‘Teresa Carpenter’s HER BABY, HIS PROPOSAL makes an oft-used premise work brilliantly through skilled plotting, deft characterisation and just the right amount of humour.’
—RomanticTimes.com
The baby sat up in Nikki’s arms and looked at his father, almost as if he understood what they were talking about. He couldn’t, of course, but tone and undercurrents were strong in the air. He probably felt the tension pulsing through the room.
She bounced him in her arms. “He likes me.”
“I can see that.” Trace’s eyes flared bright and hard as emeralds. “But we agreed we aren’t compatible.”
“True.” She inclined her head, keeping her features blandly innocent. “But we’re adults. Surely we can compromise for a few hours while I help you out in a difficult situation?”
“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“It doesn’t matter. I can stay as long as you need me.” And he did need her.
Dear Reader
Family is such a big part of my life, and I take joy in bringing that closeness to the characters in my stories. My new nephew is so good with his baby girl; I love to watch them together. Nothing is more touching than a strong man holding a defenceless baby with gentle devotion.
In SHERIFF NEEDS A NANNY a man of moral and physical strength struggles to find the emotional depth to connect with his baby boy when he’s forced to take on the boy’s care. Luckily the nanny he hires knows just what father and son need to bring them together. I wish you joy in their journey.
Teresa Carpenter
Teresa Carpenter believes in the power of unconditional love, and that there’s no better place to find it than between the pages of a romance novel. Reading is a passion for Teresa—a passion that led to a calling. She began writing more than twenty years ago, and marks the sale of her first book as one of her happiest memories. Teresa gives back to her craft by volunteering her time to Romance Writers of America on a local and national level. A fifth generation Californian, she lives in San Diego, within miles of her extensive family, and knows with their help she can accomplish anything. She takes particular joy and pride in her nieces and nephews, who are all bright, fit, shining stars of the future. If she’s not at a family event you’ll usually find her at home—reading, writing, or playing with her adopted Chihuahua, Jefe.
Sheriff
Needs A Nanny
by
Teresa Carpenter
For Mom, who has always believed in me.
And for Yvonne, JD, Denise and all the Culversons for their loving care of Mom this last year.
You guys are the best.
And for Rodney and Brandon, daddies extraordinaire!
Table of Contents
Chapter One
“HERE goes everything.” Nicole Rhodes arrived at the front door of the sprawling ranch-style house. She glanced down at her navy ruffled vest, white tank and tailored khaki Capris. Together with her white sandals she felt she’d hit the right mark of cool and professional.
Two adjectives she rarely aspired to. She preferred to experience life.
Still, for today, going on her first job interview in five years, she needed all the confidence she could muster. Damn state budget cuts. She was one of a thousand teachers looking for alternative employment.
Pasting a smile on her face, she knocked on the door.
She needed a job and a place to stay ASAP. This nanny position offered both, with the added bonus of allowing her to stay close to her very pregnant sister, Amanda.
The door in front of her opened to frame a half-naked man. Oh, mama.
Her internal temperature spiked to match the hundred-degree heat as she admired six-pack abs, a strong chest dusted with dark hair attached to a corded neck, and a head buried in a gray cotton T-shirt.
“Hey, Russ.” A deep voice came from within the depths of bunched-up material. “Thanks for coming over so quickly. I’ve been picking up before the nanny gets here. I’ve only got ten minutes to grab a quick shower.”
Before she could respond, the shirt finished its journey, leaving mussed mink-brown hair in its wake. A myriad of emotions flowed over Sheriff Trace Oliver’s sharp-edged features. Surprise, annoyance and finally resignation flashed through eyes the color of lush green grass.
“I suppose it’s too much to hope you’re Russ’s older sister, come to help out in a crunch?”
She