Nanny Makes Three(16)

At first he’d been shocked to discover that he’d let his personal life remain so shallow. Surely a thirty-year-old man should have had at least one serious relationship he could look back on. Liam hadn’t been able to point to a single woman who’d impacted his life in any way.

He didn’t even have mommy issues, because he’d never gotten to know her. She was a distracted, preoccupied guest at Christmas or when she showed up for his birthday. When she couldn’t make it, expensive presents arrived and were dutifully opened. The most up-to-date electronics, gift cards, eventually big checks. For Liam, their mother had been the beautiful young woman in the photo framed by silver that sat on Grandfather’s desk. According to him, she’d loved her career more than anything else and wasn’t cut out to live on a ranch.

“...and of course, great sex.”

The last word caught his attention. Liam grinned. “Of course.”

Candace laughed. “I wondered if you were listening to me. Turns out you weren’t.”

“I was thinking about my past relationships or lack thereof.”

“You just haven’t found the right girl.” Candace patted him on the arm, adopting the persona of wise old aunt. “Once she shows up, you’ll have all the relationship you can handle. Just remember to think about her happiness before your own and you’ll be all right.”

Liam thought about his past girlfriends and knew that advice would have bankrupted him. His former lovers wanted the best things money could buy. Expensive clothes, exotic trips, to be pampered and spoiled. Living such an affluent lifestyle had been fine for short periods of time, but at heart, Liam loved the ranch and his horses. None of his lady friends wanted to live in Royal permanently. It was too far from the rapid pace of city life.

“I’m out of here,” Candace said, slipping her coat off the hook near the kitchen door. “You and Hadley should be able to handle things from here. See you tomorrow.” She winked. “Probably for lunch. You’ll have your choice of cereal or Pop-Tarts for breakfast.”

Grimacing, Liam wished her a good night and returned his attention to Maggie. The greedy child had consumed almost the entire bottle while he’d been talking to Candace. Knowing he should have burped her halfway through, he slung a towel over his shoulder and settled her atop it. Hadley’s simple ways of handling Maggie’s reflux issues had made a huge difference in the baby’s manner. She was much less fussy.

Liam walked around the kitchen, swaying with each stride to soothe the infant. He’d been at this for ten minutes when Hadley entered the room. She’d left her hair down tonight, and the pale gold waves cascaded over the shoulders of her earth-tone blanket coat. The weather had turned chilly and wet in the early evening, and Hadley had dressed accordingly in jeans and a dark brown turtleneck sweater.

“Have you already fed her?” Hadley approached and held her hands out for the baby. She avoided meeting his gaze as she said, “I can take her while you eat.”

“Maggie and I are doing fine.” The baby gave a little burp as if in agreement. “Why don’t you fix yourself a plate while I give her the rest of her bottle? I can eat after you’re done.”

Hadley looked as if she wanted to argue with him, but at last gave a little nod. “Sure.”

While he pretended to be absorbed in feeding Maggie, Liam watched Hadley, thinking about their early-morning encounter and wondering if that accounted for her skittishness. Had he done more while asleep than she’d let on? The thought brought with it a rush of heat. He bit back a smile. Obviously his subconscious had been working overtime.

“Look, about this morning—” he began, compelled to clear the air.

“You were sleeping.” Hadley’s shoulders drooped. “I intruded. I swear I won’t let Waldo get out again.”

“Maybe it’s not good for him to be cooped up all the time.”

“My apartment is pretty small. Besides, you don’t like cats.”

“What makes you say that?” Liam had no real opinion either way.

Hadley crossed her arms over her chest and gave him the sort of stern look he imagined she’d give a disobedient child. “You suggested I put him in the barn.”

“My grandfather never wanted animals in the house, so that’s what I’m used to.”

“The only time Waldo has been outside was after the house where he lived was destroyed by the tornado. He spent a month on his own before someone brought him to Royal Haven, where I adopted him. He gets upset if I leave him alone too long. That’s why I couldn’t stay here without bringing him.”