Santa brought a nanny for Christmas!

Widowed rancher Hunter Crawford will do anything to make his daughter, Wren, happy—even if it means hiring a live-in nanny he thinks he doesn’t need. Merry Matthews quickly fills their house with cookie cutters, pine wreaths and true yuletide spirit. These two lonely hearts clearly belong together, but it may take an extra push from Wren for Hunter and Merry to find holiday bliss in Rust Creek Falls...

TERESA SOUTHWICK lives with her husband in Las Vegas, the city that reinvents itself every day. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Mills & Boon.

Also by Teresa Southwick

An Unexpected Partnership What

Makes a Father

A Decent ProposalThe Widow’s Bachelor BargainHow to Land Her LawmanA Word with the BachelorJust a Little Bit MarriedThe New Guy in TownHis by ChristmasJust What the Cowboy Needed

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Maverick Holiday Magic

Teresa Southwick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09174-9

MAVERICK HOLIDAY MAGIC

© 2019 Harlequin Books S.A.

Published in Great Britain 2019

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

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To all the remarkably creative and talented writers

in the Montana Mavericks series

and our gifted and patient editor, Susan Litman.

All of you made working on this book a joy!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Ambling A RanchRust Creek Falls, Montana

Hunter Crawford knew what his father was up to.

It was common knowledge that Max had hired the local wedding planner to find wives for his six sons. Four of them were now off the marriage market and the target on Hunter’s back was getting bigger. That’s why he was suspicious of the old man pushing this big destination wedding for their brother Finn in Rustler’s Notch, Colorado. Hunter was pushing back. He’d much rather stay here on the Ambling A Ranch, where he was more insulated from his father’s meddling.

There were four cabins on this sprawling property—the big house, where his father and his brother Wilder lived, and three smaller places.

Hunter lived in one of them with his six-year-old daughter, Wren, and loved the two-story log house. It had four bedrooms, two baths, a great room and kitchen. The place wasn’t huge, but it had enough room for the two of them. The biggest selling point was that it had no bad memories from the past clinging to it. He was doing his best to keep the vibe pure of pain, for Wren’s sake. Although that could change.

His instinct was telling him that this wedding was somehow going to threaten his resolve to maintain his bachelor designation. The way he saw it, everyone had one great love in their life and he’d had his. Losing her had nearly destroyed him. He was determined not to put himself in a position where that could happen to him again. But his father and Wilder weren’t taking no for an answer and had come to give him a hard sell.

He’d reluctantly opened the door to them and they followed him into the kitchen. Might as well get this over with, he told himself as he took a breath and faced them. “I’m not going to the wedding.”

Maximilian Crawford stood beside the circular oak table and stared him down. He was a tall, handsome, distinguished man in his sixties. Tan and rugged looking, his lined face suggested a life spent outdoors—and it had been. Now he left the physically taxing ranch work to Hunter and his brothers. His hair had once been brown like his sons’ but now it was gray and earned him the nickname “Silver Fox.” He was accustomed to getting what he wanted by any legal means necessary, but Hunter had inherited his father’s stubborn streak. So neither of them blinked.

Finally, his father said, “Why?”

“I have my reasons.”

“It’s important to me that the whole family is there. Your brothers and their new wives are looking forward to a little vacation in Rustler’s Notch.” The older man looked at his youngest son, a “don’t just stand there” expression in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Wilder said. “You could use a vacation, bro.”

“I’m good,” Hunter said.

“It’s actually not you I’m worried about.” Wilder settled his hands on his lean hips. “The truth is, I could use your help. The two of us are the only single Crawford men left. It’s Colorado in November. Can you say ‘snow bunnies’? It pains me to say this, but I need a wingman.”

Hunter glared at him. “Did someone drop you on your head when you were a baby?”

“Maybe.” Wilder glanced at their father, then shrugged. “Why?”

“Just to make sure I’ve got this right...” He paused for dramatic effect. “At this family outing, your primary goal is to hit on every single woman between the ages of twenty and forty?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t easy to get under his brother’s skin. Hunter wasn’t even sure why he tried. “Even if I was interested in partying, which I’m not, I have a six-year-old daughter. Wren and I would cramp your style.”

“I wasn’t suggesting we bring Wren.” Wilder stopped for a moment, clearly thinking that over. “Although, a single father with a kid could be a chick magnet.”

“Don’t even go there,” Hunter warned. “And no, you can’t borrow her.”

“That’s low,” his brother said. “I would never use my niece like that.”

“He was just kidding,” Max cut in.

“Yeah, lighten up, big brother. It would do you good to let off some steam.”

“How would you know?” Hunter asked. “All you think about is your next score. You have absolutely no responsibilities. And no idea what I’ve gone through.”

“That’s true,” Wilder acknowledged. “But it’s been six years since your wife died. Everyone else has been tiptoeing around the subject but I’m already in the doghouse with you so what the heck.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Lara wouldn’t want you to be like this. There’s no law against moving on. And your daughter should see you out and having fun.”

“He’s right, son.” Max’s expression was sympathetic.

Hunter shifted his glare to Max. “You don’t get a vote.”

Max’s wife, the brothers’ mother, had left the family without a word when Hunter was a little boy and Wilder was just a baby. Their father was on his own raising six boys. As a kid, Hunter didn’t know that his parents’ relationship was bitterly unhappy. All he knew was that his mother took off and he’d believed if he’d been a better kid, a better son, she would have stayed. Max had it rough but Sheila didn’t die. She’d made a choice. Unlike Hunter’s wife, who’d passed away suddenly. The woman he’d loved was gone forever and there was no one to blame but himself.

“It’s true,” Max said. “I can’t tell you what to do. But that doesn’t change the fact that I would really like to celebrate your brother’s marriage with my whole family in attendance.”

“Why is this wedding such a big deal to you, Dad?”

Max sighed and looked the way he always did when something should be clear as day but he still had to explain. “Sarah and Logan had a nontraditional ceremony at the local bar.”

“Nothing wrong with Ace in the Hole. I’ve met some nice women there,” Wilder said.

Max shook his head and continued. “Xander and Lily had their wedding at the Rust Creek Falls Community Center.”

“It was nice. My daughter had a great time there.” It was local and this town was a place where everyone watched out for neighbors. Hunter didn’t have to worry about keeping an eye on Wren every second.

“Knox and Genevieve were secretly married,” Max continued.

“So were Finn and Avery,” Hunter interjected. “I say again—what’s the big deal?”

“I think it’s about time we had a big splashy, formal family affair. We have a lot to celebrate, what with four of you boys settled down.” Max was known to be a master manipulator, but no one doubted his love for his sons. “Think about it. Five-star resort. Beautiful country. Love in the air.”

Maybe for his brothers, but Hunter wasn’t interested in love. Not again. “Look, Dad, how many ways do you want me to say this? I don’t want to meet anyone. Stop trying to fix me up and call off Vivienne Dalton.”

“Matchmaking is not what this is about.” Max didn’t look the least bit guilty about paying the local wedding planner a million dollars to find wives for his six sons. “And think of your daughter. Think about Wren.”

“She’s all I think about.” She was his world and everything he did was to keep her happy and safe.

“Why would you deny her the opportunity to be with her family? To make memories. And if you were to have a little fun, too, well...” Max let the words hang in the air between them.

“And Finn asked you to be a groomsman along with the rest of us brothers,” Wilder reminded him. “Come on, Hunter. You can’t let him down. And as far as watching Wren? You’ve got Logan, Knox, Xander.”

“And me,” Max said.

“And me,” Wilder chimed in.

“Yeah,” Hunter said, deliberately surrounding the single word with sarcasm. “Because nothing could go wrong with that scenario.”

“That’s low,” Wilder said. “If you can’t trust your family, then who can you trust?”

“A nanny.”

Hunter looked at his brother, then both of them stared at Max, who had made the suggestion. “What?”

“Hire a nanny for the wedding.” Max shrugged.

“Wedding? What wedding?” No one had seen Wren standing there. But now the little girl was clearly excited. “Can I be in it? The bride and groom are going to need a flower girl.”

“Oh, sugar. I’m in deep trouble now,” Hunter muttered to himself.

“Hi, Gramps.” The blonde, blue-eyed star of his world walked farther into the room and looked way up at the tall men surrounding her. “Hi, Uncle Wilder. I was upstairs playing with my princess dolls. I didn’t know you were here.”

Max went down on one knee to be on her level. “Hi, Wrennie. We came to talk to your dad about going to Uncle Finn’s wedding. I’m going to use my private plane to fly us all there and we’re going to stay in a very fancy hotel.”

“Oh, boy!” Her big eyes grew bigger. “For real?”

“Yup. And I’m pretty sure Avery is going to ask you to be her flower girl. But your dad isn’t sure he wants to go.”

She turned her gaze on him. “But why?”

Hunter hated when she looked at him like this. He lost every argument because stubborn was no match for those big blue eyes. “It’s a town that’s bigger than Rust Creek Falls. In a hotel like that there are lots of tourists—”

“Who?”

“Strangers visiting from everywhere. It will be harder for me to keep an eye on you all the time.”

“But the flower girl gets to wear a pretty dress. Not as pretty as Avery’s because she’s the bride and that’s like the wedding princess, but...”

“I suppose.” Hunter was at a loss when she talked dresses.

“And maybe Avery doesn’t know anyone else to be a flower girl,” Wren said earnestly. “I have to be there.”

“That’s a good point.” Wilder bent at the waist and rested his hands on his knees, making his gaze almost level with hers. “And there’s something else you should know. Your dad is supposed to be Uncle Finn’s groomsman.”

“Would you have to get all dressed up, too?” the little girl asked.

“That’s right, Wren,” Max said. “Your daddy is going to need a tuxedo.”

This was why his dad and Wilder had followed him here to the house to finish this discussion. Despite their words to the contrary, they knew Wren was home from school. The two of them were counting on her to overhear. With her on their side, he didn’t stand a chance. But he’d give it one more shot.

“If I’m in the wedding, honey, it means I can’t watch over you the way I want.”

Wren nodded thoughtfully, then her face brightened. “I heard Gramps say something about getting someone to take care of me.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think we can find anyone on such short notice.” Hunter was beginning to hope there was a way for him to make this situation work in his favor after all.

“I know someone,” his daughter said.

Well, dang it. “Who?”

“Miss Merry. She works at my school. She helps in the classroom and she’s a playground supervisor at recess and lunch.” She smiled. “She’s really nice, especially on my first day of school when I was new. She played with me and got the other kids to play, too. She’s my first best friend in Rust Creek Falls.”

“She sounds perfect,” Max approved. “You’re not going to disappoint my granddaughter, are you, Hunter?”

“Please, Daddy.”

The eyes, the pleading voice. The guilt that she didn’t have a mother. Hunter was toast and he knew it. “I’ll talk to Miss Merry and see what she says. But if it doesn’t work out, that’s it. Will you be okay with that?”

“Yes!” Wren threw herself into his arms. “Thank you, Daddy. You’re the best daddy in the whole world.”

If only. He wanted to be her hero and keep her safe. So he would meet Miss Merry, who sounded like someone’s elderly grandmother. In which case this could work.

“You’re younger than I thought you’d be.”

And you’re even more handsome than you sounded on the phone. For a split second Merry Matthews was afraid she’d said that out loud. When the wariness in his green eyes didn’t change to fear of the crazy woman, she figured the thought stayed in her head where it belonged.

She’d heard rumors in town about his exceptional good looks, but she had been woefully unprepared to see Hunter Crawford in the flesh. Then his deep voice had her nerve endings sparking and momentarily shorted out a commonsense answer. Now he was staring at her as if her hair was on fire. It was time to say something.

“I’m Meredith Matthews but everyone calls me Merry.” She was standing on the front porch of his log cabin house on the Ambling A Ranch. The man practically filled the doorway and she was looking up at him. “And I’m not sure how to respond to that remark about my age, Mr. Crawford.”

“Sorry. It’s just that my daughter talked about you and I just expected—” He shook his head and looked sheepish and, actually, pretty adorable. A dashing cowboy dressed in a snap-front shirt, worn jeans and boots. There was probably a Stetson around somewhere but he wasn’t wearing it. His short hair was light brown and there was the slightest indentation in his chin. “I apologize. That was rude.”

“Not really. If you think about it, there’s no way to go wrong when you judge a woman’s age on the younger side.”

“I suppose that’s true enough. But now I’ve kept you standing outside in the cold. Please come in.” He opened the heavy door wider and stepped back to let her enter.

Merry glanced at the interior and liked what she saw. There were wood floors with colorful braided rugs strategically scattered over the surface. A comfortable blue couch and a leather recliner were arranged in front of a flat screen TV housed in an entertainment center. On the opposite wall a fireplace held freshly chopped wood just waiting for a match to light it. The place had a woodsy feel and was very cozy.

When she looked at the man again, any hint of sheepishness had disappeared, and he was all business. Which he should be. After all, this was a job interview.

“Please have a seat.” He indicated the sofa and took the chair at a right angle to it. “As I said on the phone, Wren mentioned you for a child-care position that I need to fill.”

“I’m looking forward to hearing more about it.” She really needed the money and appreciated this chance.

What she made as an aide at Rust Creek Falls Elementary School didn’t go far enough now. Since her father’s death, she’d had to shut down his electrician business and there went her extra income. This could be the break she so badly needed.

She settled her purse beside her and rested the folder she’d brought on her knees. “How can I help you?”

“My brother is getting married in a couple of weeks. It’s a destination wedding, in Colorado. A place called Rustler’s Notch. Have you heard of it?”

She shook her head. “Sounds quaint and colorful. And interesting.”

Exasperation flashed in his eyes, a clue that there was a story here. “Mostly it’s inconvenient.”

“How so?”

“My father is sparing no expense and insists the whole family be there.”

“That’s very generous of him. And I can see how you’d think it’s incredibly unreasonable,” she teased. “Is there a problem?”

Irritation flashed in his eyes again but this time it was directed at her. “I have five brothers. Four of them are married. One has a baby. They’ve offered to help keep an eye on Wren and have the best of intentions, but all of them have distractions. The bottom line is that she’s my responsibility. My daughter is at that stage where she’s curious and likes to explore, and while I like to think I can keep up with her, sometimes one person isn’t enough.”

Merry had taken his daughter under her wing on her first day of school. Wren had been new to town and frightened and Merry understood how that felt because growing up she’d been the new kid a lot. Her father had moved around for work and she’d changed schools often. So it had become her mission to make Wren Crawford comfortable, introduce her to the other kids and facilitate friendships. The little girl had made passing comments about her life. Her mother was dead and her father was sad sometimes.

She folded her hands and set them on the file folder in her lap. “Wild guess here. You don’t want to go to the wedding.”

He grinned wryly. “And I thought I was being subtle. To be honest, I’d rather not. But I can’t let my daughter miss out on the chance to be a flower girl, which she wants more than another princess doll. Also I’m a groomsman, so...”

“You don’t feel you have much choice.”

“Yes. And—” His gaze narrowed.

Merry had the fleeting thought that his intensity brought out a dark, brooding and slightly dangerous side that made her insides quiver. And that reaction needed to stay inside if she was going to land this gig. “Is something wrong?”

“You’re judging,” he accused.

“I’m not,” she lied. “Just clarifying. Trying to determine your expectations for the child-care professional you’re looking to hire.”

He nodded. “Because of the commitments I have at the event, it will be impossible for me to keep an eye on Wren one hundred percent of the time, and while of course I want someone to watch her when I can’t, it would be great if that person could really relate to her.” His mouth pulled tight for a moment. “I want someone who is nurturing, caring and warm with my daughter.” Another slight grin ghosted across his face. “No self-defense training is required.”

“Your little girl is an angel. I think I can handle the above qualifications without breaking a sweat.”

“Wren really seems to like you. But she’s a kid. How do I know you’re the best person for this position?”

“I brought references.” Based on the few things his daughter had said, she’d had a feeling she might need more than just her sincere and friendly smile to get this job. She handed him the folder.

He opened it and glanced through the papers there. “What’s this?”

“My résumé. Also I’ve included business, personal and educational references.” They were all glowing declarations of her interaction with people in general and children in particular.

One by one he examined each testimonial. “You’re an aide at the school, taking early childhood education classes. And you work for your father’s electrical business.”

“Not anymore. He passed away recently.”

His gaze met hers and there was sincere sympathy in his eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.” The words were quiet and polite, completely at odds with the pain and panic of insecurity trickling through her.

He nodded, then continued his inspection of her paperwork. “This all looks to be in order. Do you have anything else?”

Really? Apparently he was looking to hire Mother Teresa. She reached for her purse and pulled out her wallet. “Did you miss the part in the principal’s letter of recommendation where she mentioned my wings, halo and uncanny ability to walk on water? Here’s my current Montana driver’s license. Feel free to run a background check.”

Merry had kept her tone courteous and professional, though she wanted to be huffy and annoyed. Still, she prepared herself to be shown out of his house. Her recommendations were glowing. That wasn’t blowing her own horn, just a fact. If that wasn’t good enough for him, then maybe the extra money wasn’t worth the trouble. And good luck to him finding a weekend nanny in this town.

The man stared at her for several moments before the corners of his mouth curved up a little. He was fighting a smile. Hallelujah. The cowboy had a sense of humor.

“That won’t be necessary, Miss Matthews. The most important qualification for this job isn’t on here.”

“And that is?”

“Wren likes you. If you still want it, the position is yours.”

She looked at him for a moment, not sure she’d heard right. “You’re sure? As you probably guessed from what I said, I can sometimes be headstrong and a little outspoken.”

“I noticed. And you may have guessed that I am protective of my daughter. Maybe too much, but with her I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“You love her,” Merry said simply. And it was quite possibly his most attractive quality.

“I do. Very much. Her mother died so she only has me.”

“She told me.” Merry remembered the conversation. She’d told Wren her own mom was gone, too, and that made them members of a club that no little girl wanted to join.

“Okay. That means you understand the situation.” He handed back her folder. “So, will you take the job?”

“Yes. I’d love to,” she said. “And I really wanted it. A chance to earn some extra money and the chance to get away for a couple of days at the same time. It’s been a rough year for me. So, yes. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Crawford.”

“If you call me that, I’ll be looking around for my father. It’s Hunter.”

“Okay.”

“May I call you Merry?” he asked.

“Wren already does so that works for me.”

“All right, then. I’ll give you the details.”

Hunter explained that his father’s private jet would take them to Rustler’s Notch, where they’d stay in a three-bedroom suite at the hotel. He told her the salary and the amount was exceptionally generous. Now it was her turn to fight a smile. She would be expected to keep Wren in sight at all times, which meant attending the rehearsal dinner and wedding festivities the next day.

“Oh, this is probably relevant information for you since my daughter is over the moon about the fancy flower girl dress she will wear. The ceremony is formal.”

The scenario he described was like a fantasy, until he dropped that bombshell. She didn’t have anything to wear to a formal wedding and there was no money in her extremely limited budget for a new dress.

“Is something wrong?” He was frowning at her.

“No. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. Just a funny expression on your face. Are you okay?”

“Fine.” She gave him a bright smile. And without missing a beat said, “That won’t be a problem at all.”

Nowhere in her personal references had anyone said she was a habitual liar but that was the second whopper she’d told him. The first being that she wasn’t judging him. How she wished this was a fairy tale. Then she could count on her fairy godmother spinning her a gorgeous dress out of unicorn sighs.

How in the world was she going to pull this off?

Chapter Two

Merry left the Ambling A just as the sun was dropping behind the mountains. She was in a panic and did what she always did at a time like this. She called her best friend, Zoey Kubiak, who was the other educational aide at the school. Zoey was a semester away from a degree in elementary education and lived with her divorced mother in a little house that had been restored after the Great Flood of 2013. In fact, they’d met when her dad did electrical work for Zoey’s mom, Dora. She and her friend had sort of hoped their parents might click romantically, but that had never happened.

She pulled her dad’s beat-up old truck to a stop at the curb in front of the gray house. Envy, worry and pain twisted inside her and she missed her father so much. If only he was here so she could talk to him. But, as he’d always said, if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

Merry slid out of the truck and walked up the sidewalk to the front door. It was opened before she could even knock.

“I hate it when you declare an emergency over the phone then say I’ll tell you all about it when I get there.” Zoey had long straight blond hair and cornflower blue eyes. She was beautiful, loyal, supportive—like the sister Merry had always wanted.

She hugged her friend. “I have a big problem.”

“So you said. Together we will find a big solution. My mom is out for the evening so we have the house to ourselves. I put a casserole in the oven and a bottle of white wine is chilling. You’ll spend the night and whatever is wrong can be fixed. I promise.”

“I didn’t bring my pajamas,” Merry said.

Zoey shook her head. “Out of everything I said that was your takeaway?”

“I’m overwhelmed.”

“You came to the right place. We’re about the same size so you can wear a pair of my jammies.”

“You don’t happen to have a cocktail dress lying around, do you?” It was a joke, a throwaway remark, a sign of desperation.

“As a matter of fact, I do have a couple.” Zoey studied her face. “What’s wrong, Mer?”

“I think we’re going to need that wine for this.”

“Okay. Follow me.”

They went into the small but cute kitchen with white cabinets and wood floors. Zoey opened the bottle, then poured the golden liquid into two stemless glasses before they sat down at the dinette.

“Now, tell me everything.”

Merry sucked in a breath, then let it out. “I just left a job interview with Hunter Crawford. He needs a nanny for the weekend. His brother is getting married at a fancy resort in Colorado—”

“Rustler’s Notch?”

“Yes.” Merry stared. “How did you know?”

“It’s the new ‘in’ place for weddings. I read an article about it in a bridal magazine. Looks like a gorgeous spot. Romantic.” The excitement level in Zoey’s voice rose as she talked. “And Hunter Crawford is going to pay you to go there with him?”

“His whole family is going and he’s paying me to take care of his daughter for the weekend.”

“Isn’t she the little cutie who gives you a hug every morning at school?”

“Yes. She’s a sweetheart, so smart and loving.” Merry smiled. “Watching her will be a pleasure. Besides, I really need the extra money. It’s an all-expenses-paid trip combined with a paycheck, which makes it kind of a dream job.”

Zoey looked puzzled. “I’m still not seeing the problem.”

“It’s a formal wedding, Zo. I don’t have anything to wear to something like that. And I don’t have the money to buy anything. So it’s a catch-22. What am I going to do? I have to go to the ceremony. Hunter really needs me there to keep an eye on Wren because he’ll be busy with groomsman stuff and family.”

Zoey tapped her lip. “Well, as I said, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been in friends’ weddings—always a bridesmaid, never a bride, as the saying goes. You and I are pretty close to the same size. Come on. Let’s go play dress up.”

Merry basically had nothing to lose. She followed her friend down the hall to the bedroom. It was a very girlie space with pink bedspread, flowered throw pillows and lace curtains crisscrossed over the window. From the walk-in closet Zoey pulled out four heavy-duty hangers holding long dresses.

While Merry stripped out of her slacks and sweater the other woman removed the plastic protecting the first dress, a black number with long sleeves. It fit, but neither of them was crazy about it. The next was yellow, but an unflattering shade that washed out her skin. Number three was orange.

Zoey took one look and grimaced. “It was a Halloween wedding. I don’t even know why I keep it. Take that off and we will never speak of it again.”

“Thank God.” Merry did as ordered while her friend took the plastic off dress number four—also known as her last hope. “Well, the black one will work although neither of us thought it was a wow. Still it’s... Wow.” She got a look at the pale lavender dress Zoey was holding up. “That color is fabulous.”

“It will bring out your hazel eyes. And, I confess, this one is my favorite. I’ve been saving it for last. And I have shoes to match. I’ll find them.” She disappeared back into the closet.

Merry slid the chiffon over her head and loved the silky feel of the fabric flowing over her body. It was a one-shoulder dress with a floaty skirt, a satin sash and it fit like a dream.

Zoey reappeared with a shoe box in hand and stopped dead in her tracks to stare. “Oh, Mer, that looks fantastic.”

“Really?” She thought so but desperation could skew a girl’s fashion sense. But in her opinion it was definitely fairy-godmother worthy.

“It looks better on you than me and it looked pretty awesome on me.”

Merry moved around the room, then back to the freestanding full-length mirror. “Do you think the slit is too revealing? After all, Hunter hired me as the nanny. I’m not sure if there’s a dress code.”

“It hits you mid-thigh,” Zoey said, studying her critically. “It’s not immodest and your legs are great. I think it’s fine. Is another brother getting married? The last I heard Finn and Avery had eloped.”

“They did. But their father wants a big family celebration for them since the other three weddings were casual.”

“He’s number four out of six to find true love here in Rust Creek Falls. It would seem that the Crawford bachelors are dropping like flies since coming to town. So, tell me about Hunter.” There was a gleam in her friend’s eyes.

Merry should have expected this and had an answer ready, but she’d been preoccupied with her wardrobe crisis. Her reaction to him had been instant and visceral—sweaty palms, weak knees, pounding heart. For some reason she was reluctant to share that. Maybe because he’d been very businesslike and serious, but when he smiled... That was a moment with a capital M. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything. He’s elusive. According to the rumor mill he’s never in town by himself, always with his daughter.”

“Well, I like him,” Merry said. “And don’t start. It’s not in a crush sort of way. He’s a concerned father or I wouldn’t have this job.”

“I talked to Vivienne Dalton who knows all of the Crawfords. Hunter is a widower and she said he’s just as good-looking as the other brothers. Did you get a sense that he’s looking to settle down like the others?” Zoey asked.

“No.” Merry got exactly the opposite feeling. The man didn’t even want to go to the wedding. And her instincts told her that wasn’t just about logistics with child care for Wren. “I think his daughter is the only female he’s interested in.”

“Too bad. Shame for all that hunk factor to go to waste.” Zoey sighed. “But I guess dating is hard when you have a child.”

“Dating is hard when you don’t.” Even Merry heard the bitterness in her voice.

“Oh, shoot. I didn’t mean to remind you of him.” Zoey handed her the shoes to try on.

“You mean Ken? The guy who dumped me when my dad was going through cancer treatment? The one who couldn’t say goodbye fast enough because he didn’t come first?”

“Yeah. Him.”

“You know my dad had very strong opinions on every guy I dated. Not like he hated them all, but he knew the good ones from the bad. And he didn’t like Ken Michaelson from the moment they met.”

“And he was right on the money. That jerk deserted you when you needed him most,” Zoey commented.

“Yet another example that men aren’t especially loyal. Even my brother, Jack.”

“He’s in the military,” Zoey reminded her.

“I know. The thing is he joined right after my mom died when I was just a little girl. Dad and I hardly ever saw him and he barely made it home for my father’s funeral. So he’s pretty much disappeared and that doesn’t meet my definition of loyal.” She stepped into the pale lavender shoes. “They’re a little big.”

“Stuff tissues in the toes. They’ll be fine,” Zoey said. “And I’ve got a strapless bra, so don’t worry about that. I think you’re good to go.”

“You are a life saver. Dependable and true blue.” Merry hugged her. “Unlike most men. Although Hunter’s devotion to his daughter is refreshing. I like that.”

“Oh, really?”

“Please. Don’t start. For crying out loud it’s just a weekend.”

And now that she had a wedding outfit, it was a weekend she was looking forward to.

Hunter slowed the SUV until he found the address Merry had given him and came to a stop in front of her small yellow house with white trim. There was an old truck in the driveway with Matthews Electrical written on the side of it. He’d promised to pick her up for the flight to Colorado that would take them to his brother’s wedding.

“Well,” he said to Wren, “this is the place.”

“Daddy, I’m going to get Miss Merry.” Wren was out of the car before he could stop her.

Hunter turned off the engine, jumped out of the vehicle and followed his daughter up the sidewalk to the porch. He noticed a for sale sign on a sturdy white post prominently displayed in the neatly trimmed front grass. That bothered him a little and it shouldn’t because he barely knew the woman. But Wren liked her and he wasn’t in favor of any changes that could potentially affect her happiness.

The door opened before he could knock and Merry was there, a smile on her face as bright as the cheery yellow paint on her house. Hunter felt a thump in his chest, one hard whack that seemed to jump-start his heart.

“Good morning, Wren. Hunter.”

“Hi, Miss Merry. We’re goin’ on Gramps’s jet. He’s taking the whole family on it. Have you ever been on a jet?”

“Yes. Once. But it was a commercial flight, not private. This is very exciting.”

“I can’t wait.” His daughter was practically quivering with anticipation.

“We’re running late,” Hunter said. “But if you need a little more time, I guarantee they’ll hold the plane for the flower girl. Maximilian Crawford will make sure of that.”

Merry smiled up at him. “I’m ready to go. My suitcase is right here by the door. My dress is in a garment bag. Is that okay?”

Before he could say it was fine, Wren jumped in.

“Daddy and me have that, too. My dress is so pretty. I’m gonna look like a princess. Right, Daddy?”

“Honey, you look like a princess to me no matter what you wear.”

Love expanded inside him when she smiled up at him like that, as if he was her hero. Then he looked at Merry and felt that whack in his chest again. Her blond hair was a mass of curls, and enthusiasm sparkled in her hazel eyes. There was a flush of pink on her cheeks that could be about the chill in the air or the beginning of an adventure. Whatever the cause, he was oddly reluctant to stop looking at her.

“Should we get going?” Merry asked.

That snapped him out of it. They were late. “I’ll get your suitcase.”

“Thanks.” She backed up and let him reach inside to grab the handle of the bag that had seen better days. “I’ll get my dress.”

“What can I carry?” Wren asked.

Merry thought for a moment. “Why don’t you hold my purse while I lock the door?”

“Okay.” The little girl took the big bag. “This is heavy.”

“It is. Set it on the porch, sweetie.” She locked up, then took her purse for the walk to the car.

Hunter hit a button on his key fob and the SUV hatch slowly lifted. He put her bag in the back with the other two, then took her dress and settled it on the rear passenger hook. “Okay, ladies. Let’s roll.”

“I have to sit in the back in my car seat, Miss Merry. Daddy says so.”

“It’s safer for you, sweetie.”

“That’s what he says, too.”

“Do you want me to sit back there with you?”

Wren thought for a moment then said, “No. It’s nice for him to have someone to talk to until I’m big enough to sit in the front with him.”

That settled that. They all got in and buckled up. It wasn’t often there was a woman—a beautiful woman—riding in his front passenger seat. This was different—not bad different, just enough for him to feel a little tongue-tied. Fortunately his daughter picked up the conversation slack.

“We’re goin’ to Billings. That’s where the airport is. I brought my princess bride doll with me.”

“That seems very appropriate for this occasion,” Merry said.

“My dress is prettier than hers. But she has a tiara. I asked Aunt Avery if I could wear one and she said she didn’t think it would go with my dress.”

“It was a diplomatic no,” Hunter said so only Merry could hear. She laughed, then covered it with a cough.

“I wish I could wear one.” Wren sighed and it was loud enough to be heard over the road noise. “Daddy says I’m his princess and everyone knows princesses wear tiaras.”

“That makes sense,” Merry said thoughtfully. “But a princess is always sensitive to the feelings of people around her. And this is going to be your aunt Avery’s special day when she marries your uncle Finn. A princess would never do anything to spoil a bride’s wedding day. Don’t you think so, Wren?”

That got a grudging “I guess so” and Hunter was impressed by the way Merry handled that situation. When they arrived at the airport he parked at the terminal where they would board his father’s Gulfstream jet. The crew met them and took their luggage before Hunter, Merry and Wren walked up the steps and into the aircraft.

Hunter waved to everyone on board and a quick head count indicated they were the last ones to arrive. He started to make introductions but was interrupted by an announcement to take their seats and fasten seat belts in preparation for takeoff. The plush leather and teak-trimmed cabin was configured with individual seats of four with a table in between to form a conversation area. There were also a couple of couches that would accommodate three and only one was left. His daughter plopped herself down on one end. That meant he and Merry would be sitting side by side. Unlike the front seat of his SUV, there would be no console between them.

“Sit next to me, Miss Merry.”

“Okay.”

Hunter took the empty space beside her and their shoulders brushed, their legs touched. He was grateful the stretchy pants she wore tucked into shin-high black boots meant her skin was not bare. When he fastened his seat belt, his fingers brushed her thigh, or more accurately the cream-colored sweater that covered her hips and butt. She smelled disarmingly female and sweet, a thought that sent a tsunami of testosterone crashing over him.

When everyone was secured, they received permission from the control tower to taxi down the runway and in seconds they were off. As soon as the seat belt sign was turned off, Wren bounced up and said she was going to talk to Aunt Avery and tell her she didn’t mind not wearing a tiara.

More than almost anything Hunter wanted to move away from Merry but he didn’t feel right about leaving her alone. They all knew he’d hired a nanny for the weekend but the noisy jet made introductions awkward. So, for the duration of the flight, he felt obligated to stay put and introduce her when they were on the ground.

Merry was looking around the interior, eyes wide. “I wonder where they keep the barf bags.”

“You don’t feel well?”

“I’m fine actually.” She laughed but there was a little uncertainty on her face. “It’s just nerves. When I get this way, I say weird things. Helps break the tension.”

“Okay.”

“In fact they probably don’t even have barf bags. Most likely there’s a rule against getting sick on the expensive leather seats.”

“Let them try to enforce that one,” Hunter said.

“I know, right?” She glanced a little anxiously at the rest of his family, chatting together in groups. “There are a lot of Crawfords on this plane.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about not introducing you to all of them. I’ll take care of that when we land.”

“No problem. I’m just the hired help, after all.” She was still looking around the luxurious interior with an expression of awe that made her eyes look more green than brown.

“If we weren’t in such a rush, I’d have made sure they all met you. It’s my fault we were running late.”

She looked skeptical. “Something tells me your daughter was responsible for that. I know her from school, remember?”

“Yeah.” It was one of the reasons he’d hired her.

“I feel like I need to pinch myself. Maybe I should be paying you. I can’t believe I’m flying in a private jet. If anyone had told me I’d be doing this, I’d have said they were crazy. People with money really do live differently.”

“I suppose.”

His gaze drifted to his daughter, the child he’d raised alone almost from the day she was born. Money didn’t guarantee you wouldn’t lose the mother of your baby girl. He would give up everything he had in a heartbeat if it could bring Lara back.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hmm?” He looked at Merry.

“That was unprofessional of me. It was tactless to say that.”

He thought her comments were honest and charming. “Why would you think so?”

“It seems as if I’ve heard you should never discuss money and politics.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Again, I plead nerves. Apparently getting up at the crack of dawn has disengaged the filter between my brain and my mouth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”

He smiled, but the movement felt rusty when directed at a woman. It seemed wrong somehow, but he couldn’t seem to stop. “Your unfiltered frankness is refreshing.”

It seemed her condition was contagious because things were popping out of his mouth, too. Was that crossing a line between employer and employee? If Merry was a ranch hand, he would know where the line was. And it wasn’t as if he hadn’t had child care before. When Wren was a baby, he’d hired help from time to time. He had to work the ranch, after all. But with Merry he felt strongly about keeping boundaries firmly in place.

“Calling what I said frankness is generous of you,” she said. “I always thought of the word decadent in terms of dessert. But this experience has broadened the definition for me. However, I will, at some point, get over how special it feels to fly in a private jet.”

“You can thank my dad.”

“I will, of course.”

He laughed. “I didn’t mean that literally. Just that it was important to him that this be a fun family event from start to finish.”

“You can count on me. I’ll take good care of Wren so you can enjoy yourself this weekend.”

He already was. With her. And that realization surprised and bothered him. It was almost a relief when the captain announced they were starting their descent into the airport in Rustler’s Notch, Colorado. The flight time had, no pun intended, flown. Talking to Merry was pleasant. And distracting. More than he’d expected. Definitely more than he wanted.

It was disconcerting and uncomfortable when he realized he was caught between not wanting the flight to end and being grateful that it had been so short. That was the classic definition of conflict. He didn’t like conflict, especially when a woman was involved.

Chapter Three

Merry was a little nervous when the plane landed, then taxied closer to the terminal. Her responsibilities were going to kick in and part of that would be interacting with the Crawfords. Time to put on her big girl panties and a friendly smile. The seat belt sign dinged off and everyone in the cabin stood to gather their belongings. They filed down the stairs and stood in a group not far from the plane.

“Listen up, everyone,” Hunter said. “Before we all split up, I want to introduce you to Meredith Matthews—”

“She’s Miss Merry,” Wren interjected.

Merry lifted her hand to wave everyone a friendly greeting, at the same time hating all the focus on her. “Hi.”

Hunter introduced his brothers and their wives one by one. She had already guessed who Avery and Finn were because Wren had spent a good portion of the flight talking princess with the bride. Max, the tall, handsome, silver-haired patriarch, was impossible to forget. But everyone else sort of blurred together.

“There are a lot of you,” she said ruefully. “I think you need to wear name tags.”

Everyone laughed and assured her there would be no hard feelings for a name mix-up. Then Hunter’s father directed the group to the three limousines waiting to take them to Rustler’s Notch Resort.

“Don’t we need to get our luggage?” Merry asked when they all started to move.

“It will be delivered to our rooms,” Hunter assured her. The doubt must have shown on her face because he added, “I promise it will be fine. And yes, rich people do live differently.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth. But if I don’t have my pajamas—”

“I will buy you whatever you need if I’m wrong.”

“Fair enough.”

Following Max’s instructions, the process was smooth and efficient. He and his youngest son, Wilder, climbed into the car with Hunter, Wren and Merry.

“Mr. Crawford,” she said to the family patriarch, “I would like to thank you for this weekend. I will take excellent care of your granddaughter.”

The man winked at the little girl, who’d insisted on sitting beside him. “Wrennie is very special to me.”

“I can see that, sir.”

“It will go to his head if you call him that,” Wilder teased her. He looked like a charming rogue, handsome with longish brown hair and piercing dark eyes.

Merry could picture him breaking hearts everywhere he went. He was one of those men most women would be attracted to. Although she wasn’t. Glancing sideways at Hunter, she felt a little flutter in her chest that indicated she couldn’t say the same about his older brother.

The scenery on the short drive to the hotel was breathtaking. Trees, rugged mountains and blue sky added up to a spectacularly beautiful day. They passed ski slopes but it was early November and there wasn’t enough snow yet for them to open. Before long the resort buildings came into view and the car stopped in front. The hotel tower was tall, all wood and beams with a peaked roof that looked chalet-like and just right for this environment.

Merry had never been anywhere like this. Not ever. She was speechless, but Wren did enough chattering for both of them. Following behind the Crawford clan she was able to observe Hunter with his daughter. The trusting way the little girl slipped her small hand into his bigger one. He teased her before effortlessly lifting her onto his broad shoulders as they walked into the spectacular lobby with its wood floors and huge fireplace, where logs cheerfully burned and crackled.

Apparently having money also made check-in a breeze because room keys were waiting and bags had indeed been delivered to the suites. Max instructed everyone to go have fun and they would meet later in the afternoon for the wedding rehearsal followed by dinner. Hunter had already assured Merry she would have her own room, but she wasn’t clear on how that would logistically work with a suite. After an elevator ride to the top floor, he unlocked the door and they walked in.

There was a beautifully decorated living room that separated the master and auxiliary bedrooms from the one on the opposite side of the suite. She would have her privacy and still be available to Wren if needed. And, as Hunter had promised, her suitcase was there on the bench at the end of the king bed. Her borrowed dress was hanging in the closet. Quite possibly this hotel suite was bigger than her entire house back in Rust Creek Falls.

Wren ran into Merry’s room and grabbed her hand. “Come and see where I’m going to sleep.”

Merry let herself be tugged into the room. The puffy mattress was high and the white bedding looked pristine. “This is beautiful. Fit for a princess.”

“Come and see Daddy’s room. It’s way bigger.”

That seemed too intimate, too much an invasion of his privacy. Too tempting to think about him and what he wore, or didn’t wear, to bed. And her heart was beating just a little too fast, a sure sign doing this would be a bad idea.

“Why don’t we unpack your suitcase? And I want to see your dress. It’s probably hanging in the closet.” Merry saw Hunter in the doorway and wondered what he was thinking with that brooding look on his face.

Wren folded her arms over her thin chest. “You can’t see my dress until the wedding. Like the bride.”

Merry laughed. “Fair enough. But we should still get your things unpacked. Make sure you have your shoes, tights and everything you need. There are good surprises and bad ones.”

The child thought that over then nodded. “Okay.”

They made short work of unpacking the small princess suitcase. Once the wedding day accessories were present and accounted for, the little girl started jumping on the bed.

“Wren, stop. You’ll fall and hurt yourself,” Hunter said sharply.

Merry knew this was pent-up energy and excitement, not bad behavior. It just needed to be channeled in a more positive way. She believed her job wasn’t just about babysitting when Hunter wasn’t around, but to help out whenever she could. This was one of those times.

“I have an idea,” she said.

The child stopped jumping. “What?”

“We should go exploring.”

“For what?” the little girl asked.

“Adventures. There are beautiful grounds here at the hotel. Just look out the window.”

Wren plopped her bottom on the bed then slid off and raced over to the window. “I see a lake with water coming up out of the middle. And a sidewalk. And maybe a play area. Daddy, come and look. We should go.”

“Sounds like a good start for an adventure. I’ll take you,” Merry said.

“No. I want Daddy to come, too.”

“Maybe your dad wants to rest. After all, he was up pretty early this morning.”

The little girl looked up at him. “Do you want to take a nap instead of exploring with me and Miss Merry?”

“Absolutely not.” Although he didn’t look quite that certain. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Yay!” Wren clapped her hands and headed for the door. “Let’s go.”

“Put on your jacket,” Merry and Hunter said at the same time.

All of them grabbed coats and left the suite. After taking the elevator to the first floor they found the exit leading to the rear of the property and a path lined with shrubs. In her pink quilted jacket Wren took off running as her ponytail swung from side to side.

“Stay where I can see you,” Hunter shouted.

“I will,” she called back.

Merry walked beside her employer as they moved more slowly down the path. To fill a silence that bordered on awkward she asked, “How do you like Montana? And why did your family leave Texas?”

She glanced up at him and saw his mouth pull tight as a muscle in his cheek tensed. The question had stirred up something not good and she began to wonder if he was going to answer at all.

Finally he said, “When my dad gets an idea into his head it’s pretty hard to change his mind.”

“Did you want to?”

“I like ranch work, taking care of the animals. I don’t much care what state I do it in. As long as my daughter is happy, I’m good.” He looked down. “Thanks to you, her school transition was smooth.”

“I’m glad I could help. I know how it feels to be the new kid in the class.” As they walked, Merry was keeping that pink jacket in sight and she figured Hunter was, too.

“You made the difference. Please tell me you’re not leaving town.”

“Why would you think I was?”

“I noticed the for sale sign in front of your house.”

“Oh. No. I’m not leaving Rust Creek Falls,” she said.

“Then why sell?”

Because she couldn’t afford the monthly payments and that was humiliating to admit. Merry had faced a lot of speed bumps on the road to establishing her career, which meant that her bank account had suffered, too. She was torn about telling him the truth, then decided keeping it to herself might have him thinking it was something worse.

“My mother died when I was about Wren’s age. My brother is ten years older than me and he joined the military.” She was the one dealing with memories now and they were sad. It had been a lonely time for her. There’d been no motherly hugs after school, no homemade cookies with a glass of cold milk. Her father had withdrawn into his own grief and she’d felt all alone. “Dad didn’t quite know what to do with me so he took me to work with him a lot.”

“What kind of work?”

“Electrician. Ed Matthews knew his way around wires and light switches. Not so much about what to do with a motherless little girl.”

“I can relate to that.”

“And we moved around a lot, going where the work was. Following the jobs. Changing schools all the time.”

“That’s why you knew how Wren felt, why you looked out for her when she was new to the school.”

“Yes.” She smiled up at him, then zeroed in on the pink jacket again. For some reason she wanted him to know she was working on her life even though that wasn’t what he’d asked. “You’re wondering what all this has to do with selling the house. I promise I’ll get there.”

“Okay.”

“My education was choppy, which put me behind. Plus, I helped my dad with the business. Answering phones and making appointments. Keeping the books.” It had helped bring them closer and she treasured that time more than ever now that he was gone. “I could only manage college classes part-time. And then in 2013, after the flood in Rust Creek Falls, Dad decided to move there. The damage was widespread and there was a real need for construction workers, plumbers and electricians. It’s a friendly, close-knit community and we decided to stay. We bought a house and fixed it up.”

“But?”

“How do you know there’s a ‘but’?” she asked.

“Because your house is for sale.”

“Right. I mentioned when we met that my dad died recently. Cancer.” She took a deep breath and met his gaze. “On top of missing him very much, without him there is no business or income. I don’t make enough at my school job to keep up with the mortgage payments.”

“I see.” He was frowning. “What will you do when the house is sold?”

“Right now I’m more nervous about the selling process. I have a real estate agent but never handled a real estate transaction on my own, without my dad.”

“The agent should explain everything but if you still have questions, my brother Logan has sold all kinds of property. He could probably help you out.”

“Thanks. That’s good to know.”

“And you’re still in school.” Obviously he’d read and retained the information she’d given him during the employment interview.

“Not at the moment. I had to care for my dad and was barely able to finish the spring semester online. I didn’t register for fall because he wasn’t doing well. But I’m going back to it right after the holidays.”

“And your major is early childhood education. Seems like a good fit.” He stuck his hands into the pockets of his sheepskin jacket. “You’re really tuned in to my daughter. She doesn’t even seem to notice she’s being handled.”

“Diversion. Distraction. Let them think the idea is theirs. A hard no isn’t easy to reverse.”

“Tell me about it.” The tone in his voice and the look on his face indicated he’d had some experience with that and it didn’t go well.

And then she felt bad. “I’m sorry, Hunter. For dumping on you like that. For bending your ear and making it all about me. That was unprofessional.”

“Well, I asked,” he said gently. “And maybe you needed to talk about it. The grief, I mean.”

Hmm. This “getting to know you” felt something like a first date. It wasn’t, but that didn’t stop her curiosity about him. When had Wren lost her mother? And how? The thing was, it didn’t feel right to just come out and ask.

“Do you miss Texas?” she said instead.

“No.” That was emphatic and he must have sensed it because he continued. “Rust Creek Falls is small and things move slower than they do in Dallas. This environment is better for my daughter.”

And speaking of Wren... The little girl reversed direction and came running back to them.

“Daddy, I’m hungry.”

And just like that the spell was broken. Getting to know her employer wasn’t part of her job but she’d enjoyed it anyway. Hunter was so much nicer and friendlier than he’d been at first. And easy to talk to, she thought wryly. It was a little embarrassing how much she’d bared her soul, but this was a job, not a weekend getaway, and she better not forget that.

“Daddy, doesn’t Merry look pretty?”

So pretty Hunter nearly swallowed his tongue. Wren and her nanny had just come out of the bedroom where they’d dressed for the wedding. Merry’s dress was light purple—no, Wren would tell him that was wrong. It was lavender and left one shoulder bare, a very soft and sexy shoulder. There was an equally sexy slit in the long skirt, simple and seductive at the same time. Silky material caressed her body and made his fingers ache to touch her bare skin. He was pretty sure it made her the sexiest nanny in Rustler’s Notch.

“Daddy, you look weird. Are you sick?”

“No, honey. I’m fine.” He glanced at Merry with her thick wild blond hair semi-tamed, pulled back into a messy side bun. “You do look really nice.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed pink.

“How do I look, Daddy?” Wren spun in a circle and the full skirt of her cream-colored dress flared out.

“Like a princess.”

“Do you like my dress? Merry says the style makes me look very grown-up.”

“I did say that.” She smiled at the little girl. “I just hope I did justice to tying that bow in the back.”

“It looks good to me,” he said.

“The crown of flowers in your hair is so natural and pretty, better than a tiara,” Merry said.

He listened as they debated the merits of tiara versus flowers then chattered about dresses, veils, princesses and fairy tales. He loved his daughter more than anything in the world but girly stuff was way out of his comfort zone. Right up there with someday having to explain to Wren about the birds and bees.

That was a long way off, but for some reason he’d been thinking a lot about sex recently. Mostly that he hadn’t had it for a long time. That was the safest reason he could come up with for last night’s dreams about holding Merry in his arms. Naked.

“You look really handsome in your tuxedo, Daddy. Don’t you think so, Merry?”

“Yes, he does.” A becoming blush crept into her cheeks.

“Thank you, ladies. I’m glad I passed inspection. But you’re the star, Wren. If you’re ready, we really need to get a move on or the wedding is going to be missing a flower girl.”

Fortunately they had only to go downstairs. Hunter escorted them to the bride’s room, where the wedding planner was calling the shots. Merry was going to stay with Wren until just before this shindig got rolling. He proceeded to the event venue, where chairs were set up in two sections to create an aisle and there were so many flowers it looked and smelled like a garden.

Hunter had received his instructions—family and friends of the bride on the left. Groom’s on the right. Logistics like this he could handle. It kept him too busy to think about Wren and whether or not she was okay. Before long most of the seats were filled, except those reserved for family in the first two rows.

Then he saw Merry walk in and his heart skipped a beat. She looked so beautiful that for a moment it was difficult to get air into his lungs. When he could breathe again, he moved toward her before any of the other ushers could.

“Hi. How’s everything going?”

“Don’t worry, your daughter is fine.”

“Am I that transparent?” he asked.

“Yes, and good for you being a concerned father. She is so excited. And safe,” she added.

“Okay.” He held out his arm. “Then I will show you to your seat.”

She smiled and put her hand into the bend of his elbow. “Thanks.”

He led her up the aisle on the right and indicated she should sit in the front row. “Here you go.”

There was surprise in her eyes. “But this is for your family.”

“Wren needs to see you. In case she’s nervous.”

“Right. She might be a little shy with so many people watching her. Okay, then, if you think it’s all right.”

When she sat and demurely rearranged that silky skirt to cover her legs, Hunter sighed with disappointment. That’s when he knew for sure he was going to hell for having inappropriate, sexy thoughts about the nanny.

He made one more trip to the rear of the room and received instructions to take his seat. His brothers and their wives were in place and it didn’t bum him out that the chair beside Merry was empty. When he claimed it, things started to happen. Finn walked in accompanied by Max, who was his best man. He’d chosen his father for the job in the spirit of a new understanding between them. And because he didn’t want to choose one of his brothers over another. The minister took his place and then the music started. Everyone stood and looked at the back of the room to get the first glimpse of the bride.

Wren was the first one down the aisle and expertly sprinkled rose petals from the basket she carried onto the white runner. She was followed by a bridesmaid in a dress the same color as the coral bow on his daughter’s dress. Then he saw the bride, beautiful in a full-skirted satin dress with lacy sleeves. A veil covered her face and she was accompanied by her father, Oscar Ellington.

Hunter looked at his father and brother and saw tension on their faces. He didn’t have to guess what they were thinking. His brothers looked the same way and he figured they were all wondering the same thing he was. Would there be fireworks between the bride’s father and the groom’s? At the rehearsal dinner last night the two men had avoided each other but they were face to face now.

“What’s wrong?” Merry asked. “Your father suddenly looks like his shoes are too tight.”

So she’d noticed, too. He leaned over and whispered, “Years ago he was working on a business deal with Avery’s father. It went bad and Oscar is still holding a grudge.”

Her eyes widened. “Surely he wouldn’t do anything to spoil his daughter’s wedding.”

“We’re about to find out.”

Father and daughter stopped in front of the minister, who said, “If anyone knows why this man and this woman should not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Hunter didn’t miss the warning look Avery gave her father and without a word he lifted her veil and kissed her cheek, then gave his daughter’s hand to her groom. It seemed as if there was a collective release of tension in the room and the vows went off without a hitch. Beside him Merry pulled a tissue from her small beaded purse and dabbed at her eyes.

When the ceremony was over, there were family pictures while guests moved into the room next door for the reception. Hunter was at the head table with the rest of his family for dinner and wedding toasts. Again Oscar stood and was the center of attention as well as a source of apprehension. The older man hesitated before speaking, long enough to make the Crawfords wonder if the revenge tirade was coming now.

It didn’t. The man was simply gathering his emotions, and he held up a glass of champagne as he wished his daughter every happiness. Hunter couldn’t imagine giving away his little girl to the son of a sworn enemy, but to his credit, Ellington did just that. Merry had been right about him not spoiling Avery’s special day.

His gaze kept straying to Merry and he was impressed by her ability to chat with people at her table even as she continuously watched Wren. After dinner, when music and dancing started, keeping his daughter under surveillance became even more of a challenge. He was relieved that another pair of eyes was dedicated to that mission. Still, he picked out a discreet place to stand and watch over her.

As if living up to her name, she was flitting and flying all over the room. Right now she was dancing with the bride and groom. The three were laughing one minute and talking seriously the next. Even from this far away he could see his daughter’s interest in the conversation and wondered what it was about.

A wave of melancholy washed over him as he thought how much his daughter looked like her mother. Wren was so wonderful and it made him sad that Lara wasn’t here to see. And he blamed himself for that.

The dance floor was crowded but he spotted his family—Logan with Sarah, Xander and Lily, Knox holding his Genevieve. They all looked really happy. He was glad for them, but envy brought back the melancholy and with it some anger.

“Daddy?”

“Hey, kiddo.” He’d been so lost in thought she’d sneaked up on him. “Are you having fun?”

“Yes.” She clapped her hands together. “This is the best wedding ever.”

That was a matter of opinion. He couldn’t wait for it to be over. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

“I really am.” She looked up at him, concern on her little face. “Are you?”

“Sure,” he lied. A falsehood was okay when it was about not spoiling your child’s experience, right? “This is fun.”

“You don’t like it,” she accused.

“No?” Since when did she get so observant. “I really do. Like you said, best wedding ever.”

“Then why do you look so mad and sad at the same time?” she asked.

Damn. He’d been so sure his feelings didn’t show. “Do I?”

“Yes. And you’re all by yourself. It’s dark over here.”

He glanced around the room, at the tables with their flameless candles and the flowers everywhere. There was a three-tiered cake garnished with roses on a separate table. Hanging over the dance area was a crystal chandelier that bathed the guests in a magical glow. The venue was bright and festive but he had instinctively gravitated to the darkest shadows in the room. It didn’t take a shrink to tell him he was instinctively hiding from this celebration of love because it was a reminder of everything he’d lost.

“I like watching everyone dance and this is the best place to do that.” He hoped that would satisfy her.

“Then why do you still look sad?”

So much for her letting this go. “I’m fine, honey. I haven’t seen you dance with Gramps yet.”

“I know. He’s asking all the ladies to dance.”

Hunter easily spotted his silver-haired father waltzing with an attractive brunette. “Yeah. He does that.”

“So does Uncle Wilder.”

“Yeah.” His brother was living up to his name, as usual.

“I have an idea.” Wren met his gaze and hers was full of earnestness.

“I know what you’re going to say.” He grinned at her. “And I should have thought of it myself. You and I should have a dance.”

“No.”

“What?”

“You should ask Merry to dance. That would cheer you up.”

While trying to figure out how to explain that Merry was an employee, Hunter looked over at her. Just then a good-looking man approached the table where she was sitting and held out his hand. Obviously an invitation to dance. Just like that he wasn’t sad anymore. The new feeling was a little unfamiliar, something he hadn’t experienced for a long time. It was also inconvenient and seemed to put a crack in the wall of isolation he’d spent the last six years building.

He was jealous.

Chapter Four

Since Hunter’s daughter fulfilled her flower girl duties a few hours ago, Merry had barely taken her eyes off the little girl. So it didn’t escape her notice when father and daughter were talking so seriously about something. Then suddenly he was looking at her.

“Excuse me, would you like to dance?”

Merry blinked up at the nice-looking stranger who was holding out his hand. Wren was with her dad right now so there was no reason to decline the invitation. And every reason to accept and distract herself from the way her boss’s intense scrutiny was making every nerve ending in her body tingle with awareness.

“Yes. Thank you.” She smiled at the patiently waiting man, then stood up and let him lead her to the dance floor, reminding herself that the toes of her too-big shoes were stuffed with tissues. “I’m Merry.”

“Really?” He slid his arm around her waist and took her hand. “I’ve been watching and you don’t look like you’re having much fun.”

“Oh—” She laughed. “That’s my name. Meredith, but everyone calls me Merry.”

“Right.” His smile was self-deprecating. “My name is Don.”

“Nice to meet you. And I should confess that I’m actually not a guest—”

“May I cut in?” Wilder Crawford tapped Don on the shoulder and the man shrugged before giving way. Hunter’s brother took her in his arms with a grin that was a little wicked, a lot charming. “Hello, Nanny Merry.”

“Good Lord, that makes me sound like I’m a hundred years old.”

“You sure don’t look it. Not in that dress.”

His appraisal was flirty and full of male appreciation, both of which she took as a compliment and nothing more. “Well, I am being paid to supervise your niece, who’s with her father at the moment. And that’s the only reason I accepted an offer to dance with that man. And you, by the way.”

“Why do I feel as if I’ve just been rapped on the knuckles with a ruler?” His dark eyes glowed with mischief.

“That could have something to do with my working in elementary education. It’s my job to keep children under control.”

His eyebrows rose. “I’m sensing some disapproval.”

“No. Not judging, just observing,” she protested. “And it didn’t escape my notice that you have danced with many women here at the reception.”

“I didn’t want anyone to feel left out.” His roguish expression intensified.

“So you were being unselfish? It wasn’t a screening process to find someone for the evening?”

That surprised him. “I’m sorry, what?”

“It’s a well-known fact that at weddings there’s that one groomsman who is looking for a hookup—”

“I’m cutting in.” Hunter tapped his brother on the shoulder with a little more enthusiasm than seemed necessary.

Wilder looked the tiniest bit relieved when he let her go to his brother. “I hope you can handle her better than me, big brother.”

Hunter stared at his brother’s back as he weaved his way through the dancers on the way to the bar. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t think he’s used to being challenged. My guess is that women line up around the block or pick a number if there’s a chance to get his attention.”

Hunter’s eyes glittered with intensity as he took her hand in his and slid his arm around her waist, leading her into a waltz. “Did he come on to you?”

“No. He was flirty, that’s all. I think the behavior is hardwired into him.” The youngest Crawford was very handsome, and clearly he liked women. But she wasn’t the least bit tempted by him. On the other hand, the man holding her was temptation with a capital T. “I accused him of being that guy trolling for a woman.”

He stopped moving for a moment and met her gaze. “So you called him on his crap.”

“I just made an observation. And explained that every wedding has at least one groomsman who makes it his mission to sleep with a bridesmaid or one of the guests.”

“You don’t pull any punches. No wonder he headed for the bar.” Hunter’s mouth curved up at the corners. “So, he wasn’t too forward?”

“I was the forward one and probably shouldn’t have said anything. I think I shocked him. He was a perfect gentleman.” She glanced around and spotted Wren dancing with her grandfather. Then she stumbled and stepped on Hunter’s foot, the unfortunate consequence of wearing shoes that were too big. “Sorry.”

“No problem. And I’m glad he behaved himself.”

“I’ve noticed that between Wilder and your father, single women of all ages are receiving a lot of attention tonight.” She smiled up at him. “You’re going to have to step up your game big-time to keep pace with the Crawford bachelors.”

That remark could go either way but her responsibilities were nearly over. So she didn’t really have much to lose.

Unexpectedly, Hunter smiled and his somber seriousness fell away as if a magic spell had transformed the beast back into a handsome prince. And handsome was the operative word. She’d seen him in jeans, boots, Stetson—and the cowboy look made her female parts tingle. But there was something indescribable and luscious about a man in a tuxedo.

Especially a man like this one. The black jacket, pants and bow tie made him look dashing, but the way the starched white shirt contrasted with his tanned skin took her breath away. He was absolutely irresistible and the realization made her trip again and nearly lose a shoe.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“I hardly noticed what with my curiosity about being designated an endangered species. One of the last three Crawford bachelors.” Then his smile faded. “Although it’s hard to think of my dad like that since he was married. And divorced.”

“Everyone in town is talking about him paying Vivienne Dalton to find wives for his sons. Is that rumor true?” Merry asked.

“Yes.”

When he settled their joined hands on his chest, she forgot to clench her toes to keep her shoes on and walked right out of one. She would have toppled over without his arms around her.

She sighed. “I have a confession.”

“Those are not words any man wants to hear.”

“Well, it’s not something I’m particularly thrilled to tell you, but it’s better than leaving you with the impression that I’m a hopeless klutz.” She held on to his arm while sliding her shoe back on. “I borrowed this outfit from a friend. The shoes match but her feet are bigger than mine. I have to admit when I came to interview for this job I wasn’t expecting to dance.”

He looked relieved. “Is that all.”

Speaking of which, she gazed past him and found his daughter hanging with her uncle Logan, aunt Sarah and their baby daughter, Sophia. Wren seemed in awe of the baby.

Merry was about to go back to her table but another slow song started and Hunter put his strong arms around her again. He was barely moving his feet, allowing her to barely move hers. That kept her shoes firmly in place.

“Problem solved,” he said against her hair.

Merry’s mouth went dry. Their bodies were touching now from chest to knee because he was holding her more securely. But that was about shoe integrity, not because he was enjoying the closeness as much as she was.

“So,” she said, feeling an overwhelming need to break the charged silence. “About your father. Max doesn’t look a lot like Cupid, but what he’s doing, I mean trying to fix you all up, is actually very sweet.”

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