Page 5 of Nanny for the Cowboy

A burst of laughter leaves me, completely taken aback by the joke. Brooks grins, facing my dad again and knocking him on the arm with his good elbow.

There’s this flicker of connection between the two of them, and I can’t help but smile. My dad needs a good friend. He’s all on his own, and I know how much he needs company.

Leo Joy does not do solitude.

“Eh, she’s not likely to be put off by little old you, Brooks.” Dad grins at me, the pride in his face obvious. “Clover deals with the big-wigs in New York City. Some stubborn rancher will be a walk in the park.”

Grinning back, I squint my eyes slightly at my dad. I know he’s sticking up for me, making me look good. And I love him to death for it.

“Always making the hard sell. And you wonder where I got it from.” I look from my dad to Brooks. “And I promise you that I’m not here to step on your toes or anything like that. Just lend a hand.”

As I watch Brooks’s expression, I can’t help but note just how tightly he’s holding his body. He’s as rigid as one of the fence posts at his back. If he straightened any further, he’d crack his damn spine.

“Seeing as I only have the one good one right now, I suppose I could use it.”

Again I find myself laughing at the joke, surprised the guy has so much sarcasm hiding under that stoic expression.

What is your deal?

Still, am I that surprised? He’s a “cowboy” for Christ’s sake. I’m sure he only sees one thing when he looks at me—a city girl.

As much as I hate to lean into a cliché, look at the guy. He’s rough and short with me. Brooks is probably no different than all the movies and bullshit I’ve heard from friends over the years.

Gruff cowboy isn’t going to gladly accept help from a city-slicker. Well, Brooks can look down on me from his high horse while I provide the help he so clearly needs.

Probably broke his arm doing something stupid too.

“You can definitely use it, Brooks. And Clover is excellent with children. She’ll just need a little time to get used to the ranch, right?”

Dad looks at me, and I snap myself out of my thoughts and give a nod. “It shouldn’t be bad at all. I love kids, and once I figure out his routine, I’m sure it’ll be great.”

Brooks eyes me, seemingly unmoved by either my dad’s or my own words of encouragement.

“Guess we’ll have to see, now won’t we.” Those soft hazel eyes of his burn into me. “It ain’t easy.”

We hold each other’s stare, and I only break it to roam my eyes across the guy’s face. He’s sporting a five o’clock shadow that I have a feeling never goes away, and sure enough, Brooks is wearing a dark brown cowboy hat.

His loose button-down shirt and jeans are straight out of a movie or something, the only hang-up being that broken limb he’s sporting.

Still, I can’t help but admit that the guy is stunning. I’m guessing he’s in his forties, and Brooks is keeping it tight. His muscular physique speaks to the work he must do on the ranch, and he’s been gifted a jawline that could cut glass.

And silver at the temples of shaggy brown locks. Could you be more of a commercial?

But I’m not that easy. I can see the disdain in Brooks’s eyes, and I’m not about to let him judge me. I came here to help, and if he doesn’t want it…

“I wouldn’t recommend Clover if I didn’t think she could do the job, Brooks. And you’re well aware of that.”

The guy turns to my father, and some of that tension in his spine relaxes. He smiles at him like they’ve known each other all their lives, not just the short few years my dad has lived in Red Lodge.

“I hear you, Leo. Meant no offense.” My dad smiles, clapping Brooks on the shoulder again. “You know I’m just…protectiveof the ranch.”

There’s a flicker of something in Brooks’s eyes, and I get the feeling that he’s not talking about the ranch at all.What’s that about?

“I understand your concern, truly.” I put my hand on my chest, emphasizing my point. “I promise to take good care of it.”

Brooks eyes me, an unreadable expression trapped beneath the hard layer of his stoic cowboy exterior.

Jesus. Did Dad force him to give me the job or something?

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