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Peter grinned. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely," I chuckled. "You're welcome to join me in the shower."
We headed there together, but my mind was still on Amber. I knew that I could probably stretch things out about two weeks and then I'd have to go home. One way or another. I glanced at Peter as he adjusted the water for our shower. He seemed so hopeful and happy. I didn't want to shatter that. Not yet. Even if it was selfish, I couldn't bring myself to tell him that my boss wanted me back so soon.
"Earth to Jo. Are you there?" He asked as he ran a thumb over my cheek.
I leaned into his palm. "Here. Just a little tired."
"Are you sure?" He asked as he frowned. "You know if something's bothering you that you can talk to me, right? That's never changed."
I saw the worry in his sweet brown eyes. The fact that he always wanted to protect me and look after me made everything feel worse. He deserved someone that would stick around. Not me. Besides, there was no way I could just hang out on his ranch. I loved my career and I wanted to get back to it as soon as possible. I realized he was staring at me and I quickly lifted my head and smiled.
"I'm fine," I said with a nod. "I really am a little worn out from ranch work and from your housework," I grinned as I traced my fingers over his firm muscles.
He burst out laughing. "I guess that has been a bit exhausting. Let's get you cleaned up and then we can eat on the couch and watch a movie."
"That sounds like heaven," I sighed.
It really did.
Chapter 10
Peter
I watched Joanne stare at her phone again for the tenth time that day. She'd been distracted by it since the phone call the day before. I also wondered if she was getting a bit of cabin fever being locked in the house for so long. I'd finally gotten word that the plow would be hitting me next, but it had gone down for a while and they still needed to get it back up and running.
I was used to it. Every winter I usually spent a good week on my own. It had almost been a week this time around.
She's probably antsy.
"If you keep staring at that phone you're gonna go blind," I said as I reached down and petted Rory. He took everything he could get before he trotted over to Jo Jo and glanced up at her expectantly.
"I will not," she countered as she put the phone down and stroked Rory too. "Sorry, I know I've been distracted. Just setting everything up with the house and the trip back home. It's a lot."
I frowned. "Can I do anything to help?"
Joanne smiled but shook her head. "No, honestly I have it all under control. I'm just a little frazzled."
"Well, I'll make sure we get your car up and running for you so you won't break down on the way back. I can't stop thinking about you being stranded in the desert and not having a way home."
She smiled. "Aww, you care about me."
I waved a hand. "You're okay. Don't push it."
We both laughed and sipped at our coffee. As much as I didn't want her to leave, I knew I couldn't hold her back. She had a whole life in Vegas and I wouldn't be the one to stop it. Not even if I kept thinking about her in ways I never imagined.
"You never told me about the family you nanny for. Are they good people?" I asked.
Joanne nodded. "I mean the best they can be. Usually, they're busy and don't have much time for the kids, but it's hard to maintain a certain lifestyle if you're not working all the time."
"What about the kids? How are they?"
I watched her face lighten up. "They're great. Kyle and Kylie are twins. Eight. They're always playing pranks on someone and getting in trouble. You'd think they were little adults though, how packed their schedules are. John is the baby. He's a fussy one but if I hold him he's quiet all day. It's just hard to get things done with one hand," she laughed.
"You seem like you really love it," I said.
"I do love working with kids. They're still so sweet and innocent. And all they really want is love and attention. I think their parents want the best for them so badly that they forget the kids would rather have them."
