Lea Coll's Blog, page 5

What's my treat?

I unlocked the door, pushing it open, still holding on to the girls’ hands. “Nolan!”

I heard a loud noise, then swearing. Had he hurt himself?

Both girls’ eyes widened.

“Mommy,” Laila whispered.

“Sorry, he says a lot of bad words.” Then louder, I yelled, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I just—hurt my hand.”

“Can I help?” I was torn between leaving the girls here and helping him. I felt guilty for startling him.

“Stay there. I’ll come down.”

I heard his footsteps on the floor above us. His boots sounded on the stairs as he came down. “What are you doing here?”

It came out as more of an accusation. All I could process was that he was shirtless.

I swallowed hard. Holding one hand protectively against his naked chest that was glistening with sweat and sawdust, ripped jeans hung around his hips. His muscles bulging, probably from exertion.

Charlie stepped behind my leg, still clutching my hand.

“I was hoping to check on the progress.” My voice cracked.

I shut my eyes, hoping he didn’t realize it was the sight of his naked chest that had my heart racing.

When I opened my eyes, he stood in front of me, seemingly unaware of his bare chest. “I told you it was dangerous for them to be here.”

“I’ve got my hat.” Laila touched the hard hat Roger brought home from work for her at one point.

“Hard hats are great but what if you step on a nail? You don’t want to ruin your shoes.”

I appreciated he hadn’t scared her by saying what if you impale your hand or foot on a nail. Roger was always going overboard, scaring them unnecessarily. Sometimes I wondered if that was why Charlie seemed so fearful of people and new situations.

Laila nodded solemnly as if considering what he was saying. “I like my shoes.”

“I wasn’t going to let them go any farther. I just wanted to pop my head in. Are you okay?” I nodded at his hand. It was covered with his other hand, so I couldn’t see how bad it was.

He pursed his lips. “You startled me. I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“I’m sorry. Can I see it?” I didn’t want to give him another reason to be annoyed with me. For some reason, it mattered what he thought of me.

He slowly uncovered his thumb. It was red, angry looking. There was a small cut, nothing serious. I stepped closer, bringing Charlie with me. Dropping Laila’s hand, I touched Nolan’s, turning his finger to see if there was any other damage. Still holding it, I said, “Let’s wash it in the sink.”

Sensing his concern, I added, “Charlie will stick by me. Laila, you will too.”

“Can I look at your toolbox?” Laila asked him as she followed us into the kitchen.

Laila seemed fascinated by Nolan working. Probably because Roger never worked on anything around the house. He always called one of his workers to do it.

“Let’s get his finger cleaned up, then we’ll see.”

“What about Charlie?” He nodded toward her when we stopped at the sink.

She gripped my hand harder, shrinking under his gaze.

I was impressed he remembered her name. “She’ll stay with me. She doesn’t like strangers.”

“Do you want to see my tools too?” Nolan directed his question at Charlie. I couldn’t see her expression, but she didn’t respond.

Nolan turned his attention to me as if she had. “I was using a crowbar to rip out the drywall. My hand slipped when I heard your voice. Pretty stupid, huh?”

Laila sucked in a breath, looking at me. “He said stupid.”

“That doesn’t mean you should say it,” I admonished.

I looked down as she muffled a giggle with her hand.

“Sorry, is that a bad word too?” He lowered his voice, dipping his head closer to mine.

“It is. If I don’t ban it, it’s all they would say. That and potty words.”

He smiled conspiratorially. “I thought that was only boys that did that.”

“No. It’s girls too. Sometimes I think they’re worse than boys. That’s why I instituted the reward chart if they don’t say the four banned words.”

We shared a smile. It felt comfortable. Sharing something about the girls. Lowering our voices, moving closer, my hand running warm water over his cut. I wanted to stay that way forever, his hand in mine, his hip warm against my side.

“Can you tell me what they are so I can try and avoid them?”

I looked back to see Laila ticking them off her fingers, gleeful to say them out loud, “Stupid, idiot, hate, and duh.”

Nolan raised his brow.

“And obviously all of the actual bad words. You know, curse words?” I smiled, knowing it would be difficult for a guy used to hanging out at job sites all day. Roger never swore, but he’d been working in the office for a long time.

“I’ll do my best not to say them. You might need to remind me though.” He smiled, looking boyish.

Laila nodded. “I can do that. I’m a good helper.”

The way she looked up at him, reminded me how badly I wanted my girls to have two parents who were present in their life, but it was better for the girls not to see how Roger treated me, constantly criticizing.

“Do you have a first aid kit?”

He nodded toward the end of the cabinet where one sat. “I always have one on site, one in my truck.”

“That’s a good idea.” I reluctantly dropped his hand, moving to open the box, pulling out antiseptic and a Band-Aid. Charlie followed closely behind.

“So, what happens when you say bad words?” Nolan turned, leaning back against the counter.

Laila’s expression turned serious. She tipped her head back to see his face, the hard hat tipped, precariously close to falling off. “If you say them, you don’t get your treat.”

Nolan held his injured hand over his stomach, his bicep popping. “What’s the treat?”

“Well, we get to pick tablet or video games. You know, the fun games. Not the learning stuff.” Laila rolled her eyes.

“The good ones. Of course.” He turned his head toward me. “What do you think I could get for my treat?”

The way he said treat sent tingles down my spine. “I don’t know. What would you like?”

My tone was flirtatious, surprising me. It had been so long since I’d done this back and forth with anyone.

“I’ll have to think about it.” His eyes darkened with a promise of something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Lust, longing, desire.

I moved to his side. The scent of sawdust and man captured my senses as I wiped his cut with the antiseptic wipe, covering it carefully with a Band-Aid.

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I wanted to knock over the sawhorse separating us

He paused, wiping sweat off his forehead. He wore a black T-shirt, tight to his defined biceps; a tool belt slung low over his hips; faded, ripped jeans; and work boots on his feet.

I swallowed hard.

The sound slowed to a stop, and Ethan lifted his safety goggles to his head. “Yes?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I frantically searched my brain for the reason I was standing here. “The noise is disturbing my customers.”

He arched a brow, shifting his stance so that his feet were placed shoulder width apart. “Is it bothering you?”

I wish I could form a coherent thought around him and his tools. “It’s distracting me.”

My heart pounded in my ears. I hoped he hadn’t heard my slip.

His lips slowly curled into a smile. “Are you sure I’m not the one that’s distracting?”

Nothing good could come from him knowing how sexy he looked with a saw and a tool belt. Squaring my shoulders, I said, “It’s your tools that are distracting.”

My face heated at the unintended double entendre.

“Uh-huh.” His tone was disbelieving. Patronizing.

I shouldn’t be attracted to the guy who’d been a jerk to me, who wanted to get rid of me and my business. Anger and frustration flowed through me. “I couldn’t even have a conversation with my last customer without that noise interfering.”

I couldn’t see him wearing a suit to work. He was more at home with a tool belt on his hips and the ever-present pencil behind his ear.

He cocked his head. “Are you saying that I can’t build my countertop out here?”

He owned the building. He had every right to use the backyard. My jaw tightened. “I’m asking for you to think of others when you’re making this racket.”

He braced his hands on the wood, leaning forward. The movement meant his forearms were on display. Veins popped, wrapping around the muscle, sending a tingling down my legs.

His arms were as distracting as his tools. “We’ve established that I have a right to be here, doing what I’m doing, so—”

Why was I still here? My head felt light, and my limbs felt heavy because the view was magnificent. My heart was galloping in my chest, and it wasn’t irritation from the noise he was making. It was him. All him.

I wanted to knock over the wood and the sawhorse separating us. I wanted to grip his neck, pulling him down to my level so I could kiss him. I wanted to know if his lips tasted like sawdust. If it was possible to kiss that annoying smirk off his face.

“Try to keep it down,” I said through gritted teeth. I wasn’t sure if I was more irritated with him or my ridiculous attraction to him. I turned to head back inside.

“If you want to talk, there are other ways, you know.”

I knew he was goading me. He felt this attraction between us and wasn’t above using it to his advantage, but I wouldn’t give in to it.

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I’d been interested in catching up with the Ethan I knew in high school, maybe even confronting this new attraction to the man he was now. But his attitude and the circumstances made that impossible.

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By now you know that I release a book within a series every 60 days, and I never leave a series unfinished. The only exception was Mountain Haven because the first few books went through a publisher. I waited until I had the rights back to write book 4.

As a result, these characters have been sitting in my head for over a year, and I can't write these books fast enough! I'm getting ready to write book 6, a best friend's younger sister, second chance romance, which spins off into another series about the ski resort run by the Wilde brothers.

I adore this series. I love the snowy winter setting. I love these characters who are all trying to find themselves in this town nestled between the mountains. I'm so excited to welcome you back if you read the first few books when they were originally released, or to introduce these books to you for the first time.

Here's what early readers are saying:

★★★★★ "Yet again, I leave my heart in Mountain Haven, as Lea Coll delivered another enchanting, moving romantic masterpiece. This author always delivers characters with depth, and the storylines are so believable that you feel a connection not only with the town but the people that live there." - World of Books 65

★★★★★ "There is something very special about Lea Coll’s Mountain Haven series and takes us back to this small town with the big heart. Once I started, I could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting because I needed to see Sam, Alice and Maggie get there happily ever after. It was so worth a sleepless night!" - Judy Ann Loves Books

★★★★★ "Such a fantastic storyline! I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't stop myself. Alice & Sam’s chemistry was electric from the start, and it slowly simmered into something really beautiful by the end. I longed for their story. Full of love, passion, devotion, and forgiveness. This book will grab ahold of your heart early and won't let go.!" - Tara, Goodreads Reviewer

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Accepting a nanny position seemed like a good way to escape my past. To prove I’d changed.

I never counted on Sam, my new boss. He’s trying to run his family’s contracting business and raise his daughter by himself. I want to ignore my attraction to him, but it’s impossible with us living in the same house. Maybe I haven’t come as far as I thought.Until a midnight encounter changes everything. I discover he’s protective, caring, and his concern for me is the sexiest thing about him. But he’s also dangerous because he makes me think that anything’s possible. Even a future with him and Maggie.Can I take a gamble with him and hope my past doesn’t catch up with the future I’m racing towards?

Read it today!

Why did she have to be so attractive?

Why did she have to be so attractive? I should have known, because her sister was, too. But for some reason, I expected someone different. Elle told me that Alice had been living in her home for the past three years, helping them out with Amelia and rarely going out on her own. Elle said it would be good for Alice to get out.

I assumed that meant she wouldn’t be good in social situations, but she was refined. I would have thought she came from money, but she wasn’t wearing anything that screamed designer or wealth. Even her car was an older model.

I was intrigued when she spoke to Maggie first and then immediately got down on her knees to play with her. She was good with kids. It didn’t matter if she went to college or had any formal training. I wanted someone who was good with my daughter and who’d show up for work.

I didn’t know if it would work out. I hadn’t known that with any of the other nannies, either, but I had a good feeling when I watched her interact with Maggie. It was almost like something aligned in my chest. A missing piece clicked into place.

This was the woman I’d been looking for all along. She was young and energetic. She didn’t mind getting down on the ground to play with Maggie. Alice would also introduce her to her niece, so she’d have a friend. It was more than I was hoping for at this point.

I couldn’t afford to lose her. I’d do anything in my power to keep her. Especially since Maggie seemed taken with her. If Maggie was happy, it was easier to leave and go to work. The guilt wasn’t so heavy.

The only problem was this ridiculous attraction I had to her. She was exactly my type. Girl next door with brown hair, expressive eyes, and long, tan legs. In her favor, she didn’t seem interested in me. She was solely focused on Maggie. As she should be.

I should have been happy about that. But the part of me that hadn’t been interested in a woman in a long time took notice of her. As long as I could control this attraction to her, I’d be fine. I didn’t want to do anything that would mess this up for Maggie.

Maybe Alice already had a boyfriend and that’s why she didn’t go out much. She was already settled and happy, just biding her time until she got engaged and had kids of her own. Her back story didn’t matter. The only thing that did was that she was a reliable employee and wouldn’t walk around the house in sleep shorts.

I’d never offered the guest room to any of the previous nannies, but I was hoping it would help with the early hours. After meeting Alice, I should have nixed that idea. But I hadn’t, and now it was too late.

Maggie tugged on my fingers. “Daddy, Daddy. When can Miss Alice come back?”

“She’ll move in tomorrow.”

Maggie’s eyes grew wide. “Will she sleep in my room?”

I smiled at her assumption. “The guest room.”

Her face fell. “Oh.”

“She needs her own space.”

She nodded. “Right.”

“And this way, Alice will be here when you wake up.”

“She’ll make me breakfast?” she asked hopefully.

“That’s the idea.”

She clasped her hands together and did a little twirl around the room. “I’m so excited.”

The tension in my shoulders eased. Maybe things would start going my way. Ever since Maggie’s mom, Felicia, moved out of state to finish her residency at a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, I’d been her sole support. It was tough not having anyone to share the burden with. But I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Maggie looked at me as if I was her everything, and I loved that. I didn’t want to be a weekend dad. I wanted to be with her full time, even when I had trouble finding someone reliable to watch her when I was working.

I tried to find her a day care, but they didn’t start as early as I needed to be at work. This way, Maggie could be in her own home, playing and relaxing. Hopefully, Alice was the solution to all our problems.

“You ready to go to Grandma’s for dinner?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she said as she ran over to the front door and sat on the floor to pull on her shoes.

I was lucky to work with my brothers and father and live so close to them. It meant Maggie had a large extended family and didn’t ask about her mother much. She was so young that she barely remembered a time when Felicia lived closer. I was almost grateful for that, even as my heart ached for what she was missing out on.

I packed her a small bag of her favorite toys, even though Mom kept a bunch at her place, too. My parents’ home was large and on a single-acre lot with the mountains in the background. My father built it when we were young.

When we arrived, I helped Maggie down from my large truck, and she raced toward the house, knowing someone would be there to open the door for her. I followed more slowly, carrying her glittery-pink backpack.

My oldest brother, Mac, opened the door for Maggie.

“There’s my favorite girl!” Mac exclaimed as he picked her up to give her a smacking kiss on her forehead. She giggled, squirming until he put her down, and then raced toward the kitchen where she knew she’d find my parents, who doted on her.

When Mac saw me, he crossed his arms over his chest. “You don’t need to come in. You can just leave Maggie with us.”

“Not likely,” I said, used to the ribbing. The running joke with my brothers was that they adored my daughter and could do without my grumpy ass.

Mac raised his brow. “A pink backpack?”

I lifted it. “One day, this is going to happen to you too.”

He finally stepped aside so I could enter. “I’m just happy to dote on my favorite niece. I don’t need any kids of my own.”

“Mmm,” I said as I made my way to the noise in the kitchen.

My father built a dream kitchen for my mother. The centerpiece was the large gourmet island where we always stood. He’d even added a bump-out for the long table that was surrounded by windows, with a view of the mountains. It was large enough that it felt spacious, even with all of us present.

I kissed my mother on the cheek, and she said, “You need to visit more often.”

“More often than family dinner night?” I asked lightly.

“You rarely come,” she chided softly.

“I like to keep Maggie to myself.” We’d discussed my reluctance to miss any time I had with Maggie. I worked long hours, and I wanted as much one-on-one time as I could get.

“Maybe I could take her one day a week or something to get my Maggie fix.”

“That can probably be arranged after the new nanny settles in.”

“Another one? What happened to the last one?” Mom asked as she turned to pull the casserole dish out of the oven.

I leaned on the counter next to my dad. “She wasn’t showing up for work on time. You know I need to be at the job site early.”

Dad raised a brow. “Will this one be any better?”

“I offered her a room so that she’d be there when Maggie wakes up.”

The conversation around us died down. Maggie sat at the table with my middle brother, Tyler, who was coloring with her. Mac was filling water glasses.

“You have a live-in nanny?” Tyler, looked up from Maggie’s coloring book.

“Alice. She moves in tomorrow.” I tensed, waiting for the comments.

“How well do you know this woman?” Mac asked, ever the protective eldest brother.

“She’s Elle Carmichael’s sister. The woman who owns the barber shop, Smoke & Mirrors.”

“I didn’t know Elle had a sister.” Tyler was the most outgoing of the three of us. He had an easy way about him that attracted women to him.

“I think she keeps to herself. She moved here about three years ago and lived with Elle and Gray to take care of their daughter, Amelia, who’s the same age as Maggie.”

Mom smiled as she looked up from cutting a loaf of bread. “Maybe they can have playdates.”

My brothers and I ate alone, so when we were all over for dinner, Mom made large quantities of food designed to fill us up.

I shifted on my feet, hoping that was the end of the inquiries. “That’s what it sounded like.”

“Are you sure about this?” Mac met my gaze from across the room.

“I need someone reliable so I can work without constantly checking my phone or worrying.” Alice hadn’t asked about salary, but I intended to pay her more than the other nannies, even if she was getting free room and board.

“That’s understandable,” Mom said. She was the one who understood me the best. I think it’s because my brothers weren’t parents yet. They didn’t understand the responsibility, the constant anxiety that I wasn’t providing enough for Maggie. Especially with her mom in and out of her life.

Dad slapped my shoulder. “We need you focused on work. Can’t have anyone getting hurt.”

“Hasn’t happened yet.” I might not have been physically injured from the distractions at home, but it hurt my focus. I wanted more responsibility at work, and being the youngest brother, I got the least. I wouldn’t be able to convince my dad to listen to my business ideas if I was exhausted from no sleep and my head constantly on Maggie at home.

We helped Mom move the food and drinks to the table. Sitting around my childhood table, I felt settled in a way I didn’t at home. This was my family. Felicia might not have been present, but Maggie had me, my parents, and my brothers. She was loved. When I was worried I wasn’t doing enough, I tried to remind myself of moments like these.

She had a lot. Even if sometimes I wished she had an intact family. A mother and a father. But Felicia and I had never been serious. We’d dated casually, and when she got pregnant, I told her I’d be there for her. I would have married her if that’s what she wanted, but she didn’t. She said the pregnancy wouldn’t derail her plans of being a doctor.

I just didn’t think she’d move across the country for a job opportunity and never come back.

Food was passed around, and conversation carried on around me.

At some point, Mac leaned in. “Just how old is this nanny who’s living in your guest room?”

I shrugged. “A couple of years younger than me, I would think. Twenty-five or twenty-six.”

“She hot?” Tyler asked from across the table, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation. He’d kept his voice low, probably worried that Maggie, who was sitting at the other end of the table next to Mom and Dad, might overhear.

“She’s pretty. Girl-next-door looks.” There was no way I was telling them the truth. Alice was gorgeous, and there was something intriguing about her. There was a depth to her eyes that told me she had a history. A troubled one. It didn’t concern me because she was so genuinely entranced by Maggie. I wasn’t sure if it was all children, but Maggie was drawn to her too.

“Is it going to be a problem having a hot nanny living with you?” Mac asked, ever the responsible one.

“I need her to watch Maggie. I won’t do anything to screw that up.” I needed to cut the cord on this attraction because she wasn’t a love interest. She was tasked with looking after my daughter. The most important job, in my mind.

“No kissing the nanny, then,” Tyler said with a smug grin. He was probably going to enjoy my discomfort over the next few months.

“And you wonder why I don’t come to family dinners.”

Mac elbowed me hard in the ribs. “What? You can’t handle the ribbing?”

I grunted at the contact.

“Boys. How many times do I have to tell you, no wrestling at the table?”

Mac rolled his eyes like we were still teenagers. “I wasn’t wrestling.”

“Elbowing. Whatever it is you do when you think I’m not looking.”

“Yeah, be good.” I was pleased that Mom always stuck up for me as the youngest. Although that usually meant harsher treatment from my brothers when Mom was out of the room. It was worth it when she chided them.

Tyler pointed at me. “Watch yourself.”

“I know what you boys do. Wait until I leave to give each other trouble. I won’t have it in my house.” Mom pointed her fork down the table at us.

“Now, Miranda, they’re grown men.”

She gave him an exasperated look. “Then they should start acting like it.”

Mom and Dad broke off into bickering about how to handle us. It wasn’t anything different from years ago. It felt good to be home. I was glad Maggie got to be a part of this.

“Mom can’t save you forever,” Mac hissed from my side.

“We’re not kids anymore, you know. We could probably act more mature.”

Mac snorted.

Something about being home made us all act like we had as kids. We fell into our roles—Malcolm, who we call Mac, the older, protective brother; Tyler, the peacemaker and comedian; and me, the baby. I’d hoped Maggie would take on that role, but apparently, you never outgrew your family. Some things didn’t change.

We ran a business together too, and those same roles naturally seeped in over there, as well. Mac was the project supervisor and Tyler handled a lot of the customer service issues. But I didn’t have a specific role. Usually, I was supervised by my father or one of my brothers. Like I could never be trusted on my own. When Maggie was a baby, it was because I was exhausted and needed the extra help.

But she was older now, and if I had a reliable babysitter, maybe it would finally be time to ask for more responsibility. Technically, we were equal partners, but our opinions didn’t hold the same weight. Dad tended to listen to Mac and not Tyler or me.

Mac was the responsible one. It was too soon to ask for more. I needed to make sure Alice was going to work out first. Then I’d feel better about asking for more responsibility. I wanted to manage my own projects. I didn’t want my dad or my brother there to babysit me.

At the end of dinner, Mac grabbed the cake he’d bought from the local baker.

“Oh, what’s the occasion?” Mom asked.

“Your anniversary is coming up, and we’d like to give you your present early.”

“Oh?” Mom asked, exchanging a look with Dad. I think they thought we’d throw them a party because they loved getting together with family and friends. Hopefully, we hadn’t miscalculated.

Mac stood, an envelope in his hands. “You haven’t gone on a vacation in forever. Not since we were kids, and we took those road trips.”

Back then, Dad said we didn’t have the money or time to take away from the business to go on long vacations, so we’d do day or weekend trips. We loved them, but we wanted our parents to have some time off, and my mom had been wanting to travel.

“We already bought the tickets, so there’s no taking them back,” Tyler added.

“Where are we going?” Mom asked.

“Open it.” Mac handed her the envelope.

She opened the flap and pulled out the printed itinerary from the airline and tour company. “A two-week tour of Europe.”

Mom stood to hug Mac. “You’ve never gone, and you’ve always wanted to. It’s time for you two to take some time for yourself.”

“What about the business?” Dad asked, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of so much time away.

The natural leader, Mac, said, “You have the three of us to hold things together. If you ever want to retire, you need to rely on us more. We want to take over the business so you can have more time off.”

“It’s time,” Tyler added.

Mom’s eyes filled with tears, but I wasn’t sure if they were happy tears or not. “I can’t believe we’re finally going to Europe.”

Mom hugged Dad, and seeing how happy she was, Dad seemed reluctant to argue.

“It’s all paid for. All you have to do is enjoy yourselves. We’ll take care of the business and the house.”

Mom stood and hugged Mac, Tyler, and then finally me. “I can’t believe you planned and paid for it all.”

“You deserve it. You’re always taking care of us and the business. You never take any time away.”

She pulled back to see my face. “It’s going to be hard for your father, you know.”

“He needs this the most. He holds on to the business with two hands, even when he has us.”

Mom patted my cheek. “You’re such good boys.”

My parents were great people, loving and supportive. I couldn’t understand how Felicia could walk away from Maggie so easily. I understood wanting a career, but she didn’t want Maggie. I wanted it all, the family and a work-life balance.

Watching Mom hug my dad again made me long for a partner. Not Felicia. I couldn’t love someone who could walk away from her child, but I wanted someone to be on my side. To love me and Maggie.

Was that even a possibility?

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Temptation by Jenna Hartley

I've always been a good girl, a rule follower. At least until I started working for billionaire bachelor Knox Crawford.

Cuffed by Lexxi James

HannahThe second I saw him walk through that door, I knew he was trouble.Men like him always are.The dark hair.The smoldering stubble.Those piercing gray eyes that might as well be a flame thrower between women's legs.Oh, and the fact that he's in a gentlemen's club.

I told him we'd pretend to be engaged...

“If you want shared custody, you’re going to have to make some changes,” my attorney, Jackson, said as he filled a glass with water.

My stomach twisted. “What kind of changes are we talking about?”

“You’re a single guy, and you’re self-employed.” My attorney put the pitcher aside and held up his hands. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. But the court might not look too kindly on it.”

Up until now, our custody arrangement had been an agreement, which was submitted to the court and signed by a judge, making it an enforceable order. Lola was against changing the schedule, and, up until now, I’d been afraid to rock the boat. Things were amicable, and I wasn’t sure how she’d take me formally asking for a modification.

I finally felt confident enough to ask for what I wanted—more time with my daughter. Especially since it was what Wren had been begging for. “What do you mean?”

Jackson sat across from me, opening a manila folder. “Judges like stability. They want to see that you’re in a secure job, getting a paycheck. That you’re committed to making this work. Are you living in the same school district as the child, or do you intend to be? Will the child be in your care or be watched by a sitter?”

“I’m a hundred percent committed. I live in the same school district as Wren, only about ten minutes from her house.” I was glad I’d thought of those things when I purchased my home a few years ago.

“Good. Shared custody works best when you’re living close by. Are you in a relationship, or are you a serial dater? What I need to know is, are there women coming in and out of the child’s life?”

I didn’t appreciate Jackson’s rapid-fire questions, but I appreciated his getting to the issues quickly.

“I’m not a saint, but I’ve been careful. I date, but I don’t bring anyone home to meet Wren.” Just the thought made me slightly ill.

Jackson grimaced. “I hate to say this, but it would look better if you were in a serious relationship, engaged, or, better yet, married.”

I couldn’t believe asking for shared custody meant that I had to make all these changes. I wasn’t seeing anyone. I wasn’t close to being in a serious relationship. Then an image of my best friend popped into my head—Everly. She was the perfect option, and I had no other choice.

“I didn’t want to say anything because it’s technically new, but I’ve been seeing my best friend, Everly. I waited to make a move because I was afraid of losing our friendship. We haven’t told anyone because we don’t want them getting their hopes up if it doesn’t work out. I was planning on waiting to get engaged, mainly because of my daughter. But if you’re saying it’ll make a difference in this case, then I’ll adjust my timeline.” My mind was racing, running through everything I’d need to do. Talk to Everly. Tell my grandmother I wanted to get engaged and ask for her ring.

Jackson nodded enthusiastically. “This is good.”

The reality was, Everly was my best friend. Even if I thought there was going to be something between us, I hadn’t let myself go there since I had Wren. After college, I moved back home to be close to Lola, Wren, and my parents. Everly had been by my side ever since. She’s like an aunt to my daughter, and I didn’t want to lose her. But there was nothing more important than Wren, and if getting engaged meant that I had a shot at shared custody, I’d do it.

I didn’t want to be one of those dads who only saw their kids on the weekends or every other Wednesday.

Jackson flipped through my file. “Let’s talk about your job. You’re self-employed. Cain Rental, right?”

“That’s right. I rent tents, tables, linens, and silverware for big events—mainly weddings. I work closely with the wedding planning service in town, Happily Ever Afters.”

When Jackson grimaced, I asked, “You said being self-employed would be a potential issue in court?”

“It’s better if you have a job where you get a paycheck that someone else is writing. Your situation isn’t bad. It’s just not the best-case scenario. The judge wants to know that you’re stable, not moving anywhere, and that you’re financially secure. We both know that most businesses fail in the first five years.”

My stomach dipped. “Mine’s been in operation for two.”

Jackson let out a breath.

And I couldn’t reassure him that the business would be successful. I was still in the precarious position of trying to fund the business and provide for my living expenses. It was a daily struggle, especially when I needed someone to watch Wren while I worked events on the weekends.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Wren. That’s why I opened my own business. I wanted to be able to set my hours and be financially secure. The thing is, it takes time, and Wren isn’t getting any younger.”

Jackson waved a hand at me. “I think you’ll make a great witness on the stand. You’re clean-cut and educated, you own a business, and you’re close to your extended family. The judge wants to see that you have help with Wren, too.”

“I have my parents, my sister, Sage, and Everly.”

“We just have to make sure the judge knows that. Get a ring on your girl’s finger. And I’ll let you know as soon as the paperwork is filed.”

I stood to shake his hand. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing.”

Jackson led me to the doorway. “The hard work is yet to be done. The custody case will be stressful, and I’m gonna need you to hold it together for the next few months. No scandals, no DUIs, no arrests.”

“I work and take care of Wren. Sometimes I get a beer with my brothers when she’s with Lola, but I’d never drink and drive or do anything to put her at risk.”

“I wasn’t suggesting that you would. I just wanted to warn you that the stakes are high. In Maryland, custody is only revisited when there’s been a change in circumstances. Once the judge makes his or her decision, it’s final. It would be next to impossible to get a second crack at it.”

My stomach dropped. I’ve only got one chance at this. “Is there any way he could give me less custody?”

“He could keep things the same, grant shared custody, or reduce your time. But he’d have to have a reason to do that. That’s why I said to keep your nose clean.”

I shook my head. “That won’t be an issue.”

“What you’re asking for is to have Wren with you for one week and then with her mother for one week. Be sure that’s what you want before I file. A custody hearing has the potential to stir up everything in your past.”

“I don’t have any skeletons in my closet, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Jackson lowered his voice. “There’s nothing that could come out that’s going to look bad? If so, I need to know.”

“I can’t think of anything.”

Jackson shook my hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

On the way out of the office, I wondered what I had just done. I promised to ask my best friend, the woman who’d been by my side through everything, to marry me. What was I thinking? Sure, there was nothing more important in my life than Wren. And I wanted to spend more time with her, but what if it ruined my relationship with Everly?

I’d made a promise to my attorney without even talking to her about it. What if she said no? What if she didn’t want anything to do with my crazy plan? Whatever her reaction, I had to know what it was. I couldn’t put it off because Jackson was planning on filing the paperwork soon.

I pulled out my phone and sent her a text.

Harrison: Can you meet for dinner tonight?

My phone buzzed as I got to my SUV.

Everly: Yes! Where at?

Harrison: Max’s?

Everly: Perfect.

Harrison: See you in 30.

I loved the easy relationship I had with Everly. Even when we went to different colleges, and I got Lola pregnant, she was there via emails and texts. And we picked up right where we left off when I moved back home.

I hoped this conversation didn’t change anything. I didn’t want to give her any indication of why we were meeting or give her a reason not to show up. I wasn’t sure how she would react. She’d never given any indication that she wanted anything beyond friendship with me. And this was asking a lot from someone who had never requested anything in return. I was asking her to pretend not only to be in a relationship but to be engaged, as well. And how far would this go? Would we have to live together? Would we need to set a date? Actually go through with it and get married?

Jackson wanted it to look real. We were asked all the time if we’d ever gone there with each other. Most couldn’t believe we hadn’t. So, no one would question if we did.

If we told everyone we were a thing and later broke up, my grandmother would be heartbroken. I couldn’t tell her the truth. If we were going to lie in a court of law, everyone needed to believe the lie.

On the drive to Max’s, I wondered why I never thought of Everly as more than a friend. The obvious answer was that her friendship was too important to me. I just hoped that pretending to be together didn’t have the same effect. Everyone knew custody cases were stacked against dads. And there was nothing technically wrong with Lola’s parenting. There was no reason why a judge would reduce her time other than me wanting more of it. I wasn’t sure how judges handled those situations, and I wanted to present the best case.

As Jackson said, this was my best chance.

I parked and walked slowly toward the restaurant. My feet felt heavier with each step. The space between my shoulder blades tightened.

For the first time, I was nervous to see Everly. I wasn’t sure how she would react. If she’d be on board or if she would think I was completely crazy and laugh at me. I wouldn’t blame her, no matter what she did. The entire situation was unreal.

When I opened the door, Everly was already waiting. As soon as she saw me, her blue eyes brightened.

For the first time, I really looked at her—long, dirty-blonde hair curled into waves. She wore a dress as if she’d come straight from her office job. She described herself as shy, but I rarely saw that side of her.

She moved into my arms, hugging me like she always did, except this time, I was hyperaware of the way her breasts pressed against my chest.

She pulled back slightly, leaving me wondering if I could feel her nipples through her dress or if I was losing my mind.

Her brow furrowed. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded tightly. I’d never been more aware of her physically. My body still tingled where she’d touched me.

We followed the hostess to our table. Sitting across from each other, we ordered drinks, and Everly said, “You met with your attorney today. How did it go?”

I sighed, knowing I needed to get this over with. “He said I had to make some changes in order for me to look better in front of the judge.”

Everly leaned in and lowered her voice. “What are you talking about? You’re responsible and mature. You own a business. What would you possibly need to change?”

“He said it would look better if I was in a serious relationship, engaged, or, better yet, married.” I let the bitterness seep into my voice.

“Well, that’s ridiculous. You’re not seeing anyone, are you?”

I didn’t sense anything other than genuine curiosity in her tone. We rarely discussed our relationships unless one of us went through a bad breakup and needed the other to commiserate. I didn’t think too closely about why that was. I didn’t particularly like hearing about her dating anyone.

“What are you going to do?”

I couldn’t even look at her. “You’re going to hate me for this.”

Everly laughed. “I could never hate you.”

Knowing what I had to say could change everything, I drew in a deep breath before I told her the truth. “I told him I was going to propose.”

“Propose. Propose to who?” she asked, her tone incredulous.

I hadn’t been dating anyone seriously, so I wasn’t sure where her mind was at. “Well…you.” When she didn’t respond right away, I tried again, “I told Jackson I was going to propose to you.”

“You did what?” Her voice raised, and she looked around at the other tables to see if anyone was staring at us.

I held up my hands. “Before you freak out—”

“I'm already freaking out,” Everly hissed.

“Just wait a second. Let me explain.”

She waved a hand at me as if to tell me to go ahead.

“I’m a single guy. The judge might assume I’m bringing women in and out of Wren’s life.”

“You don’t do that, do you?”

“Of course not. Apparently, custody cases can get ugly. Lola’s married with another baby on the way. The fact is, she looks stable. I don’t.”

“I can’t believe you told your attorney we were getting engaged.”

“The case will come down to who’s reliable and steady. And let's be honest, it tends to be stacked against the guy.” I wasn’t positive if that was true or just the way it felt to me. But I wasn’t above appealing to Everly in a way that would get her behind my idea.

“That’s not fair. I cannot believe that you have to be engaged or married in order to get more custody of Wren, and I’m still stuck on the fact that you need me to do it.”

“Honestly, I panicked when he said it would look better if I was engaged. Your face immediately popped into my head because we’ve been friends for years, and everyone’s always asked us if something’s ever happened between us.” At the irritated look on her face, I rushed to continue. “And, of course, it’s not true. We know that. But at the same, no one is going to question if we get together. It’s assumed we will.”

“It is?”

“I’m talking about, in everyone else’s mind, we make sense. We’ve been friends for years. We help each other. We’re there for each other. You’re always at my house.”

“That’s because of Wren, too. I love her. She’s like a niece to me.”

“Everyone will believe it. No one will question it.” The more I thought it through, the more it made sense. “But if you’re not okay with it. I can tell him I made it up. You obviously get a say in this.”

“Let’s say I wanted to help you. What would it entail?”

“Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead. But I would think it means a few dates, being seen around town.”

“Do I need a ring?”

“I’m sure Gran wouldn’t mind if I use hers.”

Everly dropped her head into her hands. “We have to lie to your grandmother?”

“I don’t want anyone to lie for us, so it’s best if we’re the only ones who know the truth.”

Everly nodded. “That makes sense. But if we’re going to do this, we need to go all-in.”

A thrill shot through me that she might be on board with my plan. “How so?”

“I think we’re going to have to live together and set a date. Really show the judge we’re serious about this.”

“Wren’s worth it.” Was she worth me living with my best friend? What if wires got crossed and one of us started having feelings for the other?

Everly’s forehead wrinkled. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

I could hear the but coming. She was my best friend. She was always there for me. She was the one I called when I needed help when Wren was sick. It was natural that she’d be the one I would go to for this, too. I didn’t consider all the possible ramifications. Or what it might mean for Everly.

“So, let’s make a plan.”

“We’re doing this?” It was almost too good to be true.

“I’d do anything for you and that little girl. I hate to lie, but it’s for a good cause.”

I tried not to think about what might happen if anyone found out it was fake.

It would be an issue for the custody case and my business, but there was an elephant in the room that neither of us had mentioned. What if one of us liked the arrangement a little too much? Everly had never made any move toward me. Not even when she was drunk or when we’d commiserated over a breakup.

It was only me who wondered what would have happened had I not gotten a one-night stand pregnant. Would Everly look at me differently? Would she see me as a man and not just her friend who needed her help?

There were so many questions swirling in my brain; my head was throbbing. But we needed to plan our arrangement before I could consider the consequences.

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The Cowgirl's Forever Love by Vivian Arend

Lisa Coleman committed to stay in Heart Falls until her sister’s baby arrives, but after that, she’s moving on. She’s not sure exactly what is on the agenda, so it’s good to still have a few months to figure out her dreams. While she’s waiting, there’s no reason she can’t enjoy herself with the very sexy local veterinarian.

A naughty interlude with a man who knows all the right moves would be the perfect distraction from Coleman chaos: newborn baby! New dog! New found family?!

The Trouble With Waiting by Jillian Liota

Ruby Roberts is heading to Cedar Point to connect with the father who left her behind. A handsome stranger on her cross-country flight isn’t what she’s expecting, but their relaxed smiles and easy conversation leaves free-spirited Ruby wanting something... more.

Early Release!

I'm releasing my latest single dad romance, Love Me Like You Do early on my shop! This one is a friends to lovers/fake relationship romance, my favorite combination.

★★★★★ "Ladies/Gents, watch out... there's a new Prince Charming in town! Harrison and Everly's story is absolutely heartwarming and gives you all the ooh and aah moments of a true Disney Fairytale! Except this Fairytale has some spice ! Don't miss this HEA!" - Jana, Goodreads Reviewer

Don't sleep with your best friend.When my best friend asked me to be his fake girlfriend in order to pursue custody of his daughter, I didn’t hesitate to help out.Living together, sharing his bed, and waking up in his arms, quickly rekindle the long-forgotten childhood crush I once had on him. Only, Harrison isn’t a child anymore, and neither am I. I can’t ignore his charm, the way I feel in his arms, or how amazing he is with his daughter. The attraction is undeniable and so are the feelings that are growing faster than I can acknowledge them.We pretend to be the perfect family to keep up appearances. Town festivals, family gatherings, and mundane every day tasks take on a whole new meaning. I remind myself daily that our relationship isn’t real, until he proposes with his grandmother’s ring.Harrison is determined to prove to me that the fairy-tales are real, but I know from experience happy ever afters don’t exist.How long before this happy ever after falls apart and I’m left searching for my glass slipper?

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“Are you sure you want to move out?” My sister, Elle, exchanged a look with her husband, who was manning the pancakes on the griddle.

A cartoon played in the living room where her daughter, my niece Amelia, watched TV.

“I think it’s time.” Three years ago, I’d moved here to escape my life in California. Elle and her husband, Gray, had needed help with Amelia, and I’d needed the distraction.

Elle poured coffee into a mug and slid it across the counter to me. “You don’t have to do this. You’re welcome to stay.”

Elle and Gray had been understanding, especially after the mistakes I’d made in the past. But I couldn’t stay in their home rent-free any longer. I wasn’t moving forward or dealing with my past.

“Amelia is getting older. She’s starting preschool full time. You won’t need my help as much.” And if I stayed here, I wouldn’t move on with my life. I’d continue using Amelia as my excuse for pressing the pause button on my life.

It was past time that I figured out where I wanted to go next. Whether that was staying in Telluride, where I felt needed, or moving home to California to chase an empty dream.

There was no question that Amelia loved me unconditionally. She didn’t know about my past or how I’d hurt her mother and father. For her, life was simple. But I knew better. I had a long way to go before I was worthy of anything as amazing as Amelia for myself.

“I don't want you to think that you have to move out. You’ll always be welcome here,” Elle said, her voice wavering.

After everything we’d been through, I was happy that she’d seemingly forgiven me for my screwups.

Tears stung my eyes as I stood, rounded the counter, and hugged her. “I know. It’s just something I need to do.”

“What are your plans?” Elle asked when I pulled back.

“To start looking for a job and a place to live.” It was scary to contemplate when I’d never lived independently. I’d lived off my parents’ wealth and then my sister’s charity. I’d never applied for a job or searched for an apartment.

In high school, my sister was offered a spot on a reality show in high school, and it changed my perspective. I thought life was full of amazing opportunities like that. If I could just catch the eye of the right person, I’d get my big break. But that never happened. Instead, I attracted the wrong sort of attention.

“We’re going to miss having you here,” Gray said to me, his expression genuine. He was a good guy.

I grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll visit often.”

Elle sat next to me as Gray handed her a plate of pancakes. “Amelia will demand it. What kind of job are you looking for?”

That was the issue. I wasn’t qualified for anything. I had a high school education and watched my niece for three years. I couldn’t even say it was a nanny job. I hadn’t interviewed and been hired for the position; I’d just sort of fell into it. “I guess I’ll look for another babysitting job.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” Elle asked as she carefully cut her pancakes and then placed some on the smaller plate between us where Amelia would sit.

Gray slid a plate across the counter toward me. “Thank you,” I said to him, before addressing Elle. “I’m not qualified for anything else.”

Gray braced his hands on the counter between us. “What about doing something with your art?”

My heart thudded painfully in my chest at the thought of that. Other than spending time with Amelia, it was my favorite thing to do. “That’s just a hobby.”

Elle shook her head. “You’re talented.”

“It’s something I do for fun.” It cleared my mind and let me forget about everything else.

Elle sighed. “I might have something for you.”

I ate a bite of my blueberry pancake.

“One of my clients, Sam Fletcher, came in yesterday saying he’s having trouble finding someone to watch his daughter. I think she’s three or four. Anyway, he runs a contracting business with his brothers. He needs someone who can be at his house early and stay late.”

I was afraid to get my hopes up. “You think he’d hire me?”

“You won’t know if you don’t try. He said he’s had issues with finding nannies who could work those hours. He wants someone to be there for his daughter. Who can be consistent. He doesn’t want his daughter to have to go through a string of different nannies.”

I frowned. “Yeah, that’s not good for her.”

Elle called for Amelia to come to the table and then asked me, “Should I reach out to him?”

I moved the pancake around on my plate. “Did you say anything about me to him?”

“Just that you might be looking for something. That you were reliable.”

“Yeah, but you’re my sister. It’s not the same.” Of course, I was there for Amelia. She was my niece, and I loved her.

“You’ve done an amazing job with Amelia. You’ll be great for his daughter too,” Elle said firmly.

Amelia ran from the living room and scrambled onto the high stool with Elle’s help.

Watching Amelia hadn’t felt like a job. Maybe this position with Sam’s little girl would be the same. “You’re right. It can’t hurt.”

“We’re going to miss you around here,” Gray said gruffly.

“You’re leaving?” Amelia’s eyes were round as she looked at me.

I grinned and poked her in the arm. “You’re leaving me, silly girl. You’re going to school, remember?”

She shifted so her knees were folded under her. “I can’t wait. I’m going to meet my best friend there.”

“How do you know?” I asked her.

“I just do.” She took a large bite of her pancake, the syrup dribbling down her chin. I dabbed at the spot with my napkin. Amelia was so confident. It was admirable, but then, she was only four. She hadn’t experienced the bad parts of life.

Talk turned to school and Amelia’s new outer space backpack. I wished life were as simple as choosing the perfect book bag, but it was so much more complicated. I’d avoided thinking about the future for the past few years. But it was time to take control of my life, whatever that meant.

***

A week later, I drove to the address Sam gave me for his house. We’d talked on the phone after Elle connected us, and he’d invited me to meet him and his daughter, Maggie.

Nerves had me fidgeting in my seat. Never having interviewed for a job before, I didn’t know what to expect.

Parking in the driveway of his nondescript suburban home, I smoothed a hand over my skirt, took a deep breath, and made my way to the front door.

I knocked, my heart thumping in my ears.

Heavy footsteps sounded on wood floors. Then the door opened. My gaze was immediately drawn to the little girl in the man’s arms. She tucked her head into her daddy’s neck as if she were shy, her blonde curls covering her face.

“Hey there,” I said with a smile.

She lifted her head tentatively.

“I’m Alice. It’s so nice to meet you.”

“She’s a little shy when she first meets someone.” Sam’s voice was deep, his bicep bulging from holding his daughter on his hip.

Too late, I realized I’d addressed the child before the man. “I’m sorry. I’m Alice Carmichael.”

“Elle’s sister,” he said, and it wasn’t a question.

“That’s right. We talked on the phone.”

He stepped back. “Come inside.”

I quickly scanned the foyer and what was visible in the living room. Toys were strewn across the rug, but it was homey. I drew on the manners my mother had instilled in me over the years. “You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you.” Sam set his daughter down, and she immediately began playing with a dollhouse as she kept one wary eye on me.

I dropped to my knees on the floor next to her. “It’s so nice to meet you, Maggie.”

Sam sat on the couch, his legs spread, his elbows resting on his thighs. “I need someone who can start right away.”

“I’ve been watching my niece the last few years, and she starts school next week. So, I’m available to start then.” I kept my gaze on Maggie, watching her as she organized the furniture in the house and set up her dolls on a chaise.

Sam drew in a long breath, drawing my attention to him.

“I don’t have any formal experience. I haven’t nannied for anyone outside my family. If that’s not enough experience, I’ll understand.” It was hard to believe anyone would want to hire me when my résumé consisted solely of babysitting my niece.

I wanted to be honest with him. I didn’t want to give anyone a false idea of my abilities. I was done with pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

When he didn’t answer, I continued. “I don’t have any certifications, and I haven’t taken any college courses. My skills are all from on-the-job training.”

“I would think watching children is on-the-job training,” Sam said.

Relaxing slightly at his words, I asked Maggie, “Do you mind if I play?”

When she nodded eagerly, I picked up one of the dolls that looked less loved, figuring it wasn’t one of her favorites, and said in a high-pitched voice. “May I come over to play?”

Maggie covered her mouth and giggled.

It was lovely. I let the sound fill my chest.

Maggie moved her doll in front of mine. “Would you like tea?”

“I’d love some.” We played like that for a few minutes. I was aware that Sam was watching me. I wasn’t sure what was appropriate for an interview like this, but I figured he’d want to know if I was good with kids, and I was more comfortable playing with Maggie than facing him.

Finally, Sam cleared his throat. “I go to work early. I need to leave by six a.m. Most of the time, I’m home by four, but sometimes I might be late, depending on what’s going on at the job site.”

“Okay.” I was used to Gray’s long hours and Elle’s changing schedule. Other than making time for my art, I didn’t have any other commitments.

“Most of the other nannies didn’t like the schedule. I’d prefer to know before I hire you whether that will be a problem.”

“It won’t be. I don’t have anything else going on.” I preferred to work on my art in the evenings, so it might work out perfectly. “It would allow for me to spend time with my niece too.”

He nodded. “I don’t want to change nannies this frequently. I’d like consistency.”

“I have no plans to leave.” I wasn’t from Telluride, but until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, this job meant security, and I needed that.

“Elle said you were looking for an apartment. You’re welcome to stay in the guest room. That way you can sleep in and get up when Maggie does. She usually sleeps until about seven.”

I was thinking about getting an apartment, but after I looked at the rent prices in the area, it wasn’t possible. “That would be perfect, actually.”

I’d get out of Elle and Gray’s home and be on my own. Somewhat, anyway. It sounded like Sam wasn’t home often, and I could visit Amelia in the evenings.

“I’d prefer it if you weren’t out late. I go to bed early.”

I almost laughed at that. “I haven’t had much time to meet people since I moved here. I’ve been taking care of Amelia.”

I held his gaze, needing him to know I was responsible. Or at least as responsible as I’d ever been. I was trying to make up for my past.

“I’m not saying you can’t go out. You’re young.”

For the first time, I allowed myself to take him in. He was muscular. It was obvious he did something physical as part of his job. He couldn’t have been much older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, so just a couple of years older than me.

“You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m boring.” It was funny to say that, because when I was a teenager, I was out all hours of the night, following Elle and the production crew around. She tried to shield me from the show, but I always found a way to be there. I wasn’t going to miss out on the excitement. Now, I wanted nothing to do with partying or going to a bar. I was done with that life.

I didn’t have any friends in Telluride, other than Elle’s. And I didn’t think they trusted me, not after what I’d done.

“Did you have any other questions?” I was happy to alleviate any of his concerns.

“Let me walk you to the door.”

My stomach dropped. He didn’t think I was right for the job. It was what I’d thought, but the reality hurt worse than I expected. “It was so nice to meet you, Ms. Maggie.”

“Will you come over to play again?”

“That’s up to your daddy,” I said, rising to my feet. I followed Sam to the door, dread pulling at me with each step I took.

“Thank you for coming by.”

I walked through the door and faced him. I knew I wasn’t good enough for a position like this. Parents wanted someone they could trust. Not someone with no résumé or education.

He rested a hand on the top of the frame, leaning slightly toward me. “If you could start on Monday, that would be great.”

“Are you saying I got the job?” The question was out of my mouth before I could retract it. I was just so surprised that he wanted to hire me. He’d wanted someone reliable, and despite how much I’d worked at it over the last few years, I wouldn’t exactly call past-Alice reliable.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry, I got a little ahead of myself. I’d like to offer you the job.”

“I’d love to.” Pleasure flowed through me. I’d gotten my first real job.

“Can you start on Monday? I know it’s soon.”

I chewed my lip, wondering if it was okay to ask for a favor on my first day. “I’d like to see my niece, Amelia, off to her first day of school. Would it be okay if I brought Maggie?”

He nodded his head. “That’s not a problem.”

“I should have asked if we could have playdates with Amelia, too. Elle would be there, of course. I wouldn’t be watching both kids at the same time. That’s not what you’re hiring me to do.”

Sam gave me a measured look. “If you need to watch Amelia, I don’t mind. Just let me know.”

“You hired me to give all of my attention to Maggie.”

His brow furrowed. “It would be good for her to have friends. None of the other nannies took her on playdates.”

Nodding, I said, “I’ll clear it with you first, of course.”

Dropping his hand, he asked, “Would you want to move your things this weekend so that you’re settled?”

“That would be great.” I probably should have asked to see the room, but I was so nervous, I forgot.

“Just let me know when you’re coming by. I’ll have a key ready for you.”

“I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to working with you.” I held out my hand, and he looked at it for a second before taking it.

His hand was larger than mine, his skin rough, probably from working with them all day. The slight squeeze sent a jolt of tingles through my fingers and up my arm to my elbow.

I was aware he was an attractive man, but the charge from touching him was unnerving. I had no interest in dating, especially not the man who was now my boss.

I let go of his hand. “Thanks again. See you on Sunday.”

I got into my car, aware that he was watching me from the doorway. What did he see when he saw me? I’d worked so hard to scrub myself of the old socialite image. Did he see glimpses of that, or did he see a responsible woman in her place?

I’d strived for the latter, but sometimes it felt like I’d never escape the former.

I’d made mistakes in my past, but I’d learned from them. I hoped I wouldn’t revert to my old ways. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my future here because there was nothing left for me in California.

Read it today on my shop, or pre-order on retailers.

Get it free in the special edition series box set!

Or buy the special edition hardcovers for your shelf and get the ebooks FREE!

I'm so excited to share this with you!

My inspiration for Alice in Tempting Love came from a local artist, Hayden, creator of beautiful mosaics and owner of Hay Simplicty.

I bought a a crab mosaic from a store on Main Street in my town, making a mental note to check with the store owner at some point about the artist so I could include her mosaics in one of my books. Shortly after, I discovered the artist is actually my realtor's daughter. I immediately reached out to ask Hayden how she got started and her process for creating them. You can read all about it in Tempting Love.

Hayden's signature mosaic is the crab, and what Maryland is known for, but she also makes hearts, four-leave clovers, eggs, bunnies, dolphins, palm trees, surf boards, table tops, and the list goes on and on.

I was writing Tempting Love at the time, and it fit perfectly with Alice's story. Alice is Elle's younger sister from Infamous Love, and she moved to Telluride to start over. She he has this talent for art that her parents always criticized. She's never pursued it before, but maybe it's the perfect time to find out who she really is.

Hayden was gracious enough to create a heart mosaic and stickers with the colors from Tempting Love's cover. I'll be giving these away along with special edition hardcovers when Tempting Love releases on retailers May 9th.

If you'd like to read Alice's story now, you can buy it on my shop, get it FREE in the Mountain Haven Box Set, or get 7 books half off in the single dad bundle.

Aren't these mosaics gorgeous?

My Cone and Only by Susannah Nix

Wyatt King isn’t looking for love…because he’s already found it.Too bad she’s off-limits. He’s not going to be the jerk who messes around with his best friend’s little sister, so he keeps his feelings bottled up and settles for acting as her protector instead.

Rogue by Blair Babylon

FML. I will never believe anything a man tells me, ever again.

I was a good girl who had nothing left to lose, literally. My ex-boyfriend had stolen everything except a non-refundable plane ticket to Paris, which was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime where that deadbeat was going to propose at the top of the Eiffel Tower. So, I got on the plane without him.

What if he was my chance at forever and I didn’t pursue it?

What if Mark was my chance at forever and I didn’t pursue it?

A sense of urgency struck me in the chest, knocking me back a step.

Dad lifted his hands from my shoulders. “You know what you need to do.”

I wanted to know what Dad had said to him the other night when he was here. But I sensed it was private and not something I should be privy to, but I’d always regret it if I didn’t talk to him.

My heart pounded. “I need to go.”

Dad’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Don’t worry about the dishes. I’ve got it.”

But I was already moving, grabbing my purse from a nearby chair, and walking out the door without saying good-bye to anyone else. Dad would handle it.

Remembering Mark’s stricken expression when I’d said I couldn’t leave spurred me on. During one of our conversations, Kendall told me where they lived, so I drove to his house just outside of town with mature trees and a tire swing in the front yard. I wasn’t even sure he’d be home. With Kendall at my dad’s, he might have gone out.

There was no truck in the driveway, but he could have put it in the garage. I knocked, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. What if he didn’t want to see me? What if what happened ten years ago didn’t matter to him?

That thought hurt because I’d done nothing but think of how things could have gone differently.

The door opened slowly, and Mark’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sophie? What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to talk.” Now that I was here, my determination was fading. What if it was a mistake to come here?

With the emotions crossing his face, I had this overwhelming urge to jump in his arms and kiss him. To remind him how good we were together. I wanted to erase any rejection he might have felt when I’d said no. I wanted to reassure him that I never stopped loving him.

He held out a hand, and I took it. My hand felt clammy in his as he shut the door behind us.

He turned to face me, his expression uncertain.

I took a deep breath, and my words came out in a rush. “I think that you misunderstood where I was coming from when I said no.”

“When I proposed?” he asked cautiously.

I took a deep breath. “The night before you proposed, Ellie told me and my dad she was pregnant.”

The shock of my announcement seemed to reverberate through him. “I didn’t realize.”

“She made us swear that we wouldn’t tell anyone. She was worried she’d be made out to be a slut at school.”

“So, when you said no—”

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want you or didn’t love you, but my family came first. I couldn’t leave my sisters, especially when Ellie was pregnant. She needed me. My dad needed me. A part of me was worried if I told you everything, you’d talk me out of staying.”

“You deserved to live your life.”

“I couldn’t leave Ellie. I decided to stay home and commute to college. With the baby coming, I knew I could only take a fraction of the courses I originally wanted to. It would take me longer to graduate.”

“You’re a good sister. The best. You care about your family in a way that I never experienced myself.”

I think that’s what drew me to him. Mark soaked up my love like a sponge. I was drawn to people who needed me. “And on some level, I didn’t want to hold you back. You wanted to leave, and I didn’t want to be the reason you stayed. I hoped you’d suggest we could stay together. Long distance.”

“When you said no, I took that to mean you didn’t want me. You didn’t love me enough to plan a future with me.” His expression was vulnerable.

“I did want a future, but you shut down. You shut me out.”

His mouth twisted. “My dad had just issued an ultimatum. Come work for him or live somewhere else. I’d already talked to an Army recruiter about my options. I knew I could provide for myself and that they would make me into a man. It was an attractive idea, and then my dad—”

“Gave you the catalyst you needed to go through with it.” The air between us was charged. The hair on my arms stood on end.

Mark moved closer, and my skin tingled with anticipation. “I didn’t want to leave you, but when you said no, it played on every one of my insecurities. My father said I wouldn’t amount to anything, and I believed him. I thought I wasn’t worthy of you.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re a good man.” My heart broke for him. For the situation his father had put him in. For the unnecessary pain I’d caused by not explaining myself.

He brushed a hair back from my face and lingered. “I think you’re the reason I am.”

I tipped my head back, searching his face for any clue that he wanted me.

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