If this wild Texan is a changed man...

Why is he craving the nanny under the mistletoe?

Black sheep Beau Elliott came home for his baby...and to prove to his family that he’s a changed man. The last thing he needs is temptation at his door...but that’s what he gets with the new nanny who’s living on his ranch! Will their holiday kisses end with a Christmas engagement...or a New Year’s dissolution?

USA TODAY bestselling author JULES BENNETT has published over sixty books and never tires of writing happy endings. Writing strong heroines and alpha heroes is Jules’s favorite way to spend her workdays. Jules hosts weekly contests on her Facebook fan page and loves chatting with readers on Twitter, Facebook and via email through her website. Stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at julesbennett.com.

Also by Jules Bennett

What the Prince Wants

A Royal Amnesia Scandal

Maid for a Magnate

His Secret Baby Bombshell

Best Man Under the Mistletoe

Twin Secrets

Claimed by the Rancher

Taming the Texan

Most Eligible Texan

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

A Texan for Christmas

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-07691-3

A TEXAN FOR CHRISTMAS

© 2018 Jules Bennett

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

Extract

About the Publisher

One

Scarlett Patterson clutched the handle of her small suitcase and waited.

And waited.

She’d knocked twice on the door, but still no answer. She knew this was the address she’d been given—a small cabin nestled in the back of the sprawling, picturesque Pebblebrook Ranch. She’d been told exactly who she’d be working for and her belly did flips just thinking of Beau Elliott—deemed Hollywood’s Bad Boy, the Maverick of Movies, Cowboy Casanova...the titles were endless.

One thing was certain, if the tabloids were correct—he made no apologies about his affection for women. Scarlett wasn’t sure she’d ever seen an image of him with the same woman.

That is, until his lover turned up pregnant. Then the two were spotted out together, but by then the rumors had begun—of drugs found in his lover’s carry-on, of affairs started...or maybe they’d never stopped.

Why he’d come back home now, to this quiet town in Texas and his family’s sprawling ranch, was none of her concern.

With a hand blocking her eyes from a rare glimpse of winter sun, Scarlett glanced around the open fields. Not a soul in sight. In the distance, a green field dotted with cattle stretched all the way to the horizon. This could easily be a postcard.

The Elliott land was vast. She’d heard there were several homes on the property and a portion of the place would soon become a dude ranch. In fact, this cabin would eventually be housing for guests of said dude ranch.

So why was Beau Elliott staying here instead of one of the main houses, with his brothers? Was he even planning to stick around?

So many mysteries...

But she wasn’t here to inquire about his personal life and she certainly wouldn’t be divulging any extra information about hers.

She was here to help his baby.

Even if that meant she had to come face-to-face with one of the sexiest men on the planet.

The snick of a lock had her turning her attention back around. When the door swung wide, it was all Scarlett could do to hold back her gasp.

Beau Elliott, Hollywood’s baddest boy, stood before her sans shirt and wearing a pair of low-slung shorts. Scrolling ink went up one side of his waist, curling around well-defined pecs and disappearing over his shoulder.

Don’t stare at the tattoos. Don’t stare at the tattoos.

And, whatever you do, don’t reach out to touch one.

“Who are you?”

The gravelly voice startled her back into reality. Scarlett realized she’d been staring.

Beau’s broad frame filled the doorway, his stubbled jaw and bedhead indicating he hadn’t had the best night. Apparently, according to the information she’d received, his last nanny had left last evening because of a family emergency.

Well, Scarlett wasn’t having the best of days, either, so they were at least on a level playing field—other than the whole billionaire-peasant thing.

But she could use the extra money, so caring for an adorable five-month-old baby girl shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Tamping down past hurts that threatened to creep up at the thought of caring for a child, Scarlett squared her shoulders and smiled. “I’m Scarlett Patterson. Your new nanny.”

Beau blinked and gave her body a visual lick. “You’re not old or frumpy,” he growled.

Great. He’d already had some visual image in his head of who she should be. Maggie, the original nanny, was sweet as peach pie, but she could be best described as old and frumpy. Obviously, that was what Hollywood’s Golden Child had thought he would be getting this morning, as well.

Beau Elliott, raised a rancher and then turned star of the screen, was going to be high maintenance. She could already tell.

Why would she expect anything less from someone who appeared to thrive on stardom and power?

Unfortunately, she knew that type all too well. Knew the type and ran like hell to avoid it.

She’d grown up with a man obsessed with money and getting what he wanted. Just when she thought she’d eliminated him from her life, he went on and became the governor. Scarlett was so over the power trip. Her stepfather and her mother weren’t happy with her choices in life and had practically shunned her when they realized they couldn’t control her. Which was fine. She’d rather do life on her own than be controlled...by anybody.

“Not old and frumpy. Is that a compliment or an observation?” She waved her hand to dismiss his answer before he could give her one. “Forget it. My looks and age are irrelevant. I am Maggie’s replacement for the next three weeks.”

“I requested someone like Maggie.”

He still didn’t make any attempt to move or to invite her inside. Even though this was Texas, the morning air chilled her.

Scarlett wasn’t in the mood to deal with whatever hang-ups he had about nannies. Coming here after a year away from nanny duties was difficult enough. If she’d had her way, she would’ve found someone else to take this assignment, but the agency was short staffed.

This job was only for three weeks. Which meant she’d spend Christmas here, but the day after, she’d be heading to her new life in Dallas.

After the New Year, she’d start over fresh.

She could do this.

So why did she already feel the stirrings of a headache?

Oh, right. Because the once-dubbed “Sexiest Man Alive” was clearly used to getting his own way.

A bundle of nerves curled tightly in her belly. He might be sexy, but that didn’t mean she had to put up with his attitude. Maybe he needed to remember that he was in a bind. He’d hired a nanny and Scarlett was it.

“Maggie, and everyone else at Nanny Poppins, is unavailable during the time frame you need.”

Scarlett tried like hell to keep her professional smile in place—she did need this money, and she’d never leave a child without care. Plus, she wouldn’t do a thing to tarnish the reputation of the company she’d worked for over the past several years.

She tipped her head and quirked a brow. “You do still need help, correct?”

Maggie had told Scarlett that Beau was brooding, that he kept to himself and only really came out of his shell when he interacted with his baby girl. That was all fine and good. Scarlett wasn’t here to make friends or ogle the superstar, no matter how delicious he looked early in the morning.

A baby’s cry pierced the awkward silence. With a muttered curse, Beau spun around and disappeared. Scarlett slowly stepped through the open door and shut it behind her.

Clearly the invitation wasn’t going to happen.

“I feel so welcome,” she muttered.

Scarlett leaned her suitcase against the wall and propped her small purse on top of it. The sounds of a fussy baby and Beau’s deep, calming voice came from the bedroom to the right of the entryway.

As she took in the open floor plan of the cabin, she noted several things at once. Beau was either neat and tidy or he didn’t have a lot of stuff. A pair of shiny new cowboy boots sat by the door and a black hat hung on a hook above the boots. The small kitchen had a drying rack with bottles on the counter and on the tiny table was a pink-and-white polka-dot bib.

She glanced to the left and noted another bedroom, the one she assumed would be hers, but she wasn’t going to put her stuff in there just yet. Across the way, at the back of the cabin, was a set of patio doors that led to another porch. The area was cozy and perfect for the soon-to-be dude ranch.

The lack of Christmas decorations disturbed her, though. No tree, no stockings over the little fireplace, not even a wreath on the door. Who didn’t want to celebrate Christmas? The most giving, joyous time of the year?

Christmas was absolutely her favorite holiday. Over the years she’d shared many Christmases with various families...all of which had been more loving and fulfilling than those of her stuffy, controlled childhood.

Scarlett continued to wait in the entryway, all while judging the Grinch’s home. She didn’t want to venture too far from the front door since he hadn’t invited her in. It was obvious she wasn’t what he’d expected, and he might ask her to leave.

Hopefully he wouldn’t because she needed to work these three weeks. Those extra funds would go a long way toward helping her afford housing when she left Stone River to start her new life.

Even so, the next twenty-one days couldn’t pass by fast enough.

Beau came back down the hall and Scarlett’s heart tightened as a lump formed in her throat. A full assault on her emotions took over as knots in her stomach formed.

She couldn’t do this. No matter how short the time span, she couldn’t stay with this man, in this confined space, caring for his daughter for three weeks and not come out unscathed.

She wasn’t sure which sight hit her hardest—the well-sculpted shirtless man or the baby he was holding.

Being this close to the little girl nearly brought her to her knees. Scarlett knew coming back as a hands-on nanny would be difficult, but she hadn’t fully prepared herself for just how hard a hit her heart would take.

She’d purposely given up working in homes only a year ago. She’d requested work in the office, even though the administrative side paid less than round-the-clock nanny services. She’d been Nanny Poppins’s most sought-after employee for eight years, but after everything that had happened, her boss completely understood Scarlett’s need to distance herself from babies and families.

Fate had been cruel, stealing her chance of having kids of her own. She wasn’t sure she was ready to see another parent have what she wanted. Working for Beau Elliott would be difficult to say the least, but Scarlett would push through and then she could move on. One last job. She could do this...she hoped.

The sweet baby continued to fuss, rubbing her eyes and sniffling. No doubt she was tired. From the looks of both of them, they’d had a long night.

Instinct had Scarlett reaching out and taking the baby, careful not to brush her fingertips against the hard planes of Beau’s bare chest.

Well, she had to assume they were hard because she’d stared at them for a solid two minutes.

The second that sweet baby smell hit Scarlett, she nearly lost it. Her eyes burned, her throat tightened. But the baby’s needs had to come first. That’s why Scarlett was here. Well, that and to get double the pay so she could finally move to Dallas.

She could’ve turned down this job, but Maggie was in a bind, the company was in a bind, and they’d been so good to Scarlett since she’d started working there.

Scarlett simply couldn’t say no.

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s okay.”

She patted the little girl’s back and swayed slowly. Maggie had told her the baby was a joy to be around.

“Madelyn.”

Scarlett blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Her name is Madelyn.”

Well, at least they were getting somewhere and he wasn’t ready to push her out the door. Scarlett already knew Madelyn’s name and had read all the pertinent information regarding this job, but it was nice that Beau wasn’t growling at her anymore.

Still, she wished he’d go put a shirt on. She couldn’t keep her eyes completely off him, not when he was on display like that. Damn man probably thought he could charm her or distract her by flexing all those glorious, delicious muscles. Muscles that would no doubt feel taut beneath her touch.

Scarlett swallowed and blinked away the erotic image before she could take it too far. At least she had something else to think of other than her own gut-clenching angst and baby fever. Hunky heartthrob to the rescue.

Scarlett turned away from the distracting view of her temporary boss and walked toward the tiny living area. The room seemed a little larger thanks to the patio doors leading onto the covered porch, which was decorated with a cute table and chair set.

The whole cabin was rather small, but it wasn’t her place to ask why a billionaire film star lived in this cramped space on his family’s estate. None of her business. This would just be a quick three weeks in December—in and out—in the most un-festive place ever.

Maybe she could sneak in some Christmas here and there. Every child deserved some twinkle lights or a stocking, for heaven’s sake. Definitely a tree. Without it, where would Santa put the presents?

“She’s been cranky all night,” Beau said behind her. “I’ve tried everything, but I can’t make her happy. I’ve never had that happen before.”

The frustration in his voice softened Scarlett a bit. Beau might be a womanizer and a party animal, if the tabloids were right—which would explain his comfort level with wearing no shirt—but he obviously cared for his daughter.

Scarlett couldn’t help but wonder where the mother was, but again, it was none of her concern. She’d seen enough tabloid stories to figure the mother was likely in rehab or desperately needing to be there.

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.

Honestly, 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 Texas 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.

Chatter swirled about her cheating, then her rehab, then the breakup.

Then there was talk of Beau. One online source stated he’d been passed over for a part in an epic upcoming blockbuster. One said he’d had a fight with his new agent. Another reported that he and his ex had been spotted arguing at a party and one or both had been inebriated.

Honestly, Beau Elliott was a complication she didn’t want to get tangled with, so whatever happened to send him rushing home was his problem. That didn’t mean, however, that a child should have to suffer for the sins of the parents.

Once Madelyn was good and asleep, Scarlett put her down in the crib. There was a light tap on the door moments before it eased open.

Scarlett turned from the sleeping baby to see Beau filling the doorway.

“Is she asleep again?” he whispered.

Stepping away from the crib, Scarlett nodded. “Next time you want to have a family fight, take it outside.”

His eyes darkened. “This isn’t your house,” he stated, taking a step closer to her.

Scarlett stood at the edge of the bed and crossed her arms. “It isn’t exactly your house, either,” she retorted. “But Madelyn is my job now and I won’t have her disturbed when she’s been fussy and obviously needs sleep. Maybe if you put her needs first—”

In a second, Beau had closed the gap and was all but leaning over her, so close that she had to hold on to the bedpost to stay upright.

“Every single thing I do is putting her needs first,” he growled through gritted teeth. “You’ve been here less than two hours, so don’t even presume to know what’s going on.”

Scarlett placed her hand on his chest to get him to ease back, but the heat from his body warmed her in a way she couldn’t explain...and shouldn’t dwell on.

She jerked her hand back and glanced away, only to have her eyes land on the pile of lacy panties she’d thrown on her bed when she’d started unpacking earlier.

There went more of that warmth spreading through her. What were the odds Beau hadn’t noticed?

She risked glancing back at him, but...nope. He’d noticed all right. His eyes were fixed on her unmentionables.

Beau cleared his throat and raked a hand over the back of his neck before glancing to where his baby slept peacefully in the crib on the other side of the room.

When his dark eyes darted back to her, they pinned her in place. “We need to talk.” Then he turned and marched out, likely expecting her to follow.

Scarlett closed her eyes and pulled in a breath as she attempted to count backward from ten. This was only the first day. She knew there would be some bumps in the road, right?

She just didn’t expect those bumps to be the chills rushing over her skin from the brief yet toe-curling contact she’d just had with her employer.

* * *

Beau ground his molars and clenched his fists at his sides. It had been quite a while since he’d been with a woman and the one currently staying under his roof was driving him absolutely insane...and it wasn’t even lunchtime on her first day of employment.

Those damn panties. All that lace, satin...strings. Mercy, he couldn’t get the image out of his head. Never once did he think his nanny’s underwear would cause his brain to fry, but here he was with a silent seductress helping to take care of his daughter and he couldn’t focus. Likely she didn’t even have a clue how she was messing with his hormones.

Scarlett honestly did have Madelyn’s best interest in mind. She was none too happy with him and Colt earlier and he wasn’t too thrilled with the situation, either. Of all the people angry with him for his actions and for being away from home so long, Colt was by far the most furious. Ironic, he thought. He’d figure his own twin would try to have a little compassion.

Unfortunately, there was so much more contention between them than just the missing years. Coming home at Christmas and thinking things would be magical and easily patched up had been completely naive on his part. But damn it, he’d been hopeful. They’d been the best of friends once, with a twin bond that was stronger than anything he’d ever known.

Delicate footsteps slid across the hardwood floor, interrupting his thoughts. Beau shored up his mental strength and turned to face Scarlett. Why did she have to look like a walking dream? That curvy body, the dark eyes, her flawless dark skin and black hair that gave the illusion of silk sliding down her back.

Damn those panties. Now when he saw her he wondered what she wore underneath her clothes. Lace or satin? Pink or yellow?

“What do you want to talk about?” she asked, making no move to come farther into the living area.

Beau gestured toward the oversize sectional sofa. “Have a seat.”

She eyed him for a moment before finally crossing the room and sitting down on the end of the couch. She crossed her ankles and clasped her hands as if she were in some business meeting with a CEO.

Beau stood next to her. “Relax.”

“I’d relax more if you weren’t looming over me.”

Part of him wanted to laugh. Most women would love for him to “loom” over them. Hell, most women would love him under them, as well. Perhaps that’s why he found Scarlett of the silky panties so intriguing. She truly didn’t care that he was an A-list actor with more money than he could ever spend and the power to obtain nearly anything he ever wanted.

Beau didn’t want to make her uncomfortable and it certainly wasn’t his intention to be a jerk. It pained him to admit it, but he needed her. He was only a few weeks out on his own with Madelyn and he really didn’t want to screw up this full-time parenting job. This would be the most important job he’d ever have.

“We probably need to set some rules here,” he started.

Rules like keeping all underwear hidden in a drawer at all times. Oh, and maybe if she could get some long pants and high-neck shirts, that would certainly help. Wouldn’t it?

Maggie sat straighter. “I work for you, Mr. Elliott. Just tell me the rules you had for Maggie.”

Beau nearly snorted. Rules for Maggie were simple: help with Madelyn while Beau was out working on the ranch and trying to figure his life out. The rules for Scarlett? They’d go beyond not leaving your lingerie out. He mentally added a few more: stop looking so damn innocent and sexy at the same time, stop with the defiant chin that he wanted to nip at and work his way down.

But of course he couldn’t voice those rules. He cleared his throat and instead of enumerating his expectations, he took a different approach.

“I’m a hands-on dad.” He started with that because that was the most important. “Madelyn is my life. I’m only going to be at Pebblebrook for a short time, but while I’m here, I plan on getting back to my roots and helping to get this dude ranch up and running.”

That is, if his brothers would let him in on realizing their father’s dream. That was still a heated debate, especially since Beau hadn’t been to see Grant Elliott yet.

His father had been residing in an assisted-living facility for the past few years. The bad blood between them couldn’t be erased just because Beau had made a deathbed promise to the one man who had been more like a father to him than his real one.

Still, Beau was man enough to admit that he was afraid to see his dad. What if his dad didn’t recognize him? Grant had been diagnosed with dementia and lately, more often than not, he didn’t know his own children. Even the sons who’d been around the past few years. Beau wasn’t sure he was strong enough to face that reality just yet.

“Beau?”

Scarlett’s soft tone pulled him out of his thoughts. Where was he? Right, the rules.

“Yeah, um. I can get up with Madelyn during the night. I didn’t hire a nanny so I could be lazy and just pass her care off. I prefer a live-in nanny more because I’m still...”

“Nervous?” she finished with raised brows. “It’s understandable. Most first-time parents are. Babies are pretty easy, though. They’ll pretty much tell you what’s wrong, you know, just not with actual words.”

No, he actually didn’t know. He just knew when Madelyn cried he wanted her to stop because he didn’t want her unhappy.

Beau had spent the past five months fighting with his ex, but she’d only wanted Madelyn as a bargaining chip. He’d finally gotten his lawyer to really tighten the screws and ultimately, Jennifer James—wannabe actress and worthless mother—signed away her parental rights.

As much as he hated the idea of Madelyn not having a mother around, his daughter was better off.

Beau studied his new, refreshing nanny. “I assume you don’t have children since you’re a nanny full-time.”

Some emotion slid right over her, taking away that sweet, calm look she’d had since she’d arrived. He could swear an invisible shield slid right between them. Her lips thinned, her head tipped up a notch and her eyes were completely unblinking.

“No children,” she said succinctly.

There was backstory behind that simple statement. He knew that for sure. And he was curious.

“Yet you know so much about them,” he went on. “Do you want a family of your own one day?”

“My personal life is none of your concern. That’s my number-one rule that you can add to your list.”

Why the hell had he even asked? He didn’t need to know her on a deeper level, but now that she’d flat-out refused to go there, he wanted to find out every last secret she kept hidden. He hadn’t asked Maggie personal questions, but then Maggie hadn’t pulled up emotions in him like this, either.

Even though he’d just vowed to stay out of Scarlett’s personal business, well, he couldn’t help himself. If she was just standoffish, that would be one thing, but hurt and vulnerability had laced her tone. He was a sucker for a woman in need.

Scarlett, though, clearly didn’t want to be the topic of conversation, something he not only understood but respected. He told himself he should focus on his purpose for being back home and not worry about what his temporary nanny did in her off time.

Beau nodded in affirmation at her demand. “Very well. These three weeks shouldn’t be a problem, then.”

He came to his feet, most likely to get away from the lie he’d just settled between them. Truthfully, everything about having her here was a problem, but that was on him. Apparently she didn’t care that his hormones had chosen now to stand up and pay attention to her. She also didn’t seem to care who he was. He was just another client and his celebrity status didn’t do a damn thing for her.

While he appreciated her not throwing herself at him, his ego wasn’t so quick to accept the hit. This was all new territory for him where a beautiful woman was concerned.

“I’m going to change and head to the main stable for a bit.” He pulled his cell from his pocket. “Give me your cell number and I’ll text you so you have my number. If you need anything at all, message me and I’ll be right back.”

Once the numbers were exchanged, Beau picked up his boots by the front door and went to his room to change. He slipped on a pair of comfortable old jeans, but the boots were new and needed to be broken in. He’d had to buy another pair when he came back. The moment he’d left Pebblebrook years ago, he’d ditched any semblance of home.

Odd how he couldn’t wait to dig right back in. The moment he’d turned into the long white-fence-lined drive, he’d gotten that kick of nostalgia as memories of working side by side with his brothers and his father came flooding back.

Right now he needed to muck some stalls to clear his head and take his mind off the most appealing woman he’d encountered in a long time...maybe ever.

But he doubted even grunt work would help. Because at the end of the day, he’d still come back here where she would be wearing her lacy lingerie...and where they would be spending their nights all alone with only an infant as their chaperone.

Three

“You’re going to get your pretty new boots scuffed.”

Beau turned toward the open end of the stable. His older brother Hayes stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his tattoos peeking from beneath the hems of the sleeves on his biceps.

“I need to break them in,” Beau replied, instinctively glancing down to the shiny steel across the point on the toe.

If anyone knew about coming home, it was Hayes. Beau’s ex-soldier brother had been overseas fighting in Afghanistan and had seen some serious action that had turned Hayes into an entirely different man than the one Beau remembered.

Whatever had happened to his brother had hardened him, but he was back at the ranch with the love of his life and raising a little boy that he’d taken in as his own. He’d found a happy ending. Beau wasn’t so sure that would ever happen for him—or even if he wanted it to.

“So, what? You’re going to try to get back into the ranching life?” Hayes asked as he moved to grab a pitchfork hanging on the inside of the tack room. “Or are we just a stepping stone?”

Beau didn’t know what the hell he was going to do. He knew in less than three weeks he had a movie debut he had to attend, but beyond that, he’d been dodging his new agent’s calls because there was no way Beau was ready to look at another script just yet. His focus was needed elsewhere.

Like on his daughter.

On his future.

“Right now I’m just trying to figure out where the hell to go.” Beau gripped his own pitchfork and glanced to the stall with Doc inside. “Nolan ever come and help?”

Hayes headed toward the other end of the row. “When he can. He stays busy at the hospital, but he’s cut his hours since marrying and having a kid of his own. His priorities have shifted.”

Not just Nolan’s priorities, but also Colt’s and Hayes’s. All three of his brothers had fallen in love and were enjoying their ready-made families.

Beau had been shocked when he’d pulled into the drive and seen his brothers standing on Colt’s sprawling front porch with three ladies he didn’t know and four children. The ranch had apparently exploded into the next generation while he’d been gone.

Beau worked around Nolan’s stallion and put fresh straw in the stall before moving to the next one. For the next hour he and Hayes worked together just like when they’d been kids. Teamwork on the ranch had been important to their father. He’d instilled a set of ethics in his boys that no formal education could match.

Of course they had ranch hands, but there was something about getting back to your roots, Beau knew, that did some sort of reset to your mental health. At this point he needed to try anything to help him figure out what his next move should be.

He actually enjoyed manual labor. Even as a kid and a teen, he’d liked working alongside his father and brothers. But over time, Beau had gotten the urge to see the world, to find out if there was more to life than ranching, and learning how to turn one of the toughest professions into a billion-dollar lifestyle. The idea of being in charge of Pebblebrook once his father retired held no shred of interest to Beau. He knew Colt had always wanted that position so why would Beau even attempt to share it?

“So you all live here on the estate?” Beau asked when he and Hayes had completed their stalls and met in the middle of the barn.

Hayes rested his hand on the top of the pitchfork handle and swiped his other forearm across his damp forehead. “Yeah. I renovated Granddad’s old house back by the fork in the river and the creek. I’ve always loved that place and it just seemed logical when I came back.”

The original farmhouse for Pebblebrook would be the perfect home for Hayes and his family, providing privacy, but still remaining on Elliott land.

When they’d all been boys they’d ventured to the back of the property on their horses or ATVs and used it as a giant getaway or a man cave. They’d had the ultimate fort and pretended to be soldiers or cowboys in the Old West.

Once upon a time the Elliott brothers were all close, inseparable. But now...

Beau was virtually starting over with his own family. That deathbed promise to his former agent was so much more difficult to execute than he’d originally thought. But Hector had made Beau vow he’d go home and mend fences. At the time Beau had agreed, but now he knew saying the words had been the easy part.

He leaned back against Doc’s stall and stared blankly.

“Hey.” Hayes studied Beau before slapping a large hand over his shoulder. “It’s going to take some time. Nolan is hurt, but he’s not pissed. Me? I’m just glad you’re here, though I wonder if you’ll stay. So I guess that makes me cautious. But Colt, well, he’s pissed and hurt, so that’s the one you need to be careful with.”

Beau snorted and shook his head. “Yeah, we’ve already had words.”

Like when Colt swung by earlier to talk, but ended up going off because of the new nanny. Colt claimed Beau was still a wild child and a player, hiring a nanny looking like that. Beau had prayed Scarlett hadn’t heard Colt’s accusations. She was a professional and he didn’t want her disrespected or made to feel unwelcome. Not that his brother was disrespecting Scarlett. No, he was aiming that all at Beau.

Even if the choice had been his, Beau sure as hell wouldn’t have chosen a woman who looked like Scarlett to spend twenty-four hours a day with inside that small cabin. Even he wasn’t that much of a masochist.

Beau had no idea what had originally brought Colt over to see him, but he had a feeling their morning talk wasn’t the last of their heated debates.

“You’d think my twin would be the most understanding,” Beau muttered.

“Not when he’s the one who held this place together once Dad couldn’t,” Hayes retorted. “I was overseas, Nolan was married to his surgery schedule and you were gone. Colt’s always wanted this life. Ranching was it for him, so I guess the fact you wanted nothing to do with it only made the hurt worse. Especially when you rarely called or came back to visit.”

Beau knew coming back would rip his heart open, but he’d had no clue his brother would just continually pour salt into the wound. But he had nobody to blame but himself. He was man enough to take it, though. He would push through the hard times and reconnect with his family. If losing Hector had taught him anything, it was that time was fleeting.

“I can’t make up for the past,” Beau started. “And I can’t guarantee I’ll stay forever. I just needed somewhere to bring Madelyn, and home seemed like the most logical place. I don’t care how I’m treated, just as long as she’s loved. I can work on Colt and hopefully mend that relationship.”

“Maybe you should start with seeing Dad if you want to try to make amends with anyone.”

The heavy dose of guilt he’d been carrying around for some time grew weightier at Hayes’s statement. His older brother was absolutely right, yet fear had kept Beau from reaching out to his father since he’d been home.

“Will he even know me?” Beau asked, almost afraid of the answer.

Hayes shrugged. “Maybe not, but what matters is that you’re there.”

Beau swallowed the lump of emotions. Everything he’d heard over the past year was that their father barely knew anything anymore. The Alzheimer’s had trapped him inside his mind. He and Beau may have had major differences in the past, but Grant Elliott was still his father and Beau respected the hell out of that man...though he hadn’t done a great job of showing it over the years.

His father had been a second-generation rancher and took pride in his work. He’d wanted his sons to follow in that same path of devotion. Beau, though, had been a rebellious teen with wandering feet and a chip on his shoulder. Pebblebrook hadn’t been enough to contain him and he’d moved away. On his own for the first time, he’d wanted to experience everything that had been denied him back home, and ended up in trouble. Then he was discovered and dubbed “a natural” after a ridiculous commercial he wanted to forget.

Beau threw himself into the acting scene hard. His career had seemed to skyrocket overnight.

At first he’d been on a path to destruction, then a path to stardom. And through it all, he hadn’t even thought of coming home. He’d been too wrapped up in himself. No excuses.

Then one day he’d realized how much time had passed. He had come home but the cold welcome he’d received had sent him straight back to LA.

But this time was different. This time he was going to stay, at least through the holidays, no matter how difficult it might be.

“I’ll go see him,” Beau promised, finally meeting Hayes’s eyes. “I’m just not ready.”

“Always making excuses.”

Beau and Hayes turned to the sound of Colt’s angry voice. Just what he needed, another round with his pissed brother.

* * *

Colt glanced to the pitchfork in Beau’s hand. “Are you practicing for a part or actually attempting to help?”

“Colt—”

“No.” Beau held out his hand, cutting Hayes off. “It’s not your fight.”

Hayes nodded and took Beau’s pitchfork and his own back to the tack room, giving Beau and Colt some privacy.

“I came home because I needed somewhere safe to bring my daughter,” Beau stated, that chip on his shoulder more evident than ever. “I came home because it was time and I’d hoped we could put aside our differences for Christmas.”

Did he think he could just waltz back onto the ranch and sing carols around the Christmas tree and all would be well? Had he been gone so long that he could just ignore the tension and the hurt that resided here?

“You won’t find a red-carpet welcome here,” Colt grunted. “We’ve gotten along just fine without you for years. So if you’re just going to turn around and leave again, don’t bother with all this show now. Christmas is a busy time for Annabelle at the B and B. I don’t have time to figure out what the hell you’re doing or not doing.”

Seeing his twin back here where they’d shared so many memories...

Every part of Colt wished this was a warm family reunion, but the reality was quite different.

Beau had chosen to stay away, to make a new family, a new life amidst all the Hollywood hoopla, the parties, the women, the money and jet-setting.

Bitterness had settled into Colt long ago and showed no sign of leaving.

“What did you want when you came by this morning?” Beau asked. “Other than to berate me.”

Hayes carried a blanket and saddle down the stable and passed them, obviously trying to get the hell out of here and not intervene.

Colt hooked his thumbs through his belt loops. “I was going to give you a chance to explain. Annabelle told me I should hear your side, but then I saw your replacement nanny and realized nothing about you has changed.”

Of course Beau would have a stunning woman living under his roof with the guise of being a nanny. Was his brother ever going to mature and just own up to his responsibilities?

“Replacement nanny?” Hayes chimed up.

Beau’s eyes narrowed—apparently Colt had hit a nerve. But they both ignored Hayes’s question.

The resentment and turmoil that had been bubbling and brewing over the years was best left between him and his twin. Colt didn’t want to drag anybody else into this mix.

Though his wife had already wedged herself into the drama. He knew she meant well, he knew she wanted one big happy family, especially considering she lost her only sibling too early in life. But still, there was so much pain in the past that had only grown like a tumor over the years. Some things simply couldn’t be fixed.

Beau kept his gaze straight ahead to Colt. “Who I have helping with Madelyn is none of your concern and I didn’t decide who the agency sent to replace Maggie. Her husband fell and broke his hip so she had to go care for him for a few weeks until their daughter can come help. If you have a problem, maybe you’d like to apply for the job.”

“Maybe you could worry more about your daughter and less about your dick—”

* * *

Beau didn’t think before his fist planted in the side of Colt’s jaw. He simply reacted. But before he could land a second shot, a restraining hand stopped him. Hayes stood between the brothers, his hands on each of their chests.

“All right, we’re not doing this,” Hayes told them both.

“Looks like I missed the official work reunion.”

At the sound of the new voice, Beau turned to see Nolan come striding in. No fancy doctor clothes for his oldest brother. Nolan looked like the rest of them with his jeans and Western shirt and boots and black hat.

There was no mistaking they were brothers. Years and lifestyles may have kept them apart, but the Elliott genetics were strong. Just the sight of his three brothers had something shifting in Beau’s chest. Perhaps he was supposed to be here now, for more than Madelyn.

“Throwing punches took longer than I thought,” Nolan growled, closing the distance. “You’ve been here a whole week.”

Beau ignored the comment and glared back at Colt. “You know nothing about me anymore, so don’t presume you know what type of man I am.”

“Whose fault is that?” Colt shouted. “You didn’t let us get to know the man you grew into. We had to watch it on the damn movie screen.”

Guilt...such a bitter pill to swallow.

“Why don’t we just calm down?” Hayes suggested as he stepped back. “Beau is home now and Dad wouldn’t want us going at each other. This is all he ever wanted, us together, working on the ranch.”

“You haven’t even been to see him,” Colt shot at Beau, his dark eyes still judgmental.

“I will.”

Colt shook his head in disgust, but Beau didn’t owe him an explanation. Beau didn’t owe him anything. They may be twins, but the physical appearance was where their similarities ended. They were different men, with different goals. Why should Beau be sorry for the life he’d created for himself?

Nolan reached them then and diverted his attention. “Pepper wanted me to invite you and Madelyn for dinner,” he stated in that calm voice of his. “Are you free this evening?”

Beau blew out the stress he’d been feeling and raked a hand along the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m free. Madelyn’s been a little cranky. Scarlett thinks she’s cutting teeth, but we should be able to make it.”

“Scarlett?” Nolan asked.

“His new nanny,” Colt interjected. “She’s petite, curvy, stunning. Just Beau’s type.”

Beau wasn’t going to take the bait, not again. Besides, already he knew that Scarlett was so much more than that simple description. She was vibrant and strong and determined...and she’d had his fantasies working overtime.

“You’re married,” he said instead to his twin. “So my nanny is none of your concern.”

“Just stating the facts.” Colt held his hands out and took a step back. “I’m happily married with two babies of my own, so don’t worry about me trying to lay claim. I’m loyal to my wife.”

“Scarlett can come, too, if you want,” Nolan added, clearly ignoring his brother’s argument. “Pepper won’t mind.”

Scarlett joining him? Hell no. That would be too familial and definitely not the approach he wanted to take on day one with his temporary help. Not the approach he’d want to take on any day with her, actually.

Not that long ago he would’ve jumped at the excuse to spend more time with a gorgeous woman, but his hormones were just going to have to take a back seat because he had to face reality. The good times that he was used to were in the past. His good times now consisted of a peaceful night’s sleep and a happy baby.

Damn, he was either getting old or finally acting like an adult.

He’d always tried to keep himself grounded over the years, but now that he was home, he realized just how shallow Hollywood had made him. Shallow and jaded. Yet another reason he needed to keep himself and his daughter away from that lifestyle.

“It will just be Madelyn and me,” he informed his brother. Then he shifted his attention back to Colt. “Do you want my help around here or not?”

“From the prodigal son?” Colt’s jaw clenched, and Beau could see a bruise was already forming there. Colt finally nodded. “I’ve got most of the guys on the west side of the property mending fences. I’ll take your free labor here.”

Well, that was something. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Beau decided since they weren’t yelling or throwing more punches, now would be as good a time as any to pitch his thoughts out there.

“I want in on the dude ranch, too.”

Beau didn’t realize he’d wanted that until they all stood here together. But there was no denying his wishes now. Whether he stayed on the ranch or not, he wanted to be part of his father’s legacy with his brothers.

Colt’s brows shot up, but before he could refuse, Beau went on. “I’m part of this family whether you like it or not and Dad’s wish was to see this through. Now, I know you plan to open in just a few months and a good bit of the hard work is done, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use me.”

Hayes shrugged. “Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him do some marketing. He’d have some great connections.”

Colt’s gaze darted to Hayes. “Are you serious?”

“Hayes is right,” Nolan added. “I know none of us needs the extra income, but we want Dad’s dream to be a success.”

Colt took off his hat, raked a hand over his hair and settled the hat back in place. “Well, hell. Whatever. We’ll use you until you take off again, because we all know you won’t stick.”

Beau didn’t say a word. What could he say? He knew full well he likely wasn’t staying here long-term. He’d returned because of a deathbed promise and to figure out where to take his daughter. Pebblebrook was likely a stepping stone...nothing more. Just like Hayes had said.

Four

Scarlett swiped another stroke of Cherry Cherry Bang Bang on her toes. Beau had taken Madelyn to dinner at his brother’s house and told her she didn’t need to come.

So she’d finished unpacking—getting all of her panties put away properly. Then she’d caught up on social media, and now she was giving herself an overdue pedicure with her new polish. She wasn’t a red type of girl, but she figured with the new move coming and another chapter in her life starting, why not go all in and have some fun? Now that she was admiring it against her dark skin, she actually loved the festive shade.

And that’s about as wild as she got. Red polish.

Could she be any more boring?

She never dreamed she’d be in this position at nearly thirty-five years of age: no husband, no children and a changing career.

She was fine without the husband—she could get by on her own, thank you very much. But the lack of children would always be a tender spot and the career change hurt just as much. Not that her career or lack of a family of her own defined her, but there were still dreams she’d had, dreams she’d had to let go of. These days she tried to focus on finding a new goal, but she still scrambled for something obtainable.

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