Colton Family Showdown

“We can run preliminary tests at the office, but a full DNA panel would need to be sent out for a confident result.”

“I see.” The sparkle in her hazel eyes dimmed just a bit.

He felt ridiculous pressure to bring it back. “I’ll get the samples and the blood tests of course.” He’d need to talk with each of his brothers privately. “It’s outside the scope of what brought you here—”

“Working alongside you is what brought me here, Fox. If finding the father is where you need my help in the lab, I’m game.”

What star had he wished on to have this beautiful woman, so eager and assured, show up on his doorstep exactly when he needed an ally?

“We might be able to get help from the FBI lab,” he said, thinking out loud. “I don’t have any proof that the baby is tied to a major case, but they can’t prove he’s not.”

“You don’t mean the Avalanche Killer?” She curled into the corner of the couch, wrapping her arm around her legs.

“You’ve heard about the case?”

“Hard to avoid it,” she said. “It’s national news.”

“And you walked around alone out here anyway?”

“I’m small but mighty.” She raised an arm and flexed her biceps. The effect wasn’t as impressive since any muscle on her trim frame was hidden by the chunky sweater she wore.

“Have to take your word for it,” he said gruffly.

“You’ll see. We didn’t go over this yet, but will I be helping you with the horses directly?” she inquired.

What kind of a boss did she think he was? “Managing the baby and getting up to speed on the breeding program should keep you busy enough to start,” he said. “We can take a full tour of the office and barns in the morning.”

“I’m up for anything.”

He could tell she meant it. If only he could promise her that anything didn’t include looming family drama as they tracked down an unsuspecting father.

Careful not to break out into a happy dance, Kelsey took her glass to the kitchen. What a difference twenty-four hours made. Her feet and legs were achy from the long walk and she was running on fumes, but nothing could dim her bright inner glow as she prepared a bottle for the baby’s next feeding.

She floated through the kitchen, moving baby laundry from the washer to the dryer on a cloud of accomplishment and pride. The great Fox Colton wanted her—unknown geneticist Kelsey Lauder—to assist his famous breeding program. This sort of collaboration would define her career.

Actually being hired was better than any of the positive-outcome scenarios she’d envisioned time and again on the long, solitary drive to Roaring Springs. Every step of the process between sending her introductory email to Fox to leaving her last assignment to standing on his doorstep had been worth it.

The baby had helped her cause, no doubt. While Fox wouldn’t have invited her to stay in his wonderful house without the baby, deep down she was confident that he would have still hired her based solely on her academic merit. That realization eased the small sting of being a nanny yet again. Every time she found herself in the child care role she told herself it was the last time.

One of these days it would be true.

As much as she enjoyed children, babysitting jobs tweaked her old insecurities. Still, she reminded herself that her brain wouldn’t shrivel, her knowledge wouldn’t go unused simply because she kept this sweet baby happy and fed for a few days or weeks. Fox had given his word that caring for the little guy was temporary. She believed him. His heart was in the right place, taking in the child when he could’ve handed over the baby to an agency. That decision only reinforced her opinions of his character.

“You look ready to drop.” Fox’s deep, masculine voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “I guess that was rude,” he added.

“I’m sure it’s true.” Even her hair felt weary. Shaking her head, she smiled. “I’m tired, yes, but more than thrilled to be here. I’ve admired your work for years and can’t wait to get started.”

He raised his beer in a toast. “Here’s hoping reality isn’t a crushing disappointment.”

“Not a chance.” She’d survived crushing disappointment and changed her entire life to overcome it. She didn’t expect Fox to be a saint. If he’d been cruel to the animals in his breeding program, word would’ve gotten out by now.

“We’ll do great work,” she said.

“I’ve never shared the office with anyone.” He picked at the label on the bottle. “You’ll have to speak up if I hover or mutter while I read or whatever.”

“I can do that.” She wasn’t sure how to fix the sudden awkwardness rising between them. “Many siblings, remember? I know how to express myself and ask for what I need.”

He lifted his head and nodded slowly. “I preferred to fly under the radar.”

“Ah.” She knew the type, had lived with brothers who went about their chores intentionally avoiding any praise or criticism. Just do the work and move on to the fun stuff. “Better to ask forgiveness than permission?”

“Something like that.” His lips kicked up in one corner. “Don’t feel like you have to stay up and entertain me.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.” He rinsed out the beer bottle and dropped it into the recycling bin under the sink. “I’m up at dawn with the horses. I’ll try not to wake you.”

She smiled. “Same,” she said. At his confusion, she added, “I’ll try to let you sleep when the baby gets me up in the night.”

“Thanks. Good night.”

For a several minutes she just stood in the kitchen, reveling again in how things had turned around for her. Tonight she’d sleep in a comfy bed at the ranch rather than in a low-rent motel room with a questionable lock on the door. Baby duty or not, she could actually let down her guard and rest.

She wanted to do a back flip or let loose a victory shout. Tomorrow, she promised herself with a smile, turning out the lights on her way to the bedroom.

Fox stepped into the hallway from the bathroom and nearly ran into her. She took a quick step back, stifling a startled cry.

“Sorry!” he whispered. “It just occurred to me you don’t have your things. What do you need for tonight?”

“I can manage until we get my suitcase,” she replied.

He arched an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Fine.” No sense arguing, the man needed sleep as much as she did. “It would be great if you had a spare toothbrush.”

When she’d first left home, she kept a small toiletry kit in her purse, just in case she had to run. She’d given up the habit about five years ago, once she was confident she could hold her own if her brothers or anyone they sent found her.

Fox turned back to the bathroom and opened the bottom drawer. After a moment, he stood up and handed her a toothbrush still in the dentist’s packaging.

“Thanks.”

“Make yourself at home,” he said. “I mean that sincerely. You have no idea how much you’re helping me. Good night.” He disappeared into his room.

Kelsey brushed her teeth and then walked into bedroom she shared with the baby. The hay bin crib had been inspired and the soft baby snores were calming. The little guy was so content. “Your temporary daddy has that effect,” she whispered to the child.

She’d seen Fox in interviews and every animal he met seemed to fall in love with him. People, too. More than once she’d watched a reporter take aim with a hard question, but Fox never failed to diffuse any angst or tension with a thoughtful answer and that self-deprecating smile.

He was smitten with the baby even if he was overwhelmed by all the things he didn’t know about caring for a child. From what she’d learned by following his career, he took pride in doing things right.