“Yes. I remember the feeling.”
“You do?” Her gaze flicked to Gavin, who continued stuffing macaroni into his face as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks. It occurred to Dax that he’d neglected teaching his son some common manners.
He tapped Gavin’s forearm. “Slow down, sport. There’s plenty.”
Gavin grinned. Soup dripped on his chin. Before Dax could reprimand him, Jenna handed the boy a napkin and silently indicated the drip. When Gavin successfully swiped the spot, she reacted as though he’d conquered Mt. Everest. “Splendid, Gavin.” She clapped her hands once beneath her chin. “I can see your handsome face so much better.”
Gavin beamed a hundred-watt grin. “You make good soup.”
“Thank you. A chef appreciates hearty appetites.” She tasted the soup, her gaze observing Dax above the spoon. “Did you get up with Gavin when he was a baby?”
He hadn’t intended to go there. “Yeah.”
Her unspoken question hovered like a housefly, annoying him. Where was Gavin’s mother? Why hadn’t she cared for her son? Well, he wasn’t going to talk about Reba, especially in front of Gavin. The boy had enough questions without stirring up more.
“I think that’s an admirable thing,” Jenna said.
Dax scowled. He’d missed something. “What is?”
“For a father to dedicate himself to the care of an infant.” She tilted her head toward Gavin. “You must have been a very special baby.”
Gavin looked pleased. “Did your daddy take care of you, too?”
Something tightened in her face. He was certain Gavin wouldn’t notice but Dax had. That she was bothered by the question gave rise to new concerns about the woman he’d hired to care for his son. Who was Jenna Garwood anyway?
“No, I lived in the city,” she said a little too brightly before glancing down at her plate. Dax wondered what living in the city had to do with Gavin’s question about her father.
When she looked up again, her smile was as fake as Reba’s fingernails. “You are such a lucky boy. You live on a wonderful ranch with your dad and all these animals. Can you ride a horse?”
Gavin dropped his head and fiddled with a piece of toast. “Not yet.”
“Horses scare him.” The notion perturbed Dax no end, but he was trying to be patient. Everything scared Gavin. Horses, cows, loud noises, hoot owls. The boy jumped at shadows.
The new housekeeper was all sympathy. “How old are you Gavin?”
“Five. I’ll be six February 17.”
She waved a hand. “You have plenty of time to learn equestrian skills.”
Gavin’s fork paused over the cheesy casserole. “Huh?”
“Riding a horse,” Dax said. Rowdy was right. She did talk funny. She was far too refined to be a housekeeper. “Equestrian refers to horses.”
“Oh.” The word was too much for the boy so he let it slide. “When I get big I’ll ride. Daddy will get me an old broke pony when I’m ready. All I have to do is the say the word. Right, Daddy?”
Dax’s mouth twisted. He’d said that very thing to Gavin a dozen times. “Right, sport.”
“And you will become a wonderful horseman, I am certain.” Jenna favored Gavin with a smile and reached for another toast point. Toast points. He was still tickled over that one.
While the heavy dose of over-the-top kindness floated around his kitchen table, Dax’s brain was also shooting off all kinds of warning signals. Jenna Garwood had come into his life in a bizarre manner and, like her pretty little toast points, she no more fit on a ranch than he fit at that pink hotel in Hollywood.
Clearing his throat, Dax interrupted the pleasant chit-chat. “Where you from, Jenna? I forgot to ask this morning during our interview.”
Some interview. She’d handed him that soft little baby, looked at him with worried eyes, and he’d forgotten to use the good sense his mama had given him.
“I beg your pardon?” she asked, dragging her attention away from his son.
“Your application was a little short on details. I was asking where you’re from.”
“Oh.” She had that deer-in-the-headlights look. Her hands fidgeted with the napkin. “I’m from back East.” She hopped up from the table. “Let me clear away the plates and bring dessert.”
Gavin whooped for joy. “Dessert! She made dessert, Daddy.”
Jenna disappeared around the bar and into the kitchen. Dax shoved back from the table and stalked after her. She was going to talk to him and she was going to do it now. All the dessert in the world wasn’t stopping him from finding out more about her.