A Texan for Christmas

by Jules Bennett

  Scarlett set her laptop on the raw-edged coffee table and figured it would be rude if she didn’t acknowledge the gesture.

  “I could eat a little more,” she commented just as her belly let out a low grumble. “What do you have?”

  He gestured to the stool opposite the island where he stood. “Have a seat and I’ll get you a plate before your stomach wakes my daughter.”

  As Scarlett eased onto the wooden stool, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Hollywood heartthrob Beau Elliott was essentially making her dinner. There wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t want to be in her shoes right now.

  Beau pried lids off the plastic storage containers and Scarlett’s mouth watered at the sight of mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and meatloaf he heaped onto a plate. Mercy sakes, a real home-cooked meal. There was no way she could eat all of that and still button her pants.

  “Don’t tell me you’re one of those women who count every carb,” he growled as he spooned a hearty dose of potatoes onto a plate.

  “Not every carb, but I can’t exactly afford to buy bigger clothes.”

  He shook his head as he once he filled the plate he placed it in front of her. He pulled open a drawer and grabbed a fork, passing it across, too.

  “What would you like to drink? I haven’t been the best at keeping food in here for me,” he stated as he walked to the fridge. “I have formula, cereal, organic baby juice or water.”

  Wasn’t it adorable that everything in the kitchen was for a five-month-old? But, seriously, what on earth was the man going to live on? Because someone as broad and strong as Beau needed to keep up his stamina...er, energy.

  Do not think about his stamina—or his broad shoulders. Or tracing those tattoos with your tongue.

  “Water is fine, thanks.”

  She decided the best thing to do was just shovel the food in. She may regret overeating later, but at least her mouth would be occupied and she couldn’t speak her lascivious thoughts.

  “I’ll take Madelyn and make a grocery run tomorrow,” she offered as she scooped up another bite of whipped potatoes.

  Beau opened one cabinet after another, clearly looking for something. “I don’t expect you to do the work of a maid.”

  “Then who will do it?” she countered before she thought better of it. But then she opened her mouth again and charged forward. “Either you have to go or I have to, unless you want the media to chase you through aisle seven and see what type of toilet paper you buy.”

  Beau stopped his search and turned to face her. He flattened his palms on the island and leaned in.

  Maybe she’d gone too far, but seriously, who would do the shopping? Surely not his brothers, who were obviously not taking Beau’s homecoming very well, for reasons that were none of her concern but still inspired her curiosity. Still, she probably should’ve left that last part off, but she’d never had a proper filter.

  “Are you always this bold and honest?” he asked.

  Oh, he didn’t want her complete honesty. Was this a bad time to tell him she’d been holding back?

  Scarlett set her fork down and scooted her plate back. Resting her arms on the counter, she cocked her head.

  “I believe in honesty at all times, especially in this line of work. But I really am just trying to make things easier for you.”

  He stared at her another minute and she worried that she had a glob of gravy in the corner of her mouth or something, but he finally shook his head and pushed off the counter.

  “You don’t have to go,” he told her. “I can ask one of my sister-in-laws to pick some things up for me.”

  As much as she wanted to call him out on his bullheadedness, she opted to see a different side. She may not know the dynamics of his family or the stormy past they’d obviously had, but she recognized a hurt soul when she saw one.

  “I’m perfectly capable of grocery shopping,” she stated, softening her tone. “I’ve lived on my own for some time now and besides, you wouldn’t be the first client I’ve shopped for.”

  Beau folded his arms across his broad chest and leaned back against the opposite counter. “And where do you live?”

  Her appetite vanished, pushed out by nerves as she pondered her upcoming move.

  “Currently here.”

  “Obviously.” His dry tone left no room for humor. “When you’re not taking care of children, where do you call home?”

  Between his intense stare and the simple question that set her on edge, Scarlett slid off the bar stool and came to her feet.

  “I have no home at the moment,” she explained, sliding her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “I’m still looking for a place.”

  Beau’s dark brows drew in, a familiar look she’d seen on-screen, but in person... Wow. That sultry gaze made her stomach do flips and her mouth water. She didn’t care if that sounded cliché, there was no other way to describe what happened when he looked at her that way.

  “You’re only here three weeks,” he stated, as if she’d forgotten the countdown.

  Scarlett picked up her plate and circled the island. She covered the dish up and put it inside the fridge. She needed to do something to try to ignore the fact that she wasn’t only under the same roof as Beau Elliott, she was literally standing within touching distance and he was staring at her as if he could see into her soul.

  No, that wasn’t accurate at all. He was staring at her as if she stood before him with no clothes.

  Maybe she should’ve kept that island between them.

  “I’m moving to Dallas,” she explained, trying to stay on topic. “This is my final job with the Nanny Poppins agency.”

  The harsh reality that this was it for her never got any easier to say. But, hey, if she had to leave, at least she was going out on the highest note of her nanny career. Staying with Hollywood Bad Boy Beau Elliott and taking care of his precious baby girl.

  “Why the change?” he asked. “You seem to love your job.”

  The burn started in her throat and she quickly swallowed the emotions back. This was the way things had to be, so getting upset over it would change absolutely nothing. She might as well enjoy her time here, with the baby and the hunk, and move on to the new chapter in her life.

  New year, new start, and all that mumbo jumbo. This was the second time in her life she’d started over on her own. If she did it when she was younger, she could certainly do it now.

  “Why don’t you get me a grocery list and I’ll take Madelyn when she wakes in the morning,” she said.

  Scarlett started to turn, but a warm, strong hand curled around her bare biceps. She stilled, her entire body going on high alert and responding to the simplest of touches.

  But this wasn’t a simple touch. This was Beau Elliott, actor, playboy, rancher, father. Could he be more complex?

  When he tugged her to turn her around, Scarlett came face-to-face with a sexy, stubbled jawline, firm mouth, hard eyes.

  No, not hard, more like...intense. That was by far the best adjective to describe her boss. There was an intensity that seemed to radiate from him at all times, and that powerful stare, that strong, arousing grip, had her heart pounding.

  “Women don’t walk away from me.”

  No, she’d bet not. Most likely he gave them one heavy-lidded stare or a flash of that cocky grin and their panties melted off as they begged him for anything he was willing to give.

  “I’m not walking away from you,” she defended. “I’m walking away from this conversation.”

  “That’s not fair.” He still held on to her arm and took a half step closer until his torso brushed against hers. “I guarantee you know more about me than I know about you.”

  Scarlett laughed, more out of nerves than humor. “That’s not my fault you parade your life in front of the camera. You know all you need in order for me to do my jo
b.”

  The hold he had on her eased, but he still didn’t let go. No, now he started running that thumb along the inside of her elbow.

  What the hell?

  She’d say the words aloud, but then he might stop and she wanted to take this thrill and save it deep inside her memory. So what if this was all wrong and warning flags were waving in her head?

  “You don’t look like a nanny,” he murmured, studying her face. “Maggie looked like a nanny. You...”

  Her entire body heated. With each stroke of that thumb she felt the zings down to her toes.

  “What do I look like?” she asked. Why did that come out as a whisper?

  “Like trouble.”

  Scarlett wanted to laugh. Truly she did. Of all the words used to describe her, trouble certainly had never been a contender.

  This had to stop before she crossed the professional boundary. She’d never had an issue like this before, and by issue she meant a client as potent and as sexy as Beau Elliott. No wonder women flocked to him and wanted to be draped over his arm. If she were shallower and had no ambitions, she’d probably beg to be his next piece of arm candy.

  But she wasn’t shallow and she most definitely had goals...goals that did not include sleeping with a client.

  “Make me that grocery list and text it to me,” she told him as she took a step back. “Madelyn and I will head out in the morning.”

  She didn’t wait on him to reply. Scarlett turned and fled to her room. She didn’t exactly run, but she didn’t walk, either. There was no way he wasn’t watching her. She could practically feel that heavy gaze of his on her backside.

  No doubt Beau knew just how powerful one of his long looks were. He’d gotten two big awards for his convincing performances and she couldn’t help but wonder just how sincere he was with his affection or if he was just trying to find another bedmate.

  Scarlett gently closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Over in the corner Madelyn slept. That little girl was the only reason Scarlett was here. There was no room for tingles or touching or...well, arousal.

  There, she’d admitted it. She was so turned on by that featherlight touch of Beau’s she didn’t know how she’d get any sleep. Surely if she so much as closed her eyes, she’d dream of him doing delicious things to her body. That was the last image she needed on this final nanny assignment.

  Scarlett moved away from the door and started changing for bed.

  One day down, she told herself. Only twenty more to go.

  Five

  What the hell had he been thinking touching her like that?

  Beau slid his cowboy boot into the stirrup and swung his other leg over the back of Starlight, the newest mare to Pebblebrook.

  He’d gotten up and out of that house this morning before seeing Scarlett. A niggle of guilt had hit him when he’d slunk out like he was doing some walk of shame, but damn it. He couldn’t see her this morning, especially not all snuggly with Madelyn.

  He hated not kissing his daughter good morning, but one day would be all right. Perhaps when he got back to the cabin he’d have a little more control over his hormones and unwelcome desires.

  Damn it. He’d been up half the night, restless and aching. Likely Scarlett had been sleeping and not giving him another thought. This was all new territory for him, wanting a woman and not being able to have her.

  With a clack of his mouth and a gentle heel to the side, Beau set Starlight off toward the back of the property.

  Last night, his thoughts volleyed all around. He couldn’t help wondering what Scarlett planned on doing when she left the agency, or why she was even leaving in the first place, but what kept him up all night was wondering what the hell she slept in.

  Maybe she had a little pair of pajamas that matched that bright red polish she’d put on her toes. Mercy, that had been sexy as hell. He was a sucker for red.

  Beau gripped the reins and guided the beautiful chestnut mare toward Hayes and Alexa’s house. Beau hadn’t been to the old, original farmhouse nestled in the back of the ranch since coming home. It was time he ventured out there and started making amends with his brothers. So what if he was starting with the one least pissed at him?

  When Hector had been diagnosed with the inoperable brain tumor, Beau had known things weren’t going to end well for them. Hector had been so much more than an agent. He’d been like a father figure, pulling Beau from the mess he’d gotten himself into when he’d first hit LA. For years they’d been like one unit, and then Beau’s foundation was taken away.

  But Hector had made Beau promise to go home and work on the relationships with his brothers and father. So, here he was. Having a sexy woman beneath his roof was just added penance. It was like fate was mocking him by parading Scarlett around like some sweet dream that would never become reality.

  Which was why he’d been scolding himself all morning.

  He couldn’t touch her again. First of all, he’d put her in an uncomfortable position. That wasn’t professional and he probably owed her an apology...but he wasn’t sorry. He wasn’t sorry that he’d finally gotten to touch her, to inhale that sweet, floral scent and see the pulse at the base of her neck kick up a notch.

  Second of all, he couldn’t touch her again because last night he’d been about a half second from jerking that curvy body against his to see exactly how well they’d fit.

  He felt his body react to that thought, and forced his mind onto something else. The weather. That was innocuous enough. He looked around. The morning sun was warming up and already burning off the fog over the ranch.

  He hoped the ice around Colt’s heart would burn off just as easily. Granted, the cold welcome Beau had received was his own fault. Still, Colt acted like he didn’t even want to try to forgive. Maybe that was just years of anger and resentment that had all built up and now that Beau was home Colt felt justified to unload.

  But Christmas was only a few weeks away, and Beau wondered if he’d even be welcome at the table with the rest of the family. Hopefully by then, the angry words would be out of the way and they could start moving forward to a more positive future.

  Beau had a movie premiere just two days before Christmas, but he planned on being gone only two days and returning. There was nothing he wanted more than to have his daughter at the ranch during the holiday and with the rest of the family.

  Beau’s cell vibrated in his pocket, but he ignored it. Instead, he kept Starlight at a steady pace and let himself relax as they headed to the back of the estate. He’d ridden horses for movie roles, but nothing was like this. No set could compare to being on his own land, without worrying about what direction to look or how to tip his hat at just the right angle for the camera, but not to block his eyes.

  Being out here all alone, breathing in the fresh air and hoping to sew up the busted seams of his relationships kept Beau hopeful.

  And really, his future depended on how things went over the next few weeks. Apologizing and crawling home with his proverbial tail between his legs wasn’t easy. Beau had his pride, damn it, but he also had a family that he missed and loved.

  If Christmas came and there was still no further progress made with Colt, Beau would go. He’d take Madelyn and they would go...somewhere. Hell, he had enough homes to choose from: a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, a cabin in Montana, a villa in France, his private island off the coast of Italy. Or he could just buy his own spread and build a house if that’s what he chose. Maybe he’d start his own ranch and show Madelyn the way he was brought up.

  But he wanted Pebblebrook.

  The cell continued to vibrate. Likely his new agent, worried Beau had officially gone off-grid. Maybe he had. Maybe he wouldn’t emerge until the premiere in a few weeks—maybe not even then. He didn’t necessarily want to go to the premiere, but this was the most anticipated holiday movie and the buzz around it had been b
igger than anything he’d ever seen.

  Apparently Holly Jolly Howards struck a chord with people. The whole family falling apart and finding their way back together after a Christmas miracle saved one of their lives was said to be the next holiday classic. Move over White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life.

  Getting his on-screen family back together had been easy. All he’d had to do was act out the words in the script. But in real life, he was on his own.

  Beau had only been back in Pebblebrook a short time, but already there was a peacefulness that calmed him at times like this. Just being out in the open on horseback helped to clear his mind of all the chaos of the job, the demands of being a celebrity, and the battle he waged with himself.

  These past several months since becoming a parent had changed his entire outlook on life. He wanted the best for Madelyn, and not just the best material things. Beneath the tailor-made suits, the flashy cars and extravagant parties, he was still a simple man from a Texas ranch. He’d always had money, so that wasn’t anything overly important to him.

  He wanted stability. He knew it was vital in shaping the future of a child. The simplicity of routine may sound ridiculous, but he’d found out that having a schedule made his life and Madelyn’s so much easier. She needed to have a life that wasn’t rushing from one movie set, photo shoot, television interview or extravagant party to another. That whirlwind lifestyle exhausted him; he couldn’t imagine a baby living like that.

  Beau may have a nanny now, but that’s not how he wanted to live his entire life. He wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to be a hands-on father. He wouldn’t be jetting off to various locales just to have someone else raise his daughter.

  As Hayes’s white farmhouse came into view, guilt reacquainted itself with Beau. His parents had done a remarkable job of providing security and a solid foundation for the four Elliott boys.

  Once their mother passed, that foundation was shaken and everyone had to figure out their purpose. Beau had started getting that itch to see if there was something else out there for him. Since money hadn’t been an issue, he’d taken a chunk out of his college fund and headed to Hollywood, despite his father’s demands to stay.