Colton Family Showdown. Regan Black

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      Another surprise. She had arguments ready to convince him about what she could bring to his business. After missing the interview, she’d worried that wouldn’t be enough. He needed an assistant and she needed a mental and professional challenge. The big sky and wide-open spaces where no one from her past could interfere with her plans and dreams were the perfect bonus. She lifted the baby to her shoulder and patted his back until he belched. They both laughed and the baby grinned. He was beyond cute when he wasn’t screaming. Then again, most babies were. Fox’s deep chuckle put a sparkle in his eye. It was improbable to think he loved the baby, but she could see he already cared.

      “Your credentials in your field are remarkable, Miss Lauder.”

      “Call me Kelsey,” she said as the baby took the bottle again.

      “Kelsey, the job you came for is yours, whether or not you help with the baby. While he’s only here temporarily, he will be around the house and the office. Foster care is a last resort.”

      Heat flooding her cheeks, she kept her head down, reeling from the way he said her name. This rush of awareness dancing through her system had never been so acute. She had a job—the job that could make her career—and she couldn’t quite process the accomplishment because of her attraction to her new boss. Who was now off-limits.

      “Baby John is only temporary,” he repeated. “I’ll find someone else if you’d rather not take on the nanny role.”

      “You said you didn’t know his name,” she said.

      Fox’s gaze rested on the infant, who was almost dozing now. “Baby John Doe.” He shrugged. “Just until we find his parents.”

      The name made sense in a sad way. “How do you see the hours going? If I took on both roles,” she clarified. She’d worked both live-in child care and hourly. Would he put her up in one of the bunkhouses on the ranch to be close? That would be a big financial perk. Or would she need to find an apartment and a reliable car in a hurry?

      “To start, I’d want you to primarily be on baby detail and get acclimated with the ranch routine and business as time allows. I don’t want to run you ragged.”

      “I’ve never been afraid of hard work,” she assured him. Slowly, she drew the empty bottle from the baby’s mouth and maneuvered him to get another small burp. He snuggled against her shoulder, his downy hair tickling her skin.

      “That was immediately clear on your résumé. Not many people can be employed full-time and maintain the GPA you held in school.

      “I’ll pay you a competitive salary for each position.”

      She couldn’t have heard him correctly. It took every ounce of her self-control to keep still for the baby.

      “Once Baby John is settled with his family,” Fox continued, “we’ll cut that back to the consulting position. In the meantime, if you’re comfortable with it, I’d like you to stay here. Consider the room and board a benefit in addition to your pay.”

      Maybe she was addled from walking and the stress of being late, but this offer had escalated quickly. She couldn’t say no.

      “Room and board and one salary is plenty,” she began. “I—”

      Fox sat up straight, his palms flat on strong thighs. “I need you to say yes. You’ll be paid well for both positions,” he reiterated. “It will make up for the fact that my house only has one bathroom.”

      He looked so sheepish about it, she wanted to laugh. “Then yes.” In her wildest dreams she hadn’t imagined the interview going this well. As the baby dozed on her shoulder, she shifted the conversation toward his breeding program and the number of foals he expected in the spring.

      Her heart soared to be having an engaging, animated discussion with her professional idol even as she held someone else’s infant in her arms.

      “Is there a bed for him?” she asked. “It’s better if he can sleep on his own, even for short naps.” Better for both baby and caregiver.

      “I’ll give you the full tour.” He motioned for her to follow him down a hallway and into a neat guest room. Bookshelves flanked the bed and a recliner upholstered in weathered leather had been tucked into the corner near the window. “This can be your room for the duration. Hang on.”

      She waited, then stepped aside as he returned with a bulky rectangular object.

      “I used this for his bed.” He settled the box into the corner by the closet and adjusted the quilt he’d used to pad it so it couldn’t bunch up as the baby slept. “Unless you think it’s unsafe.”

      “No, it’s clever,” she said, admiring his ingenuity. “I never would’ve thought to repurpose a hay bin for a crib.” She settled Baby John Doe into the makeshift crib and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t wake up.

      “It’s clean.” He started forward and stopped himself. “And it rocks a little, too.”

      Kelsey obliged, rocking the hay bin, though the baby was out cold. “I bet he’ll be a good sleeper,” she murmured when they were back in the hall. “Do you have a baby monitor?” He shook his head, so she left the door cracked to be sure she heard the infant when he woke.

      “Bathroom’s right here.” Fox reached into the open doorway and flipped the light switch.

      She peeked in to see a well-designed bathroom space with all the necessities in upgraded finishes. “Two sinks? Smart.”

      “When I didn’t add a second bathroom to the floorplan my sister, Sloane, insisted on two sinks.”

      “She lived with you?”

      “No, but she harbors hope that eventually another woman will.” He looked at her, his eyebrows drawing together. “I guess she was right.”

      Kelsey grinned, understanding sibling dynamics. “Since I’m only temporary, it’s up to you how right she is.”

      His smile was slow with an ornery tilt and then it was gone. “Will it be a problem sharing a room with the baby?”

      “Not at all.” The baby would be a more congenial roommate than her last two had been. The guest room was a vast improvement over the cramped lab tech housing in the dorm she’d left behind. Sharing a bathroom with only one adult? This might be the best corporate housing ever.

      “Thanks, Kelsey. I really appreciate this.” When they were back in the main room, he said, “Did you need to cancel a hotel reservation?”

      “Oh, I hadn’t found a motel.” She laced her fingers together to keep her hands still.

      “Perfect.” He started for the door. “I’ll help you bring in your things.”

      “Wait. My stuff is still in my car, which broke down. That’s why I was late,” she reminded him.

      He glanced to the front door, though he couldn’t see the driveway from here. “Oh. I assumed...”

      “The car is a few miles east of town. I grabbed a ride part of the way and walked the СКАЧАТЬ