Hannah's footsteps faltered a bit as she stood on the porch of the big ranch style house. Brushing some loose strands of her long dark hair back from her face and straightening the light blue sundress that she's wearing, she sets down the small bag she's carrying on the porch next to the door. The walk from town had been long and hot but she was finally here. Clutching the worn paper in one hand, she lifts her other hand to the door and knocks softly.
Cursing under his breath as he throws open the front door, Luke's mouth already set in a scowl. His eyes widen as he takes in the small girl standing in front of him. He feels a small tug in his gut as he takes in her wide eyes, searching eyes. Shaking his head, he leans against the door jam and lets his eyes move lazily down her small frame.
Hannah forces herself to look up into the smiling face of Luke Williams, feeling sure he doesn't remember her. She clutches the wrinkled paper tighter in her hand, remembering the way her brothers and father reacted when she told them she was leaving. Squeezing her eyes closed and trying to still the butterflies in her stomach.
"What do you want?" Luke can't stop the hard edge he hears creeping into his voice. As he watches her flinch, he feels his stomach turn a bit at the thought of hurting her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so harsh." Feeling like he's been hit in the stomach as she smiles up at him,
Hannah shifts once again from one foot to the other before responding. "I...uh....I'm here about the job." Holding out the worn piece of paper.
Reaching out, Luke's hand closes over her smaller one...smiling as he holds it for a few seconds longer than necessary before taking the paper out of her hand. Damnit, advertising for a housekeeper/cook/nanny had been his mother's idea. So far all the applicants had been washouts, all 3 of them.
"How old are you?" Luke pulls his hand back quickly, letting the paper fall to the porch. He crosses his arms over his chest and tries to ignore the continuing tug in his stomach.
"19, how old are you?" Shoot, where did that come from. Biting down hard on her bottom lip as her eyes drop down to her feet again.
Luke shakes his head, biting back a laugh. God, he could actually start to like this girl. Turning on his heel so she won't see the smile spreading across his face. "Come on in, might as well get a look at what your getting yourself into." Without waiting for an answer he walks into his spacious living room, listening to her light footsteps as she follows him.
Hannah slams into Luke's back as he stops suddenly just inside of his living room. "Ohh, I'm so sorry." Hannah steps back quickly, stumbling as her foot hit's a toy dump truck.
"Damn, I'm sorry." Luke turns just in time to grab her arms and haul her up hard against his chest as she starts to fall backward. Knowing instantly that it was a mistake as he feels her small frame pressing tightly against his own. He looks down into her upturned face, her soft pink lips parted slighted. His brain screaming to stop even as his arms slide around her waist and hold her tightly.
Oh god, he still smells exactly the same. Hannah cannot control her body's reaction to being so close to Luke again. She looks into his eyes, remembering how easy it is to loose herself in the cool blue pools. Her body shaking as she watches his face come closer to her own. His lips inches from her, feeling his warm breath against her lips.
"DADDY!!" Hannah's eyes widen and she jerks back quickly, a deep blushing creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. She feels a smile spreading across her lips as the three little boys that look so much like their father come bounding down the stairs.
It takes Luke a little longer for his boys' voices to register in his brain. He feels her draw herself away from him and just barely resists the temptation to pull her back into his arms. Damn, he hasn't feel like this since...shaking his head as he straightens up and turns to look at his boys.
"What?" Trying to sound angry even as a smile spreads across his face. "You guys are supposed to be playing outside so Rainy can sleep."
"Yeah, but Rainy's awake now and we're hungry." Chance, one of the twins says as he looks around his dad at the woman standing behind him. "Who"s she?" Luke smiles as all three of his sons watch Hannah closely.
"This is Hannah." Turning, smiling at Hannah briefly. "I have to run up and check on Rainy, will you be alright down here?"
Nodding quickly, Hannah watches him hurry upstairs..stopping only to say something quietly to the three boys. She smiles at the boys and takes a couple of small steps toward them.
The three boys eye her suspiciously before all three cross their arms across their chest, so much like their father. "Do you know how to make grilled cheeses?" The youngest boy asks softly.
Hannah drops down on one knee, smiling at them. "I sure do. Is that what you guys want for lunch?" She smiles as they nod quickly. "Then point me toward the kitchen and I'll get started."
The youngest one starts running toward the kitchen while the other two walk beside her. Five minutes later she's standing at the stove, tomato soup on the stove and grilled cheese sandwiches in a frying pan. She's learned their names, Chance and Lucky are the 7 year old twins and Cash the 4 year old who looks so much like his father. She's also learned that their little sister, Rainy is only 8 months old. Their mom left them when Rainy was only a month old. Of course Hannah already knew almost all of it from overhearing her brothers talk about Luke and his run of bad luck.
Luke walks down the stairs after checking on his daughter and is surprised to find Hannah and his kids missing. He starts toward the front door, sure that the little girl had gone running for the hills after 10 minutes with his boys. He's almost at the door when he hears laughter coming from the kitchen. He turns quickly and heads in that direction. As he walks in, he spots Hannah standing at the stove, stirring a pot and flipping sandwiches on the stove, her back to him. His boys sitting at the bar, chattering away with her.
"Alright, guys, go wash up while I dish up the soup." Luke's surprised as his boys jump down off the stools and start out of the kitchen, stopping when she speaks again. "And use soap." Luke shakes his head at how at home she seems to be with his kids. He looks down as he feels a tugging on his belt.
"We like her." His youngest son, Cash, whispers conspiringly as Luke kneels down in front of him. "She can fix grilled cheeses and everything."
Luke feels his heart melt a little bit as he looks into Cash's bright eyes. Don't they say kids are the best judge of character?
"Yeah, I like her to." Luke ruffles Cash's hair before getting to his feet. "Go get washed up like she said."
Hannah hums softly to herself as she dishes up 3 big bowls of tomato soup and cuts the sandwiches in half and places them on the plates next to the bowls of soup. She opens a couple of cabinets , smiling as she finds the glasses and pulls down 3 and sets them on the counter. As she's turning toward the refrigerator, she spots Luke leaning against the wall close to the door. She feels her heart leap a bit in her chest and swallows quickly, trying to catch her breath.
"I...umm...I hope you don't mind. I just thought I'd help out a bit." Her hand stills on the refrigerator door as she waits for his response.
"Don't worry about it. I appreciate your help." Luke moves to sit down on the table and continues to watch her as she pours the boys some milk.
Hannah's hand is shaking as she pours the milk, surprising herself when she doesn't spill it. Why is he watching me like that? Does he recognize me? Wouldn't he say something if he did?
Sighing softly, Hannah carries the plates over to the bar and sets the last one down just as the boys come running back into the room. Smiling as they scramble up on the barstools, she sets their milk down beside their plates. She looks over at Luke and smiles shyly.
"Would you like something to eat, there's plenty?" Without waiting for an answer, she goes about dishing up the soup and sandwiches and then walks over to the table and sits it down in front of him. "Milk?" Smiling down at him as he shakes his head.
"Water's alright, thanks." He watches as she walks back to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. "Help yourself to whatever you want, not that there's a lot here."
"Thank you, but I don't want anything right now." The butterflies in my stomach would probably rebel against it, she thinks to herself. Feeling the sudden need to put some distance between herself and Luke, she starts back toward the bar
Laughing softly, he watches that thin veil cover her eyes once more and wonders briefly what it is that she's hiding. Not willing to let her retreat too far, he reaches out and grabs her wrist, pulling her back to the table. Glancing over at the bar, knowing his boys are wrapped up in talking about the trail ride they're going on this weekend.
"Sit down, Hannah." His eyes are drawn to her soft lips as she chews on the bottom one before slipping into the seat beside across from him. He slowly releases her wrist as he feels her pulling away slightly. "So, you really want this job? "
"I do." Hannah nods slowly.
"Do you understand what's involved?" He lightly brushes his fingertips over her knuckles, not surprised when she pulls her hand back and places both of them on her lap. She doesn't respond right away. "You'll be responsible for all the household chores, including all the cooking and taking care of the kids. I leave before sunrise and don't get home until after dark so it'll be just you and the kids all day." Did he imagine the look of relief on her face?
"I understand, Mr. Williams and I hope you'll give me the chance to prove how capable I am." Hannah's voice cracks a bit as she looks back toward the boys sitting at the bar.
