Blake gazed at her and saw something in her eyes. Was it fear or uncertainty? Either way, he wanted to know. This city girl was getting under his skin, and they had only just met.
“The kids are pretty easy going. Royce is on holidays just now, but starts school of the air again in a couple of weeks. Lilly has been kind of left to her own devices for the last month or so. I know she’s dying to start school and the teachers want her to get involved now she is five and old enough. That’s the reason I need someone here who’s good with kids. She will need help for the first year or so, to make sure Lilly understands what’s going on. I know in the city kids get to go to kindergarten or play groups, but that doesn’t happen out here. We have to do the pre-school education and I have to say, I’m not that good in that area. Couple of the nannies have been great, so I hope you can continue with her. Makes it a bit harder out here with school of the air when the teacher isn’t in front of the kids, but she seems to be doing alright in the reading department anyway, so I guess that’s a good start.”
Blake looked at his fingernails. The tug at his heart hurt more when he spoke about the things he missed doing with his kids. “They love to get involved in the work on the farm because it's what they know. I just need you to keep them fed and safe more than anything until I get another nanny.”
“The shearing starts in a couple of weeks too,” Bluey piped up. “You have to help out with food. Can you cook?”
Delilah lifted her chin and looked at him. “Of course I can cook. Depends what you want. For myself, I normally just microwave dinners or eat salads. I have a sneaking feeling that isn't what you’re after though, is it?” She grimaced in Bluey’s direction, and Blake gave a small sigh. This might be harder than he thought, in more ways than one.
Blake shook his head at the banter between the two of them, thankful his offsider was offering to teach her.
“I might have to give you a lesson after your attempt at dinner tonight.” Bluey winked to soften his words.
“I'm sorry. I've never really been the domestic type.” She held her hand up to her throat while giving him an uncertain smile.
“Just as well we’re all happy with cereal for breakfast then. You can’t ruin that. We can work out something tomorrow. Well, this old man is heading for bed.” Bluey stood and held out his hand to Del. “Nice to meet you. Night all.”
Blake waited until Bluey was out the door and stood. “Let me show you to your room, and you can settle in. The kids wake up pretty early—just giving you fair warning.”
He walked down the hall way and stopped at the door at the end, pushing it open. He stood back and waited for her walk through before him. The room was plain but spacious. A double bed sat underneath the window and a chest of drawers stood in one corner on a slight angle. An open door showed a plain but functional bathroom. “You have your own bathroom through there. If there is something you need, just let me know and I'll see what I can do. No promises though.”
* * *
Del walked in, ran her fingertips along the edge of the bed spread, and glanced around. She poked her head into the bathroom and breathed a small sigh of relief when she spied the old claw foot bath. She was very tempted to run a bubble bath now and soak away her troubles. At least she didn’t have to wake up in the morning and climb on the bus with her over-zealous seat partner. Everything else was doable from here on in. She could do this.
“Thanks, this will do nicely. It was kind of you to take me in, Blake.” She stood with her arms crossed and looked up at him.
“We need you as much as you need us, I guess. Glad to have you here.” He stared at her and she waited for him to say more, but he didn't. The intense smolder in his eyes made the butterflies in her stomach rise up in a curious flutter that matched the soft pounding of her heart. Taking a step back, she clasped her hands together and averted her eyes, unwilling to give her imagination free rein just yet. She had only just met the man and his impact on her emotions needed some serious attention.
“Well, I guess I'd better have an early night if the kids are early risers.”
“Yes.”
“Would you mind getting my bags? I think they’re still in the ute amongst the bales of hay.”
“Oh, hell. Sorry, I totally forgot with the kids and all. Back shortly.” He turned and walked away, leaving Del standing in the bedroom. She heard the slam of the door then footsteps coming back down the hallway minutes later, and Blake walked in carrying her bags. He placed them on the bed and brushed off a strand of hay attached to the side of her case.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” She watched him shuffle his feet before nodding.
“Right, well, I'll see you later…in the morning, I mean.”
When the door closed behind him, Del breathed a sigh of relief. That man was too damned good looking for her poor sex-deprived soul. She gave herself a mental shake and unzipped her bag, then pulled out a nightgown and bathroom supplies for the night. Everything else could wait until tomorrow when she wasn’t so tired.
She walked into the en-suite and decided on a soak in the bath, turning on the taps. As the steam filled the small tidy room, she brushed her teeth and stripped off the dirty suit, clucking
