by Ava Walsh
I accepted the steaming cup of coffee and added some sweet cream before I sipped it. I looked out of the window to see the sun rising from the kitchen and smiled. “You start early, don’t you?”
“Lance has the best ranch hands around, but he likes to be out there with them working. I start breakfast for all of them and Logan. Since you’re considering the nanny position, I’d become a morning person if I were you.” She winked, pulling up her hair into a neat ponytail and I wondered what I was getting myself into.
The three of us walked across the grass to the house. It had a few windows lit up. Irene unlocked a side door and led me inside. She called out good morning and walked into the kitchen. It was a chef’s kitchen, and my eyes widened as I looked around. She flicked a switch and lit it up as a small dark-haired boy ran into the room with a giggle, right into Sarah’s arms. “You little monster,” Sarah teased him. I watched with a smile, assuming this was Logan. He had thick hair that curled at the ends and the biggest brown eyes I’d ever seen. They looked curiously up at Irene and me.
“Logan, this is Brie. She’s my niece and she came here all the way from New York. Say hi, sweetie.” He stared at me silently as I looked down and tried to make him smile.
“Irene, it’s good to see your cheerful face.” A booming voice filled the kitchen, and I looked up to see one of the most gorgeous men that I’d ever laid eyes on. “Hello, there.”
“Lance, this is my niece. Brie, meet Lance,” Irene said as I stared at him. Lance – as in the owner of the ranch? He must be in his late twenties.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” he said, lowering his voice and reaching out his hand. I shook it. “I’m glad you’re here as well. Kathy quit, and I need help right away.”
“The previous nanny,” Irene said in a soft voice as she smiled at me. “That’s fine. Sarah can help her, and she’ll be good before you know it.” I stared at her before looking back at Lance and nodding slowly.
He was tall, a few feet over six foot. His hair was tousled and the same color as Logan’s, but his eyes were a cerulean blue and shimmered in the light. “Good. I want him to be happy while I’m working. We’re short a man and there’s a lot to do before the weather comes.”
“He’ll be great,” I spoke up, smiling brightly at him. “Don’t worry about a thing.”
He took his son out of the room so we could cook for the men. I followed Irene’s instructions as she started pulling pots and pans from below the stove. I grabbed eggs, bacon, sausages, and a loaf of bread. Sarah winked at me and took some bowls from the cupboard.
Irene filled me in on Logan’s schedule as we cooked. I made a mental note of it. ‘Where’s his mother?” I asked softly. Irene’s face fell for a moment.
“She left them when he was just one. I guess she couldn’t handle it. What’s there to handle? Lance is a wonderful man and that baby is the sweetest boy there ever was.” Irene shook her head as she stirred the eggs and added a handful of cheese. She glanced at the door that led to the living room where we heard the sounds of cartoons. “We’ll talk more later.”
Sarah cooked bacon, and I prepared the sausage in between toasting and buttering bread. It was light out when we had the food finished and on a platter. Irene stepped outside. I heard the sound of a bell ringing, and she told me to get Lance and Logan in the living room. Sarah took stacks of plates and placed them at the end of the counter.
I walked into the room to see Lance holding his son close as he talked to him in the light of the television. “Excuse me,” I called out and he looked over at me. “Breakfast is ready.” I smiled and left the room. My aunt was helping the men and laughing with them. I watched her and wondered if there was more to my being here than what met the eye – my role as a nanny and her niece.
I shook my head and joined them. I met the ranch hands over the meal. Lance joined us after a few moments and sat with Logan at the end of the table. I could tell that it was a close-knit group as they joked and talked, filling the room with joy. They reminded me of the artists I knew back in New York when they all got together. I smiled as I looked over the room.
Lance met my gaze for a moment as he sipped his coffee and I flushed slightly before I looked down.
Chapter Four
There was something about me that only Mom knew. I was a virgin.
It wasn’t that I didn’t meet men in New York but just that I hadn’t connected with any of them. That’s what I wanted with my first−a connection. I was a bigger girl too, and I’d always felt self-conscious about that. I felt silly while I washed the plates with Irene at my side. Sarah occupied Logan in the playroom.
“So what do you think so far?” Irene asked, placing the plates on the rack beside the sink.
“All of the men are nice. They seem close,” I replied.
“They’re like brothers. They’ve all been here for a few years at least, and I know that a lot of them aren’t looking to leave anytime soon.”
We were safe to talk now since the house was empty. I looked out of the window towards the barn. “Why did Kathy leave? Is it Logan?”
“No, she got a job with one of the affluent suburban families in town. Kathy likes her nightlife, and she’ll live closer to it this way.” Irene looked at me. “You must miss that, Brie. I know how social Tess was back in high school.”
“It was nice, but they were her friends, not mine. I don’t think it was my vibe as much as it was hers. I can’t draw a stick figure…” My voice trailed off and I shook my head. “I didn’t have a lot of friends there, to be honest. I was focused on school, mostly. I felt guilty that she worked so much for my education.”
“That was always her way, Brie. I hardly saw her sleep most of the time,” Irene admitted. I tried to laugh. That quickly turned to tears and Irene hugged me as I let my grief out.
“She visited us once about a year before you were born. We were at another ranch back then, where Michael had a job. We were newly married, and she breezed into the house in the way that only Tess could. She lit up the room. I was always so jealous of Tess. I felt boring next to her.” She sniffled and stroked my hair. “I asked her to come back after I knew that she was alone with you. She wouldn’t do it, and I don’t know why.”
“I don’t either. She never told me much about him,” I told her.
“The best that I can tell you is that she was fiercely independent, Brie. Once she got pregnant and was on her own, I think that Tess was too stubborn to ask for help. She always was. She wanted the best of both worlds and she killed herself getting that. So stupid. She should’ve just come to me.” We heard a cry from the other room and both looked up as a tear slid down Irene’s cheek.
“Oh, dear,” Irene said as we both rushed into the playroom to see Logan sitting on a dresser, Sarah pleading with him to come down. It was about a three feet fall onto the hardwood floor – he’d undoubtedly get hurt. “Honey, come down from there. You don’t want to fall,” she continued.
I saw him staring at me and smiled as I stepped forward. “Come on, little man. Want to come down for me?” I asked as I held out my arms and watched him tilt his head. “You can show me your favorite toy if you do.”
Logan scooted forward slowly and held his arms out as I reached for him. He leaned into me and I hugged him. Logan was a sweetheart, and I felt something warm inside of my heart as I eased him to the floor.
“C’mere,” Logan said as he took my hand and led me to a corner filled with toys from Finding Dory. Irene shook her head before leaving and Sarah joined us. We spoke in different voices for each toy – me doing a terrible job. I hadn’t seen the film yet, and Logan looked at me with serious eyes. Sarah tried to distract him.
“Does the position include taking him on outings?” I whispered to her. She nodded. I made a vow to take him into town to see the movie and learn all about the little characters that he loved.
I spent the morning playing with him before he went down for a nap just before lunch. I flopped down o
n the couch, stared up at the high ceiling and took a deep breath.
“He’s a firecracker, isn’t he?” Irene asked, entering the room and smiling down at me. “The pay for a nanny is generous. Lance will give you sixty thousand a year plus your room both here and at my place, including food and benefits. He will take good care of you, and that baby already loves you.”
I could save money with that pay and do online college classes to get my degree in Literature. It was something I had considered before Mom passed away so that I could work and give her a break. I could make a new start – make my life my own.
“That sounds great,” I told her as she nodded. “He is young, isn’t he? Lance.”
“Twenty-eight. His father ran this ranch and his grandfather before that. It’s a family business. Sadly, his father was older and died the same way your mom did, just when Logan was born. Before that, Lance lost his mama to cancer when he was fifteen. His grandfather was already retired by the time his father died, and Lance stepped in and took over with a new baby and everything going on. I admire him for that.” Irene smiled softly. “Michael was already here for five years at that time, and I’d just started cooking for The Burkes. It seemed natural to stay and help out.”
“I can see why.” I pushed myself up off the couch. “What’s for lunch?”
We made sandwiches for Lance, Michael, and Logan. We served sliced vegetables as a side and sweet tea in a pitcher. Lance came in through the kitchen and washed his hands before disappearing down the hall towards Logan’s room. He brought him to the table, Logan still rubbing his eyes. Michael grinned and bit into his turkey sandwich. Logan ate a few bites of his sandwich as the guys discussed a broken fence. I listened while I picked at my own sandwich. Irene said something to Lance as he walked past her to bring his dish to the sink. He smiled and nodded.
Lance walked towards me. I set my glass down and looked up at him. “Logan really took to you today, I hear.” I nodded. “Irene said that you’re interested in the job, so I’m offering it to you. Irene mentioned that she told you the specifics, but I’ll have something written up as well.” He looked relieved. “Generally, I’ll need you during the day while I’m out working, but there will be some nights that I’ll be gone. I have a room all set up near Logan’s for those times. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, I completely understand that. You couldn’t leave him alone like that,” I assured Lance.
“I do have a top-of-the-line baby monitor that you can put in your pocket if you want to go outside. It’s both audio and visual. I like to get some fresh air some nights and decompress, particularly during the summer months. I’ll take a swim every now and then, and it goes out as far as the pond. I mean, if you want to use it.” I realized that it was him I’d seen at the pond yesterday evening. I kept my face neutral and nodded. “Great.” Lance looked over at Logan wrapping his little arms around his legs. “I’ll have something for you to look at tomorrow. Be good for Miss Terley, bud. I’ll see you for dinner.”
I walked away as they exchanged a long hug. There was too much heat in my body at the moment. I knew what my boss looked like nearly naked. My boss! It felt so wrong to admit how good he looked.
I joined Irene as she cleaned up the counter. “He’s thrilled, Brie. I’m so glad you’re here to help out.”
“I am, too.” I was happy that everything had fallen into place even though I had some uncertainty about keeping up with an active three-year-old. I doubted that I would keep him happy at the ranch all the time. Maybe I should ask if I was allowed to leave the property with him. “Mr. Burke?”
He stood and walked Logan over to me as he gave me a curious look. “It’s Lance,” he told me as I raised an eyebrow at him.
“You called me Miss Tenley,” I reminded him, making him chuckle.
“Logan will be calling you that, so I’m setting an example. I’m old fashioned that way. But it’s Lance when we’re one on one. Sound good?”
“Only if you call me Brie during those times as well,” I offered, and he nodded. “What I wanted to ask is if it’s okay to leave the ranch with Logan? I think it’s good for kids to go places and explore sometimes. I also need to study up on some of his favorite characters.”
“Oh, of course. I support that entirely. You can use the new blue Compass in the driveway for anything you want to do with him,” Logan told me. “His seat is already in the back, and there’s a system for his movies in there as well. Logan needs to be distracted during a car ride sometimes.” Lance grimaced. “I’m going to finish up some fence work with the men, but Irene is here if you have any questions. Sarah is a great help as well.” He glanced at her. “Can you give her my number, Irene? I’d like to be reached if needed.”
“Sure thing,” Irene told him as he kissed Logan goodbye and left the house.
Chapter Five
I had Lance’s number in my phone by the end of the day. I wanted to help this single father as much as I could. I told myself to forget about how good-looking he was. I was his employee. I was here to start over with a family that just happened to live at this ranch. I still suspected that my aunt was playing matchmaker to some degree too, though she didn’t say anything to me about it.
I could just see the smirk in her eyes when she gave me his number. I could see the way that she looked at us when we were talking together about Logan from that day on. She wanted Lance to be my version of Michael. She was happy and in love.
The days passed easily with meal preparation and playing with Logan. He was such a fun kid to hang out with, and it was hard to believe that I was being paid so generously to watch him like this. It was the end of the week when I took him and Sarah into town to see the movie Finding Dory. I hoped I could love his favorite characters as much as he did.
I was used to groups of people with kids, but I had never been the one in charge and liked to be in the background, observing everyone else. Now it was all me. I parked the compact Jeep near the theater and we got Logan out of the car. He took each of our hands as we walked towards the small building, talking excitedly about the movie.
I bought our tickets with money that Lance had provided and stopped at the concession stand for popcorn and drinks. I knew that Logan was allowed treats from previous conversations even though all of the meals we served were healthy. We made our way to the theater and sat midway down the aisle.
Logan was so innocent in his enthusiasm. Sarah was great with him. I was getting attached to my cousin more and more by the day. I loved my aunt as well, and I wondered why Mom never let us meet one another while she was alive. Had they been awful people, I’d understand, but they were amazing and warm towards me. I hated that I felt resentment towards her for that, but it was there. I could’ve had them in my life for the last eighteen years.
I came back to the moment as I munched on buttery popcorn and sipped the lemonade that I was sharing with Sarah.
The movie started, and I glanced down at Logan as he stared at the screen. His brown eyes were riveted, and I decided to watch the movie from his point of view. I could let my guard down a little bit for the time being. The movie was funny and lighthearted, like any kid’s movie. I surprised myself by liking it as much as I did, laughing a lot as well as wiping a tear away a time or two. I watched Logan more than I did the screen at times.
I loved the entire experience, and I vowed to do the same every couple of weeks with Logan and Sarah too, if she wanted. It could be on weekends and, if Lance didn’t have plans, he could come too. It could be just Logan and I sometimes as well. I became more comfortable with him as the days went on. I knew that I could handle this.
I finished my first week successfully, and it was Friday evening when Lance approached me with a worried look on his face. “I had friends ask me to come to their rodeo tonight, and it’s going to run a little late for Logan. Would you mind staying here while I’m gone?”
I knew that it’d been a busy week as the men had faced some challenges at the ranc
h. I shook my head. Lance was too young to never go out. “Of course not. He’s had dinner so we can just hang out until he goes to bed.”
“Thank you, Brie.” Lance held my gaze for a moment and I felt my heart skip a beat. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Everyone deserves some time to themselves.” I knew that I sounded like I was ninety years old. I forced a smile on my face.
“When do you get that?” he asked as I tilted my head. “You watch Logan all day and help around here in addition to that. Have you gone out for fun just on your own at all?”
“It’s been a week, Lance. I’m sure I’ll get there. For now, though, I love the peace that comes along with this property. It’s worth its weight in gold,” I replied as I realized that I was starting to sound like my aunt – both her accent and her little sayings.
“I can’t argue with that,” he agreed as he reached for his cowboy hat hanging by the front door. I was starting to like cowboy hats. Especially when combined with great looks, an accent, and some of the best manners that I’d ever seen. All of the men I had met here so far were like that, though I had to admit that Lance was my favorite by far. “I’ll try not to be too late, Brie.”
“Don’t worry about that. Have fun! I know where to find my bed if I get tired,” I assured him. I was comfortable here now and, in fact, I found this place to be very homey. Lance had a lot of money, but he decorated his house simply with comfortable couches and furniture that could be dinged up. Perfect with a little kid around.
Logan and I went for a walk on the property. The sun was setting and we talked about the cows and the horses, Logan’s favorites out of all of the animals. This land still took my breath away. I found myself thinking that I might have been a country girl all along.
I took Logan back to the house and locked up before we settled in for a movie. I wondered if Lance was having a good time. I’d never been to a rodeo, but I was sure the girls were pretty and probably all over Lance, looking the way that he did. I wondered if the feeling in the pit of my stomach was jealousy. I quickly pushed the thought away. This was ridiculous. Lance was twenty-eight and I was only eighteen, not to mention his nanny.