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T wo days later, Ella discovered she’d been correct about the lack of furniture to the extent she was surprised to find a bed in the bedroom she’d been allocated. The whole place was empty but for the absolute basic of basics which gave over to her wondering again about how he lived his life.

Certainly, how they’d all manage now he had two more people living in with him in what was almost a spartan-like existence.

Because living here she would be. She and Benny, twenty-four-seven, as the expression went.

That decision along with her hours and remuneration—very generous—weren’t the only things they’d hammered out.

Although Leo didn’t really need a nanny for the nights, he suggested they move into the house with he and Mia, to make it easier on Benny.

His argument had made sense, and she was gratefully surprised at his consideration of her circumstances.

So, here she was. Moving in hadn’t been a huge hassle.

They had only their clothing and Benny’s baby needs, the larger of which were all able to be folded for transport.

And she’d soon familiarized herself with Mia’s routine, the house, and making plans to structure both children’s needs into each day.

The house was massive, diligently considered and she wondered how much his childhood home had influenced his decisions.

The farmhouse he’d grown up in—now home to his eldest brother JD and his fiancée Evie—was, while very traditional, spacious with big rooms ready to accommodate large family gatherings and a load of bedrooms set over the two levels above the main living areas. Three levels in all.

Traditional wouldn’t be the way she’d have described this place.

Maybe modern farmhouse? Though mansion seemed to fit better than farmhouse, even though that was what it was supposed to be.

However, the spacious rooms, multiple living areas and six bedrooms upstairs certainly led her to wonder if Leo had also designed this house for a large family. His intended large family? But now?

Ella knew what it was to lose someone she loved, maybe not the same kind of love that Leo had probably felt, but a loss is a loss.

But to have assumed you’d fill a home with laughing children with the partner of your dreams, only to have that ripped away?

Her heart felt heavy every time she thought of what he must have suffered.

It was definitely a house meant for a family, though.

Now, with both children down for a nap, and Leo for once not hovering, she set off to explore the lower level she’d not yet had a chance to get to.

Though vast, it was kind of a half level that followed the contour of the land and was accessed from the main living area.

Lights automatically illuminated the carpeted stairs as soon as she opened the door.

She’d expected it to be cold, but the heating was working down here as well.

The room at the bottom opened up to an area with a huge burnt orange sectional sofa facing a television almost as big as the wall, a pool table off to the side and a wet bar complete with swivel stools, all ready for someone to sidle up and order their favorite tipple.

Off to the far side, a light hung low over what she guessed was a poker table—or at least a games table.

She had yet to learn what his favorite card game might be, and wondered if it would gel with hers.

Though why she imagined they’d be playing games together was anyone’s guess.

Well, those games, anyway. Since she’d first met him several weeks earlier, her libido had envisioned many other games that one might play with Leo Halligan…

Pulling her head back into the light-bathed room, she saw that the whole back wall was glass, opening up on a low terrace—now scattered with snow mounds that the early afternoon sun hadn’t yet melted—of crazy paving in river-stone like the builders had used upstairs.

It was almost dazzling to look across the expanse to the view beyond.

The stand of tall cypress; the majestic mountains further back, the dark brooding clouds doing an excellent job of obliterating the patches of blue sky that battled to penetrate their cover.

She let her gaze sweep the space one last time.

“Great space—but why is this area furnished and not the rest?” She was talking to no one, merely muttering her rather astonished thoughts, when she heard a noise behind her.

“Pretty crazy, right?”

Given his behavior since she’d arrived, his presence shouldn’t have startled her, but it did, and she—hopefully—used that as a cover for the quick flash of heat that flooded her face.

It was something she hated about her complexion, and she’d learned no amount of decorum training or applied self-control could regulate that annoying response.

Though while she may not feel calm, she could certainly sound that way.

“Astonishingly crazy is possibly closer to what I was thinking,” she said cooly.

She turned to see him standing at the bottom of the stairs, lounging against the railing.

He nodded. “I guess I can accept that. It wasn’t meant to happen this way.

” He sighed, lifted a hand to indicate the plush sectional sofa, following her across and joining her once she’d settled.

She was acutely aware of him watching as she pulled two cellphone-sized baby monitors out of the back pockets of her jeans.

Placing them on the sofa beside her, she allowed herself a sigh of relief that he’d left a generous space between them.

“Strangely enough, I have no trouble believing that.” she replied, proud to have hidden her slightly perturbed state.

He quirked a brow. “Apart from when Dad had his heart attack, I was hardly home over the past few years. I was hitting the rodeo circuit hard. Wringing out every last dime. Setting myself up. I was building a property portfolio with my brother Jack, but also literally building this place, this house. From afar, really,” he added.

“Dad and my brothers were overseeing the work as time allowed, and I couldn’t wait to get home to thank them; christen the place.

So, I ordered all this stuff and had it delivered and set up ready for my return.

It was going to be a boys’ night—Dad, my brothers, my cousin Cody, and a few friends and ranch hand buddies.

” He mussed that thick, dark hair that she was sure must have been curly when he’d been a kid, and she itched to reach out and smooth the bits that still stuck up.

“And it was all working out, but then things kind went awry.”

“Your accident? Losing your partner. Hope? I’ve gleaned a little of the story from the family. It’s awful.”

Again, he nodded. “Yeah… And I’d sure picked the worst time to get banged up. I learned about Hope and Mia when I was in hospital… There was so much going on. Hope needed me and the daughter I hadn’t even known existed needed me, and I kind of felt I was useless to them both.”

“Not the way I heard it.” Against all better judgment, she slid a bit closer, her voice little more than a whisper.

“The story as I heard it told of the man who pulled out all the tubes, discharged himself from the hospital, and dragged himself across the country to be with the woman he loved. I was told you were there for her in those last days; to assure her you would care for and love your daughter. Not much in that story screams useless to me, Leo. Just the opposite.” She sucked in air, braved reaching out a hand to squeeze his arm; feeling the muscles beneath her fingertips cord and bunch.

“Not everyone would find the strength to do that, and it must have been so heartbreaking to have finally found Hope again, only to lose her forever.”

His head dropped back against the back of the sofa.

His eyes narrowed as though trying to see through two upper floors to where his daughter slept peacefully in her crib.

“It’s Mia I mostly worry about,” he said quietly, his voice a low rumble.

“She’s got the best aunties and best grandmother and a whole community of people who love her and will look out for her, but it’s not the same as a mom, right? ”

She shrugged. “Sure, two loving parents, who wouldn’t want that for their child?

But if that can’t happen? Then one parent who loves that child with every atom of their being, is just as good.

” She swallowed deeply. “And if you’re fortunate enough to be able to provide strong role models—which Mia has in spades—than that’s a bonus. At least that’s what I believe.”

Her voice had dropped toward the end, and she subtly opened up the space between them again.

Leo glanced sideways. “And you damn well should believe that. You’re doing a great job with Benny, Ella. He’s a fantastic little kid, and funny like his mama.”

Benny was great. But like his mama? Forcing back a lump that suddenly and determinedly jammed her throat she hastened to lift the mood and strove to look amused. “You think my boy is developing my carefully cultivated, and very English brand of sarcastic comebacks? Then job well done, I’d say.”

Her ploy seemed to have worked, and his expression brightened.

It was a pattern they were falling into and one she wanted to continue.

She’d always found easy laughter and the ability to not take oneself too seriously very sexy.

However, Leo was a double threat, because while their nonsensical conversations might make her heart flutter and encourage other organs to join in, when he was serious, deeper, like he’d been now, her entire body didn’t even wait for the invitation. It was all in .

Besides, sparring with Leo was fun—and she hadn’t had a lot of that of late.

“Nah…” He responded, not batting an eyelid. “The kid’s much funnier. Much wittier. Got way more style.”