Maid for the Single Dad by Susan Meier Page A

they do provide information about A Friend Indeed to women with kids in high-risk situations.”
    He frowned. That was the second time she’d mentioned women with children. He knew Ellie had gone to A FriendIndeed for help. Did this mean she had a child? By forcing her into working for him, was he keeping her away from her own kids?
    â€œHow did you get involved with them?”
    â€œI found them.” She stopped pacing and faced him, as if suddenly realizing he’d led her to talk about herself, maybe even a part of her past that she wanted to keep hidden.
    Feeling the game was up, he smiled sheepishly. “I told you about my wife.”
    â€œBecause I’m caring for your children. I need to know.”
    â€œI’m employing you. Trusting you with those same children. I’d like to know about you.”
    She licked her lips, drawing Mac’s attention to them. Full and smooth, they all but begged a man to kiss her. Now that he’d gotten control of himself, he wouldn’t let himself stare too long or want too much, but he couldn’t believe a man would be so foolish as to have her and then mistreat her.
    â€œI was…or wanted to be helped by A Friend Indeed.” She walked away again, toward the pool, keeping her back to him. “But the night I ran, when I got to the charity, they told me they only take women with kids. Liz happened to be with Ayleen, the group’s leader, that night, and she offered me her couch.”
    That answered his question about her having kids and also explained her fierce loyalty to Cain Nestor’s wife.
    â€œAnd she hired you?”
    Ellie nodded then turned suddenly. “So what does your wife do for a living that’s so important that she can only see her kids once a month?”
    He stifled a sigh. She wasn’t going to tell him about the pizza shop owner. Wasn’t going to share her fears or thestruggle to get back to a good place in life. And both of those were too personal for him to push her into talking about them.
    Of course, maybe if he answered a few more questions about Pamela, Ellie would answer a few more personal questions about her life.
    He caught her gaze. “It’s not what she does. It’s where she lives. California.”
    Ellie’s pretty mouth dropped open. “California!” She blinked a few times then she said, “Oh, my gosh! She’s on TV or something, isn’t she?”
    â€œOr something.”
    His vague answer brought a spark of fire to Ellie’s amber eyes. “Oh, I get it. I can tell you about me, but you’re not going to give me any more information than you have to.”
    He was tempted to debate that. Not only had he revealed much, much more than she had, but also she hadn’t really told him about herself. Thanks to Phil, he knew there was more. Lots more. But he also understood what she was saying. Her admissions were difficult. His was merely embarrassing. Sad for his children, but not gut-wrenching, the way hers had been. He had to tell her everything, make himself vulnerable, if he wanted her to share with him.
    â€œOkay. She was a movie star. She’s trying to edge her way into a comeback.” He rose from his chaise and walked over to her. “Nothing seriously awful happened in our marriage. We fell out of love. She wanted her career back. She deserted her kids. But she didn’t abuse them. She isn’t one of Satan’s minions. She’s a selfish, narcissistic pain in the ass, but we survived her leaving. My big secret and the reason I don’t talk about this is that we’re sort of in hiding.”
    â€œSort of?”
    He got close enough to smell her soft scent, tempting fate because they were in one of those odd positions of life. They were too attracted to be friends, but he had to trust her and she had to trust him if this situation was to work. They were both pushing. And his admissions, though less serious,