Madelyn let out a wail, complete with tears and everything. The poor baby was miserable, which now made three of them, all under the same roof.
Let the countdown to her move begin.
* * *
How the hell had his nanny situation gone from Mrs. Doubtfire to Miss December?
The sultry vixen with rich skin, deep brown eyes, and silky black hair was too striking. But it was those curves in all the right places that had definitely woken him up this morning. His entire body had been ready to stand at attention, so perhaps he’d come across a little gruff.
But, damn it, he had good reason.
He’d been assured a replacement nanny would arrive bright and early, but he’d expected the agency to send another grandmother type.
Where was the one with a thick middle, elastic pants, sensible shoes and a gray bun? Where the hell did he order up another one of those? Warts would help, too. False teeth, even.
Beau stood back as he watched Scarlett comfort his daughter.
Scarlett. Of course she’d have a sultry name to match everything else sultry about her.
Not too long ago she would’ve been exactly his type. He would’ve wasted no time in charming and seducing her. But now his entire life had changed and the only woman he had time for was the sweet five-month-old he’d saved from the clutches of her partying, strung-out mother.
Money wasn’t something he cared about—perhaps because he’d always had it—but it sure as hell came in handy. Like when he needed to pay off his ex so he could have Madelyn. Jennifer had selfishly taken the money, signed over the rights, and had nearly skipped out of their lives and onto the next star she thought would catapult her career.
The fact that he’d been used by her wasn’t even relevant. He could care less about how he’d been treated, but he would not have their baby act as a pawn for Jennifer’s own vindictive nature.
Beau couldn’t get Madelyn out of Hollywood fast enough. His daughter was not going to be brought up in the lifestyle that too many fell into—himself included.
He’d overcome his past and the ugliness that surrounded his life when he’d first gotten into LA. He’d worked damn hard and was proud of the life he had built, but now his focus had to shift and changes needed to be made.
Coming home hadn’t been ideal because he knew exactly the type of welcome he’d get. But there was nowhere else he wanted to be right now. He needed his family, even if he took hell from Colt, Hayes and Nolan for showing up after years of being away...with a kid in tow.
Thankfully, his brothers and their women all doted over Madelyn. That’s all he wanted. No matter how people treated him or ignored him, Beau wanted his daughter to be surrounded with love.
His life was a mess, his future unknown. Hell, he couldn’t think past today. He had a movie premiere two days before Christmas and he’d have to go, but other than that, he had no clue.
All that mattered was Madelyn, making sure she had a solid foundation and family that loved her. The calls from his new agent didn’t matter, the movie premiere didn’t matter, all the press he was expected to do to promote the film sure as hell didn’t matter. To say he was burned out would be a vast understatement.
Beau needed some space to think and the calming serenity of Pebblebrook Ranch provided just that.
Unfortunately, concentrating would be rather difficult with a centerfold look-alike staying under his roof. Well, not his roof exactly. He was only using one of the small cabins on the land until the dude ranch officially opened in a few months. His father’s dream was finally coming to fruition.
Beau wondered how he’d come to this moment of needing someone. He prided himself on never needing anyone. He had homes around the globe, cars that would make any man weep with envy, even his own private island, but the one place he wanted and needed to be was right here with his family—whether they wanted him here or not.
Beau had turned his back on this land and his family years ago. That was the absolute last thing he’d intended to do, but he’d gotten swept away into the fortune and fame. Eventually days had rolled into months, then into years, and the time had passed too quickly.
But now he was back home, and as angry as his brothers were, they’d given him a place to stay. Temporary, but at least it was something. He knew it was only because he had Madelyn, but he’d take it.
“She’s teething.”
Beau pulled his thoughts from his family drama and focused on the nanny. “Teething? She’s only five months old.”
Scarlett continued to sway back and forth with Madelyn in her arms. His sweet girl sucked on her fist and alternated between sniffles and cries. At least the screaming wasn’t so constant like last night. Having his daughter so upset and him feeling so helpless had absolutely gutted him. He would’ve done anything to help her, but he’d been clueless. He’d spent the night questioning just how good of a father he really was.
Madelyn’s wide, dark eyes stared up at the new nanny as if trying to figure out where the stranger had come from.
He was having a difficult time not staring, as well, and he knew full well where she came from—every single one of his erotic fantasies.
“Her gums are swollen and she’s drooling quite a bit,” Scarlett stated. “All perfectly normal. Do you happen to have any cold teething rings in your fridge?”
Cold teething rings? What the hell was that? He was well stocked with formula and bottles, diapers and wipes, but rings in the fridge? Nope.
He had an app that told him what babies should be doing and what they needed at different stages, but the rings hadn’t been mentioned yet.
“I’m guessing no from the look on your face.” Scarlett went into the kitchen area and opened the freezer. “Can you get me a napkin or towel?”
Beau wasn’t used to taking orders, but he’d do anything to bring his daughter some comfort. He grabbed a clean dishcloth from the counter and handed it to her. He watched as she held on to the ice through the cloth and rubbed it on his daughter’s gums. After a few minutes the fussing grew quieter until she finally stopped.
“I’ll get some teething rings today,” Scarlett murmured as if talking to herself more than him. “They are wonderful for instant relief. If you have any children’s pain reliever, we can also rub that on her gums, but I try natural approaches before I go to medicine.”
Okay, so maybe Miss December was going to be an asset. He liked that she offered natural options for Madelyn’s care. He also liked that she seemed to be completely unimpressed with his celebrity status. Something about that was so refreshing and even more attractive.
Watch it. You already got in trouble with one sexy woman. She’s the nanny, not the next bedmate.
He told himself he didn’t need the silent warning that rang in his head. Scarlett Patterson would only be here until the day after Christmas. Surely he could keep his libido in control for that long. It wasn’t like he had the time anyway. He couldn’t smooth the ruffled feathers of his family, care for his child and seduce a woman all before December 26.
No matter how sexy the new nanny was.
Besides, he thought, it couldn’t get more clichéd than that—the movie star and the nanny. How many of those stories had he read in the tabloids of late?
No, there was no way he was going to make a move on the woman who was saving his sanity and calming his baby. Besides, he respected women; his mother had raised Southern gentlemen, after all. The media liked to report that he rolled out of one woman’s bed and right into another, but he wasn’t quite that popular. Not to mention, any woman he’d ever been with had known he wasn’t looking for long-term—and agreed with it.
Beau had a feeling Scarlett would be a long-term type of girl. She likely had a family—or maybe she didn’t. If this was her full-time job, she probably didn’t have time to take care of a family.
Honest
ly, he shouldn’t be letting his mind wander into the territory of Scarlett’s personal life. She was his nanny, nothing more.
But damn it, did she have to look so good in her little pink capris and white sleeveless button-up? Didn’t she have a uniform? Something up to her neck, down to her ankles and with sleeves? Even if she was completely covered up, she still had those expressive, doe-like eyes, a perfectly shaped mouth and adorable dimples.
Damn it. He should not be noticing each little detail of his new nanny.
“Why don’t you go rest?” Scarlett suggested, breaking into his erotic thoughts. “I can take care of her. You look like hell.”
Beau stared across the narrow space for a half second before he found his voice. Nobody talked to him like that except his brothers, and even that had been years ago.
“Are you always that blunt with your clients?”
“I try to be honest at all times,” she replied sweetly. “I can’t be much help to you if you just want me here to boost your ego and lie to your face.”
Well, that was a rarity...if she was even telling the truth now. Beau hadn’t met a woman who was honest and genuine. Nearly everyone he’d met was out for herself and to hell with anyone around them. And money. They always wanted money.
Another reason he needed the simplicity of Pebblebrook. He just wanted to come back to his roots, to decompress and figure out what the hell to do with his life now. He wanted the open spaces, wanted to see the blue skies without buildings blocking the view. And he needed to mend the relationships he’d left behind. What better time than Christmas?
“I’m Beau.” When she drew her brows in, he went on. “I didn’t introduce myself before.”
“I’m aware of who you are.”
He waited for her to say something else, but clearly she’d formed an opinion of him and didn’t want to share. Fine. So long as she kept his daughter comfortable and helped him until Maggie returned, he could care less what she thought.
But she’d have to get in line because his brothers had already dubbed him the prodigal son and were eager to put him in his place. Nothing less than he deserved, he reasoned.
As he watched Scarlett take over the care of Madelyn, Beau knew this was what he deserved, too. A sexy-as-hell woman as his nanny. This was his penance for the bastard he’d been over the past several years.
He’d do well to remember he was a new man now. He’d do well to remember she was here for his daughter, not for his personal pleasure. He’d also do well to remember he had more important things to do than drop Scarlett Patterson into each and every one of his fantasies...even if she would make the perfect lead.
Two
Madelyn had calmed down and was now settled in her crib napping. There was a crib in each of the two bedrooms, but Scarlett opted to put Madelyn in the room Maggie had vacated. This would be Scarlett’s room now and she simply didn’t think going into Beau’s was a smart idea.
After she’d put her luggage and purse in her room, Beau had given her a very brief tour of the cabin, so she’d gotten a glimpse into his personal space. The crib in his room had been nestled next to the king-size bed. Scarlett tried not to, but the second she recalled those messed sheets, she procured an image of him lying there in a pair of snug boxer briefs...or nothing at all.
Scarlett groaned and gently shut the bedroom door, careful not to let the latch snick. She wasn’t sure how light of a sleeper Madelyn was, so until she got to know the sweet bundle a little better—
But she couldn’t get to know her too much, could she? There wasn’t going to be time, and for Scarlett’s sanity and heart, she had to keep an emotional distance. Giving herself that pep talk and actually doing it were two totally different things.
Before her surgery, she’d thrown herself into each and every job. Before her surgery, she’d always felt like one unit with the families she worked with.
Before her surgery, she’d had dreams.
The hard knot in her chest never eased. Whether she thought of what she’d lost or was just doing day-to-day things, the ache remained a constant reminder.
Scarlett stepped back into the living area and found Beau standing at the patio doors, his back to her. At least he’d put a T-shirt on. Even so, he filled it out, stretching the material over those chiseled muscles she’d seen firsthand. Clothes or no clothes, the image had been burned into her memory bank and there was no erasing it.
“Madelyn’s asleep,” she stated.
Beau threw her a glance over his shoulder, then turned his attention back to the view of the open field.
Okay. Clearly he wasn’t chatty. Fine by her. He must be a lonely, miserable man. She’d always wondered if celebrities were happy. After all, money certainly couldn’t buy everything. Her stepfather was proof of that. He’d been a state representative for years before moving up to governor. He’d wanted his children—he included her in that mix—to all enter the political arena so they would be seen as a powerhouse family.
Thanks, but no thanks. She preferred a simpler life—or at least one without lies, deceit, fake smiles and cheesy campaign slogans.
“If there’s something you need to go do, I’ll be here,” she told Beau. Not surprisingly, he didn’t answer. Maybe he gave a grunt, but she couldn’t tell if that was a response or just indigestion.
Scarlett turned toward the kitchen to take stock of what type of formula and baby things Madelyn used. Being here a short time, she wanted to make sure the transitions between Maggie and her then back to Maggie went smoothly. Regardless of what Scarlett thought of Beau, Madelyn was the only one here who mattered.
Before Scarlett could step into the kitchen, a knock sounded on the front door.
Beau shifted, his gaze landing on the closed door. He looked like he’d rather run in the opposite direction than face whoever was on the other side. Given that they were on private property, likely the guest was just his family, so what was the issue? Wasn’t that why he’d come home? To be with his family for the holidays?
When he made no attempt to move, Scarlett asked, “Should I get that?”
He gave a curt nod and Scarlett reached for the knob. The second she opened the door, she gasped.
Sweet mercy. There were two of them. Another Beau stood before her, only this one was clean shaven and didn’t have the scowl. But those shoulders and dark eyes were dead on and just as potent to her heart rate.
“Ma’am,” the Beau look-alike said with a drawl and a tip of his black cowboy hat. “I’m Colt Elliott, Beau’s twin. You must be the replacement nanny.”
Another Elliott and a twin. Mercy sakes, this job was not going to be a hardship whatsoever if she had to look at these men each day.
She knew there were four Elliott sons, but wow. Nobody warned her they were clones. Now she wondered if the other two would stop by soon. One could hope.
“Yes,” she said when she realized he was waiting on her to respond to his question. “I’m Scarlett.”
Colt’s dark eyes went from her to Beau. “Is this a bad time?”
Scarlett stepped back. “Not at all. I just got the baby to sleep. I can wait outside while you two talk. It’s a beautiful day.”
She turned and caught Beau’s gaze on her. Did he always have that dramatic, heavy-lidded, movie-star stare? Did he ever turn off the act or was that mysterious, sexy persona natural?
“If you’ll excuse me.” She turned to Colt. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Pleasure was mine, ma’am.”
Somehow Scarlett managed to get out the front door without tripping over her own two feet, because that sexy, low Southern drawl those Elliott boys had was rather knee-weakening.
Once she made it to the porch, she walked to the wooden swing on the end in front of her bedroom window. She sank down onto the seat and let the gentle breeze cool off her heated body. December in T
exas wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too cold. In this part of the state, the holiday weather was always perfect. Though the evenings and nights could get chilly.
Good thing there were fireplaces in this cabin. Fireplaces that could lead one to instantly think of romantic talks and shedding of clothes, being wrapped in a blanket in the arms of a strong man.
Scarlett shut her eyes as she rested her feet on the porch and stopped the swaying swing. There would be no romance and no fires...at least not the passionate kind.
Raised voices filtered from inside. Clearly the Elliott twins were not happy with each other. Two sexy-as-hell alphas going at it sounded like every woman’s fantasy, but she couldn’t exactly barge in and interrupt.
Then she heard it. The faint cry from her bedroom, right on the other side of the window from where she sat. Well, damn it.
Scarlett pushed off the swing and jerked open the front door. Hot men or not, powerful men or not, she didn’t take kindly to anyone disturbing a sleeping baby.
As she marched toward her bedroom, she shot a warning glare in the direction of the guys, who were now practically chest to chest. She didn’t have time to worry about their issues, not when Madelyn had barely been asleep twenty minutes.
Scarlett crossed to the crib and gently picked up the sweet girl. After grabbing her fuzzy yellow blanket, Scarlett sank into the nearby rocking chair and patted Madelyn’s bottom to calm her.
Madelyn’s little sniffles and heavy lids were Scarlett’s main focus right now. She eased the chair into a gentle motion with her foot and started humming “You Are My Sunshine.” Madelyn didn’t take long to nestle back into sleep and Scarlett’s heart clenched. She’d just hold her a tad longer... It had been so long since she’d rocked a little one.
She had no idea what happened with Beau and the baby’s mother, but the tabloids and social media had been abuzz with a variety of rumors over the past few weeks.
Well, actually, the couple had been quite the fodder for gossip a lot longer. It was over a year ago when they were first spotted half naked on a beach in Belize. Then the pregnancy seemed to send shock waves through the media. Of course, after the baby was born, there was all that speculation on the state of the mother and she was seen less and less.
A Texan for Christmas Page 2