Maverick Holiday Magic. Teresa Southwick

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СКАЧАТЬ 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.”

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