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Then again—damn it—she could be the best idea ever .

Mia was so comfortable with Ella, and he sensed those feelings were reciprocated.

He was doomed. Though, actually accepting that fate wasn’t quite as hard to swallow as he’d thought.

But there’d be ground rules. His, at least. If he secretly found the nanny attractive, then he’d ensure she never knew it.

Rule number one: no dallying with the nanny.

Rule number two: never forget rule number one.

But he was getting ahead of himself. He hadn’t exactly employed her yet. And as always, she both puzzled and intrigued him. Nothing about her hinted that she had been alone and almost destitute.

“I don’t want to pry too deep, but I guess I need to ask about Benny’s father.” He shrugged. “I’m not keen on the idea of strange men turning up when I’m not here with my daughter.”

“That won’t ever be a problem.”

Was that regret? No, it was a deep sadness clearly evident in her eyes. “My husband was killed in a boating accident when Benny was only a few months old.”

He’d guessed maybe a painful separation. Maybe even an abusive situation. This, however, hit him hard—and was eerily close to home.

“Shi—” He bit back the expletive, wishing for words even mildly profound, feeling inadequate when none came to mind. “I’m sorry. That must have been rough…” Embarrassed by his pathetic offering especially when he’d been the recipient of so many awkward platitudes himself, he avoided her eyes.

Fiddling with his now-empty coffee mug, he only relaxed when she reached out to stroke Benny’s head, and her smile returned when the boy excitedly held out his drawing to her.

Her response was exactly what he expected, gushing enthusiasm. Her bond with her son was what he had with Mia, unconditional love and pride. And her relationship with Mia possessed a similar special quality. Which was what he’d been looking for but had been missing in all the other applicants.

“I guess the other question is can you juggle two kids? Two very little kids.” He looked up toward the soaring cathedral ceilings. “And this house?”

“When we initially spoke, you mentioned a housekeeper? A cleaning lady?”

He nodded. “Yeah, Bea—Beatrice—comes out from town twice a week. I’ll be keeping her on.

I guess I could get help with meals and laundry, especially when I might be gone for a few days, I have another property a few hours away.

And there are times it’s particularly busy on the ranch.

” He shrugged. “Harvesting, stuff like that.”

Her laugh took his breath. “Leo, mothers—and fathers for that matter—all over the world juggle way more than this. People have twins. Thanks to the generous support you’ve offered, I think we, me and my two little charges, can manage perfectly well.

So, if this is a job offer, you can hold off on calling in extra troops.

” He went to interrupt, but she held up one hand to cut him off.

“If I need them, I’ll let you know, but for now, I think we’d be okay. ”

He held her gaze, taking her point, bar one small detail. “I think the point of difference between you and those other harried mamas and papas out there doing it hard is that they’re doing it for their own children. That’s not going to be the case for you, though, is it?”

*

His question hit with a painful thud and Ella worked hard to maintain the confident smile she’d kept in place so far.

Of course, he was referring to Mia not being her biological child, which was true.

But it hit too near to the truth; the secret she held close, and she clamped down on the fear that surged every time hints regarding the truth surfaced.

Facts that must be kept closely guarded.

Swallowing, she took the high road, “You think I’d prioritize Benny over Mia? That if I had to choose one or the other in a dire emergency, I’d choose him ?”

“Wouldn’t any parent?”

“If we substituted the word parent for compassionate human being, would that question still hold? Wouldn’t any caring person endeavor to make whatever optimal choices were available to them? Do everything to save both ?”

He looked uneasy. Good.

“No, course not—all I’m saying is that the parental bond is like this nonnegotiable deal you make with your kid; that instinct, subconscious instincts , would come to the fore. Any parent would act without thought and grab their own child.”

“Are you asking me to sacrifice my son in such a situation?” When he blustered his denial, she shut him down.

“Then I suggest we let this go. You’re talking about horrific scenarios that, of course could happen , but I’m telling you that I would do everything— everything —in my power to ensure both our children were safe, cared for, and loved—because apart from being a mother I am a compassionate human being.

” She paused for air, but she wasn’t finished.

“But you know, crap happens, life happens, and I am merely human. Ergo, if you want a nanny with superhuman powers then I’m not your girl.

So, we’d better be clear on that point right now before we go any further. ”

She wanted to spear more ice his way, but both children seemed to sense the tension. Jiggling Mia, she held her a bit firmer and kissed the top of her head, simultaneously reaching to tickle Benny and soothe him with a smile.

She turned back to see Leo staring at her, agog. “Did, did you just—like—bawl me out? While I was interviewing you? ”

Unfazed she raised both eyebrows. “I believe I did. And be warned, I won’t hesitate to do it again.

That’s another thing I believe we should clear up.

If you want a subservient nanny, I am not the woman for the job.

I will not interfere in your life, but I will also not hold back if something is relevant to the children. ”

He blew out air. “Okay…” Shaking his head. “Right… Okay… Good to know where we stand.” He rose to make more coffee, muttering about maybe needing something stronger, accepting her refusal of both—even though she wasn’t sure the latter offer had included her.

She watched him expertly maneuver the stainless-steel coffee machine built into its own nook in the modern kitchen, determinedly ignoring the way his soft jeans hugged his butt, and forced herself to look around.

Leo’s was the newest home on the Lazy H, completed only last summer, its sleek lines and modern exterior strangely not out of place in rural Montana.

Inside this home though, was a different story, and testament to how his life had recently been turned on its tail.

The house was barely furnished, which accounted for all the family gathering being hosted in other homes on the ranch.

The sprawling family room that flowed from the kitchen, sported only an area rug and assorted baby paraphernalia, along with a two-seat sofa and a giant television screen, to go with a lovely fireplace.

From her perch she could see into part of what she assumed was the formal living room with its plush carpeting, which was devoid of any furnishings at all.

Despite the use of natural materials,—golden river rock chimney walls and focal statement areas, glorious marble and warm-toned wood, the house felt lonely and soulless, cold despite the more than adequate heating—and that made her sad.

It was evident Leo was doing his best after being tossed in to the deep end of fatherhood, and the indignation she’d felt moments before began to melt away.

Leo’s sister Joey had shared his story of discovering he was daddy to a six-month-old, and losing the woman he’d loved at the exact same time. Besides which, he’d had a long recovery after a rodeo accident.

That said, he’d healed very well. Very, very well…

And thankfully he’d sustained no damage to his face.

Or if he had, his plastic surgeon must have been a god among surgeons.

Like his brothers, Leo Halligan was a looker.

To her mind, possibly the best looking of them all.

The other two wore their nature-given gifts more openly somehow.

Leo, on the other hand was slower to reveal himself—but when he did, whoa…

It was time to hold onto your socks or be blown right away.

It had crossed her mind, given her reaction to him, accepting the position might be a bad idea, but in every other way the job was perfect.

Absolutely perfect, even aside from the fact she already loved little Mia.

And besides, Leo Halligan would be so well used to women falling over themselves for him, that even if she ever slipped up, he probably wouldn’t notice.

That rationale mightn’t have worked for most people, but if they were as desperate as she was, they’d make it work, just like she intended to do.

That desperation was one reason she partly regretted her outburst of a moment before.

The last thing she needed was for him to find reason to deem her unsuitable.

But then again, his question had been not only unreasonable, it was insulting.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t understood where it had come from.

And yes, maybe she’d been a bit sensitive because his question honed right in to her most vulnerable spot.

But even thinking it over, she wouldn’t have changed her response.

If he really didn’t like it, so be it.

Breath held, she watched his return to the island counter.

Elbows firmly planted, he cupped his mug with both hands, forcing the black T-shirt he was wearing to pull tight across shoulders that begged to be admired.

Not to be outdone, those well-matched biceps bunched as he lifted the mug to his lips, and she was grateful that the action concealed the full expanse of his impressive chest. It was a very distracting view.