SALLY HAD MADE a serious mistake by agreeing to watch Ross’s niece and nephew. Doing so was another step into further involvement in Ross’s life. Being together at the picnic had revealed she was far too attracted to him. An attraction she neither wanted nor needed. She must stay focused. Still, she liked the guy. The last time she’d been this enamored with a man, she’d been devastated. That mustn’t happen again. She wouldn’t allow it. The upside to the day’s arrangement was that Ross would be at work the entire time.
And she would be with the kids…
In his home. His personal space. She hadn’t thought that through either. She would be where he lived. Touching, sitting and sleeping among his personal belongs. No, she hadn’t considered that part of this agreement at all. She should have done so before she’d blurted out her willingness to help. Yet helping out a fellow firefighter went with being a member of that family. It was just what a team player did in an emergency situation.
Ross had texted her his address as promised. Sally had picked up Lucy from Kody’s house on her way to Ross’s. Lucy had been so excited about seeing Jared and Olivia again she couldn’t get in the car fast enough. The idea of an overnight stay had heightened her anticipation. She’d chatted most of the way about all the fun they would have. Sally certainly hoped so. The closer she came to Ross’s house, the tighter Sally’s nerves knotted. She hadn’t acted this way over seeing a man in a long time. Control—she needed to get some over her wild emotions.
The drive was ten miles out of town to where the land rolled gently, the trees were tall and the fields green. When she had moved to this part of the country, it hadn’t taken long for her to fall in love with Texas. Even though she liked her apartment, she wished she could find a place with more outdoor space.
The day was beautiful with the sun shining in a blue sky as she turned the car off the two-lane highway onto a dirt lane. On either side were fenced pastures with a few trees here and there. The lane ended at a white clapboard house with a porch along the front. Large oaks shaded one side and the lawn surrounding the house was neatly mown. Behind it there was a small red barn with a couple of horses in the corral.
She sighed. When she got her medical degree, this was just the type of place she would look for. There was something restful, comforting about it. A place someone could find contentment. She loved everything about it, immediately.
When she’d taken Kody up on his suggestion to move to Texas, she’d realized how right he’d been. She’d had no trouble getting a job and there had been something cathartic, cleansing, about leaving all the ugliness of her marriage behind and starting over again. It had taken some time, but she’d finally settled in, had decided on a plan and was now focused on seeing it through.
Soon after arriving in Austin, she’d enrolled in college and finished her degree. Sally smiled. To think she was studying to take her MCAT now. If she did well enough, she hoped to enter medical school in the fall, while continuing to work part-time at the firehouse when she could. She wasn’t going to let anyone or anything divert her this time.
As she climbed from the car, Ross stepped out of the beveled glass front door.
A warmth washed over her. Especially not a man with striking blue eyes and a hunky chest.
He came to stand beside a wooden post of the porch. He wore his usual fire station uniform of navy pants and T-shirt with the department logo on one breast. Practical work boots completed his attire. He appeared healthy and fit. His welcoming smile made him even more handsome than she remembered. Her stomach quivered. She had to get beyond this fascination with Ross. Still, couldn’t a girl enjoy a moment of admiration for a man?
He drawled, “I see you found us.”
Returning his smile, she gathered her purse. She’d bring in her MCAT study books after he’d left. Lucy had already hopped out of the car and gone to meet Jared and Olivia, who were in the side yard.
Ross came down the wide steps. His agile movements reminded her of a panther she’d once seen in a zoo. “Are you ready for this?”
“What if I said I wasn’t?” She glanced at him as she gathered Lucy’s and her overnight bags.
He grimaced. “I don’t know what I’d do.”
She grinned, looking at the kids. “I’m going to be fine. We’ll all be fine.”
“Here, let me get those for you.” He reached for the bags.
“Thanks.” His hands brushed hers and she quickly pulled away. The physical contact had intensified her growing nervous tension.
They walked side by side to the house. Happy laughter from the kids filled the air. Ross moved ahead of her and hurried up the steps. Tucking Lucy’s bag under his arm as he reached the door, he opened it and held it. She strode by him, making sure they didn’t touch. If they had, would he have felt the same electric reaction she had when their hands had met?
The room Sally entered was dim and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. Only a few feet inside the door, she looked around the large open space. The high ceiling was supported by dark beams. The walls were a cream color complemented by a gleaming warm wooden floor. It was furnished with a brown leather sofa and two armchairs along with an old chest she assumed he used as a coffee table. A TV hung over the mantel of a stone fireplace.
In the back of the house was the kitchen. A large bar separated it from the living area. A table for four sat to one side. Windows filled the corner, giving a beautiful view of the barn, trees and the fields beyond. Everything was neat, but masculine.
This was a man’s abode. Ross’s. Sally shivered. She had truly entered the lion’s den.
Ross set the bags down beside a door to a small hallway and walked farther into the house. “Come on in. Let me show you around. As you can see, this is the kitchen.” He pointed toward the hallway. “Over there are two bedrooms. Jared and Olivia are in them. Olivia has the one with the twin beds so there’s an extra bed for Lucy. On the other side of the house is my room. The sheets on the bed are clean. Ready for you.”
Her breath caught. Her eyes widened. Finally she blinked. “I, uh, think I’ll just sleep on the sofa. That way I’ll be closer to the kids in case one calls out.” Spending the night in Ross’s bed would be far too…personal? Uncomfortable? Nerve shaking? Lonely? Whatever the word was, she wouldn’t be doing it.
“I want you to be comfortable. I think you’d be happier in a bed. It’s the only one I have that’s available.” He shrugged. “But all that’s up to you.” She made no comment and he continued, “You can find all kinds of movies and games in the cabinet beside the fireplace. The kids know where everything is.”
She nodded.
“I’ve already ordered pizza for dinner tonight. It should be delivered at six. Right, here’s the tip.” He tapped some bills on top of the counter. “My number is on this pad if you have any questions, anytime.”
Sally moved closer to look.
“There should be plenty of sandwich fixings in the refrigerator. I also have peanut butter and jelly. Chips. And drinks.”
Her smile widened as she softly laughed.
His look turned serious. “What’s so funny?”
“You are.”
“How’s that?” He watched her too close for comfort as if he didn’t want to miss any change in her expression.
“Firehouse Captain turned Mr. Mom.”
He chuckled. One that started low and rough then slowly rolled up his throat and bubbled out. “I do sound a bit that way, don’t I?”
“You do, but it’s nice to know there’re supplies, I’ll give you that. Thanks for taking the time and thought to make it as easy as possible for me.”
“You’re welcome.” He picked keys up off the counter. “I’d better