Cowboy at the Crossroads. Linda Warren

I hired Mrs. Witherspoon, who’s also a nanny, but she can’t get anything out of Nicki, either. Nicki’s enrolled for kindergarten in the fall, but I’m not sure how that’s going to go.”

      “Nicki’s health is at stake here,” she told him. “Nicki has to start acting like a normal child and the adults in her life have to be strong. They—and not Nicki—have to call the shots.”

      “That’s not easy.”

      “You don’t have a choice.”

      “She responds to you like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m just asking for a little of your time.”

      Becca took a long breath and tried to explain. She didn’t want to seem insensitive, but she had to be practical. “Nicki needs to start interacting with the people in her own environment. If she becomes attached to me, it’ll only make things worse.”

      “Okay, Becca, I think you’ve made your position clear. I’m sorry I asked.”

      Oh God, this wasn’t what she wanted at all! For the first time in her life, she was afraid of becoming too attached to a child—and to the child’s father. But Nicki needed help, and Becca had started a course of treatment and she had to see it through…to see Nicki happy again. That was the one thing, the only thing, that mattered. This wasn’t about Becca or her feelings. Besides, Cord wasn’t interested in her as a woman. He was still dealing with a lot of emotion over his wife’s death.

      She’d wanted a change, an opportunity to get away from Houston for a while. The ranch wasn’t far, but it could be perfect. She’d have the time and peace to sort through all her own discontent.

      “What’s it like living on a ranch?”

      His eyes narrowed. “Pardon?”

      “I was raised on the coast and I don’t know a thing about cows or horses or the ranching life.”

      He blinked. “Does this mean you’d consider coming here to help Nicki?”

      “If the offer’s still open.” She smiled. “I’m a sucker for a child in need.”

      His face relaxed. “Thank you. Oh, Becca, thank you. I know you probably have a hectic schedule, but if you can just fit us in for a couple of hours, I’d really appreciate it.”

      “Actually, my schedule’s open. I have some free time before I begin my practice in July.”

      “Oh.” He seemed shocked. “Then, you’d be willing to stay here and help Nicki?”

      She nodded. “Yes, but the nanny stays, too. I want Nicki to realize that I’ll only be here for a short time.”

      “Sure, no problem.” He watched her for a moment. “I can’t believe you’ve actually agreed to do this.”

      “I have an ulterior motive.”

      He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

      “I’ve had an exhausting schedule for the past few years and I need a break. A break from city life.” And so many other things.

      “Well, then, I hope this works out for both of us,” he said. “There’s a pool in the backyard, horses to ride, wide-open spaces, and more cows than you’ll ever want to see. You won’t be bored.”

      That was one thing she couldn’t possibly be around Cord. For some reason, whenever she was near him her senses seemed magnified.

      “I hope Blanche won’t mind my being here.” One encounter with the woman was one too many, but Becca wasn’t going to let her interfere with Nicki’s health.

      “Don’t worry about Blanche. I’ll take care of her.”

      She was sure he would. The relationship between the Prescott men and their mother was an odd one. And she intended to keep out of it.

      “I’ll be back sometime tomorrow morning,” she said as she moved toward the door.

      “I’ll have Della prepare a room for you—and thanks again for doing this.”

      She turned in the doorway. “Nicki just needs someone to push her, and I can see you’re hopeless in that area.”

      “Yeah.”

      “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, forcing herself to walk to her car. She wanted to continue talking to him, to continue… There was something about Cord that touched a place deep within—a place no man had ever reached. Maybe it was the sadness she saw in his eyes or the struggle to help his little girl. Whatever it was, it had made her do an impulsive thing. Staying at the ranch was not in her plans, and yet she’d suddenly found herself volunteering. She didn’t regret that impulsiveness. In all honesty, she was looking forward to living at Triple Creek for a few days. Or even a few weeks. Now she had to tell her parents—and Colton.

      CORD WATCHED until her taillights disappeared down the driveway. He couldn’t believe his luck. She was coming back and she’d be staying here. That was far more than he’d ever hoped for. This was exactly what Nicki needed—someone to help her deal with Anette’s death. Lord knows he hadn’t been able to do it.

      She’s coming back was all he could think as he went in search of Della. As usual, he found her in the kitchen.

      “Becca gone?” Della asked as she wiped off the counters.

      “Yeah,” he answered.

      “She sure has a way with that child. Lordy, lordy, that was wonderful to see.”

      “It was,” Cord agreed. “Please get the room across from Nicki’s ready. Becca is coming back to stay for a while.” Was he smiling? He couldn’t seem to stop.

      “Wow, that’s good news! But you’re in the room across from Nicki.”

      “Damn, what was I thinking?”

      “Yeah, what were you thinking?” Della repeated with a sly smile.

      He’d moved into that room after Anette’s death because their old room held too many painful memories.

      He looked at Della, not rising to the gleam in her eyes. “How about the room at the end of hall? That’s not far from Nicki.”

      “What about the room at the end of the hall?” Blanche asked as she strolled into the kitchen wearing a short black silk robe.

      Cord turned to face his mother. “I’m having the room prepared for Becca. She’s going to be visiting for a while to help Nicki.”

      “Really.” Blanche placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t recall being consulted, and I own this house and this ranch. No one stays here unless I say so.”

      Cord’s eyes darkened. “Becca is staying.”

      “Don’t push me, Cord.” Her tone was threatening, and Cord reacted to it.

      He stepped closer to her. “You may own this place, but I run it and at a profit that you enjoy. So if you have a problem with my decision, then you have a problem—because my baby needs help and I’ll fight you tooth and nail to ensure her well-being.”

      “Okay, okay.” Blanche changed her tone. “Don’t work yourself into a lather.” She walked over to the refrigerator and got a bottle of water. “This Becca is Colton’s girlfriend. Have you forgotten that?”

      “Of course not, and I don’t see what difference it makes.”

      “Because you have the hots for her,” she answered crudely.

      Cord felt the blood rush through his system in raging anger, but he forced himself to remain calm. He wouldn’t let her get to him.

      “You haven’t looked at a woman since Anette died, and your brother’s girl is not the woman to start with.”

      Cord whirled toward the door. “I’m checking on Nicki.”