A Texan For Christmas

“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.”