Winning The Rancher's Heart

She lifted her chin a tiny fraction, but enough for him to realize she was sensitive about the issue. “I won’t. We even drove my old Ford truck all the way out here. And I’ve started the school enrollment process for my kids. They’ll be all set to start at their new school in the fall.”

He studied the woman in front of him. Lauren had told him Naomi worried that her husband’s death had affected her kids far more deeply than she’d surmised. That they were having problems in school and that a move all the way across country would be good for them. He couldn’t say he agreed. Then again, he didn’t have kids, so who was he to judge?

“All right then. I guess we’ll see what happens.”

“Terrific.”

“And your first task will be helping to organize a party I’m having here in a couple of weeks. Local military brass. Short notice, but I’m sure I can easily pull strings and get people here. You’ll have an unlimited budget to make it an affair people will remember. I want to make a big splash.”

Her mouth dropped open. “I—”

“You’ve planned events before, or so you said.”

He saw her take a deep breath. “Of course I have. I just didn’t think I’d be starting so soon.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Good, then I’ll take you on a tour of the ranch next.”

She seemed surprised again.

“Unless you’d like to settle in first.”

“No, no. That’s okay.”

“Good.” He glanced at his watch. “And before I forget, here’s some information I put together for you. My cell phone. Email. Etcetera.” He slid a manila envelope forward. “Meet me in front of your apartment in ten minutes.”

She lifted a hand, saluted. He lifted a brow. She smiled and stood up, envelope held in front of her like a shield.

“It was nice to finally meet you.”

“Same,” he said with a dip of his head.

He watched her slip away, but when she left he spun his chair so that it faced the windows. Maybe he shouldn’t have left the hiring of a housekeeper to his sister. He had a feeling Naomi Jones might prove to be a handful, although he had no idea why he felt that way.

Her eyes sparkled.

As if she saw the world from the big end of a telescope and what she spotted amused her. Usually, he hired people who were far more serious, but he supposed that was to be expected given the nature of his work. Naomi seemed...complicated.

He hated complications.

Chapter Two (#ue35c056c-4cff-5d8a-ab32-d5237e52bae2)

“Can I tour the ranch with you?”

T.J.’s face was imploring and it killed Naomi to shake her head. “Honey, there’ll be time to show you around later today. Let me spend some time with my new boss first.”

“But I thought you weren’t going to start work until next week,” he said.

She’d thought so, too, but she should have known her new boss was a workaholic. His sister had told her how often he was out of town. That he was driven and impatient and yet the kindest man she’d ever get to know. She’d have to take his sister’s word for it. So far she felt...nervous. He had the ability to escalate her pulse, and not because he was good-looking, although he was that, with his dark hair and blue eyes. Handsome and intimidating as hell.

“Plans changed.” She brushed her hand through T.J.’s hair. “But I promise to explore with you later on today.”

When she got off work she would make sure to show T.J. the ranch, although she’d forgotten to ask Jax Stone about her hours. And what days she’d have off. And a whole host of other questions because when she’d looked into his eyes she’d just sort of gone ooohh.

Someone beeped a horn. Janus stood up from his position at Sam’s feet and began to growl.

“Nein,” she softly told him. That was all she needed to say for the dog to rest his head again. That was the last thing she needed—for Janus to start attacking the door. “Stay inside,” she told her kids, although she doubted Sam heard her. Earphones didn’t quash the sound of music that emanated from the tiny white buds. Her daughter would be deaf by the time she was fourteen.

“Can I go see the pool?” T.J. asked, eyes filled with hope.

“No.”

His lower lip stuck out. “But Mom...”

“Just stay here. Sam.” He daughter continued to tap something out on her phone. “Sam!”

That got her attention, but she seemed completely put out that she had to remove one of the buds from her ear. She did everything but roll her eyes.

“Keep an eye on T.J.”

T.J. wiggled. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

The horn beeped again. Janus barked. Naomi turned to the room and said, “Stay.”

“Mom. I’m not a dog.”

“I know that. I meant all of you. Don’t leave.”

She slipped outside before T.J. could start complaining again. “Sorry,” she told her new boss, drawing up short at the sight of the all-terrain vehicle he’d arrived in. It looked like something the military would use—all camo paint and big black bumpers and a cab framed by a roll cage.

“Was that your dog I heard?”

She nodded, her face coloring a bit because it was only then that she realized she hadn’t told his sister exactly what kind of dog she’d be bringing with her.

“That did not sound like a small animal.”

Once again she found herself tipping her chin. “He’s a Belgian Malinois.”

He knew what that was, she could tell by the way his blue eyes narrowed. “You have a Malinois?”

She nodded, decided that she should just spit the rest of it out. “He’s an ex-military war dog.”

His lips pressed together before he said, “What are you doing with an MWD?”

“He was my husband’s.”