and enticing “—just who are you to be asking?”
She drew herself up a little straighter. “Eve Chandler. My grandfather owns this place.”
“Huh.”
He sounded completely unimpressed, and panicked by the storm of unfamiliar emotions roaring through her, she snapped, “And if you want to keep your job, I’d suggest you watch where you’re going from now on.”
He reached over and carelessly hefted the sack of grain onto his shoulder. “I’ll keep that in mind.” With that, he’d strode away.
Eve stared after him. At any other time in her life she would have been mortified by her rude behavior. But not at that moment. Not with him. Instead, she’d told herself that John MacLaren was an arrogant bore who wasn’t worth her time.
Yet every time she’d seen him from that point forward she’d felt that same overwhelming arousal and attraction. It had embarrassed her, made her feel self-conscious and unsure of herself—a new and unwelcome experience. Worse, she’d lived in constant terror that he might discern how she felt. It was no wonder that she’d decided that it was smarter to invite his dislike than risk having him find out how vulnerable he made her feel.
And since she wasn’t about to confess the truth after all these years, she could hardly expect him to fall all over himself, welcoming her, she reminded herself now. She’d simply have to do the best she could.
And try to remember that he was her last hope. That no matter what she felt, she couldn’t afford to give up on him now.
She drew herself up and walked toward the door. Entering the house, she found herself standing in a spacious, sun-filled mudroom. She had a quick impression of a granite-tiled floor, of a wall covered with hooks that held coats, hats, chaps and all sorts of other equipment, of an alcove housing an oversize washer and dryer. To her left was even what appeared to be a spacious bathroom equipped with a glassed-in shower.
But it was the sight of John planted before a large utility sink with his back to her that commanded her attention. He’d tossed his hat on a nearby counter and yanked his dusty T-shirt out of his jeans. Now, he tugged the garment over his head and tossed it to the floor.
An unwitting voyeur, Eve stared at his smooth, sun-bronzed back, observing the muscles bunch and shift as he turned on the water, picked up the soap and proceeded to wash. When he bent to rinse off, the satiny hollow of his spine flattened out, exposing a ribbon of taut, pale skin at his belt line.
She was so transfixed that she almost didn’t look away in time as he abruptly shut off the water, grabbed a towel and swiveled around. “Well?” He waited expectantly.
She forced herself to meet his gaze, trying to behave as if she wasn’t acutely aware of his seminakedness. It wasn’t easy to do, particularly when an unwanted ribbon of heat curled through her as he rubbed the towel down his neck and over the sculpted contours of his chest. “I had lunch with Chrissy Abrams last week,” she began, ordering herself to concentrate. “She told me that you have a seven-year-old daughter who recently came to live with you. And that you’ve been trying since summer to find somebody to look after her.”
“So?”
“So I’d like the job.”
He went absolutely still, and then a faint smile curved his mouth. “You’re joking, right?”
“No. No, I’m not.”
The smile faded. He gave her a long, penetrating look. “Why would you want to do that?”
She’d known he was bound to ask and she was ready. Keeping her eyes steady on his face, she said with a lightness she didn’t feel, “Because Lander is my home. I’ve missed it and I’d like to stay in the area. And now that I’ve sold the ranch, I need something to do.”
“And you think working for me is it?” His face hardened and he slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so, Eve.”
Even though she’d suspected it was coming, his answer was crushing. She swallowed. “Why not?”
He tossed the towel onto the counter and headed for the dryer, where he retrieved a clean blue T-shirt several shades lighter than his eyes. Frowning, he peeled off a small white lace-edged sock that clung to it, tossing the stocking onto the washer top. He pulled on the shirt and strolled back toward the sink, stuffing the tail into his jeans as he went. “Let’s just say I don’t think you’re the right woman for the job.”
“But I am.” She struggled to keep the desperation out of her voice. “I’m here, I’m available, I know my way around a ranch and I’m very, very good with kids.”
He leaned back against the counter, looking singularly unconvinced. “Maybe. But it doesn’t matter. Chrissy apparently didn’t tell you that I need somebody who’s willing to live in.”
“Actually, she did.”
His glorious blue eyes narrowed slightly. “And that’s all right with you?”
Clearly now was not the time to admit it was the prospect of living with him that had made her exhaust every possibility of other employment first. “Yes.”
“Well, it’s not with me. This’ll probably come as a shock to you, princess,” his voice took on a distinctly sarcastic tone, “but I need somebody who can do more than just keep Lissy company. I don’t have either a cook or a maid, so I’m looking for someone who can run a house, too.”
She absolutely was not going to lose her temper. Still, she couldn’t keep the tartness out of her own voice as she answered. “I think I can handle it, John. I know how to cook and clean. More importantly, as I understand it, your daughter’s not having the easiest time fitting in at school—” she saw his mouth tighten and knew she was moving into dangerous territory “—and I think I can help.”
“Chrissy Abrams talks too much,” he said flatly.
“Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that I have something unique to offer. I was just a little older than your daughter when I lost my parents and came to live with Granddad. I know what it’s like to be uprooted, to lose one way of life and make the adjustment to another.”
He shook his head. “Even if you have more moves than Mary Poppins, the answer is still no, Eve.”
“But—” For one reckless moment she nearly blurted out the truth. Please. I need this job. I’ve sold everything of value I can, I’ve got less than three hundred dollars to my name and in four days I’ll be homeless—
“I’m sorry.” John coolly interrupted her frantic thoughts. “But it just wouldn’t work.”
The finality in his voice was unmistakable. Like a slap in the face, it brought Eve to her senses. A shiver went through her as she realized just how close she’d come to begging for his help and shaming her grandfather’s memory.
Even so, she couldn’t stop the hot wash of tears that prickled her eyes as her last hope died. She glanced quickly away and blinked hard, swallowing around the sudden lump in her throat. “I see.”
It would be all right, she told herself fiercely. This was merely another setback, not the end of the road. Something
