The Nanny and the Millionaire. Линда Гуднайт

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СКАЧАТЬ believing it had an intimidating effect.

      Marissa could see Riley’s lip quivering. That made her stronger. ‘You’re in our way, Mr Pearson. Move!’ she said sharply.

      For answer he crossed his arms over his muscular chest. ‘Spunky as hell, aren’t yah? I like that in a woman. Makes me wonder how much you’d fight me?’

      Riley put himself between Pearson and his sister. ‘Go away. Ma and I don’t like you.’

      Pearson leaned down and pulled Riley’s ear. ‘Well, I happen to like your ma.’ His face was a leering mask. ‘I think you should keep out of this, little fella.’

      ‘You don’t frighten me,’ Riley said bravely, pushing back against his sister.

      ‘It’s all right, Riley.’ She calmed him, drawing him closer. Her eyes had locked on to an impressively tall man who had just entered the park. No question about it, he was coming their way. Very purposefully, she thought.

      The cavalry had arrived! If so, he was the officer in charge.

      Even at a distance he gave the appearance of the sort of man who would command attention anywhere. Dressed much like Pearson, there was a remarkable difference. While Pearson looked rough and ready, this man had perfected the image of the glamorous cattle baron. In all probability he was! The aura he gave off held such authority it had the power to render her instantly calmer.

      ‘Back up’s on the way!’ She gave Pearson a challenging look.

      He wasn’t impressed enough to turn around to check. ‘You can’t trick me.’ He moved closer so she could smell his stale sweat. ‘You don’t want me to hurt the kid, do yah?’

      Marissa eyed him with contempt. ‘Try it and you’ll wish you hadn’t!’

      ‘You’re a creep and a bully!’ Riley shouted, his breath starting to come hard.

      ‘Looks like your kid needs teachin’ a lesson.’ Pearson grabbed at Riley’s frail arm.

      At the same time as Marissa pulled Riley back, a steely voice cracked out, ‘Let the boy go, Pearson!’

      Instantly Pearson was thrown into a panic. He dropped Riley’s arm like a shot, whirling about, bravado shaken. ‘Whoa, boss!’ he called. ‘I was just askin’ this young lady if there’s anything I could do to help her.’

      Riley found his vocal chords again. ‘Liar!’

      Pearson’s boss reached them in a couple of long strides, his mouth held in a tight line. ‘It didn’t look to me like she was interested in your offer. Get out of here. Now. You’ve got five minutes to grab those spare parts from the garage and head back to the station. We’ll talk then.’

      ‘I swear it was nuthin’, boss.’ Pearson held to the role of injured party. ‘She looked like she needed help.’

      ‘Maybe you didn’t hear me. I said, go!’ The newcomer stabbed a bronzed finger at Pearson’s chest.

      ‘Sure, boss.’ Pearson didn’t wait a second longer. ‘See you later, Riley!’ He waved a pseudo-friendly hand.

      ‘No, you won’t!’ Riley croaked after him, sounding like he was having trouble getting his breath.

      ‘What was he saying to you?’ The man looked at Marissa, waiting intently on her answer.

      Now she got the full force of brilliant dark eyes; so deep they gave her the unnerving sensation of drowning.

       First impression.

      She must have taken overlong to answer because Riley broke in. ‘He was bothering Ma,’ he said, thinking this was a real man like The Man from Snowy River. He was big, strong, ready to help and the way he talked sounded like his dad. ‘The one time we didn’t have Dusty with us, either,’ he lamented.

      ‘And Dusty is?’ The taut expression gentled as the man looked down on Riley’s dark curly head. ‘Don’t tell me. Let me guess. Your guard dog?’

      ‘A good one, a cattle dog.’ Riley gave their rescuer a warm smile. ‘Thank you, mister.’

      ‘McMaster,’ the man said, little brackets of amusement etched into either side of his handsome mouth. ‘Holt McMaster and you are?’ He transferred his gaze to Marissa, a brow tilted in interrogation.

      She cleared her throat. Holt McMaster, who else! Here was a man who was genuinely daunting, but highly unlikely to go bothering women. More like the other way around. ‘Marissa Devlin,’ she said, extending her hand. ‘This is my brother, Riley.’

      ‘Hi,’ he said, taking a good long look at her but in a totally different way to Pearson. Just as Deidre had said Holt McMaster was a seriously stunning looking man but very much on the stern side, Marissa thought, herself engrossed in staring at him. He had great bone structure—he’d probably still be handsome at ninety—hollowed out cheekbones, fine straight nose, a firm, but definitely sensuous mouth, sculpted chin and jawline. She wasn’t sure if it was she or he, or maybe both of them were the cause of it, but tiny electric sparks were shooting off their momentarily locked hands.

      He seemed to wait a few seconds before letting his gaze settle back on Riley. ‘Are you all right, son? Sounds like you’re having a bit of trouble catching your breath.’

      ‘He has asthma,’ Marissa said worriedly, starting to rummage around in her leather shoulder bag. ‘He’s been fine but your station hand gave us a fright.’

      ‘A big mistake,’ McMaster responded tersely. ‘You need to keep calm, Riley.’ He put a hand on Riley’s shoulder. ‘Think you can do that?’

      ‘Yes, sir,’ Riley rasped.

      ‘You’ve got the puffer?’ Those fathomless eyes rested on Marissa again.

      ‘Right here.’ Marissa put the puffer into Riley’s hand.

      Both adults stood watching while the little boy inhaled. ‘Good man,’ McMaster praised him. ‘You’ll be fine now.’ He gave Riley a nod of approval. ‘What are you doing all the way out here?’ he questioned Marissa. There was close enough to a frown on his striking face.

      She felt herself blush. It was unnerving being the focus of that brilliant gaze. ‘I’m looking for a job.’

      ‘What sort of job?’ he asked crisply.

      She had a strong sense he didn’t approve of her being out here; on the road with an asthmatic child. ‘I’m a trained schoolteacher. I have excellent references. I was hoping to get work as a governess on one of the stations.’

      ‘Do you want a governess, Mr McMaster?’ Riley piped up, with touching hope.

      McMaster suddenly smiled and his whole face changed. Marissa watched in fascination as the dark severity was totally wiped away. Light radiated off him like an actual aura. ‘I hadn’t been planning on hiring one, Riley. At least not at this time.’

      ‘Perhaps you might know someone, some other station owner СКАЧАТЬ