Free Healing Hearts by Margaret Daley Page B

babysit. She’s very good at that job, but she isn’t a nanny. She came to work for my father fifteen years ago when he didn’t have a child.”
    “But she isn’t what you need right now?”
    “I need someone to keep this place in order, and I’m certainly not a cook. I can throw some simple dishes together if I had to. But I need more now with Madi.” The feel of Gabe’s fur beneath his palm reminded Dominic of his dog, Rocket. He and his golden retriever had gone everywhere on the ranch, getting into one adventure after another. He could see why Madi responded to Gabe.
    “Have you thought of hiring someone to help with Madison?”
    “Yes, but this isn’t the time to bring a stranger into her life. I can’t do that and leave for Houston on Friday. I’ve even thought of taking Madi with me, but I still would have to leave her at my apartment in Houston with someone.”
    “Madison needs familiarity.”
    “I know, especially now that she is back at the ranch with no more visits to the hospital.”
    Abbey nibbled her lip for a moment, then spoke. “I think I’ve got a solution for you, Dominic. Me.”
    He looked at her, glimpsing a shadow that dulled her eyes as if she wasn’t completely convinced by her words. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
    “I won’t kid you that being with Madison hasn’t stirred memories of my daughter and the heartache I went through. It has, but the bottom line is Madison’s well-being. In a short time, I’ve come to care about your sister and want to see her get better. Her mental health is important to that process. You should be in Houston for the funeral, and Madison should have someone familiar with her who can devote time to her while you’re gone.”
    “But you have a job at the hospital.”
    “I have flexible hours and can do some of my work from here. Madison and I have gotten to know each other this past week, and you’ve seen how taken she is with Gabe. When she’s feeling lonely, he can be here to chase the sadness away.”
    He shook his head. “I hate to ask you to do that.”
    “You’re not. I’m offering. It would be a great time to get Gabe used to an electric wheelchair. I can’t have my therapy dog running scared when he sees one. I also can bring the bichon frise over for Madison to see.”
    “Mrs. Ponder probably wouldn’t be too happy about that.”
    “Ah, you’ve seen the glares she’s sent Gabe.”
    “Kind of hard to miss,” he said with a smile, feeling the steel rod down his spine start to soften. “When we were eating dinner, and he was lying by Madi’s chair, I’m sure Mrs. Ponder was just waiting for Gabe to jump up and take the fried chicken off Madi’s plate.”
    “Yeah, she was hovering. But I can deal with Mrs. Ponder.”
    Dominic wasn’t so sure that was true, but he was willing to give it a try. He nodded to Abbey in agreement.
    “Then it’s settled. I’ll stay with Madison Thursday when you leave until you return.”
    “Only if you’ll accept some kind of payment for your services.”
    She shot him a narrow-eyed look. “No. I’m doing this for Madison. Pay makes it a job. This isn’t a job to me. I want to do this because I care about Madison.”
    He stood. “But I don’t want to impose—”
    Her hand covered his mouth. “Stop. Not another word about it, or I will retract my offer.” She flashed him a smile. “Besides, I can’t go around avoiding girls who would be my daughter’s age if she were alive, especially in my job at the hospital.”
    The feel of her fingers on his mouth sent a wave of awareness through him. This woman was caring, giving and beautiful. A deadly combination when he was trying to avoid all kinds of romantic entanglements. When she dropped her arm to her side, he missed her touch. When he went out with women in Houston, it had always been casual, usually for business functions. He’d made it clear he had no time for a permanent relationship. His feelings hadn’t changed, and Abbey