Chapter 1

You love kids, right?. You need a job and a place to live. He won’t hurt you.

Jordan Peters contemplated, rubbing damp palms against her jeans and approached the small, neat home situated on two acres of Eastern countryside. Off in the distance, she made out what looked like a machine or auto body shop. Closer to the house sat a small trailer.

The house was her focus, though, because that was where her interview was to take place.

This job wasn’t that different from the one that had just fallen through. In fact, it should be easier. Here, she’d be a nanny to just two kids. The couple who’d intended to hire her, until a family emergency had forced a move, had suggested she apply for this new job. They’d even called and set up the interview for her.

With Kamzy Wellington

Kam Wellington. What were the odds that she’d be hired by the man who’d dumped her after just a couple of high school dates?

She knocked and then bent down to pick up Tiera, Bringing a dog to a job interview wasn’t the most professional behavior, but she’d just gotten to town, and she had no place to leave the Maltese-Yorkie mix. He needed her.

More to the point, she needed him. Tiera was an emotional support dog, and his calming influence had gotten her through the end of her difficult husband’s life and his too-early death. She still wasn’t over the marriage and all that it had entailed, and she needed to be able to keep Tiera nearby. If her new boss couldn’t accept that, then she’d move on.

Although…where would she go? To her controlling parents’ home in Rivers?

Before her emotions could spiral too far down, the door opened.

And there was Kamzy. His shoulders had broadened, and his face looked more chiseled, but he still had the rugged bad-boy looks that had made the high school girls swoon.

The years had changed them both, and Jodi couldn't help but wonder if he would recognize her. The thinness, short hair, and weariness etched on her face were stark contrasts to her high school self.

“Jordan? Is that you?” Kamzy squinted, trying to place her.

“It’s me,” she replied, brushing off the visible differences. “Is this still a good time to talk about the job?”

“Yes! Sure. Come in.”

“You don’t mind my bringing my dog? He doesn’t shed much—”

“Dog hair is the least of my worries. You’ll see.” He held the door open for her, then let it close and led the way into the main room.

Once inside, the impression of neatness vanished. The floor of the living room was covered with toys, the carpet barely visible.

“Let me guess. The job involves light housekeeping?” She smiled to let him know she wasn’t judging him.

He snorted out a laugh, then shook his head. “I need it, but I wouldn’t expect it. I mostly need help with my boys.”

“Where are they now?”

“Come in. Sit down.” He led the way to a tiny dining room set up as an office. “They’re visiting with friends. I didn’t want them to meet a potential babysitter until we could talk about the issues involved. See whether it’s likely to work.”

She tilted her head, curious. “Issues?”

“I’ll explain. Let’s talk about you first.”

Her stomach lurched, but she forced herself to take deep breaths. He’s not being domineering. Just looking out for his kids. She sat on the chair he indicated, Tiera on her lap. “Speaking of issues,” she said, “you can see from his vest that Tiera is an emotional support dog. That’s why I keep him close by.”

He studied her, frowning, his eyes holding a question he didn’t ask out loud.

She hoped he wouldn’t.

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