From Nanny to Mom
Tessa Pierce moves to the small town of Rosewood, Texas, hoping to forget all about romance. But her handsome new boss, Morgan Harper, is making that difficult. And his little girl is winning Tessaâs heart more and more every day. The hardworking widower barely has enough time for his child, and certainly none for his beautiful new assistant. But when Tessa steps in to help take care of his daughter, she shows Morgan the close-knit family they could be. If he doesnât want to lose her, Morgan will need to unravel her mysterious past and prove to Tessa that her future should be with him.
âI didnât know you were home.
âI could have kept Poppy up long enough for you to see her,â Tessa said.
âI just got here. Iâm sure she was too tired to stay up any longer.â
âWould you like a cup?â Tessa asked.
Baffled, Morgan didnât reply.
âOf tea?â she added, holding up a mug.
âUh, yeah. Thatâd be fine.â His thoughts were crowded. He couldnât get the image of Tessa and Poppy out of his head. There was aâ¦sweetness in the way she interacted with his daughter.
Heâd sat in this kitchen late in the night when he couldnât sleep, but heâd always felt alone. Tessa had changed that.
She brought over the mugs, joining him at the table.
Tessa was evoking something else, something he hadnât felt since Lucy died. Startled by the thought, he jerked back his hand, overturning the cup.
She grabbed a napkin, blotting up the spilled tea.
âSorry, let me get that.â He reached for the napkin but caught her hand instead.
She froze.
Her hand was soft beneath his, and it took him a few moments to release it.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.
âSong of Solomon 2:10â12
Chapter One
Tessa Pierce crossed then recrossed her legs. For the past ten years she had been on the other side of the desk during interviews, but that wasnât the reason she was uncomfortable. Morgan Harper, owner and president of Harper Petroleum, didnât so much make her nervous, just more on edge than sheâd expected. She knew the workings of oil and gas companies, how to work for a single-minded boss. Mr. Harper affected her in a different way.
âMy assistant, Miss Ellis, knew exactly how I wanted things done,â he was saying. âShe worked for my father, then me, so she had years of experience. Retiring wasââ he paused ââappropriate considering her age. But I donât have time to train someone new in every aspect of my business.â
Tessa tilted her head in the direction of her résumé, laid neatly on his desk. âAs you can see, Iâve had considerable experience in most areas of the oil and gas industry. Through its subsidiaries, Traxton has a hand in all stages of production.â
Morgan didnât glance at her résumé. Tessa had the uncanny feeling that he had memorized the document. âTen years with one employer is unusual for someone your age.â
âI joined Traxton Oil right out of college. And they promote from within.â
Morgan placed two fingers at one temple, indenting the skin as though trying to ward off a headache. âYouâve been with them this long, so why make a change?â
It was a question Tessa had prepped for and the truth had never failed her. âI want a new start because of my divorce.â
His eyebrows lifted. âHoustonâs a pretty big place. Not enough room in it for you and your ex?â
âNo,â she replied simply, evenly, definitively.
He stared at her, his dark eyes appearing to bore for truth or deceit. âCindy Mallory told me you intend to relocate to Rosewood. That the cottage that comes with the job is a big incentive. You should take into consideration that Rosewoodâs nothing like the city.â
Her voice remained even. âThatâs what Iâm counting on.â
âIf your references check out, when can you start?â
âImmediately. Iâve already worked my two weeksâ notice.â
âAnd if I donât hire you?â
âWith my experience, someone in oil country will. But I would enjoy having a good friend here in town. Cindy and I have known each other since we were kids. And I like what Iâve seen of Rosewood. Houstonâs invigorating, constantly busy. Iâm notââ she cleared her throat ââin need of that right now.â