought that over a moment, trying to find it in him to assure her that wasn’t even a thought but unable to do so. “How do I know you won’t be knocking on mine?” he asked instead, giving her a slow smile. “It’s been known to happen.”
Humor lit her eyes at his teasing, and he saw another glimpse of the spunky, flirtatious girl she’d probably been as a teen. He stared, fascinated, much more than was wise under the circumstances. She was such a combination of vulnerability and fire. And truth be told, he wouldn’t mind if she came knocking.
“Jenn will throw a fit. She won’t like it.”
“Nick can handle Jenn. My concern is Simon.” And you. He didn’t want her taking off when he knew she had nowhere to go. People disappeared that way, women especially. And if her sticking around meant keeping his hands off her, he’d resign himself to long, cold showers. It didn’t appeal, but that was a problem he could work out later. “Do you accept?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll do it.”
He held out his hand and waited until Megan placed her palm in his. Small, soft, the strength of her grip was surprising, but it comforted him and erased his doubts. This was the right decision, the right nanny for Simon.
The right woman for him?
Read THE NANNY’S SECRET and the rest of the TAMING THE TULANES series! Simply click on the links or look for them wherever books are sold.
* * *
TAMING THE TULANE SERIES:
SMALL TOWN SCANDAL
THEIR SECRET BARGAIN
CROSSING THE LINE
THE NANNY’S SECRET
SOMEONE TO TRUST
THE STONE RIVER SERIES:
WORTH THE WAIT
NOT BY SIGHT
THROUGH THE VALLEY
LEAD ME NOT
CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD
THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
SECOND CHANCES
MONTANA SECRETS SERIES
HEALING HER COWBOY
IT HAD TO BE YOU
HERS TO KEEP
MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH
THEIR SECRET SON
SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES
BRODY’S REDEMPTION
FALLING FOR HER BOSS
WITH TH
IS MAN
More books:
Secret Santa
COMING SOON!
Secret Santa II
For more information about Kay Lyons, please visit her website at www.kaylyonsauthor.com. You can also find her at the following:
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About the Author
Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances. Each and every one of her manuscripts included a love story.
Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Look for her most recent novels with Kindred Spirits Publishing.
For more information regarding her work, please visit Kay at the following:
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