Allena sighed. Could she leave them? Yes. She had to. Otherwise, she’d stay forever. Or until the day Justin remarried and she was replaced in the children’s lives. For a while, Allena had imagined his old girlfriend was a prime candidate. And truthfully, she hadn’t liked Rachel. What Justin saw in her, besides the obvious great legs and pretty face, Allena had no idea. She remembered Jayne De Nero, on the few occasions they’d met, as warm and friendly, with a deep love for her family and friends. Rachel seemed like the polar opposite. Totally career-driven and never at all interested in being involved in Justin’s family.Not that Allena believed there was anything wrong with someone pursuing the career they loved—but she’d never been one to think that a job and career were everything. She’d spent three years at college, then got a job in the city working as an admin for a member of the city council, but the hours had been long and relentless. At twenty-six, after five years in the sa
Her heart skipped a beat.Justin, it was him. What was he doing out here in the rain?She would recognise the way he sat in the saddle anywhere. He might not be a typical cowboy, but he certainly rode like one. The rain quickly fell heavier, and Allena suspected she should head for the cabin, but watching him ride through the storm, his swagger so familiar, nothing could make her drag her gaze away. He wore a raincoat, and the tail flapped as the horse jogged towards her. He came to a halt about ten feet away, his expression as dark and thunderous as the sky above them. And then he spoke. Well, more like he yelled. “What the hell are you doing?”The moment Justin saw Allena heading off on her horse, he realised she would get stuck in the rainstorm. He knew enough about the weather to suspect the storm would be a bad one. And he certainly didn’t want Allena stuck out alone on a trail ride while a storm raged around her. She should have known better. As Rudy should have, something he sa
Allena pulled a couple of shirts out of the old wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom and tugged at the red T-shirt she’d slipped on, thinking she would prefer to change back into her soaking-wet shirt.At least that fits properly. Leah was slim and athletic, so her clothes weren’t a great fit. But she needed to wear something while her shirt dried out. Allena grabbed her wet shirt and left the bedroom, coming face-to-face with Justin within seconds.Without his glasses, he was just as handsome but less serious-looking. “Contacts?” she queried. “You don’t normally wear them on the weekend.”“I don’t normally go horseback riding in the rain, either. But glasses don’t cut it in a storm. And I’m a wiz at putting in contacts in a hurry.”Allena took a step farther into the room, aware that the rain was still pelting on the roof. She walked towards the fireplace and carefully draped her shirt over the mesh fire screen.“So, why did you?” she asked when she faced him again. “Come out in the
Allena found the kettle in the kitchen and set it on the stove, then rinsed out the mugs and rummaged through the cupboard for coffee and sugar. The coffee tin was empty, and when she found tea bags, she settled for them, plopping them in the mugs as she waited for the water to boil. It had been unnerving; it had been a difficult decision to even consider leaving Justin and his kids, but she didn't have a choice. She had to live her life and mind her own business.A few minutes later, she heard the front door open and close, and Justin was back in the kitchen. “They’re fine,” he said, plonking his hat on the table. “It’s cold here.”Allena agreed, “I know—”“We should sit by the fire.”Allena looked at the fire crackling in the hearth and nodded. “I’m making tea.” She knew Justin didn’t really like tea. He was a coffee-drinker. But he didn’t refuse the mug when she passed it to him. Seconds later, they were sitting on the large sofa. It was lumpy and not all that comfortable, but it w
Strange, Justin mused as he looked at her, but it took all of his willpower to push back the mental image he had suddenly run riot through his brain. Images of Allena lying on the sand wearing nothing but a tiny, revealing bikini. The idea sideswiped him for a second and then settled in his blood. The clingy, ill-fitting T-shirt wasn’t helping, either. It outlined every dip and curve and left nothing to the imagination. His groin tightened, and he shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something intelligent to say but coming up with nothing. Sure, he wasn’t usually much of a talker, but he’d never had trouble talking to Allena. If anything, she was one of the few people he felt genuinely comfortable around. But this feeling was different. He wasn’t prepared for it. He was confused. Jesus, I'm going crazy, he thought to himself.And he didn’t want to be confused about Allena. He didn’t want to blur the lines. All he needed was for her to stay and care for his kids. He certainly didn
“I’m going away soon,” Allena explained simply, her voice almost cracking. “In a few weeks. Which means I won’t be your nanny anymore.”Justin watched as she swallowed hard after each long breath. And he knew, in that moment, how hard it was for her.No one said anything for several seconds. Cassie was fiddling with her cards, and he noticed that. Jayden was tugging on his bottom lip with his teeth.“So, you won’t be taking care of us?” his son asked quietly, his concentration focused on the cards in his hand.Allena nodded and spoke gently. “No, sweetie, I won’t. You’ll have a new nanny who will look after you.”His son still didn’t look up. “Just not you?”Cassie got off her chair and stood beside Allena. “But I don’t want a new nanny.”Allena grasped his daughter’s hand gently. “I know you don't, and it’ll be hard at first. For all of us,” she added, and she glanced up at him.Justin saw his daughter’s expression crumble, and his heart just about broke. His kids understood. They kn
Love me!Fall in love with me. Be mine!Of course, she didn’t say that. She wouldn’t, ever. But a girl could hope, right? Could she even tell him that? No. Obviously. Allena quickly pulled her hand from his. They shouldn’t be holding hands. That was against the rules. “I want you to stop asking me what you can do,” she replied. “There’s nothing to do, Justin. I’m leaving, so you’ll just have to get used to the idea.”But she knew he wouldn’t. She knew he would keep asking, keep pushing, and keep trying to work out a way to get her to change her mind. As calm and reserved as he was, she knew he could be stubborn and hardheaded when he wanted to get his own way.He pushed back his chair and got to his feet. “This isn’t like you, Allena.”“I know you might be astounded that I’ve suddenly developed a sense of initiative,” she said, standing. “But this is me, Justin. And frankly, I’m surprised a smart guy like you didn’t see this coming. Despite how much I care about the kids, you really c
Justin growled and rolled his eyes. “I don’t see how racing off with some guy she’s never met constitutes romance. The fact is, I’m concerned for her safety.”“Oww?”“Grandmother, she is taking a risk, and I worry. What if—”Mittie’s brows rose higher. “Is that what it is? Are you worried?”Justin wasn’t sure what he heard in her query. “Of course. What else?”“She’s turning your world upside down.”“You’re right, she is; I mean, I need her, um, the kids need her so badly, I can't do this alone," he agreed, irritation weaving through his chest when he remembered the fact. “The kids need her, and she’s abandoning them.” And me. Yeah. It felt that way too.“That’s correct,” Mittie said gently. “She is needed here. Although I’m not sure you fully comprehend why,” she smirked at her grandson. “You know why Chase and Tyler are happy with their lives right now?”“Because?”“Because they too took the risk, Chase told Amaya about what he felt. Tyler did the same. See, they were happy now.”“W