10

Ward wasn’t the type to make impulsive decisions, but after a few minutes on the phone with Miguel, he made the most impulsive one of his life and started packing a few of his things in an overnight bag. Showing up with enough stuff for two weeks would be presumptuous before he’d even gone through the interview, but he’d rather be prepared if Miguel needed him to stay.

And he had a feeling he would. The man sounded completely overwhelmed, and he doubted he’d even asked his mother’s nurse to lend a hand. Not if he was bringing in a babysitter so he could work. A new one who might have as much trouble as Miguel was having, managing all three toddlers and the puppies.

Being there to split some of the responsibilities would hopefully take some of the stress off of Miguel. He’d printed out the background check he’d had done when he’d applied for the job for the Anchored Service Dogs Program to speed up the process, though he expected Miguel to have one of his own done. The point was to make sure Miguel had the option of asking him to start right away. Give him some time to see Ward work with the puppies and the boys so he’d feel comfortable when he had to leave.

He’d also make damn sure Miguel saw he could be professional. Despite his chat with Tanya about his interest in the man, he could tell Miguel was hesitant for that very reason. The interest might be mutual, but it had no place in a situation where Ward would be his employee, caring for three young children.

Not to say he wasn’t disappointed. If he’d simply be training the puppies a few times a week, he might have considered his best friend’s suggestion and asked Miguel out on a date.

Working for the man while living in his house?

Yeah, things could get awkward. And Miguel’s talk of boundaries had made it clear where he stood and Ward would respect that.

Besides, he planned to keep himself very busy so the younger man could focus on his mid-finals and his work. On actually enjoying the time he spent with his nephews and see that the puppies could be a positive addition to their life, rather than yet another burden thrust on him.

Like Ward had said, he was good at his job.

Parking in the same spot he had the last time he was here, Ward stepped out of the car and looked over the vast expanse of the mansion and the land around it. There was plenty of space to bring the boys and the puppies outside and set up a little training area like the one he used at Anchored. Maybe not right in front of the house, but he’d still work with them out here to set up their invisible barriers, which would help with keeping them safe. Over time he could probably get the dogs to alert Miguel if the boys left that safe barrier, though he doubted the man would let his nephews out alone.

Didn’t matter, things happened. As Boots had proven recently. Miguel needed all the help he could get and three well-trained dogs would definitely be an asset.

Depending on how long he’d be working with them, anyway.

He was getting ahead of himself.

The front door opened and he glanced up, giving Miguel a broad grin at the worn out, yet relieved look the man shot him. Standing there, Miguel didn’t look much different than he had last time. Instead of being soaked and wearing a shirt and dark slacks, he was in jeans and a T-shirt, his curly, dark red hair disheveled and a smudge of black on his pale cheek. He held out his hand when Ward reached the top step, giving Ward’s a firm shake.

What should have been a perfectly civil greeting sent a sizzling heat up Ward’s arm and he bit into his cheek to control his reaction as he freed his hand and fought not to step back. They weren’t that close, but he could still feel the tingle of warmth on his palm, as though Miguel’s brief touch had branded him. His whole body was hyper-aware of the other man. Of the flare of heat in his golden-brown eyes.

Fuck, this is gonna be harder than I thought.

Miguel brushed his hand over his chest self-consciously.

“I’m a mess, but I did warn you.” His tone held a mix of shyness and defensiveness, which was adorable. He was visibly trying to school his features, squaring his shoulders as though needing to appear as put together as possible, but the way his gaze trailed over Ward showed he was struggling to remain detached.

In any other situation, Ward would’ve cut through the tension with a bit of teasing. But that would be inappropriate. He was much older and more experienced than Miguel. The man would be his employer if all went well, but he had to be able to trust Ward to hold firm on the limits he’d set, no matter how tentative they were.

He inclined his head. “You did, but no worries. That’s why I’m here.”

The reminder seemed to be exactly what Miguel needed. He inhaled roughly then nodded to himself. “Right. Well, the boys are with the puppies in the playroom—which I call the puppy room because that’s where they usually play together. The boys have a toy room as well, but I don’t let them bring the puppies in there anymore. Too many things got chewed up and I was worried one of the puppies might choke.”

“Good to know. That something I can work on.” Ward followed Miguel inside. “The training will take more than two weeks, but we can start establishing some good habits and it will definitely keep the boys busy.”

“Which will be perfect.” The relief was back in Miguel’s expression, but faded as soon as he got to the playroom.

Which was empty.