have a dad. I just assumed he was—You know.”
“He’s alive and well. I need this job because it allows me to save money on child care. Even if I could find it now. All the good camp programs are full by the time summer starts.”
“What about her dad?”
“I support Emily by myself.”
“He doesn’t see her or help out?”
The mingled surprise and outrage in his voice startled P.J. Earlier she had thought him slipshod and actually called him irresponsible. Geez, she didn’t know what to make of this man who was obviously steamed about Emily’s absentee father.
Thoughts of Dave Kirkland steamed her up too. Annoyance vibrated through P.J., pushing her to her feet. “I don’t want him seeing my daughter.”
“Did he hurt her?” His voice was just this side of an angry growl.
“Not physically.” She folded her arms over her chest, wondering why she was going to tell him. There was no reason she should, but the words still came pouring out. “He’s a charming, good-looking airhead. Flaky as a French pastry.”
“What did he do?”
“It’s more what he didn’t do. He was forever making plans to see Em and not showing up. I couldn’t stand to see the disappointment on her little face when he broke promise after promise.” She wrapped a strand of hair around her finger and was irritated to see that her hand was trembling. “To his credit, he was the one who decided to bow out and stop hurting her. At least he knew his limitations.”
“How did Emily take it?”
“It’s been a couple years since she’s seen him. She appears to have accepted the situation.” Better than I did in her shoes, P.J. thought. But thinking of her daughter made her smile. “Sometimes she seems far too mature for her age.”
“That so?” he said.
She glanced at him. “She’s had to grow up fast, maybe too fast. Sometimes I wish she could be a completely carefree kid.”
“You? Miss Take-Your-Responsibilities-Seriously.”
She grinned sheepishly. “I’m sorry if I came on a little preachy. I just like kids. I believe every one deserves a chance.”
“So do I. With someone else.”
Puzzled, she shook her head. “You’re so cynical. Beats the heck out of me why Emily’s taken such a shine to you.”
“Me?” he asked, sounding shocked. “She has?”
“Just ask her.”
“No, thanks.”
His rigid posture drew P.J.’s gaze to the impressive width of his shoulders and chest in his plaid work shirt. Moonlight accentuated his rugged face and the frown he wore so comfortably. The pain she saw in his eyes tore at her. He was clearly a man in conflict.
He looked at her. “That little girl’s had enough heartbreak. She shouldn’t go asking for trouble from this cowboy.” He shook his head. “It’s like you said earlier, at least I know when I’m in over my head.”
P.J. appreciated his honesty and sensitivity. On the other hand, she wondered why he would head for the hills, emotionally speaking, because a little girl had a small case of hero worship.
She shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to get involved with any man. Especially a handsome, complicated, mysterious cowboy. On the one-to-ten danger scale, Cade McKendrick came in a whopping fifteen. His problems were his business. Her problem was this job.
“So the boys arrive tomorrow?”
“That’s right,” he said.
She sat down on the swing again and moved slowly back and forth. “This is a wonderful thing your father started.”
He heaved himself away from the porch railing and set his hat back on his head. Turning away, he tucked his fingertips beneath his arms and stared out toward the ranch buildings. “If you say so.”
“You don’t think it is?”
“It’s not that. I’m just the wrong man for the job.”
“Apparently he didn’t agree.”
He laughed, but it was a bitter, chilling sound. “He was determined that those boys not be disappointed.”
“You sound surprised at that.”
“I am.” He turned and walked over to the swing, sitting down beside her. “Even more than his manipulation.”
“Manipulation?”
“He knew how much I love this ranch. He was counting on that to get his way.”
“Why did he feel emotional blackmail was necessary? This project was obviously important to him. Why couldn’t he simply ask his only son to fulfill his dying request?”
She shifted her position on the swing and her thigh brushed against his. Ignoring the flash of heat and sparks, she forced herself to concentrate on the man beside her.
“He couldn’t forgive me for being less than perfect.”
“I’m sure he loved you, Cade.” A man altruistic enough to give delinquent teens another chance would surely care about his own son.
Cade’s mouth turned up in a bitter smile. “How could you understand? I bet your idea of doing something wrong is whispering in church, or not making your bed every day.”
“You certainly have a strong opinion of me based on several hours acquaintance.” She frowned at him. “Do you really believe I’m that one-dimensional?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll have you know I got into my share of trouble.”
Genuine amusement glinted in his eyes and relaxed the tension in his body. “Oh yeah? Define trouble.”
She thought hard. “All right. I’ve got one. There was the time I was necking in the driveway with Bill Perkins. My brother came out, tapped on the car window, and told me to get in the house.”
He laughed. “I bet that put a crimp in your social life for a spell.”
“I was grounded for a month. Can you top that?”
“Lady, you don’t want to know.”
“Try me. I’m not the Miss Goody Two-Shoes you apparently think I am.”
All traces of laughter disappeared. The black look was back and with it the tension. “All right. You asked for it.”
“Well, what did you do?”
“Grand theft auto.”
