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“Tate said his grandfather pays well.”

“But what does that really mean?”

“It will be fine.”

“See, this is why I worry about you. You work at a bank. Wages and benefits should have been your first question.”

Was she really being as foolhardy as Harper seemed to think she was?

No… probably. But only time would tell.

Chapter Seven

The great room windows offered Tate a glimpse of the long driveway, so that’s where he sat late Sunday afternoon, even though he’d mostly moved into a three-bedroom unit a few hundred yards up the road. He’d keep a toy garage and a basket of cars at the lodge for Jamie, who was obsessed with wheels.

“You’re pathetic.”

“Thanks, bro.” Tate spared a glance for Bryce. “I appreciate your sensitive nature.”

Max guffawed. “You’re watching for your lady love.”

“I’m watching for Jamie’s nanny. She knows the way here, but not to the staff housing complex.”

“Hummingbird Lane. I can’t believe Grandfather is keeping the ridiculous names the Smiths bestowed on the ranch.”

Tate shrugged. “It could be worse.”

“Not sure how.”

“Vroom!” Jamie pushed an Army Jeep across the hardwood floor.

Tate caught a glimpse of gray between the trees. “Ah, there she is now. Time to put the cars away, shorty.” He reached for a truck that had rolled under his chair.

Jamie’s lip came out in a pout.

“You’re whisking her straight off to your love nest?”

“For the last time, would you shut it? She’s Jamie’s nanny. I’m not the kind of guy to sleep around. You know that.”

“Can’t deny she’s pretty.”

“She can be pretty and a nanny. There’s no law against it.” Tate scooped a few stray vehicles and tossed them into the basket. Then he hoisted Jamie to his hip and strode to the door just as Stephanie pulled to a stop.

She rolled down her window. “Where am I going?”

“It’s not far. Just follow me.” He tossed Jamie in the SUV’s front seat, not bothering to buckle the kid in for this short jaunt at low speed. Did that make him a terrible guardian? Probably.

A moment later he pulled in beside a cedar-sided cabin and waved Stephanie to the parking spot on the other side of the building. He grabbed Jamie and met her outside.

“I brought pizza!”

“Thanks. That sounds good.” All she’d said in her text was that she was bringing dinner. In fact, she hadn’t said much at all since he’d dropped her off at the house she shared with Harper on Wednesday evening.

Stephanie looked appraisingly at the duplex then around the other homes nearby. She took a deep breath and offered him a tentative smile.

“Having second thoughts?” Tate had no idea what he’d do if she bailed on him, since he was due a meeting with Grandfather and Graham at 8:30 the next morning to outline their first official steps.

“No. But I’ll admit it’s a big change.”