Bonnie Winn - Falling for Her Boss

From Nanny to Mom

Tessa Pierce moves to the small town of Rosewood, Texas, hoping to forget all about romance. But her handsome new boss, Morgan Harper, is making that difficult. And his little girl is winning Tessa’s heart more and more every day. The hardworking widower barely has enough time for his child, and certainly none for his beautiful new assistant. But when Tessa steps in to help take care of his daughter, she shows Morgan the close-knit family they could be. If he doesn’t want to lose her, Morgan will need to unravel her mysterious past and prove to Tessa that her future should be with him.

“I didn’t know you were home.

“I could have kept Poppy up long enough for you to see her,” Tessa said.

“I just got here. I’m sure she was too tired to stay up any longer.”

“Would you like a cup?” Tessa asked.

Baffled, Morgan didn’t reply.

“Of tea?” she added, holding up a mug.

“Uh, yeah. That’d be fine.” His thoughts were crowded. He couldn’t get the image of Tessa and Poppy out of his head. There was a…sweetness in the way she interacted with his daughter.

He’d sat in this kitchen late in the night when he couldn’t sleep, but he’d always felt alone. Tessa had changed that.

She brought over the mugs, joining him at the table.

Tessa was evoking something else, something he hadn’t felt since Lucy died. Startled by the thought, he jerked back his hand, overturning the cup.

She grabbed a napkin, blotting up the spilled tea.

“Sorry, let me get that.” He reached for the napkin but caught her hand instead.

She froze.

Her hand was soft beneath his, and it took him a few moments to release it.

An author of thirty-six historical and contemporary romances, BONNIE K. WINN has won numerous awards for her USA TODAY and Amazon bestselling books. Affaire de Coeur named her one of the top ten romance authors in America. Fourteen million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Formerly an investment executive, she shares her life with her husband as well as her son and his family, who live nearby.

Falling for

Her Boss

Bonnie K. Winn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away;

for lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of singing has come.

—Song of Solomon 2:10–12

For my beautiful butterfly, Liberty.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text From Nanny to Mom Tessa Pierce moves to the small town of Rosewood, Texas, hoping to forget all about romance. But her handsome new boss, Morgan Harper, is making that difficult. And his little girl is winning Tessa’s heart more and more every day. The hardworking widower barely has enough time for his child, and certainly none for his beautiful new assistant. But when Tessa steps in to help take care of his daughter, she shows Morgan the close-knit family they could be. If he doesn’t want to lose her, Morgan will need to unravel her mysterious past and prove to Tessa that her future should be with him.

Introduction “I didn’t know you were home. “I could have kept Poppy up long enough for you to see her,” Tessa said. “I just got here. I’m sure she was too tired to stay up any longer.” “Would you like a cup?” Tessa asked. Baffled, Morgan didn’t reply. “Of tea?” she added, holding up a mug. “Uh, yeah. That’d be fine.” His thoughts were crowded. He couldn’t get the image of Tessa and Poppy out of his head. There was a…sweetness in the way she interacted with his daughter. He’d sat in this kitchen late in the night when he couldn’t sleep, but he’d always felt alone. Tessa had changed that. She brought over the mugs, joining him at the table. Tessa was evoking something else, something he hadn’t felt since Lucy died. Startled by the thought, he jerked back his hand, overturning the cup. She grabbed a napkin, blotting up the spilled tea. “Sorry, let me get that.” He reached for the napkin but caught her hand instead. She froze. Her hand was soft beneath his, and it took him a few moments to release it.

About the Author An author of thirty-six historical and contemporary romances, BONNIE K. WINN has won numerous awards for her USA TODAY and Amazon bestselling books. Affaire de Coeur named her one of the top ten romance authors in America. Fourteen million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Formerly an investment executive, she shares her life with her husband as well as her son and his family, who live nearby.

Title Page Falling for Her Boss Bonnie K. Winn www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come. —Song of Solomon 2:10–12

Dedication For my beautiful butterfly, Liberty.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Tessa Pierce crossed then recrossed her legs. For the past ten years she had been on the other side of the desk during interviews, but that wasn’t the reason she was uncomfortable. Morgan Harper, owner and president of Harper Petroleum, didn’t so much make her nervous, just more on edge than she’d expected. She knew the workings of oil and gas companies, how to work for a single-minded boss. Mr. Harper affected her in a different way.

“My assistant, Miss Ellis, knew exactly how I wanted things done,” he was saying. “She worked for my father, then me, so she had years of experience. Retiring was—” he paused “—appropriate considering her age. But I don’t have time to train someone new in every aspect of my business.”

Tessa tilted her head in the direction of her résumé, laid neatly on his desk. “As you can see, I’ve had considerable experience in most areas of the oil and gas industry. Through its subsidiaries, Traxton has a hand in all stages of production.”

Morgan didn’t glance at her résumé. Tessa had the uncanny feeling that he had memorized the document. “Ten years with one employer is unusual for someone your age.”

“I joined Traxton Oil right out of college. And they promote from within.”

Morgan placed two fingers at one temple, indenting the skin as though trying to ward off a headache. “You’ve been with them this long, so why make a change?”

It was a question Tessa had prepped for and the truth had never failed her. “I want a new start because of my divorce.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Houston’s a pretty big place. Not enough room in it for you and your ex?”

“No,” she replied simply, evenly, definitively.

He stared at her, his dark eyes appearing to bore for truth or deceit. “Cindy Mallory told me you intend to relocate to Rosewood. That the cottage that comes with the job is a big incentive. You should take into consideration that Rosewood’s nothing like the city.”

Her voice remained even. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

“If your references check out, when can you start?”

“Immediately. I’ve already worked my two weeks’ notice.”

“And if I don’t hire you?”

“With my experience, someone in oil country will. But I would enjoy having a good friend here in town. Cindy and I have known each other since we were kids. And I like what I’ve seen of Rosewood. Houston’s invigorating, constantly busy. I’m not—” she cleared her throat “—in need of that right now.”