Sheriff Needs a Nanny Read Online Free Page B

defense?
    “I’m sure you do. And it’s early days for the two of you together. I’m sure we’ll find a system that works for all of us.”
    He appreciated her enthusiasm even as he resisted it. “Sit down, Ms. Rhodes. We have a few ground rules to discuss.”
    “Of course.” The words were terse, reminding him that, as a teacher, she was more used to making rules than following them.
    “First of all, there should be no touching.”
    Her brow furrowed and a question came into her eyes.
    “You’re an attractive woman,” he clarified. “And I’m a healthy adult male. I’ve noticed you’re demonstrative. You talk with your hands and you express emotion by touching. We need to maintain a professional relationship, so no touching.”
    She inclined her head in acknowledgment. “That makes sense. What else?”
    “I don’t need or want you to cook for me. No getting cozy around the kitchen table or snoozing on the couch.”
    “Cozy?” She actually sounded offended by the notion. Perching on the arm of the couch, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I have to cook for the baby and me anyway. It’s just as easy to include enough for you. In fact, it’s harder to cook for one and a half than for three, so it’s just plain wasteful not to include you. If you don’t want me to leave it warming in the oven, fine. I’ll tuck the food into the refrigerator and you can dig it out. As for snoozing on the couch—you were late. I fell asleep.”
    Frowning, she reached for the baby blanket she’d used as a throw and began to fold it. When she continued much of the defiance was missing. “From the sound of your schedule that’s likely to happen again, so how do you suggest we handle the problem?”
    Good question.
    “I’ll put a travel crib in your rooms out back. If you get sleepy, you can take Carmichael with you and I’ll pick him up when I get home.”
    “That’s disruptive for the baby.”
    “Yeah.” His gaze roamed from her Blushed Rose toenails to her two-inch gold hoop earrings. “Well, I think it’s best. I’d also like you to wear a uniform. It doesn’t have to be formal, just keep to black and white.”
    Nikki shifted the blanket she’d folded from her lapto her chest and crossed her arms. “Maybe you should write down all these rules so I don’t forget them.”
    He lifted a brow at her tone. “I’ll let that slide, because it’s late and we’re both tired. But know this: I don’t believe in ignoring problems. I believe in addressing the issue to prevent further problems from arising.”
    “Now, see, I have a different philosophy. Some problems, yes, need to be resolved right away. Others, if you ignore them, often go away.”
    “Or someone else handles them for you.”
    “Sometimes, and it’s lovely when that happens. Other times new info comes to light which changes the situation so the original problem goes away.” She stood and gathered her belongings on the way to the door, where she stopped and met his gaze straight-on. “I don’t think you need to worry about us getting cozy around the dinner table.” She hooked her purse over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
     
    Nikki purposely timed her arrival for 7:00 a.m. the next morning. Not a minute before or a minute after. She’d learned her lesson about punctuality when it came to Sheriff Oliver.
    As good as he looked in his skin, she was sure encountering him half-naked again would bend more than one of his rules.
    She needn’t have worried. He met her at the door fully dressed. He took her suitcase and set it inside the door.
    “Carmichael is still sleeping,” he told her. “And Igot a call from Dispatch so I have to go.” He grabbed his keys from the bowl on the counter and headed back to the door.
    Oh, my, he did look fine in his uniform.
    He wore it with an easy air of command that made the olive-green pants and khaki short-sleeved shirt—accessorized with holster and gun—downright sexy. The confidence and