Roxann Delaney - A Nanny for the Cowboy

Desperately Seeking A Sitter

Who knew hiring a nanny could get so complicated? Rancher Luke Walker has been caring for his two-year-old son single-handedly ever since his wife walked out, and he sure could use some help. But when he thought to find a nanny, he didn’t have someone like gorgeous Hayley Brooks in mind. And he certainly didn’t expect her to move into the ranch house!

Hayley is working toward being a physician assistant and needs to save money for her classes—and to save on rent by boarding with her employer. She’s delighted that little Brayden warms to her quickly, but is wary of her growing feelings for Luke. It’s a struggle keeping things professional…. Falling in love with her boss was not part of the job description!

“Is there anything else I need to bring?” Hayley asked as Luke walked with her to the door. “Besides the usual employment information, that is.”

“Not that I can think of.”

Reaching for the doorknob, she studied him. He did look more at ease than he had when she’d arrived.

She opened the door and stepped outside, glad the interview was over and that they’d agreed on the details. “I’ll see you and Brayden in the morning, then,” she said, turning back to look at him. “And thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he said.

For the first time, she saw his smile. It nearly blew her away. Without the frown and rigid exterior or the distracted and desperate actions, he was gorgeous. And she was going to be working for him.

Not good. Not good at all.

Dear Reader,

Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs a person can undertake. Parenting requires on-the-job training as a caregiver, doctor, teacher, spiritual adviser, friend and mortal enemy (according to an angry child). The nights are late and the mornings are early. A good day can turn bad in an instant. A bad day can turn good with a hug or a simple smile. There are tears and giggles, joy and heartache. Parenting is often made easier with two parents, but that isn’t always the way life happens.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.6 million single parents in the United States, responsible for raising 21.2 million children or roughly 26% of children under 21. Those numbers don’t include only single moms. Single-father homes have grown almost 60% in the past ten years.

Child care for children of single-parent families can be difficult to find, but Luke Walker’s sister has sent him a young woman to be the nanny for his small son. One look at the woman has him convinced that she’s not the person for them. But like parenting, love can happen with a hug or a simple smile.

Welcome back to Desperation, Oklahoma, where hearts meet at the most unexpected times.

Best wishes and happy reading!

Roxann

A Nanny for the Cowboy

Roxann Delaney

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roxann Delaney doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t reading or writing, and she always loved that touch of

romance in both. A native Kansan, she’s lived on a farm, in a small town and has returned to live in the city where she was born. Her four daughters and grandchildren keep her busy when she isn’t writing or designing websites. The 1999 Maggie Award winner is excited to be a part of the

Harlequin American Romance line and loves to hear from readers. Contact her at roxann@roxanndelaney.com or visit her website, www.roxanndelaney.com.

Pat, Theresa, Deborah, Kathie and Kristi,

I’d be lost without you all.

Love and hugs.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Excerpt

Chapter One

Luke Walker peeled back the edge of the curtain to get a glimpse of the woman getting out of her car in his driveway. “Not on your life, lady,” he muttered.

Ignoring the tug on the leg of his jeans, he watched what should have been a prospective employee walk up the path leading to the house. But walk was the wrong thing to call the seductive advance. Panthers on the prowl were less graceful.

The wind caught the young woman’s long, straight dark hair, blowing it over one shoulder, and she reached up to brush it back with her fingers. Luke saw very little of any of it, focused instead on her long legs in the trim, short skirt she wore.

He must’ve been crazy to let his sister talk him into interviewing the woman. He’d always thought his sister had more sense than to send him someone who looked remotely like a Miss America contestant. But if he really thought about it, Erin had done some far from smart things in her life.

The doorbell rang, dragging a moan from deep within his chest. How would he manage to send this woman away without hurting her feelings? Erin would skin him alive if she learned he hadn’t hired the vixen waiting at the door. And if he hurt the woman’s feelings in the process, he’d never hear the end of it. Even worse, if he didn’t hire her, who would he find to—

“Up! Wannup!”

“Not now, Brayden. Be good and let go.” Reaching down, he pried the two-year-old’s chubby arms from his legs and noticed the smear of grape jelly Brayden left in his wake. Taking the toddler by one of his gooey hands, Luke moved to the front door as the bell chimed a second time. “Be there in a sec!” he called.

There wasn’t time to wipe Brayden’s hands. Not with the woman ringing the damn bell every two seconds. Where the hell had Brayden gotten the jelly, anyway? But Luke wasn’t eager to check out the source, even if he had the time. Which he didn’t. No telling what kind of damage the kitchen was in, after a visit from Brayden.

Drawing in a deep breath, Luke reached for the doorknob, hoping he could make the interview as brief and as painless as possible—for both of them. But when he opened the door, his son wrapped both arms around his legs again in the two-year-old equivalent of a viselike grip, throwing Luke completely off balance. He managed to save himself from falling by bracing his hand against the door frame.

“Mr. Walker?” the young woman asked, slipping off a pair of dark glasses he hadn’t even noticed.

“Uh, yeah, that’s me.” Distracted by the need to keep his balance, Luke tried to concentrate on presenting a formidable appearance. Not an easy feat, he decided, with a jelly-smeared son attached at his knees, and made even worse by the deep blue of the woman’s eyes.

Her gaze traveled down to where Brayden held Luke in a death grip and moved back up again. She smiled and extended her hand. “I’m Hayley. Hayley Brooks? Your sister—”

“Yeah. Erin. My sister.” He cringed and hoped she didn’t notice, as he took her hand and gave it the briefest of shakes, then immediately let go. He wasn’t quick enough. A wave of warmth snaked quickly up his arm. This was not a good thing.

“I guess this is Brayden.” She knelt to the little boy’s level. “Hi, Brayden.”

Brayden hid his face behind Luke’s legs and shook his head. Luke reached down and ruffled his son’s curly hair. “He’s a little shy.”

Straightening, she faced him. “Typical two-year-old,” she said with a blazing smile. “Now, about the job...”

“The job,” Luke echoed. He didn’t have a clue what to say to this woman. He desperately needed someone to take care of his son, but this one wasn’t the type of someone he’d had in mind. Nope, not even close.