Chapter One

Thud. Thud. Thud. Books hit the floor all over the fifth-grade classroom, shattering the relative quiet. Brittany Gorman gathered her survival instincts and forced herself not to react. She tightened her grip on the chalk and continued to write the math homework assignment on the chalkboard. This bratty group of kids pulled some kind of stunt every time she substituted for their regular teacher. Today Brittany was determined not to let their misbehavior bother her.

Brittany wrote as slowly as she could. She didn’t want to turn around and see the feigned innocence on their faces until she was sure she could face them with a stoic mask in place. There was no doubt that the instigator of this little trick was the class clown who called her “Miss Carrot Top” or “Miss Freckle Face” under his breath, just loud enough that she couldn’t miss hearing his remarks. She always pretended not to notice.

Finally, she set the chalk in the tray and glanced at the clock before turning to the group. Some of the students had already retrieved their books, but other books still lay on the floor. She looked at the students, making eye contact with as many of them as she could before speaking. “You have twenty minutes to work on the assignment. If you have any problems, raise your hand, and I’ll be glad to help you.”

A few snickers drifted through the air, but Brittany chose to ignore those, too. Without making mention of the book incident, she roamed up and down the aisles between the desks. She breathed a sigh of relief as further conflict faded. Despite situations like this, substitute teaching was still the best of all the bad temp jobs she had tried since she’d lost her position as a financial planner. Glancing out the window at the snowy Montana landscape, she prayed that all would go well until the final bell. While she waited for that sound of freedom, she vowed to double her efforts to find a real job—one that didn’t involve kids.

Half an hour later, Brittany fled out a side door and searched the school’s parking lot for her ride. She spotted her roommate’s sporty silver compact car and dashed toward it. She opened the door and hopped in.

Glancing at Brittany, Heather Watson maneuvered her way to the main road, her dark eyes full of curiosity. “You seem in a hurry to get away.”

Brittany leaned back on the headrest. “What a day! It didn’t end soon enough.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“No. I don’t want to relive it. I can sum it up in one word. Dreadful.”

“That bad?”

“Worse. I’m beginning to think I’m just not good with kids.”

“Not true. The kids in the church youth group love you.”

“Thanks for your vote of confidence.” Brittany smiled halfheartedly. “I guess it’s just that one horrible class of fifth graders that drives me crazy.”

Heather nodded. “Is your car ready?”

“Yes, but I’m afraid to see the repair bill.” Brittany released a harsh breath. “That car is falling to pieces one part at a time. It’s a money pit, but without a regular job, there’s no way I can buy a new one.”

“Well, at least they could fix it.”

“I guess I should look on the bright side.” Brittany forced a smile. “It’s a good thing that today is your day off. Thanks for picking me up.”

“No problem.” Heather turned onto the street where the car dealership was located. “Are you subbing tomorrow?”

“Not yet, but I could get a call early in the morning. After today, I’m not sure I could bring myself to say yes.”

“Then don’t. Come skiing with me.”

“You know I can’t afford to go skiing, especially now with the added expense for my car.”

Brittany wished Heather could understand the stress of not having a real job. The need to find steady employment constantly weighed on her mind. And now that she’d broken up with Max, the one reason for staying in Billings no longer existed. She needed to widen her job search.

“I told you that won’t be a problem. My uncle Parker pays for everything, even guests. He does this every year for our family on the Martin Luther King holiday weekend.”

“I thought I’d met all your dad’s siblings. How come I’ve never met your uncle?”

“Because he’s a reclusive bachelor who lives on a ranch about fifty miles from Billings. I call him my mad scientist uncle because he’s always working on some kind of invention. We only see him on this ski trip and maybe out at his place on the Fourth of July. And at Christmas. Otherwise, he keeps pretty much to himself on that ranch.”

Brittany thought the guy sounded pretty weird, but she didn’t want to say anything bad about him. “I’d hate to impose.”

Heather gave Brittany a challenging look. “You won’t impose. You need a change of scenery, so you can forget about the loss of your job and your breakup with your worthless boyfriend.”

Brittany shook her head. “Going on a ski vacation isn’t going to help me find a job or make me forget Max.”

“Max is very forgettable. You shouldn’t waste time thinking about him. He doesn’t deserve even one second of your thoughts. And you never know. Maybe you’ll meet someone who’s looking to hire a good financial planner or accountant.”

“You are such an optimist.”

“Except when it comes to Max.”

“Why don’t you like him?”

“I never said I didn’t like him. I just think he’s never been very reliable when it came to your relationship, and you were very wise to dump him.”

Heather’s words brought the sting of the breakup front and center in Brittany’s mind. Unable to refute anything Heather said, Brittany turned away.

“Hey, I’m sorry, Brittany. I know this breakup has been hard on you.” Heather came over and put an arm around Brittany’s shoulders.

“Yeah, that’s for sure.” Brittany couldn’t keep the sadness out of her voice, but she couldn’t help thinking that Heather was right. Breaking up with Max had been for the best.

“Forgive me for bringing it up?”

Sighing, Brittany nodded. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Thanks. I’m not trying to make you feel bad, but he made me so angry when he’d promise to call or take you out, then didn’t follow through.”

“I kind of got used to his absent-minded, forgetful ways.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re rid of him.”

“I suppose.” Even though Brittany had been the one to break off the relationship, she still hurt. She and Max had been sweethearts since she was a senior in high school and he a junior. They’d dated for nearly eight years and been friends for longer than that. Maybe that’s why the pain in her heart lingered. Even though she knew their romantic relationship wasn’t going to work, she hated the loss of their friendship. She didn’t want to go through that kind of heartache again.

“You’ll get over it in time.” Heather gave Brittany another quick hug. “So you’re going, right?”

Brittany sighed again. “I suppose.”

“Great. I’ll drop you off to get your car, and we can pack when we get back to the apartment. I’ve even got some ski clothes you can borrow.”

“Thanks.”

As Brittany waited to pay for her car, she questioned her decision to agree to Heather’s ski trip. Brittany questioned every decision she’d made, including the one to follow Max to Montana. Now she was stuck here without a job. She had to make a good decision for a change.

More than ever, she wanted to prove to her parents that she could make the right choices. She had to show them that they hadn’t wasted their money on her college degree. That meant widening her search for a good financial job. From the beginning, they’d wanted her to forge her own path rather than follow Max to Montana. Would going home to the Spokane area mean she’d have to admit they’d been right? Could she make the right decision this time?

***

Giggles floated through the air as Parker Watson entered the kitchen of the six bedroom cedar-sided house he’d rented for the annual family ski trip. He relished the sound of harmony coming from Rose and Jasmine, his six-year-old twin daughters, who were having breakfast at the table in the eating area off the kitchen. He stared at the cup of coffee sitting on the counter and wished that somehow a nanny for his girls would appear out of the steam rising from it—like a genie from a bottle.

He was working on a big project that could lead to more medical writing jobs. He was already behind schedule because he’d had to take over the homeschooling duties that had been Jenny’s domain. If he was going to give full attention to his work, he had to find a good caregiver now.

He picked up the cup and moseyed over to the table. “Are you girls finished with breakfast? The ski slopes are waiting on us.”

Rose took the last gulp of milk, then nodded her head, her dark braids swinging across her shoulders. “I’m done.”

“Me, too.” Jasmine jumped up from her chair.

As Rose joined her sister, Parker patted each of them on the head. “Then you need to put on your ski clothes.”

“We will.” Their voices echoed around the vaulted ceiling as they raced for the stairs.

Parker cupped his hands around his mouth. “Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”

The girls stopped and leaned over the balustrade that surrounded the loft at the top of the stairs. “We won’t.”

“Sounds like they’re pretty excited about today.” Delia chuckled.

Parker turned to his housekeeper. “I hope they get along. All I’ve done the past couple of weeks is break up fights.”

“You know it started right after Jenny, Mark, and their kids moved away. The girls lost an important person in their lives, and it’s upset their whole routine.”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean they should misbehave.” Parker sighed. “I wish Mark hadn’t taken that job in Colorado, but I can’t blame him for taking a better opportunity. It’s tough losing a foreman and the girls’ teacher and caregiver all at once. Since I started advertising for a nanny, I’ve had exactly one inquiry. And as soon as the woman found out that the position was on an isolated Montana ranch, she wasn’t interested.”

“You know what I’ve said about that.” Delia gave him a no-nonsense look—the kind she always gave him when she was trying to make a point. “Folks that live closer to the ranch won’t have a problem with the location.”

“I don’t know why you think I’ll find a nanny in Stockton. The people in that town have no use for me, and I have no use for them.”

Delia’s wrinkled face brightened, and she winked. “Heather might know someone. Maybe that friend she’s bringing with her?”

“You are such an optimist.” Parker rubbed the back of his neck and gave Delia a wry smile before turning his attention to the noisy footsteps on the stairs. “Sounds like the girls are ready. Tell Heather and her friend to head up to the slopes when they get here.”

***

Hours later, Parker stepped into the ski lodge and, as he’d promised Heather minutes before, searched the room for a petite redhead. The color of her hair should make her easy to find. He wasn’t looking forward to meeting Heather’s friend, but he was doing this to please his favorite niece.

The smell of burgers and fries wafted his way as he walked further into the Main Lodge restaurant. Finally, he spotted an attractive young woman with bright coppery hair that fell around her shoulders as she sat alone at a table near the wall of windows looking out on the mountain.

Her expression told him she was deep in thought about something that didn’t make her happy. He could relate to that look.

He stepped forward. “Excuse me. Are you Brittany Gorman?”

She stared up at him, her appearance still somber. Her light brownish green eyes held a puzzled look. “Yes. How do you know my name?”

“I’m Parker Watson, Heather’s uncle.”

“You’re Heather’s uncle?” The pitch of her voice rose along with her eyebrows.

“I am. Is there a problem?” Parker tried not to frown.

Could she possibly know about his past—seen him on the news when he’d been falsely accused of an inappropriate relationship with one of his high school students? According to Heather, Brittany had moved to Billings about six years ago after the scandal had subsided, but that was no guarantee. He knew firsthand how malicious gossip could linger.

Despite his innocence, he’d never gotten his life back. In the beginning, he’d tried to repair his reputation, but the hushed conversations and whispered innuendos had followed him. Frustrated and hurt over the way his former friends and colleagues had turned against him, he’d decided things would be easier if he gave up teaching and kept to himself on the ranch.

She grimaced, a blush creeping up her freckled face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so abrupt. It’s just that…well, I expected you to be older…much older.”

“So that’s why you seemed startled?”

Nodding, she placed a hand over her heart. “When Heather was talking about her uncle, I had this picture in my mind of a man about the age of her father with a salt-and-pepper beard.”

Realizing that she didn’t know anything about his past, Parker let his relief come bubbling out in a chuckle. “I’m twenty-five years younger than Heather’s dad and only seven years older than Heather. She seems more like a cousin than a niece. I figured out a long time ago that I was my parents’ ‘oops’ baby.”

“Oh.” She looked away, as if his statement had embarrassed her.

He’d probably given her more information than she wanted to know. He had a bad habit of speaking his mind, no matter what the consequences. Better change the subject. “Heather told me you took a ski lesson this morning.”

“Yeah. Where’s Heather?”

“Still on the slopes, but she sent me down here to check on you. How did the lesson go?”

Brittany shrugged. “Okay. I guess. I learned how to snowplow.”

“That’s a good start. Are you ready for lunch?”

Brittany nodded. “I thought Heather was meeting me.”

“She is, but she wanted to do a little skiing with Rose and Jasmine first before the girls did their afternoon thing.”

He was out of practice talking with single women who were close to his own age. What did it matter? He wasn’t going to see Brittany again after this weekend. Even if she was pretty, he didn’t need to impress her. “Do you mind if I join you while we wait for Heather?”

She looked up at him in surprise. “I’m sorry. I should’ve invited you to sit with me. I don’t know where my manners have gone. Please join me. In fact, I’m glad to have a chance to talk to you. I want to thank you. It’s really generous of you to pay for everything, especially since I’m not family.”

“Think nothing of it.” Parker smiled. He pulled out a chair and sat across from her.

Now what did he say? He hated small talk, especially since he seldom had face-to-face interaction with anyone except the people on the ranch and an occasional family member. It was better for him and the twins to be surrounded by people who supported and accepted them. But in his efforts to shield his girls from malicious gossip, he’d gotten out of practice at making conversation with strangers.

Parker tried to lasso his thoughts, but her cute freckled face had his mind in a dither. Maybe that’s why she had him noticing these things about her that he shouldn’t be noticing at all.

“Heather tells me you live on a ranch.”

“Yeah.” An invitation to talk about himself—one of his least favorite things to do. When he was with his family, all he wanted to talk about was his girls, but he didn’t want to explain to a stranger why he was a bachelor father.

“Do you raise cattle?”

“I’m more of a gentleman rancher.”

“A what?”

“I don’t actually do any ranching. I only live there.”

“Oh.” The word was wrapped in curiosity.

Hoping to avoid giving her any other information, he ignored her questioning look. “What about you? What do you do?”

Brittany stared at him for a moment, then glanced away toward the windows. Sighing heavily, she looked back at him. “I’m currently a substitute teacher. I lost my real job a few months ago. I tried some temp jobs, but they were short-lived. Then a teacher I know from church suggested that I sign up to be a substitute, but that still makes for a rather unsettled life—not knowing how much will be in my next paycheck. It’s hard to find regular work of any kind.”

Parker couldn’t help remembering Delia’s speculation about Brittany being a prospect for the nanny position. His desperation to find someone to care for his daughters was making him have irrational thoughts. He knew very little about this young woman. “What was your previous job?”

“I worked for a financial planning company, and they were downsizing. I was the last hired and the first fired.” Brittany laughed halfheartedly.

“Any job prospects in your field?” Now Parker knew what had caused her troubled look. He’d like to commiserate, but he certainly didn’t want to explain the false accusations that had cost him his job. The unfairness still troubled him.

She shook her head. “I’m just trying to figure out what I’m going to do next. Kind of puts a damper on trying to have fun.”

“Maybe we can get you up on the slopes and take your mind off it for at least a little while.” And his mind, too.

“Heather said the same thing.” Brittany smiled.

“Then we’ll try not to mention it again.” Taking in that smile, Parker tried to ignore the way his heart bumped against his ribs like a skier bumping across moguls on a downhill run. Another reason not to entertain the idea of her as a nanny. Having a nanny he was attracted to would be a big mistake.

“I’m not sure that will help. I keep thinking about it. Can I find a new job in Billings, or should I go back home? If I choose to go home, how will that affect Heather since I share an apartment with her?”

Parker took in the fact that Brittany, despite her own troubles, was still concerned about Heather. Brittany’s thoughtfulness said something very good about her. “So where’s home?”

“Pinecrest, a little town north of Spokane, Washington.”

Glancing toward the door and hoping to see Heather, Parker nodded. “Yeah. I know Spokane. I’ve been there several times.”

“But I bet you’ve never been to Pinecrest.”

“You’d be correct.”

“Not many job prospects there, but maybe I can find one in Spokane.” Brittany sighed. “I think my parents want me to move back. My dad’s checking out jobs in Spokane for me. He says the sooner I get back into finance the better. Temp jobs and substitute teaching don’t exactly enhance my resume.”

“What brought you to Montana in the first place?”

Brittany sighed. “My boyfriend Max. He came to college here on a football scholarship.”

A boyfriend. That bit of information ought to keep his wayward thoughts in check. “So what does he do?”

“He’s in graduate school, but actually, he’s not my boyfriend anymore. We just broke up last weekend. So that’s why I’m thinking about moving back to Washington.” Brittany’s green eyes shimmered, and she looked away toward the window. “That’s another reason Heather invited me to ski. She thought it might help me forget the breakup.”

No boyfriend after all. He knew the hurt of a broken relationship—what it meant to have people you trusted turn away when you needed them the most. Did he detect unshed tears? He was surprised to find himself wanting to comfort her. The urge to reach out to strangers, to help people in need, had been very rare in recent years—but Brittany seemed to bring it out in him.

“Are you okay?”

***

Parker’s question made Brittany flush. How could she admit to this virtual stranger that part of her was glad that she and Max had finally faced the truth? She hated admitting that the breakup was inevitable, but she’d finally come to the conclusion that the relationship was at a dead end. “Yes, it was for the best.”

As Brittany said the words, she was even more certain that her statement was true. But she couldn’t forget that Max had been a part of her life for eight years, and his absence left an empty place in her heart.

“So I suppose there’s nothing keeping you in Billings anymore.”

Before Brittany could respond, Heather approached the table as she waved a hand above her head. “I see you two found each other.”

Parker stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Yeah, we were getting to know each other.”

“Thanks.” Heather gave her uncle a pointed look. “I bet you were asking all the questions, weren’t you?”

“Did Rose and Jasmine get to their afternoon activity?” Parker ignored Heather’s inquiry.

“They did. They settled in nicely. No problems.”

“Good. I hope they enjoy themselves this afternoon as much as we did this morning. Pretty soon they’re going to be skiing better than me.”

Leaning back, Brittany took in the exchange. Heather was right. Parker had asked most of the questions, and he certainly looked relieved when Heather had walked in. Brittany figured that Parker wasn’t exactly excited about entertaining his niece’s friend. But the fact that he’d made the effort told Brittany that he was a considerate man.

After talking with Parker, Brittany concluded that he hardly seemed like the recluse Heather had described. After all, he’d apparently been skiing with Rose and Jasmine while Brittany took her ski lesson. She wondered about the two females that she hadn’t met but didn’t dare ask about for fear of seeming nosy. She was already worried that she’d seemed impolite by waiting so long to invite him to join her.

Brittany had forced herself to look out the window in order to keep from staring at him or the intensity in his coffee-colored eyes. His handsome face, covered with dark stubble, gave him a rugged appearance. His tobacco-brown hair that needed a trim added to the persona. His good looks probably went a long way in explaining the presence of Rose and Jasmine.

“So what do you think? Are you ready to try your hand at skiing after lunch?”

Brittany suddenly realized Heather’s question was aimed at her. She needed to quit thinking about Parker and pay attention to the conversation. She shrugged. “I don’t know. One lesson hardly seems like enough.”

“Sure it is. Besides, Parker will take you out and give you some instructions, won’t you, Parker?” Heather glanced at her uncle with a sly smile.

Brittany tried to get her friend’s attention, so she could signal her disapproval. “Your uncle doesn’t want to be stuck skiing with me.”

Heather laid a hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “He doesn’t mind.”

Parker cleared his throat. “Ah…you’re talking about me as if I’m not here. I can speak for myself.”

“Okay, but you can’t deny that you’re a great ski instructor.”

“I won’t.”

Heather grinned at Parker. “Then it’s settled. You’d be happy to help Brittany this afternoon.”

Brittany had no idea how to respond. Parker didn’t look exactly thrilled, but he also seemed too polite to go against Heather’s wishes. He was the ever-accommodating host.

Brittany didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but she didn’t want him to feel obligated to spend time with her either. “I’d hate for you to be tied down with a beginner like me when you could be out skiing with Rose, Jasmine, and Heather.”

“Rose and Jasmine are occupied for the afternoon, and I’m going to do a little snowboarding. So Uncle Parker is all yours.” Heather grinned again, making no attempt to disguise her triumph. “And when the slopes close, I will meet you two at the lodge.”

“That works for me,” Parker said.

Manufacturing a smile, Brittany knew she was trapped. “Okay, if that’s the way you guys want it.”

“Good. Then it’s settled.” Heather stood, shrugged out of her ski jacket and hung it over the back of the chair. “Now let’s get something to eat.”

Soon they were eating a hearty lunch. At least Parker and Heather were. Brittany barely nibbled on her hamburger and fries. Her appetite had fled as her mind buzzed with thoughts of Parker, skiing, and her dicey job situation. All of them gave her something to be nervous about.

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