“Gareth, eat your dinner,” he snapped and stared at the woman, silently daring her to complain.
Though she met his look with all the coldness of a Wyoming blizzard, she said nothing.
With a sigh, he picked up the sandwich. He didn’t much feel like defending his parental performance. Not when it had been seven hours since lunch. And those hours had been spent on horseback, rounding up the herd to draw them closer to the barns.
Before he even realized it, the soft golden cheese and toasted bread had melted into his mouth. He finished off the soup just as quickly, still hungry. The boys, too, had had a busy day and they had also cleaned their plates.
“Why don’t I make some more sandwiches?” Miss Hibbets offered the boys with a smile. Their eager nods reflected his own thoughts. He only hoped she intended to include him as a recipient of those additional sandwiches.
He had his answer almost at once. She rose from the table, but before moving away she held out her plate to him. “I haven’t touched the other half of my sandwich. Would you like to eat it while I fix more? There’s no need for it to get cold.”
“Thanks,” he replied, reaching for the food. He wasn’t one to cut off his nose to spite his face.
With such generosity on her part, Doug let go of some of his animosity. The woman was a lot better than he’d expected. Besides being attractive, she knew her way around the kitchen and seemed to like his children. She would’ve been a perfect housekeeper. Too bad she didn’t answer that ad. He would’ve hired her in a minute.
When he realized his gaze was fastened on how rounded and smooth her hips filled out the jeans she was wearing, he changed his mind. Nope, he couldn’t even hire her as a housekeeper. He might not be able to keep his hands out of the cookie jar. And then he’d find himself facing marriage again.
She turned toward the table, carrying a plate of sandwiches, and his gaze moved up her body, watching the thrust of her breasts through the blue sweater she wore. He’d been without a woman too long, he assured himself hastily as he looked back down at his empty plate.
It was a good thing this woman would be leaving in a few minutes.
After they’d eaten their fill, with Doug keeping his gaze trained on his plate, Leslie insisted on cleaning the kitchen. Since that was one of Doug’s least favorite chores, he agreed to her offer and chased the twins upstairs for their baths.
“Leslie, don’t leave without coming to tell us bye, please?” Justin pleaded as he climbed the steps.
“Yeah! You can read us a story. Daddy’s always too tired,” Gareth chimed in.
“Only if it’s a short story. I have a long drive back to the motel,” she promised with that warm smile she reserved for his sons.
Not that he cared. He wasn’t looking for that kind of tenderness.
Fifteen minutes later, she joined them in the boys’ bedroom, read one of their stories and then told the boys good-night, adding how much she’d enjoyed meeting them.
Doug was irritated when Justin’s eyes watered and he asked the woman if she couldn’t stay. He felt guilty, as if he didn’t love his sons enough to provide them with a mother. But, damn it, he just couldn’t!
He hurried down the stairs, anxious to rid the place of the curvaceous brunette who lured his sons with her smile and tempted him with her body.
“Mr. Graybow?” she said in a low voice, just behind him. “Before I leave, could we talk?”
Standing at the bottom of the stairs, he turned to watch her reach his side. “If it’s about a phone call, I gather the boys led you to think you should come here. I’m sorry if it was an inconvenience, but, believe me, there’s nothing to talk about.”
“I think there is,” she replied, tilting her chin up at him.
If they’d been lovers, it would’ve been a challenge he wouldn’t refuse. His lips would cover hers and he’d wrap his arms around—
“Look, Miss Hibbets, I told you the ad was a mistake.”
“I know. But I think I’ve figured out why you placed the ad and now say it’s a mistake. And I believe I have a solution to the difficulty.”
Doug stared at the woman as if she had two heads. She knew about the responses he’d had to that ridiculous ad? About his aversion to those desperate women? To any woman who intended to lock him into marriage just for security?
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” she said in a soothing manner, as if she were calming him.
“You know about the pictures?” he finally had to ask in a strangled voice.
“What pictures?” she asked, tilting her head to one side and frowning in puzzlement.
“The—the other applicants sent pictures.”
“You want a picture from me?”
“No!” he gasped even as his mind flashed some possibilities.
He turned his back to her, unable to face her if she thought those pictures of women in incredibly suggestive, revealing poses weren’t something to be embarrassed about. Or intended to offer some of her own.
“Mr. Graybow,” she began again when he remained silent, “I like your little boys and this is what I really want. I promise I won’t be too demanding about—”
“Leave my children out of this discussion! I won’t have them a part of it. In fact, I don’t want to talk about any of this.” He chanced one look at her creamy complexion, her full lips, trembling with some undefined emotion. How could she look like such an angel and approve of those pictures?
“I’m trying to explain to you—”
He whirled back around. “What does it take to get through to you, lady? We don’t want you here.”
“But you haven’t even asked about my qualifications,” she protested, her cheeks flushed.
Her fingers moved to the first button on her sweater and Doug panicked. She hadn’t sent pictures. She meant to reveal herself right here, right now! He grabbed her raised hand and captured the other one that had remained by her side. “Don’t even think about it!” His voice was husky, a mixture of horror and undeniable interest.
Now almost nose to nose, he watched as shock filled her eyes.
“Turn loose of me!” She twisted in his hold, foolishly trying to escape his strong grip.
His fingers burned as they touched her soft skin, and he jerked away from her before he gave in to temptation. “Gladly. All I want you to do is go.”
She backed away from him, her blue eyes still wide. “You’ve convinced me, Mr. Graybow. Just—just let me get my jacket and purse and I’ll leave.”
He frowned as he realized he’d actually scared her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
She didn’t answer but kept her gaze pinned on him, as if she expected him to attack at any moment. Picking up her coat and purse, she edged toward the door.
Doug felt like a first-class heel. He would never hurt a woman. But he couldn’t stand there and let her strip. Moving toward the door to open it for her, he came to an abrupt halt when she stepped back.
“I’m just opening the door, I promise.”
“I can do that,” she assured him breathlessly, her gaze still glued to him.
“This is ridiculous, Miss Hibbets. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
“Fine. I’m leaving now, Mr. Graybow. But I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your distance.” When he remained in place, she continued moving to the door.
With