by Cindy Kirk
A bartender approached to wipe the counter and take their order.
“The nachos are my treat,” Shannon announced.
Rachel narrowed her gaze. “What’s got you feeling so generous?”
“Tonight is a special occasion.” Shannon smiled her thanks as the bartender placed a bottle of Corona beer sporting a wedge of lime in front of her. Before he rushed off he assured her the nachos would be out shortly. “We’re celebrating.”
The half-finished bottle Rachel had brought with her from the table paused midway to her lips and a smile blossomed on her mouth. “You know I adore happy news. Clue me in. What are we celebrating?”
Shannon raised the beer in a mock toast. Initially she’d been hesitant about accepting Oliver’s offer. But now she felt confident of her ability to withstand temptation. “My new job.”
Rachel’s smile froze. Then she clinked her bottle against the one Shannon held and sputtered out her congratulations.
“Thanks. I’m superjazzed.” The position was all about Ollie, she reassured herself. She had no doubt she and the boy would get along splendidly. Shannon would not think about the way her heart hammered whenever Oliver was near.
“When did they call you?”
The quietly spoken question came out of nowhere. Shannon blinked and focused on her friend. “Who?”
“The person who contacted you about the Fortune Foundation job.” Rachel cleared her throat. “When did you get the good news?”
The bartender, a thirtysomething-year-old with a shaved head, set a plate of loaded nachos in front of them.
“I never thought they’d choose someone this soon,” Rachel continued before Shannon had a chance to respond. “But, hey, if it couldn’t be me, I’m happy it was you.”
“This isn’t the foundation job. They won’t let us know until the end of the month, remember?” Shannon picked up a chip dripping with cheese and nibbled. “I’m going to be a nanny to Oliver Fortune Hayes’s son. It’s short-term but the position pays extremely well.”
“Oh.” The tightness on Rachel’s face eased. “When do you start?”
“I move in Sunday night.” Shannon popped the nacho into her mouth. “I asked him for a few days to get my stuff together and my bags packed.”
“You’re moving in with him?” Rachel’s voice rose.
Shannon quickly explained about the time difference and the need to be there to watch Ollie while Oliver was conducting business.
“How did your folks take the news?”
A twinkle of amusement danced in Rachel’s eyes. Like most Horseback Hollow natives, her friend knew Shannon’s parents were a bit on the conservative side.
Shannon grimaced, not looking forward to that conversation. “They don’t know. Not yet. I was at Oliver’s place until I came here. All I can do is assure them it’s strictly business between us.”
“Easy peasy.” Rachel waved a dismissive hand. “Five minutes in his presence and they’ll see it couldn’t be anything but business.”
Shannon frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“Think about how he stands, so straight and tall. It’s like he’s got a poker up his a—” Rachel stopped abruptly when she saw Pastor Dunbrook two stools away. She lowered her voice. “I’m just saying that while Oliver may look smokin’ hot—and sound just as good as he looks—he has that British thing going.”
“British thing?”
“Stiff upper lip and all that. Jolly good and tally-ho.” Rachel tapped two fingers against her lips. “Kissing him would probably be like kissing a corpse.”
As if Rachel’s attempt at a proper British accent wasn’t hilarious enough, her describing Oliver as a cold fish made Shannon laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Rachel tilted her head, and a speculative gleam shone in her eyes. “Have you already kissed him?”
“Ra-chel.” The name was said with just the right touch of injured emotion and appeared to allay her friend’s suspicions. “I barely know the man.”
“That wouldn’t stop me if I was interested in a guy.”
“Well, I’m not interested in Oliver, not in that way. This is strictly a business arrangement.”
“Then why did you laugh?”
“Because I don’t see Oliver as being a cold fish.”
“Yeah, right.”
“No. Seriously. He’s simply...British.”
Rachel rolled her eyes and swiped a nacho off the plate.
“Okay, so maybe he’s a bit uptight,” Shannon admitted. “But it wouldn’t take much to loosen him up.”
“You go for it, sister.” Rachel’s red lips focused on something in the distance then curved upward in a sly smile. “In fact, there’s no better time to start than right now.”
“Other than I’m occupied, enjoying this scrumptious plate of nachos and—” Shannon lifted the Corona “—this ice-cold beer with you. Oliver, on the other hand, is—”
“Right behind you.”
“What?”
“Turn,” Rachel ordered.
Shannon swiveled on the bar stool. She inhaled sharply and her heart began pumping in time to the sexy salsa beat.
The man she’d been chatting with less than an hour earlier stood in the lobby. Ollie stood fidgeting at his side while Oliver chatted amiably with Wendy Fortune Mendoza and Marcos Mendoza, owners of the cantina. Wendy, looking as stylish as ever in a wrap dress of bright red with matching five-inch heels, clasped the hand of her three-year-old daughter, MaryAnne.
Even as Shannon’s eyes were drawn to MaryAnne’s adorable pink-and-white-striped dress, she couldn’t help noticing the way Marcos’s hand rested lovingly on his wife’s shoulder or how hot Oliver looked.
He’d changed his clothes, wearing yet another dark suit but this time coupled with a gray shirt and charcoal tie. Odd he hadn’t mentioned he had plans for the evening. He certainly hadn’t acted as if he was in a rush for her to leave. Quite the contrary.
“Time to start warming up the iceberg,” Rachel said in a low tone.
“Saying hello would be the polite thing to do,” Shannon agreed, ignoring Rachel’s snort of laughter.
Placing her Corona bottle down, Shannon hopped off the stool and pulled a small round mirror from her bag. Before taking a step, she touched up her lipstick, then flashed Rachel a smile. “Back in five.”
Rachel lifted a nacho heavy with beef and cheese and gestured to the platter. “Just warning you, these may be all gone when you get back.”
“I will return to find both the nachos and my seat waiting.” Shannon pointed at her friend and spoke in an ominous voice suitable for any horror flick. “Or you will pay the price.”
“No guarantee, Chickadee.” Rachel peered over the Corona bottle at Shannon and those baby blues twinkled. “If some sexy cowboy wants that stool, those chips or me, I’m sayin’ yes.”
Shannon ignored the warning and turned, anticipation fueling her steps as she headed across the hardwood floor toward Oliver.
Chapter Five
Though Oliver hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Wendy Fortune Mendoza before tonight, he was well aware she was one of his Texas cousins. The minute he walked into the Hollows Cantina, she greeted him warmly. Since she and her husband owned the cantina, Oliver assumed Wendy and Marcos were cohosting the last-minute party his mother, Josephine, had organized.
But Wendy informed him that she and Marcos wouldn’t be able to stay. Even though they couldn’t attend, they’d made the restaurant’s private room available for the impromptu dinner.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to meet you.” Marcos, a tall man in a perfectly tailored suit with piercing dark eyes, gave Oliver’s hand a firm shake.
From what Oliver had heard, Marcos was a savvy businessman, yet it wa
s clear, seeing him with his wife and daughter, that family was also important to him. A man would have to be blind not to notice the loving way Marcos’s gaze lingered on Wendy.
“I don’t know if you heard but I’ve secured lodging at a ranch house on the Singleton property. I’ll be there for the duration of my stay in Horseback Hollow.” Oliver dropped his gaze and shot Ollie a warning glance when the child began tugging on his hand. “Stop by sometime. Bring your daughter. Ollie seems to enjoy being around other children.”
“Wonderful. I’ll call you this week and we’ll set something up.” Wendy started to say more but shifted her attention and smiled brilliantly. “Shannon. It’s been ages.”
Oliver turned to see Wendy give his new nanny a quick hug. She slipped an arm through Shannon’s and lifted her gaze to Oliver. “I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to meet Shep’s daughter—”
“Introductions are unnecessary.” Oliver offered Shannon a warm smile. “Miss Singleton and I are well acquainted.”
Wendy exchanged a glance with her husband.
“Just this afternoon Shannon agreed to be Ollie’s live-in nanny,” Oliver announced.
Astonishment rippled across his cousin’s pretty face. “Why, that’s wonderful.”
“Live-in?” Marcos’s dark eyes narrowed. “Your father approves of this plan?”
“I’m twenty-five, Marcos,” Shannon said drily. “I hardly need my father’s okay.”
“He’s your father,” Marcos said pointedly.
“Living in is necessary because of the time difference between here and London.” Shannon quickly explained the circumstances, ignoring Marcos’s disapproving glance and focusing on Wendy instead.
“Because of that six-hour difference, most of Oliver’s business will be conducted during the overnight hours,” Shannon continued before Oliver could add anything. “As a toddler, Ollie can’t be counted on to sleep through the night.”
“We know all about sleepless nights.” Wendy shot a teasing glance at her husband. “Remember when MaryAnne was that age?”
Marcos nodded but his gaze remained troubled.
For the first time, Oliver considered what Shep Singleton would think of his daughter living under the roof of a man he didn’t know. Would he understand that it was a simple business arrangement? Or would he worry Oliver might take advantage of Shannon?
Shep had been pleasant and accommodating when Oliver had called to inquire about the house. A personal visit to the Singleton home appeared necessary. Oliver would introduce himself, explain the situation and allay the man’s fears before Shannon moved in on Monday.
He was planning his strategy when his mum, Josephine Fortune Chesterfield, breezed through the door, a vision in pale blue silk. Her gray hair, arranged in a chignon, flattered her handsome face. “I’m here. The party can begin.”
She extended both hands and moved quickly to him. “Oliver.”
“You look lovely as always.” He took her hands in his then bent to brush a kiss against her cheek.
“Good evening, Wendy. Marcos.” His mother’s curious gaze settled on Shannon. “You’re Shannon Singleton, Shep and Lilian’s daughter. Am I correct?”
“You have an excellent memory, Mrs. Chesterfield.” Shannon smiled at his mother. “How are you this evening?”
“Josephine, please. I’m wonderful, now that my son and grandson have joined me in Horseback Hollow.”
Ollie made a sound of displeasure when Oliver tightened his hold on the child’s hand.
“There’s my little darling.” Without warning, Josephine scooped Ollie up into her arms.
Startled, the boy stiffened. His eyes widened and his bottom lip began to tremble. Oliver certainly didn’t relish snatching Ollie from his mother’s arms. But neither did he want his son to start crying and cause a scene in public.
He was rapidly sorting through options when Shannon stepped forward and stroked the child’s arm, diverting his attention.
“Hey, Ollie,” she said in a gentle, melodious tone. “Remember me from this afternoon?”
Apparently the child did remember. His trembling lips morphed into a wide smile and he extended chubby arms to Shannon.
Instead of taking him from his grandmother as Oliver expected, Shannon clasped his small hands in hers and jiggled them up and down. “Can you tell your grandma your puppy’s name?”
Ollie smiled, showing a mouthful of drool and tiny white teeth. “Barn-bee.”
“Is Barnaby a nice puppy?” Josephine shot Shannon a grateful smile before refocusing on her grandson, now content in her arms.
As the two continued their corgi conversation, Oliver touched Shannon’s arm, drawing her attention to him. “Thanks.”
She shot him a wink. “No prob.”
Their gazes locked and that electricity she’d mentioned returned to give him a hard jolt.
Blast it all to hell and back. He was not so crass as to be attracted to the nanny. Okay, so perhaps he was...intrigued. Shannon was different from the London socialites he frequently took to the opera and sometimes to bed.
But intrigued didn’t translate into action. Correction, wouldn’t lead to action. Even if Shannon wasn’t his employee, Ollie and managing his business affairs were his top priority.
Shannon’s eyes widened as Fortunes flooded the lobby, including Oliver’s brother Jensen and his fiancée, Amber. “Why is everyone here? What’s the occasion?”
“Mum decided to host a last-minute dinner party. She invited all the family in the area.” Oliver smiled ruefully. “She didn’t want to put my aunt out so she decided to have it here. She’s a bit impulsive, but that’s part of her charm.”
“How fun. I admire spontaneity.” A hint of wistfulness crept into Shannon’s voice. “I’m not spontaneous. You miss out on a lot when you’re always thinking things through.”
“So true, my dear,” Josephine interjected.
Shannon’s cheeks grew pink. Clearly, she hadn’t realized that his mother had eyes—and ears—in the back of her head.
“I was surprised to see you here this evening. I didn’t know—” Oliver stopped, remembering. “That’s right. You told me you had plans.”
“I met some friends for happy hour.” Shannon glanced over to the bar.
Oliver followed her gaze. A cowboy sat in the seat she’d vacated moments before, munching on nachos. Was the man someone she knew?
Oliver opened his mouth but shut it without speaking. Not his concern.
Strictly business, he reminded himself.
“It was a pleasure seeing you again, Josephine.” Shannon’s use of his mum’s first name earned an approving smile. “Enjoy your dinner party and your grandson.”
Shannon shifted her gaze to Oliver, and when those brown eyes settled on him, he experienced another punch of awareness.
“Trust me.” She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Go with the enchiladas. They’re the best.”
Unable to resist touching her, Oliver reached over and lightly squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you...for everything.”
Shannon smiled and strolled off.
“I thought someone said we were meeting in the party room,” a feminine voice said. “But the lobby works for me.”
Oliver turned to find a petite dark-haired woman with an angelic face and a wide smile approaching him.
“You probably don’t remember me from the other night.” The young woman extended her hand. “I’m Gabi Mendoza. We—”
“He remembers you, darlin’.” Jude Fortune Jones, another one of Oliver’s Horseback Hollow cousins, stepped forward and pressed a kiss on the top of Gabi’s head. “No man forgets you.”
Gabi flashed her tall blond fiancé an indulgent smile. “Aw, thanks, honey. But Oliver saw a lot of new faces
the day he arrived.”
Though Oliver was exceedingly good with names and faces, Gabi was correct. With so many relatives to meet, including their spouses and significant others, he appreciated her courtesy. “We didn’t have much of a chance to chat the other day.”
“Tonight we’ll get better acquainted over cowboy caviar,” Gabi told him.
Oliver pulled his brows together, completely flummoxed. “Cowboy caviar?”
“It’s not really caviar.” Jude slanted a glance at his fiancée, who simply smiled cheekily.
“It’s actually a type of dip,” Gabi explained. “It contains black beans, tomato, avocado, onion, cilantro and corn.”
“Interesting,” Oliver murmured.
Jude grinned. “Let’s just say it’s a whole lot more tasty than those nasty fish eggs.”
“Oliver has a discerning palate,” Jude’s brother Christopher Fortune Jones tossed out as he strolled past. “And you, bro, are just a hick from the sticks.”
Jude’s eyes flashed, but then Gabi wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her nicely curved body against him. “I like you just the way you are, sweetie pie.”
Oliver couldn’t decide if he’d just witnessed normal sibling interaction or if there was more behind the tension between the brothers.
“Oh my goodness.” Gabi pulled from Jude’s arms. “I almost forgot.”
The pretty Latina turned to Josephine, who still held her grandson.
“I hope you don’t mind. I asked my father to join us tonight. Jude and I had planned to have dinner with him. Then you called and—”
“Orlando is here?” Josephine sounded oddly breathless.
“He’s on his way. I hope it’s no trouble.”
“No trouble at all.” Josephine’s free hand rose to smooth her hair. “Orlando is always welcome.”
Jude and Gabi wandered off to speak with Quinn and Amelia.
“I need to freshen, uh, check on a few things.” Josephine’s long elegant fingers fluttered in the air, sending diamonds flashing in the light.
“Would you like me to get everyone settled before we leave?” Wendy asked Josephine as relatives continued to arrive.