The Rogue (Hideaway Springs #3)

7. Levi

7

T essa’s up early again.

I can smell the bacon from my bedroom upstairs.

Yesterday was an off day. I overslept, waking at seven instead of six. The failed interviews from the previous night took a toll on me and Tessa showing up at my door threw me off kilter.

She’s the woman I’d fought to leave my town every time she turned up, and knowing she was right downstairs kept me up longer than ideal.

But now I’m up an hour before yesterday, and it’s like she’s keeping up with our internal clocks the way she manages to be up before me.

The steps creak as I make my way down.

Tessa is in a new outfit. Denim shorts and a plaid blouse. Her smooth long legs are toned and tanned. Her hair is tied in a ponytail over one shoulder, strands of curls falling loose at every end.

The dark circles under her eyes suggest that, once again, she didn't get more than five hours of sleep.

She glances up at me mid-task. “Mornin’.”

“Mornin’.” I look down at the spread she’s preparing. It looks suitable for a bed and breakfast. “You gonna eat any of it this time? ”

She scrunches her nose like I’d just asked if she’d consume a raw egg. “No thanks. And I’m gettin’ out of your hair soon. Pepper said I can wait in her cottage till my car’s ready.”

“Why?”

“Assume you’re all leaving the house this morning, and I can’t stay here alone.” She shrugs like it’s the obvious reason. “Might wreck the place.”

“That’s not your style,” I say with confidence, pouring myself a cup of coffee from the freshly filled pot.

“What’s my style?”

I fold my arms across my chest and lean against the counter, assessing her. “You cause trouble, not vandalism.”

“Maybe I’ll surprise you and switch it up.” She holds my gaze and perks a brow, and damn, it’s too sexy.

I ignore the flirtatious comment and push off the counter. “Besides, I’m home all morning, so you don’t need to rush out. Car should be here by noon.”

She plates pancakes and glances over at the ranch. “Thought you cowboys work round the clock.”

“Daylight mostly, unless there’s an emergency. My men are out there, but I’ve got a few more interviews this morning.”

She sets an empty batter bowl in the sink and runs the water. “Indie, come on. Who are you kidding? You are not going to find the perfect nanny.”

“I don't need perfect. I just need someone responsible and experienced to watch my kid.”

She holds out her arms. “I’m responsible.”

I scoff. “You’re responsible for a heck of a lot that no one bothered holding you accountable for. ”

“Look, you know I’m good for feedin’ the kid and he’s safe with me—what more do you want?”

“Trust, Tessa. I don’t trust you.”

“I don’t trust anyone either, doesn’t mean I can’t work with them.”

An annoyed grunt rattles my throat, and I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“Okay, fine, don’t have an aneurysm. Forget I said anything.”

I drop my hand with a sigh. Tessa’s back is to me. Lifting on her toes, she puts away breakfast ingredients in the cupboards. Roaming through my kitchen like she belongs here. And looking damn good doing it, too.

Add that to the con list for hiring her. I can't keep looking at her the way I want to.

Not to mention those full lips and the level of sass coming out of them.

But she’s right. If today turns out to be anything like Sunday’s interviews, I’m screwed.

I look down at the plate she so delicately arranged for my kid. And can’t stop myself from offering her a fighting chance.

After all, it's not forever.

“Look, if the people I’ve got coming today turn out to be disasters—and I mean total unworkable disasters—”

She slaps a hand down on the counter. “You’ll hire me!” Her eyes brighten with a smile that stops my heart.

“ Give you a proper interview,” I finish.

She rolls her eyes.

“See, that right there? If you’re not going to respect your boss, that’s a giant red flag.”

She sucks her teeth and does it again.

“Seriously?”

“Fine. But I’m sticking around for them.”

“What do you mean you’re sticking around for them? ”

She points to herself. “I can call bullshit when I see it. You need me as backup out there.”

“You’re not sitting in on my interviews. That’s creepy, and how am I supposed to explain that?”

“I’ll be in the background. Tell them I’m your cleaning lady.”

Jackson races down the stairs. “Bacon!”

Tessa’s soft laugh fills the kitchen as she pushes the plate in front of his chair. “Extra crispy.”

I walk over to my kid, brushing his unruly hair back. “Why you up so early?”

“I smelled bacon and thought Grandpa was here to pick me up.”

“Grandpa’s not the only one who can make bacon.”

The kid shrugs and takes a bite. I guess it has been a minute since I bothered. I just stock up on the stuff, expecting to make time to cook, but lately, it’s been takeout from the Inn or a quick bagel on the go.

Tessa tears the bacon out of his mouth like it’s licorice and replaces it with a silver dollar pancake.

I point a finger at her with a warning, like I’m the one doing her a favor. “You can stay for the interviews, but not a word.”

She zips her mouth shut and winks at Jackson.

I’m going to regret this.

The second contestant of the day is Becca Fischer. She's thirty, relatively new in town, and keeps staring at my biceps like she’s mentally fitting me for a new suit .

So far, she’s a huge step up from the first interview, who looked like she stepped out of a fairytale, ready to fall into song and dance. She wouldn’t last five minutes with Jackson.

“So, Becca, where’d you live before Hideaway Springs?”

“Texas. Born and raised. My parents moved here, and I followed them to ensure they were okay. You know people don’t want to admit they need their children to care for them when they’re older, but I don’t think they can function without me.”

It's a harsh statement to make but I ignore it. “So they live here too, then?”

She grins and bobs her head. “Yep.”

There’s something off about her, but I need to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Why do you want to be a nanny?”

“I love taking care of people.” She scans me and licks her lips. “Some say I’m a giver.”

Tessa whistles provocatively behind me.

I drop my head and press my lips together to keep from laughing.

A spray bottle and rag in hand, Tessa circles my chair, her tone a little snappy. “It’s a live-in position. Would that work for you, given you live with your parents to uh…take care of them?” she asks.

Becca blows it off without a thought. “Oh yeah. They’ll be fine without me.”

Sixty seconds later, I’m walking Becca out—who Tessa bullied into admitting that her parents allowed her to live with them temporarily as long as she found work.

I shut the door and glare at the temporary intruder in my home, and she lifts her shoulders innocently. “What? They were total jokes. One basically offered you a blow job, and the other wanted to turn your son into a ballerina. ”

I stride past her, muttering. “I’ll take a blow job over a police record.”

She extends her hands like we finally agree on something as she follows me into the main room. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Drop 'em, Cowboy.”

I flip back to her. “I was joking .”

“Uh…so was I.” She winces, scratching her head.

I bite down a chuckle and check my phone to see who’s next. Christ. There’s only one more.

“And how is living with your parents worse than sneaking into a hotel room every night after your shift?”

“When you give me a proper interview, I’ll tell you.” She pops a blueberry in her mouth and I check the time, noting she hadn’t eaten yet.

I tear my gaze off her lips and sigh.

One more. I’ve got one more and I’m confident about this next one. I know her from town. I know her parents. She has to be it.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rings and Tessa grabs a duster as if someone just called “ Places” . With a headshake, I pull the door open and plaster a smile.

“Carol, hi.”

A kind, warm smile greets me. “Mr. Reeves, hi.” Carol is in a pale pink blouse and flowy skirt that falls to her knees. It’s summery and appropriate.

“Please, come in.”

“Thanks so much for meeting with me, and I’m sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday. I had to take my little brother to practice. He’s on the little league team.”

“Oh, how fun. No worries, I’m glad you could make it today.” I point her to the couch and take a seat on the armchair.

Tessa hangs back, fake dusting the banister .

Carol blinks, scanning my cleaning lady’s outfit. But doesn’t say anything.

“So, I know I emailed it, but I wanted to bring my resume anyway.” She passes me a crisp folder. “As you’ll see, I have three years experience at the daycare and eight months at the elementary school.”

I wait for Tessa to comment on the short-term at the school, but she doesn’t.

“It’s where I did my student teaching.”

Ah.

“I also don’t have a boyfriend, by the way.”

I nearly sigh. And there it is!

But I’ll let Tess take this one. Then kindly thank Carol before walking her out.

“So you’ll never have to worry about me sneaking boys in when you’re out. This is your home, your rules, and I totally respect it.”

I blow out a breath, scanning the resume. That sounds rehearsed. And definitely Googled.

Also, I appreciate the note but who does that? Is she dropping ‘I’m single’ hints?

Am I paranoid?

Or just conceded?

“Besides,” she says. “I have no interest in relationships until after I finish my master’s in education. I only have one year to go.”

Both, I’m definitely both.

Blowing out a harsh breath, I nod, considering if there’s anything left to ask her. “That’s… impressive.”

She sighs at her accomplishment. “I’m excited. Teaching and children have always gone well for me. It’s my passion. Oh and I love to cook. I get it’s not part of the job but every kid needs a homemade meal. And every kid should learn to cook, so I do plan to slap an apron on Jackson.”

Child labor. Red flag.

Again, I wait for a comment from the peanut gallery and glance behind me. But Tessa’s not there.

“Also, I think Jackson and my little brother Thomas know each other from school. If it’s alright with you, I could arrange playdates or trips to the library or the lake…”

I nod at Carol as she goes on and subtly scan the floor for my fiery redhead.

“I think I saw her go in the den,” Carol offers.

I frown, turning my focus back.

“Sorry, I pay attention when someone needs something. Occupational hazard.”

Give it a rest, Sunshine.

Glancing outside, I see another car in my lot.

Tessa’s car.

Beau Hamilton is out there with her, counting cash as she loads her suitcase into the trunk.

Moth to a flame, I fly to my front door, yanking it open. Like a hypocrite, I glare at the guy I paid extra to help me get rid of the town rogue faster.

“That was quick. You sure it works without a problem?”

Tessa shuts her trunk, squinting from the sun in her eyes. “Car starts like new.” Then, with that same bright smile she had given me earlier, she points to Beau with her thumb. “This guy works miracles.”

I’m nothing but scowls as I approach the two of them, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to help it.

Picking up my vibe, Beau backs up and gives me a solute. “Appreciate the business.”

Tessa glances behind me at the house, her bottom lip between her teeth. “Hey, thanks for everything. Give Wiggles a high five for me. ”

God, that raspy voice is going to be the death of me. “Where you goin'?”

She shrugs. “Wherever the road takes me.”

I step closer. “I don’t recall giving you a day off.”

She frowns then glances behind me again.

A voice slices through the air between us. “Sorry, should I wait inside, or is the interview over?”

“It’s over,” I say, feeling like someone else is talking for me. Keeping my eyes on my redheaded rebel, I seal the deal. “Appreciate you coming in, but the position’s been filled.”

“Oh. Guess…it must have slipped your mind.”

Breaking my gaze, I turn to Carol. “Sorry about that.”

“No…worries.” Confused, she gets back in her car and backs out of my driveway.

Tessa smacks my arm. “Hell was that about? She was perfect.”

I shrug. “She was too late. My new nanny started yesterday.”

“Levi…even I’m not that selfish. Jackson needs someone like that girl.” Her genuine concern for my kid wraps around me. It reinforces my decision.

“Maybe I don’t want a girl taking care of my kid. Maybe I want a woman.”