Free Searching for a New Home by Karen Ward Page B

you to stay on at
the ranch as Dani's nanny. I can pay you $5,000 a month plus room
and board. Would that be acceptable?"
    My breath catches in my lungs and my heart is
pounding with excitement. Wow! What an
unbelievable offer! I look from Jacob's inscrutable
expression to Dani's hopeful one and back to Jacob.
    "Jacob, you know I love Dani, but why now?
Why are you offering me such a fantastic job now?"
    Jacob looks around at the four sets of eyes
staring at him. His glance lingers on Dani and he smiles before
traveling back to Jana. He responds,
    "Well, ethically, I couldn't have you as an
employee at the same time I was representing you in a legal matter.
Now that the legal matter is resolved and with the Sam Willard
thing hanging over our heads, I want you to stay at the ranch, to
think of the Rocking J as your home. Staying on as Dani's nanny is
the perfect solution for all of us."
    He glances at Jenny and sees shock on her
face. When he looks over at Jason, he sees his brother looking down
at the table and shaking his head. When he looks at Dani he sees a
tear slowly sliding down her cheek. Then he looks back at Jana.
    I am glaring at him, "You are such a pompous
ass."
    Jason and Jenny burst out laughing. Dani
smiles at Jana.
    Jacob is panicking now. He is supposed to be
trained in persuasive techniques and up until now he hasn't ever
had a problem getting his audience to agree with him. Damn! What
now? He reaches over and takes Jana's hand in his. He feels the
zing of sexual attraction. Slowly stroking his thumb across her
knuckles he hears her inhale sharply and he says,
    "Look Jana, obviously I am making a mess of
this." He feels a trickle of sweat down his back. "We all know how
much Dani loves you. It will break her heart if you leave." He
glances around looking for support from the others. His gaze
returns to Jana and he takes a deep breath and releases it slowly
then says, "The truth is I want you to stay, for me. You make me
feel things that I haven't ever felt in my life and to be honest it
scares me to death. I want the opportunity to explore these
feelings with you and see where they lead. Please say you'll
stay."
    After what seems like a lifetime to Jacob she
smiles and says, "I'll stay."
    Jason, Jenny, and Dani all clap. Jacob brings
my hand to his lips and places a gentle kiss on my palm. My stomach
does a somersault at his kiss and warmth flows through all of my
limbs.
    My heart is pounding with excitement. Jacob has special feelings for me? He feels
the same excitement when we touch that I do? Wow! Come on baby,
let's get this exploration started!
    Then, wait ! Jana, are
you sure you want to do this? What if you stay at the ranch and
fall in love with the man? Will you be able to walk away if he
decides he doesn't want you? Are you willing to risk everything? It
could be a once in a lifetime chance. This man might be the man of
your dreams. It could also totally destroy you. Hang on to your
heart Jana! This could be a rough ride!
    ******
    I helped Jenny clean up the kitchen while
Jason tended to the baby and Jacob put Dani to bed. "Goodnight
Pumpkin," he says.
    "Daddy, is Jana really going to live with us
forever?" Dani asks.
    Jacob carefully considers his response
because he doesn't know for sure how long Jana will stay, "I don't
know Dani. She is going to stay at least for a while. Can we try to
be happy for however long she does stay?"
    "All right Daddy, but I want her to stay
forever," responds Dani.
    After her Daddy leaves her room, Dani smiles
happily. Jana is staying and her Daddy seems to like her more now.
He held her hand at dinner tonight and told her he wanted her to
stay. He is going to love Jana just like she does. Yes, Jana will
be her Mommie. She just has to be patient.
    ******
    Later that night after everyone else is in
bed, Jacob joins me in the great room where a fire is smoldering in
the grate. He sits on the couch next to me and places his arm
around my shoulders pulling me close to