His Outback Nanny (Prickle Creek)(23)

"So you're skirting around it?"

"No, we haven't even discussed it." Jemima frowned. Lying in bed next to  Ned with the pillow fence between them, wondering what it would be like  to snuggle up against him-and more-didn't count as discussion.

"Do you find him attractive?" Her cousin wasn't going to drop it.

"Of course I do! He's a fine looking man, and he's a good man. I like him, and I respect him."

"And you lust after him, too?" Lucy said with a giggle.

"Lucy!" Jemima looked around, but Garth wasn't interested in their conversation. He was focused on his computer screen.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Nothing. There's nothing to discuss." Jemima put her wine glass on the  coffee table and leaned back in the chair. "I don't know why we're even  having this conversation."

"It's not natural, you know."

"Lucy, for God's sake. His wife died, and I'm looking after his kids.  I'm the nanny or the governess, whatever tag suits the role. It's not  that sort of relationship. In fact, there's no relationship. There was  never going to be. It's business, pure and simple. I'm helping Ned, and  I'm proving that I am going to stay. He said he'll give me a great  reference at the end of the year. Even if I can't get a job at the  school, there are always plenty of governess' positions advertised. I've  looked in The Land."

"Not the sort you want." Lucy smiled over the rim of her wine glass.

"No more," Jemima said, holding up her hand. "Can we talk about  something else? The kids are occupied, and I was hoping for a bit of  down time. Being a housekeeper, and nanny, and helping with homework,  and learning to cook, and shop is heavy going. Not to mention, all the  emotional stuff that goes with being part of a family household."

Trying not to be affectionate with the kids was doing Jemima's head in. She had to think every minute of the day.

"Not for much longer, sweetheart."

"What's not for much longer?"

"Your down time. Here comes the good-looking guy that you're sleeping with but not sleeping with." Lucy's smile spoke volumes.

"Lucy," Jemima hissed. "For goodness sake, keep your voice down, and get  that secret smile off your face. That's the last time I'm drinking wine  with you. Now behave!"

Jemima jumped up, hurried across the living room, and opened the front door before Lucy could get out of her chair.

"Hi, Ned. Come in. Good meeting?" She glanced over at Lucy and shook her head as she mouthed to her, Be good.

Garth looked up from the computer through his open office door. "Ah, at  last, Ned. You can save me from a chick-talk-slow-and-painful death."

Jemima froze and glared at Lucy again as Ned chuckled and crossed the room to the door of Garth's office.

"How did the meeting go, mate? Sorry I couldn't make it tonight, but I'm  way behind on my records." Garth turned the screen off and stepped into  the living room. "Can I offer you a beer?"

"No thanks, but I'd love a cuppa and some leftover pizza, if there's any. Where are the kids?"

"I'm assuming they're all asleep in the spare room," Garth said with a  glance at Lucy and Jemima. "Curled up in the king-size bed. They wore  themselves out."

Lucy nodded. "They gorged on pizza and then played with James. We haven't heard a peep since we put Moana on."

"I thought that might be the case. I parked near the front door."

"Jemmy, why don't you leave them here for the night? Shame to wake them  up. Go home with Ned, and you can get the kids tomorrow," Lucy said  brightly.

Jemima gritted her teeth and tried to glare at her cousin, but Ned was  blocking her view. "I could sleep here, too, on the foldout lounge, if  the kids stay," she said.

Ned walked across to the kitchen with Garth. "That's a good idea, Lucy. I'd appreciate it."

Jemima felt as though her eyes were on stalks like those cartoon  characters that Ryan was always watching, but her surprise eased as Ned  kept talking. "Because I could use an extra hand in the morning cutting  those cattle out. If the kids stay here, you could help."

Jemima flashed a triumphant look at Lucy. See! Sex is the last thing on Ned's mind.

Although it did hurt a little bit in a place she kept hidden away from  the world. She'd discovered that men merely viewed her as a conquest.  Knowing she was simply a trophy on someone's arm had put a huge dent in  her self-confidence.         

     



 

Okay, so I was lucky enough to be born with good looks. No one ever  wanted to get to know the real Jemima Smythe. And Ned was no different.  He wasn't attracted to her at all. If he had been, surely she would have  picked up some sort of vibe, sharing a bed with him over the past few  months? No, she was purely and simply someone to look after his kids.  Even though she'd agreed to the arrangement, she'd been relegated to  about fifteenth place in his priorities.

And it hurt. Just a little bit, and it didn't do a lot for her self-esteem.

Where did she sit in the scheme of things?

After the kids, of course. That she understood. He was their dad, and  they'd always come first. Heck, she was just the nanny, and she loved  the three of them. Even though she couldn't hug them.

Which was so hard.

Jemima pushed away the thought of leaving Kelsey, Gwennie, and Ryan at the end of the year.

After the cattle. Well, okay, that was his livelihood and the whole  point of their deal. If it wasn't for the farm, he wouldn't have needed  the bank loan, and he wouldn't have needed her.

After the wheat fields he'd just sown. That had been her suggestion. And  one that Ned had really appreciated. That was the night he'd lifted her  up and swung her around as the kids cheered. Go, Dad!

And she probably came after the new litter of kittens in the hay shed, too.

Oh for goodness sake, stop feeling so sorry for yourself.

"You could always do something about it." Lucy's words buzzed around  Jemima's head as she sat there listening to Ned fill Garth in on the  alliance meeting.

 …

Ned stood in Lucy's kitchen sipping his tea and looked over at Jemima.  Her hair was loose-he loved it when she wore it out, and that wasn't  often enough. She was wearing some sort of casual floaty pants, and her  legs were tucked up beneath her, and a glass of wine dangled from her  fingers. Her breasts were accentuated by the fitted T-shirt, and he  found it hard to look away. She'd put something around her eyes and her  lips tonight, and she was even more stunning than usual.

Which was stunning enough without any enhancements.

Ned cleared his throat as she lifted a languid gaze to his, and for a  moment, he could have sworn he saw his need reflected in her expression.  But it was gone before he could blink. Of course, she wanted to come  home and have a good night's sleep. The last few weeks, the shadows had  deepened beneath Jemima's eyes, and he was worried she was working too  hard. What if it became too much for her and she realised she wanted to  go back to the city? He'd be caught between a rock and a hard place if  that happened.

With the kids not there tonight, there was no need to keep up  appearances. He could sleep in Ryan's bed, and Jemima could get a good  night's sleep. God knew, he needed one. Lying next to her in that  king-size bed every night was torture. A couple of nights ago, he'd  finally gone to sleep with his fingers clenching the sheet so he didn't  reach over and hold her. He tried not to think about it.

What man wouldn't be the same with a woman as beautiful as Jemima in bed next to him?

It didn't mean anything.

Lucy yawned and broke into Ned's thoughts. "I'm going to bed. Jemmy, if  you do decide to sleep on the cane lounge, there's a spare blanket in  the cupboard in the hallway. If you're going home, I'll feed the kids in  the morning."

"Have you got Weetbix?" Ned and Jemima spoke together, and he looked at her and laughed.

"Yes, I do. Now get off home," Lucy said. "I'm going to bed before James wakes up for his next feed."

Lucy padded softly down the hallway.

"Well?" Ned raised his eyebrows. "Coming or staying?"

His mouth dried as she pushed herself to her feet. Almost six foot of a  perfect figure unwound sinuously as she stood. She stretched, and that  damned T-shirt clung even tighter.

"I'll come home," she said, "and help with the cattle."

He hid the smile that tugged at his lips, unsure of why he felt so  pleased that she wanted to come home with him. Or maybe it was simply  because she called it home.

It wasn't just the help she would give him with the cattle work. The thought of going home to an empty house hadn't appealed.

But on the other hand, the thought of going home with Jemima, and no children, appealed way too much.

"Night, Garth."

"See you tomorrow."

Garth's eyebrows rose as Jemima turned to the door, and damn if he didn't wink at Ned.

Ned frowned and shrugged as though he didn't understand and followed  Jemima to the door. He held open the car door for Jemima as she climbed  up into the ute. When he was in the driver's seat and had started the  car, she yawned again.