Pride was one of the few things so many years of struggling hadn’t taken from Natalie. As the only weapon left in her arsenal, she would use it without apology.
Before she could reply, Austin scooted off the bed to stand next to her. “My mom is Miss Ruth’s nurse,” he said, his small chin jutting forward. “She’s really good at it. Miss Ruth needs us.”
For better or worse, Austin had inherited both her pride and her stubborn nature. He was unfailingly protective of her and didn’t even blink under Liam’s scrutiny. She imagined grown men in boardrooms cowering before that stare, but not her beautiful boy. She gave him a small squeeze.
“I’m sure Ruth is happy to have you here, Liam.”
He gave the barest hint of a nod as he continued to study her son.
“Austin, sweetie, why don’t you finish the story with Miss Ruth while Liam helps me with breakfast?”
“That’s a great idea,” Ruth piped in behind them. “Happy reunions always make me hungry.”
Natalie threw Ruth a look over her shoulder and the older woman winked.
“I can help, Mom. I’m good at making coffee.”
“That you are, big guy.” She bent down to kiss his cheek, then whispered in his ear, “Miss Ruth needs you more this morning. Liam and I can handle breakfast. We’re fine.”
Clearly reluctant, Austin narrowed his eyes at Liam before turning to climb back on the bed.
Liam held out his arm, indicating that Natalie should lead him to the kitchen. She tried to hold her breath as she walked by him, but his scent twined through her senses as if by osmosis. He’d changed something in the years since she’d known him, his soap or shampoo maybe. But underneath remained a trace of something that was all Liam, clean and a little spicy. Unfortunately, parts of her that didn’t involve her brain had an immediate reaction to him. She reached out for the wall to steady herself.
“Cute kid,” Liam mumbled as she passed him.
Her temper quickly roared to life. “He’s an amazing kid. We’re a team.”
“What about Brad?” he asked as he followed her through the house.
She cringed at the mention of her ex-husband. “He’s not part of Austin’s life. He left Crimson and never looked back.” Not exactly the whole truth, but as much as she was willing to share with Liam Donovan. For good measure she added, “I seem to have that effect on men.”
When she glanced back Liam was frowning.
“You have no idea the effect you have on men, Natalie. You never did.”
Oh. Well. She didn’t know how to take that.
She moved to the refrigerator as a distraction and took out a carton of eggs, cheese and juice. “What are you doing back in Crimson? Ruth’s hip is healing just fine. In another week or so, she should be cleared to drive again. I don’t believe you’re here to see to her welfare.”
“She practically raised me until I was eleven. I love that woman.”
She rolled her eyes as she put a pan on the stove, then began to crack eggs into a small mixing bowl. “I know. And she thinks the sun rises and sets by you. It doesn’t answer the question.”
“I’m here to see to her welfare.” As he stepped closer to her, Natalie worked to keep her fingers from trembling. He handed her an egg and she took it, making sure not to touch him in the process.
She could feel him watching her but kept her attention focused on the task in front of her.
“I believe someone is stealing money from my former nanny,” Liam said after a moment. Her gaze crashed into his as he continued, “I’m wondering if it might be you.”
* * *
Liam wasn’t sure how he wanted Natalie to react to his little bombshell. He’d said it more for the shock value because he wanted her as off balance as he felt. A part of him expected her to throw a fit or crack an egg over his head as she screamed out her denial. Instead, she placed the egg on the counter as she went brittely still.
“Is that really what you think of me?” she asked, her gaze flaring as she watched him.
No, never, a voice inside him wanted to argue. I think you are still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Even the ratty sweatshirt she wore couldn’t cover Nat’s perfect figure. Her dark hair pulled back in a messy ponytail was still shiny and looked as soft as he remembered from years ago. She wore no makeup, but he’d always preferred her that way. Unlike when they were in high school, she now had faint circles under those big melted chocolate eyes that told him something was keeping her awake at night. Liam found himself wanting to know what it was and figure out a way to fix her troubles.
But that wasn’t what this trip was about. Natalie had made her choice years ago. She’d picked this town over him. He wasn’t about to come crawling back to her.
“I don’t know what to think, Nat. You came to work for her and two months later almost ten thousand dollars is missing from her account.”
“Did you ask her about it?”
“Of course I did. I called her when the accountant alerted me. She told me to mind my own business.”
“Which wasn’t an option for you?”
“She’s a strong woman, but not as strong as she once was, either mentally or physically. You’re her nurse so you must see that she’s frail. I won’t let someone take advantage of her.”
“I would never do that.”
“But you haven’t denied taking the money and you’ve let her return to the house when I arranged for assisted living.”
She looked up at him now, her brown eyes blazing. “I didn’t steal anything, Liam.”
Her voice was quiet but lethal. Liam realized he’d misread her stillness. He thought it might be masking guilt, but now he saw she was reining in her anger. Anger that he would accuse her of something so awful.
“I’m sorry, Natalie. The way the accountant spoke it was too much of a coincidence to ignore. You started working for her and soon after money goes missing from her savings account.”
“Does she know you’re monitoring her finances?”
Liam blew out a breath. “She does now.” He watched as she put two bagels in the toaster, then poured the egg mixture into the heated pan. “She’s mad as all get out.”
“Do you blame her?”
“I want to keep her safe. People know I’ve settled money on her and that she barely touches it. I would have expected someone to take advantage of her long before this. That’s why I keep track of things.”
“All signs to the contrary in your life, you can’t always bully or manipulate people into doing what you want. Ruth can
