WIFE FOR HIRE

by Amy J. Fetzer

  "You've done great for yourself, sprite."

  She looked up from her notes.

  "I admire your fortitude. Anyone else would have given up such an arduous task when they knew it would take two years longer than the norm."

  Warmth spread through her and she smiled. "Thanks, Nash. That means a lot to me." It meant everything.

  "You've done well with my house, too, especially since ten years ago it had a staff of five," he said.

  Her brows shot up at that. "Maybe you should pay me more, then?" she said with a smile.

  "Gladly. I've never seen my girls so happy."

  Her expression turned tender and loving. "They're great kids."

  For a second they stared, need and want and the denial of it mirrored in their eyes. The sensations passing between them had nothing to do with what they once were to each other. And everything to do with that they could be.

  Nash warned himself to tread carefully and said, "How about I quiz you?" He pulled the book close and reclined on his side.

  Hayley eyed him for a second, then leaned over and pointed to the chapter. Nash glanced, then formed questions, one after another. He flipped to a sample test and quizzed her. They sipped tea and halfway through the studying he left to bring back a snack for her and a beer for himself.

  Two hours later she was slumped on the floor, yawning between responses.

  Nash closed the book. "Bedtime, Hayley. Right now."

  Her eyes closed and she smiled sleepily. "You like giving me orders way too much, Rayburn."

  "Hell, yeah. This is the only time I ever could and you'll do it."

  She met his gaze. "I never had anyone tell me what to do, not even my dad when he was alive. He was glad I just kept myself busy and out of trouble."

  That neglect bred an independent woman who was afraid to get close to anyone, he thought. And afraid to relinquish any responsibility for her survival to another.

  She lay back and stretched like a cat, arching her back, and Nash wanted to crawl over and feel her flesh beneath his palms, his mouth.

  As if she'd read his thoughts, she instantly sat up, gathered her papers and books, then stuffed them into the briefcase.

  Nash stood, and when she went to pick up the dishes, he stopped her. "I'll get them. Go on to bed."

  He was close, gazing into her clear brown eyes, his fingers wrapped around her elbow.

  "Thanks. Good night."

  "Night."

  He didn't move. Neither did she.

  It took every effort to keep his muscles still, to not relent to the messages his brain was sending, to bend and take her sweet mouth with his. He held her gaze the way a prisoner seeks a key to freedom, wondering if there was any escape and wondering whether the release would be worth more time in his own jail. He hadn't been with many women since Michelle died. He hadn't wanted to. Women he'd dated were just people, nothing setting them apart from one another. Nash knew even if he'd just met Hayley, he would feel the same unending need to be with her.

  God, this was harder than he thought.

  And sex wasn't everything.

  Trust was more. He let her go and stepped back.

  "Night."

  "See you at sunrise." She lifted her briefcase and headed for the hall, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

  "Nashville Davis Rayburn!"

  Nash cringed at the power of her voice and his full name filtering through the breeding barn. He looked over the horse's back.

  "You bellowed, Miss Albright?"

  She made a face at him, her hands on her hips. "Why didn't you tell me the twins were going to their grandmother's for the week?"

  Nash shrugged, pulling the horse into the stall. "Slipped my mind."

  "Your daughters are leaving, them being the reason you hired me, I might add, and it slipped your mind?"

  "Yes, Hayley, it did." Stooping, he checked the animal's legs. "I have an international auction to prepare for. People will be coming and going for the next several days, getting starting bids, categorizing stock. I simply forgot. The girls usually spend two weeks with my mom around this time of year."

  She cocked her head. "Then you don't need me anymore."

  His insides clenched. "Far from it." He straightened, meeting her gaze. "I still need a cook and a housekeeper."

  "But—"

  He gave her a bland look, all business right now. "Is that a problem?"

  "No, it's just that—"

  "The girls were a nice barrier, right? You didn't have to deal with me directly with them between us."

  "That's not true." It was and she knew it.

  He ducked under the horse's neck, pausing to secure the leads to the bridle before he faced her. "Are you afraid to be alone with me?"

  She scoffed, meeting his gaze. "You are the last person who scares me, Nash."

  "Good, then we can just relax."

  Relax. Right. If she was any more relaxed, she'd snap in two.

  "Okay, so what do they need me to pack for them?"

  "Why don't you call Mom and ask?"

  "No."

  He frowned. "Why not?"

  "Because, well, you know—" she waved distractedly "—she knows about us."

  He smirked. "I thought you weren't afraid?"

  She wasn't. Not at all. Except that getting to know his mother, his family, was stepping over the line. Especially if she wanted to keep the lines clear. "Okay, fine. I'll call." She did an about-face and strode down the long corridor between the stalls. "But if she asks, I'm gonna tell her all the things you did when you were living in Georgia."

  "The things I did or we did?"

  She stopped short, then threw a look back over her shoulder.

  He grinned.

  "Then again, I ought to ask her all the things you did before we met."

  "Go right ahead. I have no secrets." Not anymore, he thought.

  Her brow worked for a second before she turned away.

  His mother didn't know she was here. And Nash was looking forward to the moment when the two women met. And hoping he gained an ally.

  They were ganging up on her.

  "Nash's Hayley? Hayley Albright?" The shock in Mrs. Rayburn's voice made Hayley smile.

  "Yes, ma'am," she said into the phone.

  "I thought you were a doctor."

  "I am. I'm working through my leave time before I continue my residency."

  "Oh." A pause and then, "You didn't know this Wife Incorporated assignment was at River Willow, did you?"

  The sympathy in her tone touched a needy spot in Hayley. "No, ma'am."

  "Bet that was a shock." She laughed, a rich sound, as if she did it often.

  "Oh, you could say that. I think Kat Davenport was playing matchmaker."

  "She always did have a devilish streak, that girl. How is she, by the way?"

  "Doing well. I haven't actually laid eyes on her in about seven months, ma'am."

  "Stop ma'aming me, Hayley. Makes me feel ancient. Call me Grace."

  Hayley relaxed for the first time since she'd dialed Nash's mother's phone number. "Okay, Grace, give me a rough idea of what I need to pack for the twins." Hayley listened and made a list. The girls came into the kitchen, and when they started to talk, Hayley motioned to the phone, then told them to hush before she went back to writing. "Got it. Tomorrow morning after breakfast. Sure, no problem. They're dancing around me right now."

  Hayley handed Kate the phone and the pair, their faces pressed together, talked to their grandmother. They asked a dozen questions and made plans as Hayley went into the laundry room to do another load and make certain their jeans were clean for taking to Grace's place.

  "She's so cool, Grandma," Kate said.

  "We played dress-up and went swimming, and tonight we get to have a bubble bath," Kim said as if they'd be getting gold, instead of getting wet.

  Hayley turned on the washer, not wanting to hear what the girls said, not wanting to love them, but she knew it was hopeless. She a
dored them, and knowing they'd be gone tomorrow made her throat constrict. She wouldn't get to see them again before she left for St. Anthony's hospital.

  "Miss Hayley?"

  She turned. Kim held out the phone. Hayley took it, saying, "Anything else we need to know?"

  "Other than that my granddaughters are happy, not a thing. See you in the morning."

  Hayley said goodbye and hung up. Butterflies started jumping in her stomach.

  Meeting Mrs. Grace Rayburn wasn't the problem. Being alone in this house for another week with her son was.

  The next morning Kim and Kate raced through the house, skidding to a halt in the kitchen. "Morning, Miss Hayley!" they chimed.

  "There's my ladies," Hayley said happily, squatting as the girls launched themselves into her arms, wrapping her in bone-crushing hugs. "Oh, what a way to start a day!"

  They giggled and when they pulled back, she told them to go into the dining area off the kitchen, and she'd bring them their breakfast.

  "But we want to be in here with you."

  The innocent statement touched Hayley deeply, and she swallowed around the knot in her throat. She lifted them each onto a stool, then gave them their breakfast, flipping on the small TV on the counter so they could watch cartoons. While they ate, Hayley cleaned up the breakfast mess from nearly a dozen men, and by the time the girls finished, so was she.

  "Go wash up and dress in the clothes I laid out," she told them. As they hurried off in a whirlwind of pink nightgowns, she called, "Brush your teeth and bring down a comb and barrettes so I can put up all that hair."

  Hayley slumped on the stool, slapping a dish towel over her shoulder. She'd spent yesterday evening cooking dinner, running bubble baths and avoiding that "I'm going to be alone with you" look Nash kept throwing her way. Which was why she said she'd take care of everything for the twins. At least their cute little pink-and-navy-plaid suitcases were already packed and by the door, with their stuffed bears and dolls and everything else little girls needed to survive in a room that wasn't their own.

  "A handful, huh?"

  Hayley looked up.

  Nash's mom.

  Hayley smiled. "Yeah, are you sure you want this chaos for two weeks?" Hayley wondered how long the woman had been standing there.

  Grace waved the remark off, walking into the kitchen. She wasn't any more than fifty-five and stunning. Her short haircut was chic and swept to one side, showing off the silver streak in her brown hair. Though she wore jeans and a red blouse, she was a woman who took good care of herself, minding the tiny details that make men look twice and other women envy.

  She smiled, giving Hayley a bold once-over, then saying, "Let's talk, honey."

  Hayley offered her a cup of coffee and poured one for herself. They sat at the counter across from each other.

  "I knew what you looked like. He's got a snapshot in his wallet, though it went through the wash once."

  That was obviously how Grace knew the photo was there, Hayley thought, the center of her chest tightening. She had one of Nash, too, tucked in the lining of her suitcase. Hayley met her gaze. "Grace, let's be honest. No matter what you might be thinking, I'm here, working for Wife Incorporated because the money is great. I have a career to get back to, and Nash and the girls deserve more. And I don't fit in here. Besides, we agreed to be friends."

  Grace nodded, at home with her honesty. "Okay, then let me say one thing."

  Hayley smiled. "Just one?"

  "For now."

  "Shoot."

  "My son made a big mistake years ago." Grace lowered her voice. "Give him a chance."

  "I forgave him, Grace."

  Grace's brows drew down and she tipped her head slightly, studying Hayley. "You know it all?"

  "I believe so, yes."

  "I guess if you're still here, it says something."

  "It says that I stick to my obligations."

  "Is that what those three are, obligations?"

  Hayley looked at her coffee. "Of course not." Those three had suddenly become a glaring marker in her life and a wedge in her heart. She couldn't seem to go forward. She looked at Grace. "I'm leaving. I have to. I don't want you to think there's something here that will alter that. There is just no way."

  Grace absorbed this. At least, Hayley thought she did, and she knew she sounded cold.

  The moment passed and Hayley launched into questions about Grace's place, and they discussed the ranch and the girls, skipping politely past Michelle and on to Nash.

  "This auction is the biggest event of his year."

  "I gathered that. I'll do what I can to help."

  "You two talking about me?"

  Hayley jerked around. Man, did he look good. A body didn't have the right to have so much sex appeal. "God, Nash, your ego is way too big."

  He strolled inside, walking to his mother and planting a kiss on her cheek. "You look great, Mom."

  Grace eyed him. "So do you. At least it looks as if you're eating better."

  He patted his flat stomach. "Hayley's cooking."

  Grace glanced between the two as they stared at each other.

  Hayley noticed Grace's interest and sent her "forget it" look just as the girls arrived, hair flying. After they hugged their grandmother, Hayley excused herself to go braid their hair.

  "Well?" Nash said when he and his mom were alone.

  Grace's eyes were still on Hayley as she escorted the girls into the guest bathroom. Finally she met her son's gaze. "That's one scared woman, Nash."

  "I know."

  She gave him a playful smack on the shoulder.

  "Ow. What did I do now?"

  "That's for letting her get away."

  He smiled down at his mother. "Not this time."

  She frowned back. "I don't think you'll have a choice, honey."

  "Everyone has a choice, Mom."

  * * *

  Six

  « ^ »

  "If I have to drag you in there and feed you myself, Hayley, I will," Nash said, trying to keep his temper out of his voice and low enough that the ranch hands sitting in the dining room wouldn't hear.

  "I double dare you." She smiled.

  He wasn't amused and leaned closer. "Don't tempt me."

  "You can be such a tyrant."

  "I'm your boss."

  She reared back. "Is that an order?"

  He sighed, pushing his fingers through his hair. She was so stubborn. "Of course not, but you've been moping around since the girls left."

  "I have not."

  He eyed her, though he was touched that she missed them as much as he did.

  She sighed. "All right, so what if I am? I don't have a lot to do without them around."

  "Any other woman would be enjoying the free time. Why don't you take a break?"

  She glanced in the direction of the dining room. "Having supper with y'all … it's not right."

  "It's my house and I say it is."

  She had to give him that and she did feel more alone without the girls around. "Okay, fine. No one can ever call me a party pooper."

  Spinning around, she walked into the dining room with Nash behind her. There were three extra ranch hands she hadn't met before, and every one of them stood when she entered the room. Jimmy Lee rushed around the table to pull out her chair.

  Nash eyed him back to his seat as Hayley sat down.

  It was strange being in here with all of them. She'd made it a point when she took a job like this not to join in the meals. But after a quick comical prayer, they dug in and made her feel welcome. They discussed plans for the auction, and Nash assigned duties for the next few days. Hayley made mental notes to keep quick meals and sandwiches around for them since they weren't on their normal routine. Rounding up all the horses grazing on more than a thousand acres would take a while, and she needed to be prepared. She passed a dinner platter, glancing up to find Nash staring at her from the opposite end of the table. She lifted her chin and motioned for him to mind his ow
n plate. He simply stared and she could feel the message down the length of table. He wanted her there, and the small fact scared the hell out of her.

  Nash relaxed in his chair, eating, but not really tasting the incredible meal she'd prepared. Watching her was far more interesting. That and listening to her draw out Bubba and refusing to call him anything but Robert. Pride seeped through him. She'd told his mother she didn't fit in, but here she was, making every man hang on her words. She asked about their hobbies, interests, their families, their homes, and Nash heard a little envy in her voice, yet she held nothing back, teasing Ronnie about his long hair and treating Beau like a man when he was scarcely out of high school. When she stood to get the water pitcher, Beau leaped to her aid. She had them at her command and Nash was a willing soldier.

  "That was great, as usual, Hayley." Nash gestured to the empty platters and bowls on the table.

  She smiled, her fingers steepled under her chin even as she accepted compliments from the men. "Y'all still have room? I made dessert."

  Good grief, he thought, when?

  She went into the kitchen and came back with peach cobbler and a chocolate cream pie. At the sideboard, she dished up the cobbler and set a plate before Nash. He stared at the cobbler, then lifted his gaze to her.

  "You remembered." It was his favorite.

  Twisting slightly, she winked, then turned back to the sideboard to serve up the rest.

  When the hands stood up to leave, each offered compliments, saying they were glad to finally dine with her.

  She beamed, then started to collect the dishes. Nash helped.

  "I have it," she said.

  "So do I," he said in a no-nonsense tone. Hayley shrugged and went to the kitchen. Nash brought in the rest of the dishes, tossing the linens into the laundry room as she washed and rinsed, filling the dishwasher and scrubbing pots.

  He leaned against the counter behind her, watching her. A delightful pastime lately.

  "Don't you have work to do?" she said without turning around.

  "No, I wanted to ask you something."