they can learn how to cook from you. During the meal, I want you to sit down and eat with us—the way you would if you were a family friend who’d come over to help out in a pinch.”
Emily made a face. “But I’d still be an employee.”
“Only technically. As far as the kids are concerned, you are a friend of my friends Grady and Alexis McCabe, and you’ve agreed to help us with dinner, using your skills as a personal chef and cooking instructor.” Just to be sure she knew he was serious, he named a salary that caused her eyes to widen. And still, he noted in disappointment, no sale…
“While I appreciate your offer,” she said, “cooking at the same home day in and day out is not something I choose to do anymore.”
“So you’ve worked for a single client before.”
“For a few years, right after I left restaurant work. But I switched to catering small events in different venues because it was more my style.”
Dan suddenly had the feeling she was holding back. Was Walt right? Was there more he should know about Emily before bringing her into his home? He decided it didn’t matter. He wanted peace in his family—now—and she was the only person who could deliver it.
“Look, just give us a couple of weeks and get us through the Thanksgiving holiday,” he persuaded. They both knew she had no other work lined up. And this would give her an income while she regrouped.
“Fine,” Emily said reluctantly. “But the first order of business is groceries. You need a lot of staples, Dan.”
So he gathered. “You want to give me a list?”
“Actually I’d like to do the shopping myself—unless you’re an ace at picking out produce and know the difference between baking soda and baking powder.”
“They’re not the same?”
Emily winced. “No. They are not.”
Dan grinned at her comical expression. “When can you start?”
“I can purchase groceries and fix dinner for you this evening.”
Dan couldn’t think of a better way to spend his Saturday.
“I don’t work Sundays,” Emily cautioned.
“What about Monday? Do you hire out for breakfast, as well?”
“How about we just do dinners to begin with?” Emily returned.
Dan knew he’d been pushing it, even getting this far. “Okay,” he agreed. “What can I do to help?”
Emily rummaged through her purse for her keys. “Just be here this afternoon around four to let me in, so I can get dinner started.”
That, Dan thought, sounded better than she knew.
Chapter Three
Dan was in the study, updating the plans for one of the luxury office condos of One Trinity River Place, when he heard a vehicle turn into the drive. Glancing out the window, he saw Emily emerging from her van. He walked outside, surprised by the drop in temperature. That morning it had been in the low sixties. Now he figured it had to be in the forties. And given the dark clouds on the horizon, looked to get colder still.
“See we’ve got a blue norther rolling in,” Dan said when he met Emily at the back of the van.
She looked as if the change in weather had caught her unawares, too. Her red chef’s coat and jeans were little defense against the chill wind.
Shivering, she nodded. “Guess I should have listened to the weather report.”
Dan gaped at the sheer volume of food in the back of the van.
“Doesn’t look like that when you shop, I gather?” Emily joked.
But maybe it should, Dan thought, noting the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. “When I go, it’s mostly milk, cereal, bread, frozen pizzas and microwave dinners.” Dan took the heavy bags from her arms. “I’ll take those if you’ll hold the door.”
“Sure.” She grabbed a bag that looked a lot lighter and moved toward the door.
Being careful not to crash into her, he led the way to the kitchen.
Once there, he was dismayed. The kids had left it in a mess, which wasn’t unusual. It wasn’t good, either. “Sorry,” he said.
Emily sighed, looking less than pleased. She pivoted to go back to the van for more groceries. Dan stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. “Why don’t you let me carry everything in? You really shouldn’t be lifting anything, anyway, in your condition.”
She stepped closer and stood with her hands on her hips. “That’s an old wives’ tale.”
“Humor me?” Dan said. He let his glance rove her windswept hair, her face, before returning to her mesmerizing blue eyes.
Looking at him from beneath a fringe of dark lashes, she released a beleaguered sigh. “If you insist.”
“I do. And don’t touch any of those dirty dishes, either! I’ll do them when I’m done carrying everything in.”
That seemed harder for her to agree to, but finally she nodded her assent. He resumed his task. By the time Dan had finished, every available space in the kitchen was taken up with an overflowing bag or carton. “I’ve got extra freezer and refrigerator space in the garage,” Dan said.
Emily was organizing the condiments, moving most to a cupboard by the sink. “We may need it.” She looked around, grabbed a roll of paper towels and a bottle of spray cleaner, and mopped up some spilled milk on the counter.
Dan gathered up plates and glasses and began putting them in the dishwasher. The silence of the house was broken only by the sounds of their activity. “Where are the kids?” Emily asked finally.
Watching the play of worn denim over her slender thighs and delectably sweet butt, it was all he could do not to reach out and caress her. “Ava’s with her study group, Tommy went running with a couple teammates and Walt took Kayla to a birthday party at the skating rink. But not to worry—they’ll all be back in time for dinner at six.”
Emily sent him a quelling glance. “What were you doing when I got here?”
Dan wiped down the tables. “Working.”
Oddly, color flared in her cheeks. “Why don’t you go back to it? I’m fine here on my own.”
Abruptly Dan sensed Emily was as attracted to him as he was to her—and fighting it just as hard. Obviously this situation—and the intimacy it brought—was going to be a lot more difficult to navigate than he’d thought.
“Ordering me out of the kitchen?” he teased.
Emily studied him for a moment, then turned back to her work with maddening nonchalance. “I need to focus.”
So did he. Because if he stayed…
“Sure,” Dan said. He left, trying not to feel disappointed.
IT TOOK EVERY OUNCE OF WILLPOWER Dan had to stay out of the kitchen and out of Emily’s way for the next two hours. For one thing, he was curious about where she was going to stow all the groceries she’d purchased. For another, the smells emanating from the kitchen were damned enticing. And it was his kitchen. He ought to be able to go in there whenever he wanted.
But the main thing he had to fight was his attraction to her. Being around her only increased the subtle sexual tension between them. And giving in to that attraction would not be a good thing. Especially while she was working for him.
Once things were settled in his home life, then perhaps he could see about pursuing this attraction. But for now? Emily was right to put up a wall between them and keep it there, Dan decided. It was the only logical, ethical way to proceed.