by Judy Duarte
“There’s a teenager who attends Sandra’s church. I think her name is Kelly. She’s pretty young to have Rosie all day, especially with you so far away. But if you had her watch Rosie at the ranch, Sandra would be here and could oversee things.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
“I can probably get time off in the afternoon, after my meeting. So I can come by to help.”
It was sweet of her to offer, and he was tempted to take her up on it. Before he could decide, she spoke again.
“You didn’t ask. I’m volunteering. Besides, I adore Rosie.”
“I know how busy you are, and she isn’t your responsibility, but the truth is, I can use all the help and advice I can get.”
“I’d be happy to do whatever I can.” She tucked a long strand of that gorgeous hair behind her ear. “I promise, if I can’t step in or take care of her for whatever reason, I’ll let you know. So don’t feel bad about calling me if you need me—or if you need anything at all.”
Oh, he had needs, all right. But those weren’t the ones she was talking about easing. He’d be damned if he’d let her know where his thoughts had strayed, though.
Of course, why wouldn’t they? Dana was a beautiful woman, one he was finding more and more attractive every day. Besides, it had been way too long since he’d had sex.
But he wasn’t about to let his hormones run away with him.
Chapter Six
Sam might have told Rosie that he was well on the mend thanks to her visit, but he’d been too weak to get out of bed and join the family at the dinner table and remained in his room. When Rosie objected to his eating all by himself, Sandra suggested that she and the little girl have “a picnic” on Grandpa’s bed.
That left Dana and Kieran seated alone in the kitchen, a dining experience that felt a little awkward, especially since the handsome man had a way of setting her heart on edge and her sexual awareness on high alert.
And why wouldn’t his presence do that to her? All she had to do was take one look at him, with those gorgeous blue eyes and that light brown hair that was always well-groomed, and she was toast. Even now, dressed casually in a pair of designer jeans and a light blue button-down shirt, he commanded a woman’s attention. And, he’d certainly captured hers tonight.
“This chicken is really good,” he said. “You weren’t kidding when you said you know how to cook.”
Dana offered him a smile. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Who would have guessed that you had a domestic streak?”
“Actually, I don’t.” For a beat, she wondered if she should be offended by his comment. After all, she had a busy life that wasn’t centered at home, even if a man like Kieran wouldn’t find it exciting. But after glancing across the scarred oak table and spotting the warmth in his expression and the glimmer in his eyes, she shrugged it off. “Believe it or not, I wasn’t interested in cooking until I stumbled across a collection of old cookbooks at an estate sale last year. I began to research how earlier generations ate, so I tried out different recipes. And some of them were pretty tasty.”
Kieran sat back in his seat, his grin morphing into a heart-strumming smile. “It sounds like you’ve picked up a few unique treasures during your shopping escapades.”
“I really have. That’s what makes shopping for antiques and going to estate sales fun.” Again, she glanced at him. Had he found her quirky or odd, like some men did? If he did, his dazzling expression hid it well. “So then, just for the record, I’m not what you’d call a homebody.”
“I never thought you were.”
Good. But what had he thought of her? She certainly didn’t frequent the fancy restaurants or attend stellar social events like he and his family and friends did. But then, not many people could afford to. Still, she found her life to be fulfilling. And she was happy with it. So what else mattered?
As they continued to eat, silence stretched between them, interrupted by the occasional sound of a fork clicking on a ceramic plate. Dana tried to focus on finishing her meal, but her hyped-up awareness of the man seated across from her didn’t make it easy.
Get a grip, girl. This guy is way out of your league as well as your comfort zone.
And that was so true. Just mention the name Fortune and people’s interest piqued for a variety of reasons, and not just because of all the charity work done by the Fortune Foundation. Gosh, there was even a royal branch of the family that garnered tabloid headlines!
“Oh,” Kieran said, drawing her from her musing. “I nearly forgot. You mentioned a teenager who used to babysit for Zach.”
“He called a couple of high school kids occasionally, but the one he used the most was Kelly Vandergrift.”
“I’m going to need her phone number. Do you have it? I could ask Sandra, but she’ll insist that she can handle watching Rosie for a day. And she really has her hands full with Sam right now.”
“You’re right.” Dana pushed back her chair, the wooden legs scraping the worn, linoleum flooring, and got to her feet. Then she walked to the yellow, wall-mounted telephone and studied the small whiteboard hanging beside it, where Sandra had written important numbers. She scanned the list until she found Kelly’s name. “Here it is. Let me write it down for you so you can take it with you.”
Kieran whipped out his cell phone from the clip on his belt. “Just read it off to me. I’ll call her now and then add her to my contacts. Even if I hire a full-time nanny, I’m sure I’ll need a backup babysitter on occasion.”
Moments later, Kelly must have answered, because after Kieran introduced himself and he explained his dilemma. “I realize you might be in school next week, but with Easter coming up, I thought there was a chance you’d be on spring break.”
After a slight pause, his face brightened. “Oh, good. I’m glad to hear that. Are you available to watch her on Thursday at the Leaning L?” Again, he listened to Kelly’s response, then added, “I’ll need you around eight in the morning. Rosie’s grandparents will be here, but I don’t want them to have to worry about her or to feel as though they need to entertain her.”
Kieran laughed. “You, too? In the past week, I’ve played more games of Candy Land and Go Fish than I can count. Anyway, I really appreciate this, Kelly. I’ll have Rosie at the ranch before eight o’clock. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but I hope to be back before dark.”
After ending the call, Kieran’s gaze traveled to Dana. “That worked out great.”
“Be sure to give her my phone number,” Dana said. “If she has a problem of any kind while you’re in Amarillo, it’ll only take me thirty minutes to get here.”
“That makes me feel even better, although I hate bothering you, especially when you have a meeting that day, too.”
“I really don’t mind. I like being helpful.”
He studied her a moment. “I didn’t know you very well before, but I can now see that you’re a special lady. I hadn’t expected Zach to fall for a quiet librarian, but I guess there’s a lot to be said for that old adage that opposites attract.”
Dana wouldn’t say that Zach had exactly “fallen” for her. They’d become good friends and gone out whenever he was free or needed a date, but things between them hadn’t really clicked. They’d never had the kind of chemistry that made her tingle, or Zach, either, for that matter.
“Actually,” she said, “when you get to know me, you’ll find that I’m not all that quiet.”
As his gaze zeroed in on hers, she tried to gauge his expression, which wasn’t at all easy to read. She spotted something warm in his eyes, something soft and...
Darn it. She hoped it wasn’t sympathy. She’d gotten so many pitying looks from friends and coworkers who assumed she’d been devastated by Zach’s loss.
She’d been saddened, for sure, and disappointe
d that their relationship had never really gotten off the ground. But her real grief was for the motherless child who was now missing her daddy.
But did she dare admit that to the man who’d been Zach’s best friend? She couldn’t.
“I should probably know this,” Kieran said, “but I never got around to asking Zach. How and when did you two meet?”
“I interviewed him last fall, when I was researching Austin’s ranching history. He had a great sense of humor and had me in stitches. A few days later, he called and asked me out to lunch.”
Their friendship had evolved into a dating relationship, but that’s as far as things went. They’d gone out for six months but there hadn’t been anything sexual between them. Something more serious might have developed between them in time, but Rosie’s mother, who hadn’t stuck around long enough to actually be a mom, had done a real number on his head. So he’d been gun-shy about making a commitment.
They’d talked about it, and while Zach had told Dana she was a “great gal,” he said his focus had to be on his daughter. And Dana agreed. When her parents had been alive, they’d been totally committed to her.
Still, instead of pulling away from Zach, she’d been drawn to him, especially to his adorable daughter and his parents, who reminded her of her mom and dad. So her friendship with Zach had worked out nicely for everyone involved.
Then Zach died. Since he’d been her only tie to his family, it was like losing hers all over again.
But she’d never admit anything like that to Kieran. How could she? He’d probably think she was a clingy waif or a family crasher. And she’d walk away from him, Rosie and the Lawsons before she’d ever let that happen.
“I’m sorry for relying on you so much,” Kieran said.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“I’m grateful for all you’ve done, and it’s so easy to turn to you first. But I have a feeling that’s making things more difficult for you.”
“I’m glad to help. And to be honest, knowing that you, Rosie and the Lawsons need me makes me feel better.”
And that was true. The part that complicated matters and made everything worse was her growing attraction to Zach’s best friend, especially when Kieran was even more unsuited to her than Zach had been.
* * *
When Kieran had left the Leaning L with Rosie the other night, he’d been determined to back off and not rely on Dana too much. She might have said that she wanted to be helpful, but he didn’t want to take advantage of her kindness.
Yet even as he came to that conclusion, a small, sarcastic voice piped up, jabbing at him.
How thoughtful—and noble—you are.
He had to admit that there was something else at play, something tempting him to call on her for just about anything. And it wasn’t as a friend or as a babysitter who cared about Rosie’s well-being. In fact, each time he was with her, he seemed to be more drawn to her, more intrigued by her.
Dana Trevino was a beautiful woman, with a willowy shape, expressive blue eyes and silky red hair a man could run his fingers through. She also had a warm and loving heart, especially with Rosie. And that’s what had made her perfect for Zach. Kieran saw that clearly now. She would’ve been the kind of wife his best friend deserved.
Unlike Kieran, Zach had been both a rancher who loved the land and a man who adored his family. On the other hand, Kieran thrived in the city. And while he might care about his parents and siblings, he’d never been especially close to any of them. At least, he hadn’t been in the past. Things were changing now that he’d gotten older and had proven himself to be worthy to step into an executive position at Robinson Tech.
No, it would be better if he left Dana alone so she could lead her own life before he made a complete mess of things. Besides, she still had ties to the Lawsons, and the last thing he wanted to do was to complicate things for the elderly couple who were already dealing with a tragic and painful loss.
Yet even after Kieran and Dana had eaten dinner at the Leaning L the other night and said their goodbyes, thoughts and images of the lovely, kindhearted research librarian continued to drift into his mind.
In fact, even at the office, while he was scheduling the corporate jet for his business trip to Amarillo, he’d thought of her once again and wished she’d been able to join him. And how crazy was that?
No, it was better that he go alone.
When Thursday morning finally rolled around, Kieran arrived at the Leaning L at a quarter to eight with Rosie in tow, her backpack bulging with dolls, books, sketch pads and markers.
Sandra must have been watching for them, because she met them on the porch before he could knock at the door.
“There’s my sweet pea,” she said, as she stooped and wrapped Rosie in a warm embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re going to have fun today.”
Kieran certainly hoped they had an enjoyable—and uneventful—day.
“How’s Sam feeling?” he asked.
“A little better. He also seems to be getting stronger.” Sandra straightened, then welcomed Kieran with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, an unexpected display of affection that caught him off guard, yet pleased him.
“How about you?” she asked. “Are you holding up all right?”
“Yep. Rosie and I are doing just fine.”
“Good,” Sandra said, as she led them into the house. “Kelly called a few minutes ago to tell me that she was on her way. That was nice of you to line her up, but you didn’t have to. I could have watched Rosie for you.”
“I had no doubt about that, but I’ll feel better knowing there are two pairs of eyes on her.”
And, of course, there was more to it than that. Sam might be responding well to his heart medication and getting stronger each day, but there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t have a relapse. And knowing that Kelly would be there to help with Rosie meant Kieran could leave town with a certain confidence.
So once Kelly arrived and Rosie was settled, Kieran drove to the airport and met the company pilot. Then they flew to Amarillo for what he hoped would be a successful business trip.
He returned early that evening, tired and disappointed in the daily operations of the tech company he’d gone to check out.
Now here he was, back at the Leaning L and parked next to Dana’s car. Apparently, just as she’d promised, she came by after work to make sure everything was going well while he was gone. He might have planned to back off and not rely on her too much, but he had to admit that he was glad she was here.
Apparently she hadn’t felt the same way about cutting ties with him, which pleased him, too.
As he crossed the yard, heading for the house, the screen door swung open, and Dana stepped onto the porch. She wore a pair of black slacks and a white blouse, typical business attire and an attractive look. But what struck him was her hairstyle, which was pulled up into a soft, feminine style topknot like something a woman in the late 1800s might wear. He had no idea what to call it, but the term Gibson Girl came to mind.
He nearly complimented her, but the words jammed in his throat. How did a man go about telling a woman like Dana that she was beautiful and unpredictable without making her think he was interested in her?
Especially if he didn’t want her or anyone else to suspect that he was.
Damn. Here he was, approaching Zach’s house with an idea that was so inappropriate it was hard for him to admit, even to himself.
“How did things go today?” he asked her.
Dana lifted her index finger to her lips as if making a shushing sound. When he reached the porch and was within hearing distance, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “Everything went well, but Rosie’s asleep.”
Kieran glanced at his watch. “Isn’t it a little late for a nap? Or is it early for bed?”
“She and Kelly had a big day, so she had a hard time winding down. She finally crashed about thirty minutes ago.”
“It sounds like she had fun. But how did Sam and Sandra do?”
“They were delighted to have her, but Sam said he was tuckered out, too. I think he’s asleep now. And Sandra is sitting in the living room with her feet up.”
“In that case, I don’t want to interrupt her quiet time.” Kieran probably ought to take a seat on the porch and wind down from his own busy day, but he found himself asking Dana, “Are you up for a walk?”
“Sure.” She carefully shut the screen door, then followed him down the steps and into the yard. “So how did your meeting in Amarillo go?”
“Not as well as I’d hoped. I wasn’t impressed with the operation or their financials. So once I got back on the jet, I emailed the board of directors and advised against that buyout.”
Then I’d say the trip went well. Your time wasn’t wasted if you saved the company from making a bad investment.”
“That’s true.” He glanced at the setting sun, which had streaked the western horizon in shades of pink, orange and gray.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Dana said, “but once I got here, I told Kelly she could go home. I also paid her.”
“That’s fine. Just let me know how much I owe you.”
“Forty dollars,” she said.
For some reason, he felt more indebted to Dana than that, which was a little disconcerting, although he wasn’t sure why. When he’d mentioned that he hadn’t wanted to make things difficult for her by asking too much of her, she’d insisted that helping him with Rosie made her feel better.
Why was that? The only answer he came up with was that being with Rosie, especially on the Leaning L, provided her with a connection to Zach. If that was the case, and Kieran suspected that it was, it just proved that she was clinging to his memory.
He stole a glance her way. She was studying the western horizon and what was turning out to be an amazing sunset. Yet it was Dana’s beauty and the pretty copper color of her hair that struck him as gaze-worthy.