Page 26 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“Well…” She really didn’t know how good she was at caring for children. She’d had so little experience. “I love children,” she said honestly. “And I’d love to have the opportunity to get more experience.”
“Sabrina is a little bit of a handful.” Beth sipped from her own glass of water. “She can be strong-willed.”
“People used to say the same about me,” Julie said. “I can handle it.”
The door behind her opened and shut with a loud bang. Julie froze.
“Sheriff Daniels said there’s nothing he can do. This is a private road with no posted speed limit. And if a crime hasn’t been committed, he said his hands are clean.” Lawson had barged into the house like a bull ready to stampede the first flash of red that someone waved in front of him. “So until Sabrina is plowed down by that idiotic neighbor of ours, there’s nothing that can be done.”
Beth frowned.
Julie turned, meeting Lawson’s wild gaze. Wild,sexygaze. She hadn’t realized he’d be here this morning. When she’d considered the position, it hadn’t occurred to her that working here would also mean seeing more of Lawson. That might not be the best thing. She was attracted to him, and she really didn’t want to be. What she wanted was to be independent. And single.
“I don’t let Sabrina play in the streets, Lawson. It’s fine,” Beth said.
“It’s dangerous,” he ground out, obviously biting back his temper.
Julie definitely didn’t need another man with a temper in her life, either. Or a man who would tell her what to do. She glanced around, debating whether or not to step outside as Lawson and Beth continued to bicker. Or maybe she should just bow out of the interview altogether, even though she was desperate for a paycheck. If she didn’t secure work in the next couple of weeks, she’d be having all her meals at Kat and Micah’s house.
Her gaze caught on a little girl standing in the entrance to the living room. With her blond silk ringlets and rose petal lips, she looked like a little cherub. A sad little cherub.
Julie turned to tell Lawson and Beth, but they were in the midst of a heated discussion about the road racer. She turned back to the little girl and offered a smile. Returning the smile just barely, the girl motioned for Julie to follow her into the living room.
Julie hesitated, but the girl waved her on again. Unable to disappoint such a cute little girl, she followed. The child sat on the couch and folded her hands in her lap, gesturing for Julie to sit in the blue leather recliner across from her. “Please. Have a seat.”
“Oh. Okay.” Julie sat obediently.
“What’s your name?” the girl asked, taking on the role of interviewer.
“Julie.”
“I like your hair, Julie,” the girl said, matter-of-factly. She primly folded her hands in her lap. “I’m Sabrina.”
Julie had already guessed this piece of information. “Thank you. Hi, Sabrina. I like your hair, too.”
“Can you cook mac and cheese?” Sabrina asked next, sounding like a little adult rather than a small child.
Julie tried to contain her smile. “Yes. It’s my specialty.”
Sabrina nodded, putting a finger to her chin. “Do you like to play outside?”
“I love being outside. I like to ride my bike and take long walks.”
“Me, too.” Sabrina was full-on smiling now. “And I like to catch bugs. Are you afraid of bugs?”
“Me? No.” Julie shook her head, stretching the truth just a little. She didn’t mind bugs, but she preferred they stay clear of her.
“Good. The last lady said bug-catching was for boys.”
“Girls can like the same things that boys like.”
“Can you read?” Sabrina asked. “Caring for me means you have to read me stories.”
“I can read,” Julie said, already loving this precocious little girl. Too bad she couldn’t take the job. “I don’t think I’m the best babysitter for you, though,” she said. Misleading the poor child into thinking something that wasn’t true didn’t seem right. She’d thought she was up to the challenge until Lawson had walked in.
“Why not?” Sabrina’s lower lip puckered.
“Yes. Why not?” Beth asked, stepping into the room. “I think you’d be perfect, actually.”
