Rock Him Read Online Free PDF Page B

Santa
     Claus, and unicorns. In wishes coming true — in magic. Of
course
she believes her mother is coming back.” She waited until he met her gaze. When he
     did, his eyes were haunted. “Asher, you can’t help her until you help yourself. How
     are you dealing with your grief?”
    He scowled. “I’m not the problem.”
    “Do you have someone to talk to about the loss of your sister? Maybe if you — ”
    “Not going to happen.”
    “I mean a friend, Asher, not necessarily a therapist.”
    He grunted.
    She inched farther back on the couch. “I have to complete my degree this semester.”
    “I already told you that wouldn’t be a problem,” he stated.
    She looked up at the ceiling. “I … you don’t know anything about me.”
    “I know enough. And I’m a good judge of people. Ella warmed up to you on the plane.
     You checked out. You’re a bit over-qualified, but I think we can come to an agreement
     on salary.”
    She bit her lip. “It’s not so much the salary. I’d like to help you guys, but — ”
    “The health insurance? No problem. I can provide excellent health benefits.”
    Her eyes narrowed. It was weird and more than a little disturbing how much he knew
     about her. Granted, she’d admitted she had an autoimmune disease on the plane, but
     he was picking up on all kinds of subtleties. She met his glance and saw what she
     hadn’t paid attention to in her previous encounter with him, keen intelligence in
     the depths of those absurdly glamorous eyes.
    He leaned toward her and stretched out a hand, beseeching. “Do this for me then. Interview
     a couple of prospective nannies. Find me someone we both agree on this week or take
     the job. I’m desperate, Maddy.”
    His expression was pleading but his eyes were cold. She couldn’t shake the feeling
     she was being manipulated. This town was full of nannies. Hell, he had the funds to
     import one. He could find the reincarnation of Mary Poppins, if he wanted.
    “I’d be happy to help find you someone qualified.”
    “Do we have an agreement? If you fail, you take the job.”
    How hard could it be?

Chapter 5
    When Maddy arrived at Asher’s home the next morning, Ella met her at the door, peeking
     out from behind Justin.
    “Hi, Ella. Do you remember me from the plane?”
    Ella nodded, thumb tucked firmly between her lips, her somber milk-chocolate colored
     eyes giving Maddy the once-over. Maddy walked over to the marble staircase and sat
     on the second-to-last step. She patted the space next to her and Ella wandered over.
    “Maddy, I’m heading out to the patio, okay? I need to walk Ella to the bus stop in
     fifteen minutes,” Justin said.
    “Can I take you, Ella?” Maddy asked.
    The child studied her, expression serious, then nodded.
    “Justin, she’ll direct me to the bus stop, and I’ll come back and help.”
    “Great. Can I get you coffee? Tea?” he asked.
    “No, I’m good.”
    Justin disappeared and Maddy turned to Ella.
    “How’re you doing?”
    The little girl shrugged.
    “You miss your mom?”
    “Uh huh.”
    Maddy put her arm around the child and gave her a squeeze. “I understand. My daddy
     died when I was little. I missed him a lot.”
    “Your daddy died?”
    “Yep. But my mom told me I could talk to him anytime I wanted, and he’d always be
     listening and watching out for me.”
    “He
is
?”
    “Yes. The same way your mom is listening and watching over you.”
    Ella leaned back to stare at Maddy. “
Is
she?” she breathed, looking around the foyer.
    “She is,” Maddy whispered. “And she’s sending all her love to you, too.”
    “
All
of it? How come Uncle Asher and Grandpa didn’t tell me?” she whispered back, scandalized.
    “Hmmm. I don’t know.”
    The child considered her, suspicion warring with hope. “Can she talk to me?”
    Maddy shook her head. “No. My dad wasn’t able to talk to me either. But even though
     he didn’t talk to me and he couldn’t ever come back, I know he