“Guilty. Thank you for the job.”

“My pleasure. John is a great man to work for.”

“He sure is.” Carlos looked around them. “Did I leave my children here?”

Carlos slapped Zach’s shoulder as he slid past them and found his kids still on the couch. Clara had found her way to them and held tight to her father. It was an exchange that tugged at him. A man that picked up his daughter and held her as if it was the last time he’d see her. Had his parents felt that way when he returned from school after months of being away?

“That’s why you brought me here,” he whispered in her ear. “Those are the men in your life.”

That flash of fear stole into her eyes again as she bit on her lip, and his chest ached at her pain. Someone had hurt her deeply, and it had her hiding and holding onto her family. It was as if she’d wanted to protect them from him in case—he didn’t know what she’d protect them from. But he was sure, by the sizing up he’d had done, they were there to protect her from him.

“I told you, they were serious, but no worries.”

“No worries? So they won’t beat me up?”

“Oh, I didn’t promise that.” She kissed him quickly as they walked to the dining room to gather for dinner.

Zach watched them all assemble. For a family they were an eclectic mix. The parents were older than he’d imagined. Both had white hair, were fair skinned, and had crystal blue eyes. Curtis looked like his father, but neither of the girls looked like either Emily or Alan. Their complexions were much darker and their eyes were brown. Carlos, he assumed, wasn’t blood related. But then again, what did he know about families beyond his own?

“Zach, where are you from?” Emily asked as she passed the plate of fried chicken.

“I’m from Nashville. But I spent most of my childhood in France.”

“Oh, my.” Emily raised a hand to her chest. “France. I haven’t been to France… well since I too was a child.”

“So Carlos is working on one of those enormous buildings downtown?” Alan interjected.

“Yes, I saw him there with my own eyes,” he said then shifted his eyes to Regan, who averted her stare to her plate.

“Pop, it’s just temporary,” Carlos assured his father. “I have applications into five more schools that haven’t gotten back to me.”

“They should call me,” Alan said with his mouth full of biscuit. “I’ll give them a reference. Then I’ll show them my checkbook.” Carlos shook his head.

Zach recognized the argument. He’d had it many times with his own father and grandfather.

“Carlos, what do you teach?” Zach tried to save him from the beating he saw coming.

“Math. Junior high.”

“That takes a very special person.” He lifted his glass to him.

“Oh, that’s my Carlos.” Emily patted his hand.

“They don’t care what my family thinks.”

“Well, you’re safely employed until then.” Zach nodded, and Regan’s hand slid to his knee beneath the table to give a gentle squeeze. He covered her hand with his and gave her a smile. He hoped she knew he’d do anything for her, including employ her entire family if needed.

When dinner was over, Emily pushed Zach and Regan from the house, sending them to the front porch. They were guests for the night and exempt from cleanup. Carlos let him know that next time things would be different. Eduardo, Christian, and even Arianna all set forth their complaints about being guests as well, but Emily would not hear them.

Regan sat down on the porch swing and pulled Zach down next to her.

He draped his arm around her shoulders and with his other hand caressed her face before he pulled her to him in a kiss intended to melt away any doubt she might have left about his feelings for her.

“I’ve waited all day to do that.” He nipped at her lips again.

“I’m still scared,” she admitted, resting her hand over his on her cheek.

“What are you scared of?”

She dropped her head. “I don’t want to be hurt again, and I don’t want my family hurt either.”

“I would never hurt you.” He lifted her face with a finger under her chin. “Why would someone hurt you and your family?”

Regan shook her head and shifted her eyes to the ground. “I’m not going to talk about it. I just don’t want to have it happen again. I don’t want this to be the catalyst for it to happen again.”

He sat back slightly. “Just because I’m your boss?”

“Yes.” She turned her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Now I know that I’m the only man in your life kissing you like this.” He dipped his head down again, engaging her tongue in a dance that was sure to send her pulse racing. “Come home with me tonight.”

Regan sat up straighter, pulling from his embrace. “I’m not ready.”

He sucked in a breath to calm the anger he felt rising in him—it wasn’t geared toward her, but to the SOB who’d hurt her. “I can wait. Regan, I’m not going to rush you or hurt you.”

“I know.” She took his fingers and interlaced them with her own. “I just need some time.”

He hated the fear in her eyes and the way her body stiffened when he’d mention anything about them taking things to the next level. “I’ll give you time.” He pulled her close so that her head rested on his shoulder.

He was used to his projects taking years. He could wait out Regan’s fear. If she needed to trust him, then he’d be the man she could trust. And if she needed his protection, he’d certainly do that too. But he hoped she would fall in love with him and realize they were much more than employee and employer. They were already in a partnership.

Arianna backed out the front door, her arms loaded with plates of pie.

Zach stood quickly. “Let me help you with that.” He took two of the plates and handed one to Regan.

He sat back down on the swing and took a bite. “Oh, God, this is wonderful!”

“I told you pie makes me happy.” Regan took a bite for herself.

“Got it!” Sensing he should keep the mood light, he shoved another piece in his mouth. “How embarrassing for my mother! She bought you a pie.” He laughed as he took yet another bite.