Natalie
No one had looked at Natalie that way for a long, long time.
She glanced across at Casey where he sat in the driver’s seat of the truck. Now, his eyes were focused completely on the road ahead of them, but she’d seen the way his face had changed when he’d caught sight of her at the bus station, and she didn’t think she could remember the last time she’d inspired such a reaction in a man.
Especially not any man as good-looking as this one, she thought, and felt herself immediately coloring.
She wanted to look away from him, but she felt her gaze drawn back to his face, almost as if she couldn’t control it.
His profile was sharp against the truck window – a strong jaw, full lips, and a straight nose, his skin tanned from the outdoors. His brown hair was bleached light from the sun, and fell in a tangle of loose curls over his forehead.
It had been his eyes that Natalie had found the most striking, however: dark chocolate brown, with lighter flecks that had looked almost gold in the sunlight.
Natalie hadn’t failed to notice how broad his shoulders were, either – or the way his muscles showed clearly through the fabric of his work shirt.
Suddenly, she could understand all the slavering comments on the review websites: Casey was every bit as gorgeous as they had breathlessly written he was.
And, she reminded herself, forcing her eyes away from his face, at least ten years younger than you.
Yes, he was very good-looking. And yes, he seemed like a nice guy. And yes, he’d been very sweet with Micah, who had pretty much fallen straight to sleep as soon as he’d climbed into the back seat of the truck, Barry sitting in his lap. And he hadn’t asked about whether her husband would be joining them – which, Natalie had to admit, counted for a lot. She couldn’t remember the number of times she’d had to answer that actually, she wasn’t married, and then had to brace herself for the response. She wasn’t sure what was worse, now: the judgment or the sympathy.
But none of that meant anything. She was here to do a job. And that was it.
Well, not quite.
Natalie shivered.
She didn’t think she’d ever packed up so quickly in her life, and she’d had to get out of some places pretty fast. She rented her apartment month-by-month, so that had been simple enough. Calling Micah’s school had been harder. But by the time she’d done that, she was already on the bus, with Micah snuggled by her side, confused but quiet.
There was still an incessant buzzing in the back of her mind: What if they find me, what if they come after me? What will I do? I can’t run forever.
But that had been completely drowned out by the voice telling her that, no matter what, she had to get Micah out of danger, and she had to do it now.
Despite the menacing air of the man who’d come to her door, she reminded herself that they apparently hadn’t been able to find Ken – so perhaps they’d be thrown off her own scent just as easily. The thought didn’t bring her a lot of comfort: maybe coming by her apartment had only been their first move before they started looking more seriously, or perhaps they had found him, and they were just nosing around to see if there was anything else for them to find.
Either way, she had had no choice.
She couldn’t stay somewhere where her son might have been in danger.
The email from Faye Furlong, the owner of the B&B, had dropped out of the sky like a ladder from Heaven. Nothing could have been more perfectly timed. Natalie wasn’t sure if she believed in fate, but for something like this…
Well. Surely there had to be something out there, looking after her.
It was the only truly comforting thought she had right now.
The Skype interview had gone well. Faye had been fun and engaging, listening thoughtfully to Natalie’s answers about what she was looking for in a workplace, and why she’d applied for the job.
Natalie still felt a small, guilty twinge when she thought about it, though. She’d explained that she wanted a change from the city – that she wanted to give Micah a chance to grow up somewhere clean and wholesome, and see the countryside instead of just endless rows of dirty, run-down buildings and the cracked asphalt of the streets.
None of that was a lie.
And what on earth was she supposed to say? Actually, I’m on the run from predatory loan sharks who’re after my ex – but if they can’t get him, they’ve decided I’ll do instead.
Yeah, right.
She’d applied for the job before she’d even had the slightest suspicion about any of this, so she’d answered just as she would have otherwise. At the end of the conversation, Faye had invited her to come out for a trial.
I’d better make it count, Natalie thought, pressing her lips into a thin line. No use this falling through, and having to go back to square one.
“We’re almost there,” Casey said, glancing across at her and flashing a grin.
While the smile made her heart flutter a little in her chest, Natalie had noticed that Casey seemed a little… tense. He’d been completely at ease when they’d first met, but after their hands had brushed while he was taking her case, he’d suddenly clammed up.
Or, Natalie thought, I’m tired after two days of stressing out on a bus, and I’m imagining things.
Licking her lips, she focused on the view out the windshield as the impressive building she remembered from the website photographs came into view. She whistled through her teeth.
“Wow. It’s even more amazing in person.”
Casey nodded. “Yeah – but you should’ve seen it before Faye fixed it up. It was a total dump – if it’d been me, I probably would have just torn the place down, but Faye had other plans.”
Natalie nodded as they pulled up in the driveway. “What did it used to be? A house?”
“I guess so – back when all the land around here was owned by just one family,” Casey replied. “It was always just known as the Campion Street ghost house when I was a kid – we used to make up spooky stories and dare each other to go inside during the full moon.”
“You grew up around here?” Natalie asked, though she realized as soon as she asked what a silly question it was. Casey was clearly as country boy as they came. She’d be surprised if he’d ever set foot anywhere bigger than Silver City.
Casey grinned at her again as he opened the trunk, swinging her case out easily. “Born and raised. My dad owns the Cedar Hill ranch – or, he did. He retired a couple of years ago and passed on the running of it to my older brother, Joe. I help out there too, when I’m not working at the B&B.”
Glancing around her for the first time, Natalie was struck by the homey charm of the town. It wasn’t much, but it was clean, and the shop fronts were quaint and had the kind of down-home feel she had always thought only existed on TV. Charming was the word that sprung into her mind. The ad had been right – she might not have heard of Cedar Hill before now, but she was already growing to like it.
Which might have something to do with the welcoming committee, she thought, stealing another glance at Casey.
As quickly as it had come, she pushed the thought away. This wasn’t the time – if it ever was.
Anyway, he’s hardly going to be impressed with you – unless he’s into the ‘Two Days on a Bus’ look, featuring unbrushed hair and dark circles under your eyes.
It didn’t matter, Natalie told herself firmly. She was here to clean, not win a beauty contest.
And what did it matter what Casey thought of her looks?
Opening the back door of Casey’s truck, she touched Micah on the arm. “Hey, sweetie – it’s time to wake up. I know you’re tired, but if I let you sleep too long, you won’t sleep tonight.”
Micah woke up slowly, blinking his eyes and yawning. “Are we here?”
Natalie smiled. “We sure are, honey. Are you hungry?”
Still fuzzy from sleep, Micah yawned again and nodded. “Can I have lunch?”
“Sure you can,” Casey said from behind her. “I was going to ask if you wanted to do that first. My sister-in-law – well, I call her my sister-in-law, but she’s married to my cousin, but he grew up with us so he’s like a brother – runs a diner a couple of miles down the road. The food’s to die for, but I can always take you there another time. In the meantime, I’m sure we can rustle you up something here.”
Casey abruptly stopped talking, and Natalie noticed that the tips of his ears were turning slightly red.
Is he… blushing? she thought, mildly bemused. Casey didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d blush. If anything, it’d be him making the girls blush.
But despite his good looks and easy-going manner, Natalie could see there was something almost sweet and shy about Casey. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was, but she knew already that she felt drawn to him, in a way she’d never quite felt drawn to anyone before.
Of course, her dating life had been virtually non-existent for the last ten years: she’d been with Ken, and then, after he’d walked out, she’d poured every ounce of energy she possessed into caring for Micah, and making sure he never went without. That didn’t leave a lot of time for meeting guys, let alone any who might have been the kind of men she’d see as a suitable role model for her son.
Not that that had usually been a problem, anyway: most men had run a mile the second the words single mother had come up. Which had only shown her that they were definitely not the kind of men she wanted in her and Micah’s lives anyway, but she had to admit, it still hurt.
It had been easier, in the end, to choose not to date at all.
Let’s hope I’ve made the right choice now, she thought grimly as she unbuckled her son’s seatbelt, and helped him down to the ground.
“To be honest, we’re both probably a little too tired to go out to a diner just now,” she said as she followed Casey up the drive to the entrance. “But I’ll happily eat anything – a little toast and some coffee would be fine. I’m not fussy at all.”
“I think we can get you something a little more than that,” Casey said as he opened the front door of the B&B. “You need something good and nourishing after a long journey – that’s what I’ve always thought, anyway.”
Natalie nodded, not sure what to say. She wasn’t used to being made to feel so welcome by employers. Usually they just pointed to a bucket and mop and told her to get started.
Stepping through the door and looking around her, she started to take notice of her surroundings. The outside of the B&B had been impressive, but the inside was even more beautiful still.
Everything about it had a hint of luxury – from the high ceilings with their exposed beams, to the soft, fluffy rugs that covered the hardwood floors, this was a place for guests to feel pampered in. A huge vase of pale pink roses stood on an ornate table by the staircase, their soft scent permeating the room.
It was beautiful – cozy and luxurious all at once.
Faye gazed around her, wondering if, somehow, she had wandered into a dream.
If I have, I don’t know if I want to wake up, she thought.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Micah piped up from beside her, tugging at her hand and bringing her back down to earth. “Can I have an apple?”
“Oh –” Natalie started to say, glancing around at Casey. “We should ask –”
“You sure can,” Casey smiled down at him. “Do you have it cut up into slices?”
Micah shook his head solemnly. “That’s for babies.”
Casey laughed. “Of course it is. How old are you?”
“Six. But my birthday’s in August,” Micah answered proudly.
“Wow! All grown up then,” Casey said, and Micah beamed.
Natalie bit her lip as she glanced down at her son’s face, her heart suddenly beating wildly in her chest. Micah was staring up at Casey with undisguised awe, his eyes large and shining. Casey, despite the fact he was clearly a young man, had such an easy manner with him – and she could see that Micah, who was often shy, had warmed to him instantly.
Natalie drew in a deep breath. That was good – she was worried that Micah might be upset by having to move again so soon.
But on the other hand, she couldn’t allow Micah to get too attached. He’d been hurt so many times in his young life already that she couldn’t stand to see him grow close to someone else who might leave him – or who they’d have to leave.
“Oh, you’re here! I hope you didn’t have any trouble!”
Natalie’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a woman’s voice. She looked up to see someone she recognized as Faye heading down the hall toward them. She held out her hand for Natalie to shake as she approached. Her skin was soft, but Natalie could feel the strength in her hand. She was clearly a woman who was used to working hard.
Smile lines appeared around Faye’s face as she grinned, and there were a few streaks of white wending their way through the dark auburn of her hair. Despite that, Natalie found she was having trouble guessing the woman’s age – she could have been anything from forty to sixty.
“No, no trouble at all,” she murmured. “The trip was fine. No problems.”
“Great!” Faye said, smiling. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to pick you up myself – deliveries never show up when they should.” She shook her head, laughing, before turning her smile to Micah. “And this must be Micah.”
Micah nodded, though he said nothing.
Natalie couldn’t really blame him – she was feeling a little overwhelmed herself.
“Has Casey offered you something to eat?” Faye asked. “You must be hungry after coming all this way.”
“Of course I have.” Casey rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “We were just about to go get Micah an apple.”
“Oh, I think we can do a little better than that, as long as you don’t mind that it’s leftovers,” Faye said breezily. “Come with me – I’ll show you the kitchen.”
***
The meal that Faye had described as leftovers turned out to be one of the most delicious meals that Natalie had ever had in her entire life.
“Wow,” she said emphatically as she mopped up the last of the spicy three-bean stew with a piece of fluffy cornbread, warmed from having been re-heated in the oven. Before that had been honey-glazed chicken wings, and Faye had mentioned there was cake for dessert. Casey had given Micah an apple once he’d finished his stew, and he was munching happily, quietly watching the adults around him with his big brown eyes.
“That was amazing,” Natalie said as she pushed her empty bowl away. “Did you make it?”
Faye laughed. “Oh, I only wish I could say I did – I’m a terrible cook.” She glanced over at where Casey was sitting at the big wooden kitchen table. “Have you given Natalie the family tree yet?”
Casey shook his head. “Some – but it started getting a little complicated.”
Natalie recalled what he’d said about cousins who were like brothers, their wives, and their children. She wondered just how many more new people she’d be meeting before the day was over. Not that Casey and Faye had been anything other than utterly charming and hospitable – but after two days on a bus, Natalie was sure she’d muddle names or say something wrong. Which was not the best impression to make on an employer.
And there was also the fact that Micah was clearly tired. She’d prefer to let him rest before he had to meet a huge group of people.
“It’s probably just easier if you meet everyone in person,” Faye said. “We’re a big family, and getting bigger all the time. You’ll have a chance to get to know everyone soon enough, but for now, I figured you’d prefer the chance to rest up after your trip. I know traveling can take its toll, especially on young ones like your little man here.”
Relief flooded Natalie. Again, she found herself wondering if she’d stumbled into a dream. Can this really be happening? It all seems too good to be true…
It didn’t seem possible that only three days ago she’d been in her dingy little apartment in the middle of the city, with a strange man threatening her over her deadbeat ex’s gambling debts.
She was more determined than ever to keep this job.
I am going to ace this trial period, she told herself. They will have never seen the place so clean.
“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “I admit, I’m kind of tired.” And kind of a mess, she added silently, glancing back at where Casey was leaning against the kitchen cupboards, sipping a cup of coffee. She wished she’d at least had the chance to run a brush through her hair before meeting up with the world’s handsomest welcoming committee!
“If you like, I can show you to your bedroom,” he said, putting his coffee mug down, before immediately coloring bright red. “I mean… to where you’ll be staying. You can have a shower… I mean, a rest.”
Natalie laughed, again bemused by how flustered he seemed to be, and how quickly. It was utterly incongruous with everything else about him!
And… it was intriguing, too. She couldn’t help but notice he’d started blushing at the exact same moment as he’d mentioned her bedroom.
Don’t read anything into it, she warned herself sternly a moment later. You’re here to do a job. Not flirt with the boss’s son. Nothing but professionalism.
Just as she thought this, the kitchen door opened and a tall older man entered, holding in his arms a girl who looked a little younger than Micah, with big green eyes and a riot of strawberry blonde curls falling over her shoulders.
“Ahh, Lincoln,” Faye said. “And I was just telling Natalie she wouldn’t have to meet any more new people today!”
“Sorry,” the new man said easily, nodding at Natalie. “I didn’t mean to intrude. But when I told little Faith here there was a new kid in town, she just couldn’t wait to meet him – provided that’s all right with you.” He shifted the little girl – Faith – into his left arm, and held out his right for Natalie to shake. “Lincoln Whittaker. I didn’t mean to barge in if you’re tired.”
Natalie took his hand. Wow, that’s a strong grip, she thought. Glancing between him and Casey, she quickly surmised that they must be father and son – the age was right, and the family resemblance was undeniable. Lincoln looked like he was in his late fifties, but he was still very handsome. He must have looked just like Casey when he was a young man.
They just don’t grow ‘em like this in the city, she thought, a little wistfully.
“No, it’s fine,” she said. “Micah’s a little tired, but I’m sure he can say hello.”
She glanced over to her son. He had been quietly gnawing on his apple core for the past few minutes, carefully chewing off every last morsel of fruit, but was now looking with interest at the little girl in Lincoln’s arms. “Honey, hop up and say hello.”
“Hello,” Micah said, standing up. “I’m Micah. What’s your name?”
“Faith,” said the little girl, her voice clear and strong. Maybe she was a little older than she looked, Natalie thought. She certainly spoke well. “Will you be living here now?”
“I hope so,” Micah said seriously. “You have good food.”
Natalie glanced nervously at Faye, but she was smiling.
“Are you shifters, too?” Faith asked, eyes shining with curiosity. “What animal do you turn into?”
Natalie blinked, confused. What does that mean?
She could see Micah was confused by the question too, and he glanced uncertainly at her for guidance.
Subtly, the atmosphere in the room seemed to have become suddenly tense, too – she could see that Faye had drawn in a quick breath, while Casey, still leaning against the cupboard, had frozen.
“Maybe that’s enough questions for now,” Faye said quickly. “Faith, Micah and Natalie are a bit tired. You can ask them some more things tomorrow. Okay?”
“Okay,” Faith said reluctantly. “Can I show Micah my garden tomorrow?”
“Sure you can, sweetheart,” Lincoln said smoothly. “But let’s let them rest for now.” He looked at Natalie. “It was great to meet you. I really hope you’ll enjoy working with us.”
Before Natalie could reply, he’d ducked back out through the door, Faith still in his arms.
That was a little odd, Natalie thought, confused. But then again, she knew how kids were – Faith was probably just playing a little game, or had imagined some storybook had come to life.
“Well, let me show you to your room,” Casey said. “I’ll carry your case. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing.”
“Honestly, that sounds like heaven,” Natalie said. She turned to Faye. “Thank you so much for being so welcoming – I really hope you’ll be impressed with my work.”
“If you’re even half as good as your references say, then I’m sure we’re going to have a great working relationship,” Faye said, laughing. “But for now, put it out of your mind. We can talk shop tomorrow. Deal?”
“Deal,” Natalie said, and she couldn’t help but smile.