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this is Sienna.” Her daughter wouldn’t look at Jared. But it was okay. She wouldn’t force the issue. “She’s in a clingy stage right now.”

      Jared smiled. His entire face brightened and she could see the man beneath the pain now. “How old is she?”

      “She’s twenty-two months.”

      “She looks like you. And that’s a compliment.”

      “Thank you. How are you feeling, Jared?”

      “I’m breathing and alive, getting by okay. I’ll probably be laid up for a couple of weeks.”

      “You look...much better than the last time I saw you.”

      “I suppose I do.” Again, he smiled. “I, uh, wanted to thank you properly for what you did. No, that’s not entirely true. I needed to thank you. You dragging me out of the car and bringing me to safety saved my life. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

      “Heavens, you don’t need to,” she said on a breath. “I’m just glad we were coming down that road at that particular time.”

      “So am I. It was a lucky day for me. All I remember of that night was a soft hand covering mine, giving me comfort and soothing the panic that was building up inside. And then you spoke and the sound of your voice was like a gentle balm, an angel’s call telling me I was going to be all right.”

      He inhaled and his face wrinkled up in pain.

      “Does it hurt to talk?”

      “No. Just to breathe,” he said, his eyes half twinkling.

      “I’m sorry.”

      “Don’t be. I’m Texan. You know how we are.”

      She smiled.

      “Cooper filled me in a little about you. You’re a widow. I’m sorry for your loss, Bella.” He spoke with reserved respect that made it seem less like prying, less like opening up old wounds.

      “Thank you. It’s been a bit tough, but Sienna and I are managing.”

      “That’s good. I understand you’re between jobs right now. Is that by choice?”

      “Heavens no. I’ve been interviewing but...well, it’s not going—” She paused and shook her head. “It’s not important.”

      “I think it is.”

      She blinked, gazing at his solemn face. “You do?”

      “Of course I do.” His gaze traveled over to Sienna, who’d begun to warm up a little. She was peeking at him through her spread little fingers.

      “You don’t owe me anything, Jared. Honestly.” God, if he wrote her out a check, she’d be mortified. She hadn’t saved his life for a reward.

      “Well, the truth is, I’m thinking you can help me and I can help you.”

      “How?”

      “You met Marie. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s getting on in age and my present condition is taking a toll on her with all the extra work she has to do. For years, she’s worked part-time here and part-time at Cooper’s place. Now I’m afraid the chores are too much for her.”

      “What are you saying to me? How can I help?”

      “I understand you’re good in the kitchen and it just so happens I’m in need of a personal chef.”

      She gulped air, totally surprised. “You need a personal chef?”

      “Yes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Marie’s got too many chores around here as it is. She could use the break and...well, I’m offering you the job.”

      “To...be...your...personal...chef?”

      He smiled, his eyes lighting up again, as if he was glad she was catching on. Oh, yeah, she was. He was indebted to her and this was how he was going to repay her. “Yes.”

      “But, you don’t even know if I’m qualified.”

      “You can send me a résumé at your convenience. But I don’t need one. I trust you’re up to speed on your cooking skills.”

      “Oh, yeah? And how would you know that?”

      “Because...I already know what kind of person you are. Besides, I’m not fussy. Just put a burger and fries in my face and I’m happy.”

      She laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

      “So you’ll take the job?”

      “I didn’t say that. There’s a lot to consider.”

      “You need a job and I need a cook. What’s to consider?”

      “You’re forgetting that you live way out here, miles away from Dallas. Working out babysitting arrangements would be difficult, if not impossible. I don’t want to be gone from Sienna for too long during the day.”

      “That’s the beauty of this great big ranch house.” He spread his arms wide. The gesture cost him physically. Her heart went out to him, seeing him so bravely mask his pain. “You can have your own wing of the ranch house, two rooms just for you and Sienna upstairs. I’m basically living down here right now anyway since climbing the stairs is like a Ninja Warrior obstacle for me. You’d have all the privacy you’ll need.”

      “My goodness, Jared. You want us to move into your house? I mean, that’s generous and all, but I can’t—”

      “Don’t say you can’t. Think about it. You’ll have a job where you won’t have to leave Sienna at all. She’ll be right here while you’re working. She’ll have a yard to play in and wide-open spaces to run at her heart’s content. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful that you saved my life, but I really do need some more help here. My solution is a good one, for all of us.”

      He had a good heart but her pride was getting in the way of her good sense.

      “I don’t know...”

      “Give it a try, Bella.” His voice cut into her senses. So deep, so sincere. He really wanted to help her and she appreciated that. “If it doesn’t work out, there’ll be no hard feelings. It’ll be up to you.”

      He was offering her something better than she could ever hope for: employment, a home and a way to stay close to Sienna. Taking the job would buy her time to sort out her life and make some long-range plans. “Let me talk it over with my best friend. I, uh, just need a little bit of time.”

      “It’s a deal,” he said and then glanced at her daughter. “Would you like a cookie, Sienna? You can have as many as your mommy says you can have.”

      Sienna faced him and smiled, her sweet dimples lighting up her cheeks.

      “One,” Bella said in her mommy tone.

      “Like I said,” he began, “you can have one cookie. And I bet your momma would spring for some lemonade, too.”

      Sienna giggled, nodding at the man who could barely move on the chair opposite her.

      He was in bad shape right now and seemed genuine in his job offer.

      Could she take a leap of faith and accept the job? Could she go through with it, concealing her true identity from Jared Stone in order to keep Sienna safe?

      Or maybe the real question was, could she afford not to take the job?

      * * *

      Later that night Amy plunked down on the sofa next to Bella and handed her a glass of pinot grigio. “Here, take this and sip at will. There’s plenty more where that came from.”

      Bella stared at the wine bottle sitting on the cocktail table in front of her. She probably would need to empty it before she could come to

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