Page 10 of A Baby for the Billionaire Cowboy

“Could I?” He held her gaze with an intensity that was almost uncomfortable. “I didn’t want to be rude. But if you tell me what’s going on, or what you need, it would be a big help. I get distracted sometimes and I don’t always recognize hints. I’d hate to miss something important because I wasn’t paying attention.”

Daisy remembered what Auntie Rhonda had said about him being peculiar. So far, he simply seemed shy, and maybe a little awkward, but she could hardly blame him when he’d had a pregnant woman thrust upon him with no warning. Well, maybethrust upon himwasn’t the way to think of it, despite Auntie Rhonda’s original goal. Her face heated and she held back a nervous giggle.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Daisy said. “I’ll promise to tell you if I need or want something, or something’s wrong. In return, you do the same for me, and treat me like a real employee, even if it means telling me when I’m doing something wrong.”

He hesitated. “Is that truly what you want? To be honest, I thought maybe Mama gave you the job as... not charity, but a kindness, since you needed help, and we can certainly afford to give it.”

Daisy’s eyes stung with tears, and her throat felt tight. Probably the pregnancy hormones. All right, yes, and the fact that this family she had just met was more generous than her own family. He was right; they could afford to throw around money. But they were giving her more than that, whether or not they fully realized it.

“I’m grateful. I really do want the job though.” She patted her belly. “I need to be able to take care of myself and this little one. I have some job skills, but I don’t have a degree and I’m not about to ask my last boss for a reference. If I can work here, at least for a few months—maybe a year—then I’ll be in a better position to find another job. You won’t be stuck with me forever.”

“We’re not stuck with you. We’re glad to have you.”

Right. She hoped he wouldn’t come to regret that. “Maybe I should warn you. I want you to tell me if I’m making mistakes, but I can’t promise I won’t cry, because pregnancy hormones send me over the edge sometimes, but I’ll try to retreat to the bathroom to do it, and I won’t hold a grudge.”

“Okay. I’ll try not to make you cry. But I won’t mind if you do. I mean, I’ll feel bad that you’re upset, but I won’t think badly of you.”

She gave a little huff of amusement. “If you’re like most men, you’ll probably run away at the first sight of tears. Which is fine, since it’s not like I want anyone to see me cry.”

He frowned over that. “I don’t know. I don’t see people cry a lot, but I’m used to animals crying when they’re in pain or scared. It’s a normal reaction.”

They smiled awkwardly at each other. Finally Xander said, “Did you want that drink or anything? I know you said you could get it yourself, but I’m blocking the fridge.” He shuffled to the side.

They’d made some progress, but it sure would be nice if they felt more comfortable with each other, since they would be working together. Xander seemed desperate to do something nice for her. Maybe giving him the opportunity would help him relax.

“Thanks.” She opened the fridge and looked in but didn’t see anything she wanted. She closed the door and turned toward him. “Maybe you could do me a favor, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” He straightened, alert and ready to run off on any errand she suggested.

“I felt awkward bringing my things with me before I even saw the place and met everyone. But I need to get my clothes and all from Auntie Rhonda. Not that I have much.”

“Of course I’ll help.” He rubbed his palms on his jeans. “It will be nice to see your aunt again,” he added weakly.

Poor boy. She wouldn’t put him through that. “I happen to know she’ll be working in the church office until four o’clock today. If we go before then, Rhonda won’t insist on sending along some cowslip wine for your family. I haven’t had to try it, but it sounds ghastly, so we probably want to avoid that.”

“Yes.” His shoulders relaxed. “Going earlier would be perfectly acceptable.”

They were off to a reasonable start. Given a few weeks, they might get comfortable with each other. Daisy hoped the baby behaved itself and stayed in place until its due date. Not that she was particularly enjoying the pregnancy, but she didn’t want to disrupt this fragile accord by forcing Xander to deal with her water breaking and screams of agony in the middle of the office.

Her natural optimism had been shaken by events of the last year, but she reached for it. She’d show what a good worker she could be, the pregnancy would go smoothly, she’d have a beautiful baby and return to work in no time. Everything would be fine.

Chapter Five

Afew dayslater, Xander came in from farm chores to find Daisy at the office kitchenette with a sink full of soapy water and a dish drying rack full of mugs.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

She attacked a mug with a scrub brush as if trying to teach it a lesson. “I’m going to get these coffee stains off.”

Xander stood at her shoulder. “I think some of those coffee stains are older than I am. The mugs are clean.”

She used the back of a wrist to brush a strand of hair off her forehead and left a soapy streak. “Humor me. I woke up this morning full of energy and the desire to make everything tidy and perfect. I think I’m nesting.” She gave him a wry smile.

“Oh. Okay.” He stared at the soap bubble slowly sliding down her temple until she wiped the side of her face on her sleeve. He shifted his gaze toward the sudsy water. They should buy some rubber gloves so she wouldn’t have to soak her hands, although rubber gloves left a funny smell that bothered Xander more than animal manure. “You won’t work too hard, right?”

She turned her head to glare into his eyes. “Full. Of. Energy.” She turned back to the sink with a laugh. “It’s like the energy I lost in the first months of pregnancy has come roaring back all at once. I’m almost done here, and I already wiped out the cupboards and fridge and checked for expiration dates on the food. I want to organize the filing cabinets, but I thought I’d better check first to make sure I don’t mess up your system.”

The folding step stool leaned against the counter. Mama used it when she needed to reach something on a higher shelf. Daisy had been climbing up on that to clean the cupboards? He bit back a warning. It was too late now. Good thing the office building was only a few months old, or who knew what she’d be doing? Crawling through the ducts searching for dust, probably.

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