Chapter 3
3
Nikki
O nce again, Nikki was second-guessing the decisions she’d made. She hadn’t told anyone that she would be bringing her son with her, and she was beginning to realize just how bad that was.
What if Mateo rescinded his job offer? It wasn’t like she could keep the job and find a place to live in town. She’d barely had enough money to put gas in her tank for the drive over. How on earth was she supposed to have enough money for the first month, last month, and deposit?
That’s why she needed this job so badly.
She glanced in the rearview mirror at her adorable little boy, who would have scowled at her had she called him that to his face. Paxton was five years old going on fifteen. He’d endured more in his life than some kids, though overall, she liked to think that he’d had it pretty good so far.
At worst, he’d lost the man who he’d grown up believing was his father. Dennis had never officially adopted Paxton. He said it would feel weird in case Paxton’s father did end up showing up out of nowhere.
It didn’t matter that there wasn’t a father’s name on Paxton’s birth certificate. It didn’t matter that the man who’d sired her son hadn’t been heard from since the day she’d announced her pregnancy.
Dennis didn’t want to take on that responsibility.
In hindsight, she should have known something was wrong—or, at the very least, that her marriage wouldn’t last—for that fact alone.
Paxton had been two when she’d gotten married. Dennis was the only father he knew, and it broke her heart that he had to experience this kind of abandonment.
As if he felt her gaze on him, he lifted his eyes to meet hers. She’d told him that they’d get him an air mattress with her first paycheck, and he’d be staying in the same room as she was. Hopefully, it would be large enough. Maybe she could even ask Mateo for an advance and get a bunk bed.
Her sweet, sweet boy smiled at her with encouragement. He hadn’t wanted to leave his friends in Colorado Springs, but he’d been more than excited to meet some new people and be closer to horses.
Paxton sat straighter in his seat and peered out the window, his eyes rounding into saucers. “Is this the ranch we’re going to live at?”
She nodded, twisting in her seat to face him. “This is the place. We’ll have a few months before you start kindergarten, so you get to explore first.”
His smile eased some of the ache in her chest. Thank goodness children were resilient. Or maybe it was just Paxton. It was moments like this when she felt she could take on the world as long as he was smiling just like that.
Nikki let out an uneasy breath, which drew Paxton’s attention. “I need to tell you something, buddy.”
His brows creased, and a small frown marred that beautiful face. “What’s wrong?”
“The people here don’t know you are coming.” She hated the way his frown deepened, and she pushed past her worries that he felt unwanted or that he’d get in trouble. “But you know what?” she murmured. “They’re going to love you.”
That brought the smile right back. She wanted to add to what she’d said—telling him not to worry if people made any comments—but she didn’t want to add more worry to an already unsettling day.
She got out of the car and walked around to the back door where Paxton was seated, then helped him out. They didn’t have much in the way of clothes and belongings as they were still trying to figure out where to put everything. Dennis had agreed to let them gather their stuff over the next couple of months, but Nikki wasn’t sure how patient he’d be if it took too long.
When she shut the car door and turned around, her worries were confirmed. Several people, who had previously been milling around back and forth from their own vehicles to the building where most of the men would be staying, had stopped. Their eyes were trained on Nikki at first but had immediately dipped to Paxton.
She reached for his hand and held onto it firmly before she tugged him around to the trunk for their suitcases. The only person who could kick her out was Mateo. And right now, he was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t care what everyone else was thinking. All she needed to do was take Paxton into their living quarters and get situated so there was less of a chance they were turned away. She just had to prove that there was enough room for them to share a space.
Mateo had sent her a message letting her know that he’d arranged for her to have her own room at the wranglers’ cabin, and she’d thanked him graciously. No one could complain about her son if she wasn’t encroaching on their space, right?
With her hand still firmly holding Paxton’s and the other gripping her suitcase handle, she turned toward the building. She kept her head held high as she moved past everyone gawking at her and toward the front door.
Unfortunately, a tall beast of a man stepped into her path. Arms folded, he stared down at her with an unwavering scowl. She’d thought Mateo was tall. But this man? He had to be at least a couple inches taller than Mateo. And he was built like a tractor.
She brought herself up short and sucked in a sharp breath.
The man’s eyes slid to Paxton. “No children are allowed on the premises.”
Nikki snorted. “I haven’t heard of that rule.”
Incredulity flickered in his eyes. “You’d want to subject your child to a building full of men who don’t have any reason to hold their tongues or behaviors?”
She released her suitcase handle and placed a hand on her hip. “If you think Mateo would put up with the sordid behavior you’re referencing, you’re working for the wrong man.”
The cowboy’s head pulled back in surprise. She thought for a second that a smile tugged at his lips, but when she looked closer, she found that she was mistaken. He shook his head. “Even if that was the only issue, the room you’ve been assigned is too small. Children need space.”
Tugging Paxton to the front of her and placing her hands on his shoulders, she stood her ground. “Better to be in a cramped room than on the street.”
Finally, she saw some hesitation in his stance. Whoever this man was, he’d been hired to oversee the wranglers. Well, she wasn’t a wrangler. She was the cook, and until Mateo told her to get lost, she’d be sticking around. She lowered her voice, uncaring that Paxton was witness to all of this. “Please. Just let us by so we can settle in.”
“Mateo isn’t going to like it,” he mumbled, his expression softening as he took Paxton in one more time.
“You don’t have to tell him right away. I’m sure he’s too busy to have to deal with any of this. And Paxton knows how to keep himself busy.” Geez! Now she was pleading with the guy—the very same one she’d not moments ago told herself wasn’t in charge.
He scrubbed at his jaw and glanced toward the main house. It was too far away for them to see details of anyone coming or going. If Mateo was out on the porch, he’d have to strain his focus in order to notice something was amiss.
Finally, the cowboy gave her a curt nod. “I won’t tell him, but you’re going to have to deal with him when he finds out. The rest of the wranglers won’t be showing up until tomorrow, so make sure your boy doesn’t get underfoot when they arrive.”
She glanced around at those who had been coming and going from the building, and in answer to her curious stare, the cowboy said, “These guys are just getting furniture and other necessities moved in.”
Nikki nodded, relief pooling in her stomach. As long as Paxton stayed out of sight for the next couple of days, she knew she’d be able to keep him here. She couldn’t see Mateo sending them away after they’d settled in. He wasn’t heartless.
Smiling at the cowboy, she held out her hand. “Thank you…”
He took her hand in his, engulfing it almost entirely. “Daniel.” He jutted his chin in a direction off to the side. “My fiancée lives in a cabin on that side of the property. I’m there often for dinner, so I’ll be just a door down from you.”
“And when you’re not?”
His first genuine smile transformed his face into something that could make a woman’s heart melt, and that familiar stirring of longing filled her chest. Not for Daniel—but to have someone in her life that could make her feel whole again. “I grew up about ten minutes from here. I live on a ranch with my brothers and sister.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “I’ll show you to your room.” His focus skittered over Paxton again and that concern returned to his gaze, but he didn’t say anything more.
Daniel had been right. The room was barely big enough to put a twin air mattress on the floor next to the existing bed. They’d be cramped but safe and warm. She would take this over homelessness any day.
There wasn’t much to unpack. Paxton pulled a few toys from a backpack she’d brought in for him, and he played on the bed.
“I’m going to check around this place and see if I can find a notebook to plan the menu, okay, kiddo?”
He nodded, not looking up.
“You need to stay here. I don’t want you wandering around.”
At that, he did meet her eyes. “Because I’m not supposed to be here.” It wasn’t really a question.
Her heart lurched and guilt plagued her. He’d have more freedom after they settled in. “It’s just for now,” she assured him. “Just until we get our feet on firm ground.”
Paxton nodded, turning back to his toys. Nikki moved out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
She found her way into the kitchen and smiled. It wasn’t large, but it didn’t have to be. From what she understood, there was a larger space for meals. This was just where the wranglers could snack or get a quick bite. She couldn’t wait to get a tour of the space where she’d be working.
Nikki pulled open a couple cabinets and drawers, but did not find a notebook where she could begin her planning. She’d have to request that Mateo get her one.
“There’s the star of the show.”
She jumped, bumping her head against a cupboard door as she turned at the familiar voice.
Mateo leaned against the doorway like it was the most natural thing in the world. He grinned at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Why was he looking at her like that? And why did it make the skittery feelings in her stomach get worse?
Nikki swallowed thickly, beating down the blush that threatened to flood her face and offered a nonchalant smile at him. “I’m hardly the star.”
He pushed away from the wall, prowling toward her. “I beg to differ. Aria’s a great cook, but she prefers making food just for her and Daniel. It’s sorta their thing. My sisters can cook, but you can only eat so many bits of eggshells before you start second-guessing your life’s choices.”
Laughter spilled from her lips, and his smile brightened.
Mateo leaned against the counter, his eyes never leaving her face. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a really good home-cooked meal?”
“How long?” she said.
“Too long.” The way he was looking at her—the way he was speaking to her—it was messing with her head in a way that was not appropriate at all.
Okay, this was just how Mateo was. He wasn’t being inappropriate with her, but the reaction she was feeling definitely was.
He was her boss! She couldn’t allow herself to become a weak, simpering fool who fell for a man simply because he was gorgeous and charming as all get-out. She wouldn’t jeopardize her job by making things complicated.