Page 18 of A Rancher's Heart

She closed her notepad with a smack just as Caleb returned to the room.

He glanced at the table, hesitating before clearing his throat. “It looks good, but we usually eat breakfast at the island. It might be better—”

Tamara held up a hand. “You’re right. I’m not looking to mess with their routine. It’s enough of a change for me to be here.”

“I should have warned you.” His shoulders relaxed in relief, and he helped her grab the plates and move them to the island. “If we’ve got more than four for breakfast, we do eat at the table. It’s just that usually it’s only me and the girls, and when Ginny is here, she joins in at the side.”

“Which side?” Tamara asked, thinking back to yesterday’s faux pas with sitting in Ginny spot.

Caleb’s thoughts must’ve gone there as well. He pointed to the far end of the island. “There.”

Tamara placed her plate on the opposite end of the counter, moving to adjust the stools. “Then I’ll sit over here. It’s a small enough change.”

Caleb took his cup and went for another cup, sniffing the new stronger batch she’d made with appreciation before settling into the chair next to where she intended to sit.

There was no time to feel awkward because an instant later Sasha and Emma rushed into the room. They tossed their backpacks on the dining room table before they turned and stopped dead, examining Tamara.

That ever-present suspicion was strong in Sasha’s eyes, as if Tamara was going to sprout horns and grab a pitchfork at any moment.

Caleb seemed oblivious. He slid off his stool and opened his arms. “I thought you two were hibernating for the winter.”

They scooted in for a hug before climbing on what had to be their usual stools.

“Anybody want a fried egg, and if yes, how do you want them?” She pointed at Caleb. “And unless you change your mind all the time, I should be able to get it right after you’ve told me once.”

Caleb reached for a biscuit and the jam. “Sunny side up, if you can.”

“Emma and I want ours cooked all the way through, not yucky like Daddy’s.”

Tamara glanced at Emma but she was reaching for a bowl and the cereal, so Tamara went with it. “Sunny side up, and two not yucky, otherwise known as over-hard. Got it.”

She put the food together, including one for herself, then joined them. Other than watching Emma make longing eyes at Caleb and her plates, the rest of breakfast went off without a hitch.

It was the calm before the storm, followed by the mad rush of brushing teeth, gathering school supplies and forgotten homework, then she and Caleb walked the girls to the front road just in time for the yellow bus to appear on the main highway.

“You have to put the shelter up soon, Daddy. It’s going to start snowing, and we need our castle to hide in,” Sasha informed him.

“I’ll put it on the to-do list.” He ruffled Emma’s curls and gave Sasha’s ponytail a tug before kissing them both and sending them on the bus.

The bus driver eyed Tamara curiously before glancing at Caleb. “Going to have snow before the week’s out,” he warned, an echo of Sasha’s words. “Better make sure the girls are bundled up tight.”

Caleb mostly grunted in response. He gestured to Tamara. “Dan, this is Tamara, the girls’ nanny. She’ll be the one meeting the bus most days. She’s okay.”

“See you this afternoon.” Dan glanced back into the bus before closing the doors and heading into town.

A moment later, Caleb took his leave as well. “If you need me, my cell number is on the fridge. You don’t have to worry about lunch. I’ll eat with the crew since it’s Walker’s first day back.”

He tipped his hat then strode across the grass toward the barns without another word.

Tamara watched him go, giving in to the urge to admire the view.

It was a truth that had to be admitted—the man looked good coming or going.