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I t turns out that saying yes to bringing Ziggy home was the right decision.

I almost told Birdie no when she called in a panic on my way home earlier, since I wasn’t sure how Jensen would feel about a goat running around.

But when she started to beg, and her voice wavered as she fought back tears, I caved.

She has the biggest heart, and when she’s fighting for something small and helpless, it’s impossible not to rally behind her.

Jensen and I are on the back porch watching Caleb and Ziggy play in the grass. Mostly, Ziggy keeps gently headbutting Caleb’s shins while he laughs like it’s the best game ever. Judging by the stunned look on Jensen’s face, this is the happiest he’s seen him.

“Thanks for introducing Caleb to Ziggy,” he finally says, breaking the silence. “Who would’ve guessed a baby goat could get him to open up like this?” He motions to Caleb, kneeling on the ground as Ziggy climbs into his lap.

“It’s good to see him easing into things,” I say with a smile.

“Today’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh,” Jensen whispers, his gaze fixed on the ground .

I place a hand on his arm, waiting until his eyes find mine. “It’s beautiful.”

My heart aches for him. One minute, he was a bachelor, running a successful tech empire, and the next, he’s raising a son he didn’t know existed until a couple of weeks ago. He’s at the mercy of circumstances he never saw coming and has been forced to figure things out as he goes.

Jensen’s eyes flicker to my hand resting on his forearm, lingering for a beat before meeting mine with something unguarded and intense, sending heat to my cheeks. I ease my hand back, praying he didn’t notice my reluctance to let go.

I clear my throat, forcing a casual tone. “How did the open house go?”

He leans back, bracing his palms against the concrete. “Fine. He didn’t engage much with the other kids, but Julie thinks he’ll come around.”

“What do you think?”

I shift to face him, drawing my legs to my chest and resting my head on my knee while waiting for his reply. Jensen’s face tightens, and just when I wonder if I’ve overstepped, he answers.

“It’s tempting to shield Caleb from every challenge, but I know it won’t benefit him in the long run.

After talking with his therapist and from what I’ve observed myself, I think the most growth will happen when he’s able to step outside his comfort zone and learn to trust again.

Right now, everything around him is strange and unfamiliar, but I’m hopeful that he has the resilience to overcome the painful adjustment and can start his healing journey.

” He glances across the yard where Caleb grins as he pets Ziggy, now curled up in his lap.

“It won’t be easy to stand on the sidelines and let him spend hours at camp, but having Julie around if he needs anything makes it more manageable. ”

I’m not surprised by his sentiment. Julie has been a haven for so many kids in Bluebell—Jensen and me included. She’s my inspiration for wanting to create a nonprofit where I can provide a safe, healing space for kids, including those with emotional scars.

I’ve offered a few pop-up events that have been at capacity, but the long-term vision is to offer seasonal camps and year-round therapeutic horseback riding at the ranch to help kids build trust, self-assurance, and learn emotional regulation.

There’s a vacant stretch of land near the cow pastures that Heath offered for the center I want to build on.

But I’m holding off until I can fund the project myself.

It’s important that I prove I can do it on my own.

Given my mom’s history of taking advantage of people in this town, the last thing I want is to be seen as someone coasting on the Halsteads’ name or looking for handouts.

This is why I live in the cottage in exchange for making improvements, save every penny I make from managing the cabins, and help out around the ranch.

Jensen pushes up from his hands, shifting forward, rubbing them together before folding his arms. “Listen, I have a proposition for you, and I want you to hear me out before you answer.”

I sit up straight, resting my hands on my knees. “Intriguing. Do go on.”

“I’ve been on leave since I learned about Caleb, but I can’t put work off much longer. The plan is to work remotely from the cottage, which means I’ll need someone to watch him in the afternoons once camp lets out at noon.”

“Is this the part where you offer me a job I didn’t apply for?” I say, though I’m only half joking.

Jensen runs a hand through his hair, looking uneasy. “I am,” he admits. “Julie suggested you as a possibility and said Heath could probably spare you for the summer if you’re open to it,” he adds quickly.

“What about the daycare on Main Street? Mama Julie’s friend runs it, and I bet she’d make room for Caleb.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not comfortable leaving Caleb with someone who may not be sympathetic to his situation,” he explains .

I bite down on my bottom lip, conflicted. “I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

It could be my imagination, but I swear Jensen’s expression falters with disappointment. “Do you mind me asking what’s holding you back? Is it the pay? I’ll match what I’d offer someone in New York, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

I shake my head. “It’s not about the money.”

Heath pays me more than he should to manage the cabins and lend a hand around the ranch. Thanks to his generosity, within a couple of years, I should have enough to break ground on the first building of my children’s sanctuary.

“What’s your hesitation, then?” he questions.

“For starters, I’ve never been a nanny before. Sure, I’ve babysat, but the stakes were never this high.”

Offering comfort to a grieving child in small doses is familiar territory, but stepping into a role where I’m partly responsible for their care is daunting.

I know I’m capable, especially with my experience working with a local nonprofit that helps young children who’ve been through trauma, and have hosted several camps for kids at the ranch, but it’s different with Caleb.

It’s one thing to be with him under Jensen’s watchful eye. It’s another to be the person entrusted with his son’s well-being when he’s not around. Caleb’s been through so much already and is the sweetest little boy. I would never forgive myself if I let him down.

Jensen’s brows knit together, a subtle crease forming as if he’s puzzled by my response.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Briar. You’re more than qualified in the ways that matter most. You can’t fake the compassion and empathy you’ve shown Caleb,” he says in earnest. “He doesn’t need perfection.

Hell, I’m far from it myself. But he does deserve someone who shows up every day and won’t give up on him. And I’m convinced that person is you.”

I blink at him, unsure if I heard him right. After admitting I lack the experience I figured he wanted, I expected him to dismiss the idea of me being Caleb’s nanny. Not try to talk me into it like it’s the only option that makes sense.

“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I have to admit I’m not used to being on this side of a pep talk,” I say with a chuckle.

Usually, I’m the one offering words of encouragement, not the one quietly soaking them up.

“I better keep going until I convince you that you’re the right person for the job,” Jensen states with a smile, undeterred from his mission at hand. “What are your other reservations?”

I hesitate, nibbling on my lower lip. “My schedule is pretty full. After I do my rounds at the cabins in the morning, I have a few ranch duties in the afternoons.”

My plan for the summer had been simple: save every penny I could for my center and spend long hours renovating the cottage.

I’ve only managed to tackle one or two projects every few months, and I was hoping to make real progress before the fall.

But suddenly, that feels almost trivial compared to helping Caleb.

Jensen tilts his head, watching me carefully before answering. “I’d take Caleb to camp in the mornings and relieve you in the early evenings after work. And like I said earlier, Julie mentioned that Heath would understand if you couldn’t help him in the afternoons for a while.”

There’s a hint of vulnerability in Jensen’s eyes, something I assume is rare for someone used to getting his way. I’m sure he doesn’t hear the word no often, especially with all the power and influence he must wield.

“You’re sure you don’t want to explore other options?”

He shakes his head, taking my hands in his. “I mean it when I say there’s no one better suited to be Caleb’s nanny. He deserves the best, and that’s you.” His gaze holds mine as butterflies stir in my belly. “I’ll beg if that’s what it takes.”

My attention drifts to our hands clasped together, and the undeniable chemistry simmering between us. The warmth of his touch is like a soothing balm, distracting me from staying focused on our conversation.

“I’m not asking for me,” Jensen whispers when I don’t respond. “This is for Caleb.”

Damn him.

Of course he’d say the one thing guaranteed to make the rest of my resolve crumble.

Saying no to someone who needs my help has never been my strong suit, especially not when it’s a child who’s already lost so much.

That’s why I’m one breath away from giving in, even if it means adjusting my summer plans and opening up my heart to a little boy who’ll be gone by the end of summer.

Because the idea of handing him off to someone else feels like an abandonment, and I don’t think I can do that.

“If I’m going to be Caleb’s nanny, I expect room to make judgment calls,” I explain. “I’ll always keep you in the loop, but I need you to trust that I have his best interests at heart, too.”

Jensen moves one hand to his jaw, brushing his thumb against his scruff. “Of course, I trust you. I’ll want regular check-ins when you’re not at the cottage, but I’ll do my best to step back and give you the freedom to make decisions.”

The honesty in his voice is sincere, and I believe he’s willing to make a real effort, even if giving up control doesn’t seem to come naturally to him.

With his other hand still wrapped around mine, he gives it a gentle squeeze. “So does that mean you’ll do it?”

I smile. “Yes, I’ll be Caleb’s nanny.”

Relief washes over his face, the tension easing from his shoulders. “That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say. Caleb’s going to be so happy when I share the news.”

At that moment, my doubts fade away, replaced by a calm certainty that this is the right decision for all of us. Now if only I could ignore the way my stomach flips every time Jensen touches me.