style="font-size:15px;"> A weak winter sun spilled through French doors and gleamed on the two dark heads bent close together. Mariah’s face was a study in attentiveness, soaking up the attention from her daddy. Ryan was in profile, his angled jaw free from the stubble of last night, his firm, sensual lips in motion. His mouth fascinated her and she tried hard not to imagine that he was probably a dynamite kisser. When the corners tipped up to smile at his daughter, she nearly swooned. Gone was any hint of the despair she’d imagined last night. Exhaustion and imagination could be the only sensible explanation for Ryan’s odd reaction to her silly comment about pregnancy.
Gone, too, was last night’s deliciously rumpled traveler. This morning he looked polished and professional. Unfortunately, he also looked every bit as yummy.
She felt like the governess mooning over the lord of the manor in one of those gothic novels. A most disconcerting flutter of awareness invaded Kelsey’s being. That would not do. It would not do at all. Wasn’t she supposed to be immune to good-looking, successful men after what happened with Mark?
As if he felt her stares, Ryan glanced up. The remnant of his smile was still in place. She smiled back, fighting a blush because of her wayward thoughts.
“Good morning. I see you survived the night.” Amusement danced in his eyes. She wrinkled her nose at him and he laughed. “There’s fresh coffee in the carafe if you’d like some.”
With a shake of her head, Kelsey touched her tummy. “No thank you.”
Though she was long past morning sickness, her stomach had tangled into a thousands knots. Might as well face it. She’d have to be very careful around Ryan Storm. Something about him disturbed her in a dangerously elemental way. To make matters worse, she felt obligated to him. Neither feeling sat well. But she also firmly believed Mariah needed her, and right now, Kelsey needed to be needed. She and her baby also needed this job.
“Join us then,” Ryan said, pulling out a chair next to his. “I’d like to get things settled quickly and get to the office.”
“You’re going in to your office this morning?” She’d expected him to stick around and observe her with Mariah today.
“Daddy’s time is very valuable,” Mariah said gravely.
Well, so was everyone’s. Wasn’t time with his child valuable, too? His attitude wiped away any thoughts of how hot he was.
“I’ve already checked your references, which are excellent by the way.”
“I knew that,” she groused. The fact that he was up early after minimal sleep, checking references and looking so good added to her irritation. She still felt like roadkill and probably looked worse.
Ryan didn’t seem to notice. He pushed the computer printout toward her. “Mariah and I were going over the list of duties and responsibilities. I’ll leave those for you to look over. If you have any questions, my office number is there as well as my private cell. Do not give that to anyone.”
As if she would.
“Here’s Mariah’s schedule.”
“Schedule?”
“Janine worked out a schedule of study so Mariah could make the most of her time.”
Kelsey had a feeling she and Janine would not have gotten along. “But she’s only six. Why don’t you let us play it by ear for a few days and then decide exactly what course of action we want to take?”
“I want her educated, Kelsey. That’s why I hired a teacher. Just stick to the schedule and we’ll get along fine.” The words were mild, but the meaning was tempered with steel. She was not to question his authority. And she shouldn’t, of course. Mariah was his child.
“Okay. I can do that.” She hoped.
“I’ve also left full instructions about the alarm system and other household concerns. A housekeeper comes in daily. She’ll prepare lunch, take care of the house and prepare dinner before leaving. Her name is Abilena Rueda. How’s your Spanish?”
“Poor to nonexistent.”
“Abilena understands a bit of English, but if you need her to do something, tell Mariah. Her Spanish is coming along fairly well.”
“Daddy bought me some CDs,” Mariah said proudly. “Acquiring a foreign language has become a necessity in today’s global market. Isn’t that right, Daddy?”
Ryan got that helpless look on his face again. The one that said Mariah’s intellect both pleased and frightened him. “That’s right, peanut. Knowledge is power.”
Returning his attention to Kelsey, he pointed to a number on one of the sheets of paper. “Is the salary sufficient?”
Kelsey squinted, her contacts still a little watery. When the numbers focused in, she gasped. “Sufficient? Ryan, with this amount I can begin to pay off some of my—” She caught herself in time to keep from blurting out the painful truth of her finances.
But Ryan was every bit as bright as his child. His gaze narrowed as he studied her face. “If you need money just say so. Finances are not a problem here.”
Heat rushed up the back of her neck. Money didn’t used to be a problem with her either, but times change. “I can take care of it.”
“I want your focus on teaching Mariah, not on worrying about finances. If you need money, tell me.”
Humiliated but also grateful, she said, “That’s kind of you, Ryan. Really. But I can handle it.”
“Sure?” He seemed sincerely concerned.
“I have some old debts from the move. No big deal. Don’t worry. I have everything under control.” Right, and she could run the Boston marathon in five minutes in high heels.
“All right. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.” He took another sip of his coffee and pushed away from the table to slip into his jacket. “I’ll see you lovely ladies later.” He glanced at his daughter. “That’s called alliteration—lovely ladies later.”
“Alliteration.” Mariah savored the word on her tongue as if it was good chocolate.
“Kelsey can teach you more about that.”
“Cool.” Mariah hopped down from her chair and followed him through the kitchen, through the foyer to the front door where he crouched down for a hug.
Kelsey had followed the pair, though she didn’t know why, and the sweet moment between father and daughter squeezed her heart. He might be clueless, but Ryan appeared to be a caring daddy.
Three days later, as she checked Mariah’s schedule, Kelsey was having second thoughts about Ryan Storm’s parenting skills. It was six o’clock and the man had not yet appeared. Again. And the child was still studying as if she were taking the bar exam in the morning.
By now, their schedule was practically memorized and Mariah knew it better than Kelsey did. After all, Miss Janine, who Kelsey did not like at all, had manufactured this form of child torture some time ago. Mariah seldom complained, but an occasional sigh told the tale. Janine’s regimented,
