“D id you always want to be a nanny?” Connie’s question took Meagan aback, and she wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Like how Daddy always wanted to own a hockey team?”

In the ten months she’d been working for the Northcote’s, the little girl had asked nothing personal. The job had found her, not the other way around. Being a nanny wasn’t her life’s ambition. At nineteen, she was still trying to figure that out, but this got her away from home and paid better than minimum wage. “Not always, but I love working with kids. This job lets me do that and I get to hang with you. That’s pretty awesome.”

The petite blonde pondered her response and the tiny puzzle piece in her hand. She rubbed her chin and smiled. “I’m trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up. Playing piano is fun. So, maybe I’ll be a musician like Caroline. I like babies, but diapers… yuck! No, thank you.”

Meagan laughed as she stared at the two-thousand-piece rainbow sprawled on the coffee table. They were almost done. The bottom grass area proved to be more challenging than they’d initially thought and the project had taken hours. Connie picked up another piece, eyed the corners and found the correct spot.

“I’m not a fan of dirty diapers either, but I’m lucky I don’t have to worry about those. You have a lot of years before you have to decide. Your tenth birthday isn’t for another two months,” she said, eyeing the remaining ten pieces; they all looked the same.

“Once we finish, are we swimming?”

A glance outside, revealed a setting sun. The days were getting longer as spring approached, but darkness still dominated this early in March. She looked at her watch and back at Connie. “It’s nearly dinner time. How about we wrap this up and you can ask Mrs. Booth if she needs help with anything? I know you love adding the finishing touches.”

“I’m not hungry. You said we would swim this afternoon.” Connie crossed her arms and rocked from side to side.

Connie had Asperger’s and lived by a schedule. Meagan rarely deviated from the planned activities because of how it impacted the little girl. They’d been having fun, and she’d lost track of time. She didn’t want to cause a meltdown and weighed her words carefully.

“I’ll let you decide what we do. We can leave these last pieces and go swim now, or we can complete the puzzle and swim tomorrow.”

The rocking increased. “I don’t know what to do.”

Meagan stood up and walked around the table to where Connie was seated cross legged on the floor. She kneeled next to her. “This is my fault, not yours. I am sorry I lost track of time. Connie, look at the puzzle and tell me if there are any other pieces you think fit?”

Connie didn’t move right away. Meagan waited, giving her time to adjust to the change. A minute later, her little arm reached out and moved another piece into place.

“Great job, honey,” Spencer Northcote said from the doorway. Meagan watched her boss enter the room. His salt and pepper hair covered his forehead, shielding his eyes. He was in his mid-forties and oozed dominance and sex appeal. He made her nervous.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. North—”

He waved her off. “It’s not an issue. Connie, I asked Mrs. Booth to make your favorite dessert, but she needs you to put it in the oven.”

“Yummy!” Connie stood and raced out of the room.

“Follow me to my office, Meagan. We have business to discuss,” he said and left, without waiting for a response.

Meagan stood and dusted off her knees. The black yoga pants were comfortable, but not the attire she’d have picked to wear around her boss in a formal setting. She’d only been in his office once and that was the day of her interview. Her palms instantly got sweaty. “Yes, sir.”

The office door was open and Mr. Northcote sat behind his large mahogany desk. “Take a seat.” He never looked up from the paperwork in his hands.

In the corner, a fire roared in the fireplace, giving the room a soft, warm glow. She entered and took the seat across from him, crossing her legs to prevent them from bouncing. He didn’t speak right away. Her mind wandered, trying to recall any mistakes, but she came up blank.

“Sir, did I do something wrong?”

He set the papers down. “Nothing of the sort. The opposite actually. I’ve been impressed with the way you’ve taken to this job. When your father asked me to consider you, I was hesitant. I wasn’t sure you could handle working with Connie and her needs, but you’ve both flourished this past year. Her condition can be trying, but you never lose patience.” He smiled and the lines around his eyes softened.

“Thank you. I love kids,” she said, returning his smile.

“It shows. You’re a natural with children. You’ve earned my trust. For that reason, I am asking you to do me a favor.”

The compliment set her at ease but made her blush all the same. She exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “You’re asking me for a favor?” That was unexpected. “Sure, anything you need.”

“Good. You’ll be working as Cameron Smith’s nanny for the next few weeks. If you’re not familiar with him, he’s one of the hockey players on my team. He has a daughter. I believe she’s three or four.”

As soon as she heard his name, her mouth dropped open. Everyone knew Cam Smith. The winger had joined the team a few years prior during his rookie year. He was young and sinfully hot though she had no idea he was a dad. The room felt warmer. Her cheeks heated; she fanned her face.

“Her name is April,” he continued as if she wasn’t having a fan girl moment. “She’s not special needs, but she’s been through a lot of change. As a single dad, Cam is very protective. You’ll move in to help him out while we finish the regular season. I need his focus to be on the game and not finding help. You’ll remain on my payroll, but you will report to Mr. Smith. Part of your role will be to assist him to find a permanent employee. Do you have any questions?”

Single dad. She latched onto that statement and swallowed the drool before it spilled from her lips. How could a man like him be single? She must have misheard. “You said, single dad, but that can’t be right?”

“He’s very much raising April by himself. Until a few weeks ago, his mother had been living with him, but she’s tending to a sick family member. Since then it’s been chaos and I can’t have that. That’s where you come in. Anything else?”

“Right.” For the next few weeks, he wanted her to live with a man whose dimples made her insides quiver and her tongue salivate. They’d never been formally introduced, but he was one of the two hockey player’s that starred front and center in her naughty dreams. She shook her head, trying to hold back the glee. It sounded straight forward and easy enough. Then the moment of indecision struck. “Why? I mean, yes! I am happy to help look after April, but why not hire a temp until you can find someone else?”

His lips thinned. “His life is complicated. April needs stability and I trust you’ll be able to help provide that. Connie has so many extra activities this month, between Easter and Spring break, that your services would be best used elsewhere. This is a favor and not a requirement. If you’d rather not—”

“No! I’ll go,” she interjected. It was phrased as a question, but there was no choice to be made. She had to do this. “You’re the best boss. I appreciate you taking me in and giving me a chance. You’ve given me more than a job. I won’t let you down.”

“I appreciate this, Meagan. Cameron is a good man. I believe you’ll find him fair and accommodating. If he gives you any problems, come see me.”

“There won’t be any problems.”

He strummed his fingers on his desk, making her think he had more to say. She nodded and waited for him to continue. There was definitely more to this story. He sighed. “Cameron will fill you in on the position and what he’s looking for specifically. Based on my conversations with him, the pay is the same as yours. Minor domestic duties may be requested, but you’re not his maid or his cook. Your responsibility is to care for April and with his schedule it’s easier for you to live there. Your father won’t like this change in living arrangements. Would you like me to speak with him?”

The Colonel would hate it. Too bad he had absolutely no say in the matter though he acted otherwise. This was her life, and it was time he realized that. His vision for her life didn’t match hers. Meagan sat up straighter. “I’ll handle it, but thank you for the offer.”

Mr. Northcote ran a hand through his silver hair and eyed her quizzically, as if he doubted her. Frankly, she doubted herself as well. Her father could be stubborn, but he wanted her happy. Besides, this wasn’t a big deal. A few weeks watching a different kid wouldn’t be life altering. He had no rational reason to object.

“It’s settled then. I’ll ring Cameron and let him know the good news. Pack and be ready within the hour,” he said and picked up the phone, dismissing her.

“Thank you.” She left the meeting and raced up the stairs to pack her bags.

This short-term assignment couldn’t have come at a better time. Her life had become far too routine. Being an army brat meant she was no stranger to moving. One of the many reasons she craved stability and routine, but her life had become boring. Okay, it’d transformed into complete and utter Dullsville since Lindy left.

She picked up her phone and sent a text to her best-friend. Lindy loved hockey and was equally obsessed with Joe Larson and Cam Smith. Joe was another winger and the man who’d saved her and Connie from freezing to death as they hid from some strangers who’d chased them. The scary ordeal had been softened by strong arms, dark hair and gentle hands. Meagan’s crush had exploded into full blown hero worshiping after that. If she was moving into Joe’s she’d probably spontaneously combust. Lindy would keel over when she learned about her new living arrangements. It was a good thing she’d chosen to study abroad and wouldn’t get this message for another couple of hours.

With her suitcase on the bed, she tossed items into it. The next call couldn’t be put off. She dialed her parents and hoped they wouldn’t answer. Three rings. “Hello, darling.”

She cringed slightly at the sound of her mother’s cheerful voice.

“Hi, Mom. I don’t have long to talk, but for the foreseeable future I will be helping Mr. Northcote with a special assignment.” The fewer details she provided and the less they knew, the less they could criticize.

“What kind of assignment? Should I get your father on the line?”

“No, that’s okay. I’ll be watching another little girl for a short while. I wanted to let you know I won’t be here for the next few weeks in case you wanted to visit.” They had a habit of checking in every other week. Uninvited and always pushing their agenda.

“Where are you going? Whose daughter are you watching?”

The inquisition had begun and Meagan wasn’t in the mood. “I’ll still be in the city. Don’t worry. Look, I have to finish packing so we’ll table the questions for another time. I love you and we’ll talk soon.” She hung up before her mother could protest. Her parents wouldn’t approve of her taking this job because it wasn’t a military job. Nothing she did was the right choice. Unless she enlisted, which she would never do. The military life wasn’t for her. They didn’t get that.

A minute later, her phone beeped. A quick glance revealed her older sister’s smiling face. She let it go to voicemail. Hailey was the perfect daughter. Stunning in every way. Tough as nails, but she knew how to follow orders. Meagan hadn’t mastered that ability. She questioned everything and couldn’t make a decision to save her life. They were total opposites.

Once packed, she spent time in Connie’s room saying goodbye. Mr. Northcote had already informed her of the change and Connie had taken it surprisingly well. She suspected it was only a matter of time before Connie no longer needed her, and then Meagan would have to decide what to do with her life. She pushed those fears aside.

When she descended the stairs, her jaw hit the floor. Standing next to Spencer Northcote was over six feet of drop dead sexy, man candy. Cameron Smith stood with his hands shoved in his jeans pockets. Casual and radiating sex appeal from the top of his short blond hair down to his large designer kicks. She stopped half-way down to admire the view. More like his bright green eyes caught her attention and stole her ability to move.

The men bantered, not noticing her. His voice was like silk wrapped around a teddy bear. Soft and warm; the type of voice you want to cuddle against and listen to all night. Not to mention his dimples were killer. She had no doubt, they caused more than one wet pair of panties, hers were certainly damp.

One smile was all it took to win her heart. Having a crush on her new boss was not a wise decision.