“No, I was, I—” Tears choked her emotions, stealing her voice.
“You what, mom? You’re the one who’s always preaching the universe always provides. That universe applies to me too.” Ember tapped the palm of her hand to her chest in three rapid successions. “Maybe running into him was a sign, hitting you smack dab in the middle of your forehead, that I was supposed to get to know him. Now, I’ll never have the chance.”
“Sweetie, all I can do now is say I’m sorry.”
“I’m just.” Sorrow and irritation melded with understanding. “Disappointed, Mom.”
“I fully recognize your frustration.”
Spotting a familiar white Range Rover parking along the street, Ember cut the conversation short. “I gotta go. JC and Chloe just pulled up.”
“Remember to allow yourself into this space with an open heart, accepting and compassionate.”
“Mom, I was raised with feelings, remember. I’m going into this with an open mind. I committed to the next four months and I hope to stick it out. Do I expect to fall in love with the ranch? No, definitely not. Will I agree not to sell it? I’m not making any promises, but I want to know who my father was and from everything I’ve gathered, this ranch was his life.”
“I know this won’t be an easy journey, but always communicate with patience and respect and—”
“Mom,” Ember interrupted, cutting off the speech she’d already heard that morning. “I’m sure the Millers are waiting for you. Go save a marriage, okay. I’ve got this.”
“Please keep me informed.”
“Will do,” she assured.
By the time Ember gathered up her things and slung the strap of her purse over her scraped up shoulder, JC had already hopped out of the vehicle, grabbed Chloe from her car seat, and rushed toward her.
“What the hell happened? Are you okay?”
Chloe squirmed on her mother’s hip, desperately stretching her little arms outward. Her bright tiny-toothed smile instantly thawed Ember’s angst.
“Emer! Emer!” the little girl squealed in delight. The B they’d been working on was lost to excitement.
Ember met JC and her husband in Malibu while teaching a yoga class for expecting couples. They formed a friendship, sharing an instant bond, which led to private classes and a part-time nanny position after Chloe was born. JC’s husband, Reed, grew up near Austin. The couple kept two homes, one in California and another in Texas, traveling back and forth for work for her illustrious modeling career and his architectural firm. Ember nannied for them when they stayed at their home in Malibu.
“Hey, sweet girl.” Ember happily retrieved the eager toddler from her mother’s arms. She placed a kiss to her headful of dark wavy locks before greeting JC with a much-needed hug. “You’re never going to believe it. I was sitting on the patio meditating—”
“You were sitting here? At this patio?” She pointed at the destroyed space. Slanting her chin toward her chest, JC’s green eyes pulled wide with alarm, peering over the rim of her sunglasses. “There’s nothing left of it!”
“Five minutes ago, it was a peaceful sanctuary, but then it turned into a rodeo.”
The sound of police sirens halted their conversation. Chloe frowned, throwing her hands to her ears. Her delicate pink lips made the perfect shape of an O.
“It’s too woud. Too woud, Emer!”
Ember pulled the toddler close, pressing one ear to her chest and covering the other with her hand.
“Let’s sit in the car,” JC shouted over the commotion.
They moved to the quiet confines of the luxurious vehicle. Taking full advantage of being in the front seat, Chloe climbed over the console and into her mother’s lap, happily taking control of the steering wheel.
“Did you say stampede?”
“Yeah, it was crazy.” Ember bent forward, relishing in the air conditioning blowing from the vents. The cool air carried the subtle scents of new-car leather and powdery baby lotion. “One minute I’m getting into my zone and the next I’m being thrown to the ground by a complete stranger.”
“Holy s.h.i.t. That explains the scratches and blood. Ember, you’re lucky you didn’t get seriously injured. This could’ve been bad.” JC stretched behind her seat, rummaging through Chloe’s diaper bag to retrieve a baby wipe.
Chloe’s mouth bowed south, maneuvering back to Ember’s lap. Alarm filled her big green eyes as she wrapped a little arm around her neck in dismay. Noses almost touching, she petted the side of Ember’s face. “What happen, Emer? You okay?”
The apprehension in her tiny tender voice pulled at Ember’s heartstrings. “I’m fine, sweetie.”
JC handed a wipe to Chloe. “You wanna help clean her boo-boo?”
“Yes, please,” Chloe replied softly, carefully dragging the soft white cloth over Ember’s scratches.
“You sure you’re okay? I can take you to the…” JC mouthed the word doctor so not to alert her daughter.
“No, really I’m fine.” Ember recanted the brief but terrifying events of the morning. Severe blush blistered her cheeks mentioning the part about her hero kneeling between her spread thighs, panties, and girlie parts on full exhibition.
JC laughed so hard tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. “Sounds like Fort Worth rolled out the red carpet for your arrival. Coffee and a show.”
“That’s what he probably said,” Ember chortled, giving a gentle poke to the little girl’s tummy. “I know it’s only been three weeks since I’ve seen you guys, but I can’t believe how big you’re getting.”
Chloe responded with an innocent, loving grin. “I’m a big girl now. I have a big girl bed.”
“You do?” Ember glanced at JC for confirmation.
JC nodded proudly. “Yes, and she sleeps all night in her own bed now.”
“I’m so proud of you!” Ember gushed, making the little girl squirm with delight.
“I totally owe you. That trick about putting the sleeping bag at the foot of our bed worked. It took exactly three nights of not letting her in our bed and making her roll up the sleeping bag up in the morning for her to decide it was time for her to be a big girl.” JC twisted to the side and placed her hand on Ember’s forearm. “We miss you. It’s going to be great having you so close while we’re in Texas. We can spend time together.”
Warmth grew in her chest. The Rider family had become her adopted family of sorts. “Have you found a new nanny?”
“To tell you the truth, I haven’t even looked. I’ll never find anyone to replace you,” JC assured, an appreciative smile tipped the edges of her full lips. “Besides, I don’t work much when we’re here and to tell you the truth, I really enjoy the downtime. Texas is growing on me. Everyone is so friendly. Plus, it’s nice to be able to relax and be home with Chloe every day.”
“I can always babysit if you need me to.”
“You’re going to have your hands full the next few months.” JC looped her fingers through her long caramel hair, moving it to one side, laughing. “And I hate to be selfish, but it’s not just Chloe who misses you. I know you were our nanny, but we’ve always been friends too.”