Her insides went to jelly and she held onto the edge of the table until she gathered her composure. How did he manage to do that with a mere glance her way? She had been impervious to sultry looks from some of the nation’s most handsome actors, but this country father of two knocked the wind out of her with a mere glance. This was not what she was expecting nor looking for. No matter how sexy and alluring this man was, the last thing Delilah wanted was another broken heart.
She tried to smile invitingly at the dirty boy hovering behind Bluey. The child frowned, a scowl marring his little lips. “Royce. Hi buddy, my name is Delilah and I’m here to help look after you and your sister.” She tilted her head to one side and waited for him to speak. When he looked down at the floor rather than acknowledge her, Delilah tried again. “How about a bath before dinner? I’m sure you would be happier eating when you’re…um… somewhat cleaner.”
Bluey laughed and shook his head. “Nope, not used to farming kids either by the sound of it. Oh, well…” He scratched his head and gave her an apologetic smile. “Guess the kids will teach you the way we do things here soon enough. Bit of dirt never did hurt anyone in my book. You’re going to have to let go of those big city ideas out here, right Royce?”
Royce nodded his head, watching the two adults warily, his gaze sliding from Bluey to the stranger in the kitchen.
“How about dinner?” Delilah took a deep breath and walked over to the stove to turn off the vegetables.
If Royce was going to be harder to bond with, she was going to have her work cut out, but since there was six weeks in theory, it wouldn’t be a problem. That was if the boy didn’t dig his toes in and refuse to like her at all. She would have to make an effort to win him over, ensuring the time here more pleasant for everyone. From what she had been told, the parade of nannies had obviously made the poor boy wary, and it looked as though she was going to have to fight her way past that and encourage him to let down his guard.
Delilah frowned when a bitter smell came from the pot. “What is that?” She sniffed the air and pulled a face when smoke snuck out from the pot.
“I think you burnt them.” Bluey took the pot from her and lifted the lid. A waft of bitter smoke came pouring out. “Yep, cactus.”
“Damn. Sorry, I'm more of a microwave kind of cook actually. I prefer if it comes ready and easy, like those little pre-packaged vegetables I steam in the microwave. I never seem to have a problem with them.” She looked over at the slow cooker. “At least we have that and I have to admit, it smells pretty good.”
“Lamb casserole,” Blake said, walking back into the room. “I put it in this morning before work with a heap of vegetables so we can forgive you for killing those ones tonight. There’s bread in the pantry to go with it. Royce, go wash your face and hands, and you can have a bath after dinner before bed.” Blake took hold of the slow cooker and put it on the table. He took butter from the fridge along with a loaf of bread, and put them on the table before taking a seat.
He looked up and met her gaze. “If you're hungry, I suggest you dig in. No waiting around on niceties here, Delilah, we don't have the time.” He lifted the lid on the dish and grabbed plates, piling the steaming meal onto them before passing them around.
She sat down next to Bluey and took a plate when he handed it to her. “Thanks. I don't normally eat this much, but it does look good and I'm pretty hungry.”
“Decent gust of wind will blow you away, girl.” Bluey cackled and shook his head as he put his meal in front of him and reached for the bread. “You look like the lettuce leaf kind of woman to me.”
Blake smiled at her and before she could take offence, she was grinning back. “Not quite, but just about. It's a hard industry I work in and even though I don't front the public very often, I have to keep my image. The studio heads can be quite demanding with the whole thing.”
“You a movie star? Don't think I've seen you on the television.” Bluey looked at her closely, squinting his eyes.
“No no, nothing like that. I write the show Bondi Beauties.” Heat prickled her cheeks when she met Blake’s gaze.
“Really? I've heard of that, but I don't get to watch too much television around here. Too busy most days and the kids take all of my attention at night…before I fall into a deep sleep. Seems to be a vicious circle—work, eat, sleep. No time for downtime at the moment. Now you’re here, that might change. At least that’s what I’m hoping.”
The words were filled with innuendo and her pulse picked up notch. Before she could work out what to reply, Bluey spoke up.
“I, on the other hand, know the show and watch it.” Bluey grinned at her. “Tell me, why did you have to make Brad Hollows such an ass? Do women really like that kind of bloke these days? If you ask me, the ladies prefer a real man, not some damned puffed up, over-tanned pretty boy.” He tsked and shook his head. “I mean, what kind of real Aussie man spends so much time sunning himself on the beach and drinking cocktails? Now, take your pretty little heroine—there is a girl I could take home to Mum and be proud of her, real proud.”
Delilah bit her lip to stop the giggles that rose in her throat. The
