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BOOK 5 PART TWO EPILOGUE
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Being Yours BOOK 6
Last week Jill McCall had thought her world was in a fairly secure orbit. Today, she felt like she’d been hit by Halley’s comet.What a shock to discover that she’d been downsized by the company that had hired her fresh out of college. Downsized, as her boss kindly explained, meant that the company was laying off workers in an attempt to become more financially stable.Tell that to her apartment manager, Jill snorted. The company might be more fiscally healthy, but being laid off right after Thanksgiving meant it was going to be a very slim Christmas for her. So much for that bonus she’d been counting on.To add to the feeling of being torn loose from the universe, only last week she had broken off her engagement to her fiance. The relationship, she’d realized, was comfortable, but missing something. It was sadly lacking in fire, and in passion, she had decided. At least it had seemed that way before a note had been dropped on her desk at work, revealing thatCarl had enough passion t
Being Yours BOOK 6
Dustin opened the door so the woman carrying the baby could walk past him into the house. ‘Mother!’ he called. ‘We’ve got company!’The lady eyed him a bit peevishly before walking into the parlor off the hall. He watched in amazement as she sat down, settled the baby in her arms, and popped the cap on the bottle. Testing it deftly on her arm, the woman shrugged, then put the bottle to the baby’s lips. The infant started sucking greedily. It was a relief, though the baby’s fussing hadn’t really been that loud. He just hadn’t been able to bear knowing that the minuscule person was hungry. Tiny gulping sounds in the antique-furnished parlor made Dustin smile.But not as much as the sight of the woman cuddling the infant to her breast, close and secure, as she murmured soft, comforting words to it.A large piece of the past suddenly lodged in Dustin’s throat. His wife, Nina, had wanted their baby so badly. And although even the baby hadn’t been enough to keep Nina’s unhappiness at bay fo
Being Yours BOOK 6
‘So, what makes you interested in the position, Jill?’ Eunice’s question pulled Jill’s gaze away from surreptitiously watching Dustin talk to the sheriff who had arrived a few minutes earlier.‘Stability,’ she answered. ‘The idea of living in one place for a year is very appealing.’Jill thought about her answer, knowing that there had been more that had pulled her ojit to the ranch on Setting Sim Road. Meeting Mrs Reed’s eyes, Jill said honestly, ‘The bonus at the end of a year was an incentive also.’Eunice nodded. Jill watched as the baby opened her mouth in an angelic yawn. ‘Although I suppose you weren’t counting on both of us joining you for the holidays. Will you have enough room?’‘Space isn’t a problem at all. I rather like the idea of a house full of people during Christmas. It’s been somewhat lonely around here. If we can agree on the position, then your coming here is very fortuitous. We’ll need help with this baby, of course.’‘Hello, Ms McCall,’ the sheriff said, coming
Being Yours BOOK 6
Eunice showed Jill the room she would have during her stay at the ranch. It was light and cheery, with yellow-striped wallpaper on the walls and white eyelet curtains at every window. A window seat on the far wall, overlooking the front of the house, had a yellow, cabbage rose cushion in place.‘I love the room, Mrs Reed,’ Jill said. ‘I’ll be very comfortable in here.’‘I hope you will, my dear,’ Eunice replied pleasantly. ‘What I think you’ll like best is that the adjoining bathroom connects to the room Joey stays in. That way you don’t have to go so far if he needs you at night.’‘I can’t wait to meet him,’ Jill said.Eunice smiled. ‘He’ll be home from visiting his other grandparents shortly. Now, there’s something I hope you’ll do for me, Jill,’ Eunice continued, stopping to pause in front of the vanity mirror hanging over an antique table. Her fingers lightly patted the silvery-white dross of her hair, twisted into a delicate chignon, which Jill thought suited her.‘I’ll do whatev
Being Yours BOOK 6
Jill sat up straight in the seat. ‘A bribe?’‘Yeah. I’m thinking if they know their daughter is safe and happy, then they won’t want you to leave the ranch.’‘Oh. I hadn’t thought of it that way,’ Jill said softly.They were silent the rest of the drive back, except for some tersely polite comments about the scenery. Dustin hadn’t been deaf yesterday to Jill’s intention to stay only one week if he didn’t mind his p’s and q’s. Could she blame him for trying to ease things with her folks? Shoot, at the rate he was going, he was going to run out of housekeeper candidates by the New Year. Yet Dustin sensed he’d hurt her feelings with his blunt answer, and he really hadn’t meant to. He was just telling it the way he saw it. Obviously, Jill was a tender-hearted little thing. He hoped his mother was right about her being perfect for the job. A tender heart wasn’t likely to survive the harshness of life on a country ranch. The previous housekeepers hadn’t possessed hearts, and they still hadn
Being Yours BOOK 6
Dustin eased back in the saddle, enjoying the sound of the leather creaking as he stretched. He could finally tend to his work again, without worrying about difficult housekeepers quitting on him. Today he had ridden from one end of his acreage to the other, checking on livestock and seeing what damage the ice had done, just him and his horse occasionally blowing out steamy breaths in the frosty air. This was how it was meant to be.Leaving matters concerning his house in Jill’s capable hands was a major source of relief. How darn lucky for him that Jill had come to apply for the job. How very fortimate that his mother liked her. Eunice had certainly given the other two housekeepers a nm for their sanity. Of course, he was a long way from relaxing around his new housekeeper, but Eunice had warmed to Jill like butter to hot gingerbread - and since he really wanted a companion and watchful eye on his mother and his young son more than a sparkling clean home, this was all working out bet
Being Yours BOOK 6
'Uh , don’t let Dustin annoy you,’ Eunice said as she shuffled over to take the seat he’d vacated beside Jill. Having been standing in the doorway, she’d heard her son’s parting shot to Jill. ‘He’s picking on you.’Relief Elled Jill. ‘I’m glad you think so.’‘I know so.’ Eunice frowned for a second, the porcelain skin on her forehead furrowing a bit. ‘Although I’ve never seen him act this way around anyone before.’‘Lovely.’Eunice looked at her. ‘It is rather strange, isn’t it? I mean, Dustin is a quiet person, but you seem to bring out a new side of him.’She wouldn’t know about a new side. It was hard enough to be comfortable with any of Dustin’s sides. Yet she thought she understood what Eunice was trying to say: that in Dustin’s own awkward way, he was trying to make her feel at home. Sort of like a sister, maybe.The sudden thought occurred to her that perhaps that wasn’t the way she wanted Dustin to view her at all. He had said once that he found her attractive more attractive
Being Yours BOOK 6
Jill's quick escape had saved Dustin from making a stupid blunder. Kissing his housekeeper was not a good idea for all folks concerned. As much as he might have been tempted by the mistletoe, any fool knew that once he kissed Jill, nothing would ever be the same between them. In order for this relationship to work, it had to stay on an extremely formal, professional level. Othenvise, it was going to become even more awkward aroxmd the Regret Ranch.Still feeling unsteady despite this assessment of the matter, Dustin turned to his mother. ‘I’m going to shower. I have to go out tonight, and I don’t want my potential clients nm off by the sawdust and tree leaves I’m wearing in my hair.’ He paused, thinking about the expression on Jill’s face a moment ago. ‘Would you mention to Jill that I won’t be here for dmner after all? I’ve decided to treat the city boys to a real cowboy’s meal.’Eunice nodded. ‘Go ahead, Dustin. I’ll let Jill know the change in plans.’‘Thanks.’ Dustin stomped up th
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