An Excerpt of Tall, Dark, and Daddy by Shara Jones

CHAPTER ONE

"Tell me that you love me."

Angelyn Winters lifted her tousled head a few scant inches from her pillow and tried to focus bleary eyes on the digital numbers on her bedside clock. Six o'clock in the morning seemed a bit too early for passionate declarations.

"I'm going to kill you," Angelyn rasped in the phone receiver in response. Rolling over onto her back, she brushed a cloud of soft, brown hair from her face and rested her hand across her forehead.

"Not when you find out that your very best friend and, need I remind you, employer has solved all of your problems this morning."

A feeling akin to dread skittered over the surface of Angelyn's skin and settled in her stomach region. "Cissy - what did you do?"

Cissy Rosen, best friend to Angelyn, happened to be a very astute business woman, not to mention tall, auburn-haired and drop-dead gorgeous. She also had a knack for shaking up one's world. Today it seemed she had gotten an earlier than usual start and Angelyn would be the victim.

"I found you a job and a new place to live all in one fell swoop this morning."

Wide awake now, she brought her hand up quickly from where she'd rested it on her forehead to boost herself into an upright position, scattering pillows and causing her blankets to slip towards the floor.

"So early? With whom and where?" Angelyn wished she had a cup of coffee with which to chase down this news. She knew Cissy meant every word she said. She listened to Cissy rattle off the statistics like the life insurance agent Angelyn had been dealing with for the past year.

"Well, he actually called last night and left an urgent message. It seems his housekeeper was called away late last night for a family emergency. I met with him a moment ago," Cissy explained. "Now, here we go. His name is Rick Lawson. He's a businessman who works for Century Designs. He's lived here in southern, sunny Spring, Texas for most of his life. He's a widower looking for a temporary live-in housekeeper and nanny for his son. "

Who held interviews at six o'clock in the morning? Her sleep-deprived eyes were nearly ready to glaze over when the mention of the son snapped her back to attention.

"How old is he?" she breathed into the receiver. Her voice strained into a whisper.

"I'd say he's early thirties, tall, with dark brown hair and green eyes," Cissy said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"I didn't mean the father - I meant his son!" Angelyn said with exasperated lift of her lips.

"Oh, well you don't have to be so snippy. I can tell you haven't had your coffee yet." Cissy said. "It was a perfectly logical answer to your question. You weren't specific." Cissy's voice paused.

Angelyn heard the soft shuffling of papers through the phone lines.

"He's four. Cory Lawson." Cissy said and became silent.

Angelyn's heart pounded quickly in her chest. Memories swept over her and she unconsciously placed her hand over her flat abdomen.

"H-how did the mother die?" Angelyn asked.

Cissy didn't answer right away. Finally with obvious reluctance she said, "She died in a car crash a year ago."

Angelyn drew in a ragged breath. She dropped her chin towards her chest, willing the pain in her heart and the memories in her head to stop.

"Don't Angelyn. Let the past go. This is your chance for a fresh start. This is only for a few weeks and then you'll be moving in with me." Cissy said.

"I know," Angelyn sighed. She lifted her head and stared with unseeing eyes for a minute before dragging in a deep breath and squaring her shoulders.

She knew Cissy was right. Hadn't she been working so hard this year to put the horrible past behind her and make a new beginning? Finding a new job and selling the house, which was the last tie to her past, were the remaining two obstacles she had to conquer.

And conquer them she would.

"So, tell me more about tall, dark and daddy."

* * *

Taking the short walk up to the front door, Angelyn reveled in silent appreciation of the large Victorian gingerbread house with its soft blue siding and wide, white-painted front porch that ran the entire front of the house. A quaint porch swing and oversized matching rocking chairs graced the right side of the porch; bright pink bougainvillea shrubs nestled against the porch siding with a vivid splash of color. The effect was cheerful and inviting and the whole place exuded an air of hominess and comfort, like hand-cranked ice cream and apple pie.

Smiling a little at her whimsical thoughts, she gave a wistful sigh. She'd always dreamed of living in just such a house. If she closed her eyes, she could envision the grassy backyard complete with a jungle gym and barbeque grill just waiting for a family to enjoy.

She knew if today's interview went well, she'd be a little closer to achieving her dream. Well, part of it anyway. Once she finally sold her house, she could really begin building her future and shedding her past; a future that didn't include a controlling, overbearing man; not a husband; not her father.

Standing before the front door of her perspective employer's house, Angelyn hesitated before ringing the bell. Running her hands down the sides of her dark colored jeans, she exhaled a breath and tried not to let her hopes carry her away. She really wanted this job.

Just think. This beautiful home and a sweet little boy to care for -- Bliss, sheer bliss. Dealing with the father will be less bliss, but you take the good with the bad, she thought.

A large grin lifted the corners of her mouth and she rocked up on her toes and tried to compress her lips to still her obvious excitement.

"I presume you are my morning interview."

Angelyn spun around and her blue eyes locked with a pair of eyes so green, she immediately thought of Ireland. The man standing in front of her certainly had the look of an Irishman with his shock of dark, lustrous hair and piercing eyes. The lightweight beige knit shirt he wore molded to his broad shoulders and chest to reveal his athletic build.

Wow. Did the term tall, dark and handsome ever apply to him!

Rick Lawson stood lightly tapping the morning newspaper against his thigh apparently clueless to the thoughts running through her head.

His eyes narrowed as she struggled to put an appropriately professional smile on her face and say something affirmative to his statement.

Clearing her throat, she managed to say, "Yes, I'm Angelyn Winters and I'm here about the job."

"Well let's get started. Coming in?" Rick swept a flourishing wave with the morning paper to send her into the house.

Before she could even formulate a reply, he reached around her, swung the front door open and gave her a little nudge to propel her inside.

Resisting the nearly overwhelming urge to squeeze her eyes closed to shut out the first glimpse of what had to be an upside down bachelor establishment, she was pleasantly surprised to see things more neat and orderly than she would have expected after several days without his usual hired help.

"Hired a cleaning service?" she said, with a tinge of admiration in her voice.

"Nope. Just me. Hey, tiger! Come and say hello to Mrs. Winters!" Rick bent down to scoop a pajama-covered Cory into his arms. "Do you remember that we're going to find someone to take care of us while Maria is away?" Rick pulled back slightly to look into his son's face.

Nodding vigorously, Cory replied, "I sure do 'member! Are you gonna make blueberry panny-cakes? I like panny-cakes." Cory regarded her with his big brown eyes and artless smile.

"Blueberry pancakes, huh? Well, I like blueberry pancakes, too, but first I have to talk with your daddy about the job. I'm sure whomever he hires will make you those pancakes though, ok?" She reached up and lightly tousled his already sleep-tossed hair.

"Today?" he asked hopefully.

"We'll have cereal today and talk about pancakes tomorrow," Rick lifted his son higher into the air playfully before setting his feet back onto the floor. "Now skedaddle back into the living room for a bit while I talk with Mrs. Winters."

"You'll talk to my daddy 'bout the panny cakes, right?" Cory wiggled in his pajamas, unable to keep still while waiting for her answer.

"Yes, I will." Angelyn felt a tug deep in her heart as she stood bartering with the sweet little boy. She would have to be careful that she didn't lose her heart to this small Lawson man.

"Let's head towards my office," Rick indicated the general direction before gently instructing Cory to turn the TV volume down low, before trailing in her wake.

Mentally crossing her fingers, she entered into his home office and sent up a silent prayer that her wishes would come true. For one brief second, the old admonition of "be careful of what you wish for as you might just get it" flashed through her brain.

Brushing the thought aside, she settled into the guest chair pulled up in front of Rick's desk and waited for the interview to begin.

* * *

Rick leaned back in his desk chair and regarded the petite woman sitting across his desk from him. She reminded him of a tiny angel. Her hair, a soft shade of chocolate brown, framed her face and fell down her back in a soft wave. Dark brown eyes regarded him solemnly and politely, but he could see the good-natured humor lurking there.

She'd impressed him with her light teasing with Cory. Playful, but firm, she hadn't tried to ingratiate herself into the job position by gushing and fawning.

He'd gotten a full and complete job background on this woman, along with some references from local business people from Cissy Rosen. It answered the questions he'd had regarding whether Angelyn Winters was qualified for the job.

What it didn't answer was the question of why a married woman would want to seek employment as a live-in nanny. Plus, he couldn't imagine that too many families would be jumping to hire a woman that was bound to make wives nervous.

Cissy had told him that any other information he required in reference to Angelyn would need to come from Angelyn, herself.

"I can appreciate that you have been told that this position is strictly temporary until my regular nanny and housekeeper returns from her family emergency. What I'm frankly curious about is why you would choose to become a nanny and housekeeper for a living."

He watched her chin rise in a militant tilt. Any earlier impression he'd had about her resembling an angel abruptly dispelled.

"I don't see why my career choice is really relevant, Mr. Lawson. Suffice to say, it is my choice for now and I'm sure Cissy Rosen provided suitable background information and proper references to assure my qualifications. My reasons are my own." She fisted her hands against her jean-clad legs and sat a bit further forward in her chair. She almost looked resigned of having blown the job interview judging by the bleak expression in her eyes, but determined to hold her ground.

"I'm sure you can appreciate that I am entrusting my son and my home to a virtual stranger and I have to right to know a bit about the person I'm considering hiring." Rick laced his entwined fingers around the knee he had crossed over his leg. "At this point in time, I know the basic facts regarding your education, qualifications and character, but what I don't know is about you as a person. It's more than curiosity."

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry. That's a fair question. What would you like to know?" her fisted hands stilled their movements and instead she clenched them tightly together.

She hadn't run away yet. But he needed to know more before he turned her loose in his and his son's life. He hated to turn the screws, especially when her shoulders looked too delicate to bear the brunt of his suspicion, but he had a responsibility.

"Start at the beginning and I'll stop you when I've heard enough." Rick quirked an eyebrow and waited for the fireworks. He couldn't say why he wanted to rile Mrs. Winters other than the fact that he thought her last name was at odds with the fire he could see simmering just below her surface.

"Is that all?" she asked with a tart edge in her quiet voice, but little heat to add force to her words.

"For now. Please," he waved a negligent hand to indicate his readiness to hear what she had to relate.

Her lips compressed together for a minute and he thought she might be considering bolting.

"There's little enough to tell. I'm a native Texan and have lived in Spring all my life. I attended the local college and I got my liberal arts degree in Home economics. I've worked for Cissy Rosen's Nurturing Nannies for nearly a year, hiring out in the capacity of nanny and housekeeper. Your position would be my first live-in assignment, but I am highly qualified for the job and prepared to undertake the assignment for its duration. And that's about all." Her voice trailed off and she meet his eyes with a steady and hopeful gaze that seemed to ask that he be satisfied with her safe and homogeneous answer.

He wasn't. Not by a long shot.

"That's not all. I believe that you are Mrs. Winters. Ms. Rosen didn't elaborate on your marital status and I have to wonder why your husband would agree to your accepting this live-in position." Rick didn't raise his voice, but his tone made it clear that he wanted an answer.

"I'm a widow, Mr. Lawson, so there is no man I need consult or ask whether it's agreeable for me to accept this position."

She said this so quietly and with such finality, he almost felt ashamed for what he was beginning to feel was badgering on his part, but he had an obligation to his son.

"I'm sorry. But surely you have a home of your own that will need to be taken care of. I don't want to hire someone only to not be able to count on that person to be available when I require."

"My house will be going up on the market tomorrow, Mr. Lawson. I have an appointment this afternoon with a realtor. I really wouldn't be here if I were unable to accept this position," she pointed out softly.

Well, she'd answered his questions, but he still felt unsatisfied. He suspected that after witnessing Denise's behavior before her death, it was only natural for him to be suspicious. In his experience, some women were simple opportunists looking to feather their nests with the most material possessions without giving anything of substance in exchange.

He had to wonder whether an attractive woman like Angelyn Winters was another opportunistic, avaricious female looking to get her hooks into a ready-made family and home.

What better way than from the inside?

"Mr. Lawson, I can appreciate your need to ensure the person you hired to care for your son and your home is a reliable and trustworthy person. I-I'm trying to be as honest as I can be." She leaned forward griping the arms of her chair either in restraint or in anger. He couldn't tell just yet.

"M-my husband is gone and I have only my parents now. They live here in Spring as well. I can understand your reluctance to hire someone with my limited practical experience, but I can only point to my educational background and references to assure you that I have to ability to provide a safe and healthy environment for your son and to care for your home." She gave him a considering look before continuing.

"Tell me, what are your future plans?"

"My future plans." Angelyn looked at the man sitting in front of her and wondered if he had any idea how shaky her future really was. "Well, short term goals are to continue working assignments for Cissy Rosen and to sell my house. Long term goals--" Angelyn paused to contemplate her long terms goals.

"I presume you have an idea of where you'd like to be in the future," Rick prompted. His voice was firm but had an underlying curiosity he didn't quite conceal.

"My long term goal is to open a day care center." Angelyn's lips firmed and she felt her chin rise in defiance. She held her breath waiting for any sign of scorn or laughter from Rick. Why should he be any different? Her own father had laughed himself into a coughing spasm while pounding her husband on his back in pointed, hurtful mirth.

She would never forget the small curl of Corbett's lip or the expression in his hooded bloodshot eyes as he listened to his father-in-law bray over her announcement.

She squelched a small shiver at the memory of her late husband's initial reaction, and the aftermath.

"A day care center? The town already has two fine day care centers," Rick said with steepled fingers under his chin.

Angelyn felt a wash of disappointment flow over her. It certainly wasn't as if she'd expected a different reaction from Rick Lawson, but deep down she knew she wanted better from him. Her chin dipped and her posture slipped a tiny bit as she absorbed the verbal arrow.

"The problem is, that the two centers are located across town and not exactly convenient to the expanding business district right here on the North side. I presume that your center would be opened in the area to capitalize on the growing need here in this community?" Rick stated.

Angelyn felt her breath whoosh from her lungs, unable to believe that Rick appeared to take her plan seriously. Her mouth gaped slightly and her clenched fists unfurled in her lap, half lifting in shock before resting once more on her denim-covered thighs. "I-I. . . yes. Yes, that was--is my plan," she managed to find her voice and make a coherent reply.

"You don't need to stare at me as if I don't have a brain in my head, you know." Rick cocked a sardonic half grin at her.

"I'm sorry." Angelyn opened and closed her mouth several times before shrugging helplessly.

"What?"

"I didn't expect your answer." Angelyn said simply. She met Rick's eyes and allowed him a small, grateful smile.

Rick moved his broad shoulders under his shirt in a small shrug. "As long as you do your homework, know your customer base and provide a quality service at a competitive price, it makes good sense."

Angelyn nodded her head. She'd spent many, many longs hours researching every single detail for Child's Play Daycare. She just needed to sell the house and she'd have the operating capital to get started.

"If you don't mind me asking, once you sell your house, where will you live?"

Angelyn relaxed in her chair. This question was easy to answer. "I'll be living temporarily with Cissy until I find just the right place for my daycare."

"And then?" Rick prompted.

She wondered at his tenacious questioning, but she would do the same if she were considering a potential employee.

"Then whatever location I choose for the center will also need to have a separate living space. I'll live there."

"Won't it be a bit noisy? It'll be hard to get away from the kids if you're living onsite," Rick pointed out.

Angelyn pressed a hand tightly on her abdomen. Pain flickered behind her eyes. Noisy? Yes. But she didn't want to get away from it. She would have a constant stream of happy children in her care. Lively voices to keep her company and to take away the wrenching ache deep inside at facing her life without ever knowing the ultimate contentment of motherhood.

"I'll manage," she said with a tender smile.

"Well, I suppose when you remarry one day, your husband will have a larger home to move you into," he said.

Angelyn tilted her head and regarded him closely. His words seemed noncommittal enough on the surface, but she detected a definite biting edge behind his words.

"What does that mean, Mr. Lawson?"

He shrugged. "It means that most women would take advantage of the increased income and demand housing appropriate to the finances. Or more," he said, giving her a challenging look as if he expected her to rise to his bait.

Stung, she sat straighter in her chair and met his gaze directly.

"It sounds as if you are projecting, Mr. Lawson. I didn't marry my husband for a larger home," she stated clearly without a single note of indignation in her voice.

She had the satisfaction of seeing a flush rise up his neck. He had the grace to bow his head in apology.

"Still, its something to consider for the future," he murmured.

"It's not a consideration for me. I don't plan to remarry, Mr. Lawson. Never."

A long silence fell as her quietly spoken words hung in the air between them.

"You know what they say, never is a long time."

"In my case, it's not nearly long enough."

Rick nodded and chewed over her words for a minute. She seemed to be exactly as she represented herself and Cissy Rosen had a reputation for being a reliable source.

Rick still felt there was more to Angelyn Winters than met the eyes, but he was satisfied that whatever plans she had for her life didn't include causing any problems in his.

"I promise that if you will give me a chance, I will be an excellent replacement until your regular help returns."

"Can you start tomorrow?"