Flawless (Chestnut Springs, #1)

by Elsie Silver

Honestly, I wrote this book for myself. For the girl who never quite knew what she wanted to do with her life, and for the woman who figured it out.

Sometimes we seize the moment, and sometimes it seizes us. Gregg Levoy

The easily recognizable cowboy grins behind the cage over his face, a flash of white teeth and the wink of an amber eye from beneath the black helmet. A charming grin I know from spending hours staring at a glossy, still version of it. “Beat it, Theo. You know I fuckin’ hate milk.” A teasing grin touches Theo’s lips as he speaks. “You look cute in those ads with it painted above your lip though. Cute for an old guy.”

“I’d rather get bucked off a bull every damn day than drink that shit.”

I don’t think the paparazzi usually follow bull riders, but Rhett Eaton has become something of a household name over the years. Not a paragon of purity by any stretch, but a symbol of rough and tumble, rugged country men.

Why do these people think they’re owed a response when they ambush a person who is otherwise minding his own business? “How about an apology?” the guy asks. And then Rhett decks him in the face. It happens so fast that I blink in an attempt to follow the now shaking and swiveling camera angles. Well, shit. Within seconds, the pushy paparazzi is on the ground clutching his face, and Rhett is shaking out his hand as he walks away without a word.

I know all about Rhett Eaton, heartthrob bull riding sensation and mainstay teenaged crush, but almost nothing about the actual industry or sport. One corner of my lips tugs up as I think back on how a decade ago, I’d lie in my bed and gaze at that photo of him. Rhett stepped up on a fence, glancing back over his shoulder at the camera. Open land behind him, a warm setting sun. A flirty smirk on his lips, eyes partially obscured by a worn cowboy hat, and the pièce de résistance . . . Wrangler jeans that hugged all the best parts. So yeah, I know little about bull riding. But I know I spent an awful lot of time staring at that photo. The land. The light. It drew me in. It wasn’t just the guy. It made me want to be there, watching that sunset for myself.

“The answer is tens of millions, Greg.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from chuckling. I like Geoff, and my dad is being a total dick, but after years of being on the spot in this

same way, it’s amusing to see someone else flounder the way I have in the past.

face. “Yeah, Summer. That’s exactly what he needs. And I know the perfect person for the job.” And based on the way he’s looking at me right now, I think Rhett Eaton’s new babysitter just might be me.

Kip: Pick up your phone, you pretty motherfucker. Rhett: You think I’m pretty? Kip: I think you picking that one specific detail out of my text means you’re an idiot. Rhett: But a pretty one?

I haven’t answered because I’m not in the mood for listening to him yell at me. I want to hide. I want silence. Birds. A hot shower. Some Tylenol. And a date with my hand to ease some tension. Not necessarily in that order.

and drive an hour outside the city to Chestnut Springs.

She’s always reminding me of this. To be Rhett Eaton, boy from a small town. Not Rhett Eaton, cocky bull rider extraordinaire.

Milk. Taken down by fucking milk.

My head swivels to Kip. “Why am I giving this girl my address again?” He smiles and reaches forward to clap me on the shoulder. “You’re not Peter Pan, Rhett. You won’t be losing your shadow. Not for the next two months.” My mind reels. He can’t mean . . . “Where you go, she goes.”

“And Eaton, that girl is my daughter. My princess. So, mind your goddamn manners, keep your hands to yourself, and stay the hell out of trouble, yeah?”

“This is the worst news. For me anyway. You’re probably all giddy and wet in the panties. Remember that photo you⁠—” “Willa, please.

“Take that back!” She laughs before adding, “And bang the cowboy. Do it.”

Absolutely. But I’m going to make the most of it. If nothing else, I’ll get to stare at the mountains with the wind in my face rather than the smell of burned coffee and those stale croissants that Martha sets out every morning. Or a room that reeks of antiseptic and antibacterial laundry soap. The kind that’s supposed to be scent-free, but when you spend enough time wrapped up in it, you realize it’s really not.

A smile teased my dad’s lips as we all sat staring at Rhett Eaton’s broad shoulders and long hair. But definitely not his ass. I’m a professional, after all.

So, that was the extent of my instructions. An address. That and, “Fix this, Summer. I believe in you.” Oh, and, “Don’t let that fucker charm his way into your bed.” I smiled and said, “What about his bed?” “You’ll be the death of me, girl,” he groaned as he waltzed out of the boardroom, looking like the Cheshire Cat. And that was that. Full trust that throwing me into the life of my childhood crush will be just fine. Though he probably doesn’t even remember that.

“You the babysitter?”

“Been a while since I welcomed a babysitter up to the house for any of my boys.” I laugh out a breath and let my shoulders drop, immediately at ease around the man. Rhett may look at me like I’m a bug on his windshield, but this man is just plain charming. I grin at him as I press my fists into my hips. “Been a while since I babysat someone.” “I reckon you’d have an easier time with even the most poorly behaved child,” he says as he strides toward me.

Harvey waves me aside when I press the button to open my back hatch and reaches past me to retrieve my suitcase. “Well, I’ve got a room made up for you here in the main house. You can expect Rhett to sulk like a little boy who’s gotten his favorite toy taken away. And when his brothers find out, I expect him to be downright foul because they are going to harass him something fierce.” I grimace. “Lucky me.”

He holds the front door open and gestures one arm wide. “Come on in, Summer. Let’s get you settled and fed before you face the little monster.”

He chuckles good-naturedly. “Expect a rodeo, girl. I love my boy. But he’s a handful. Has always been one. Come to think of it, I’m not sure anyone has ever truly handled Rhett at all. Youngest boy and all that. Even his baby sister ended up being the more mature of the two. The one who looked out for him—because Rhett needs looking out for. My advice? Don’t push too hard. He’ll just push back.” I nod, a little wide-eyed. He’s making Rhett sound downright insane.

And then I pray for patience because something tells me I’m going to need it.

Rhett: Want your daughter back yet ? I promise I’ll be good. Kip: She’s not even there yet. Rhett: Think of all the time you’ll save her by calling her back now. Kip: No. Rhett: Please? Kip: Don’t try to be polite. It doesn’t suit you. Rhett: Suck a dick. Kip: How do you think I’m keeping all your sponsors?

Summer Hamilton pulled up in her fancy SUV and ridiculous prissy outfit like she’s going out on the town rather than showing up on a cattle ranch. So, I made myself scarce. I might be stuck with her, but I don’t have to like it. And I don’t.

This feels good. This feels familiar. Pissing Cade off is one of my favorite past-times. And he’s so fucking grumbly that it never stops being satisfying. He’s all bark and no bite, one of the nicest dudes I know. If you can overlook what a prick he is.

Never mind Rapunzel, I’m more like Humpty Dumpty. “Never. How will I pull a princess through my window?” He snorts and grabs the post pounder while I take over holding the post upright. “Just one princess, brother? Hardly seems like you.” I roll my eyes. Cade is the monk in this family. I don’t think I’ve seen him with a single woman since his divorce.

“Uncle Rhett!” The small, sugary voice makes me smile, and I’m grateful for the distraction. Cade glances over his shoulder, brows drawn together in concern.

Luke peeks at his dad from around my body, like he knows he’s about to get in trouble. And then he leans in close to me and holds a hand up next to his mouth. “And then I ran over here instead.” His eyes go wide as he takes in my expression and then his dad’s, who is probably scowling behind me. I try not to laugh. But I fail. This cracks me up, and I bark out a loud laugh. This kid runs my brother into the ground. He keeps him light—and God knows Cade needs that. That said, we’re all a bunch of softies where Luke is concerned. Our little sister may have left the ranch, but we’ve got Luke to dote on now.

Luke rolls his little lips together, and I swear I can see the gears turning in his head. Almost five, smart as hell, a full-on troublemaker. But still too young to realize when he’s blown it. He side-steps that question, widening his eyes strategically. “Papa came looking for you at home. He’s with a lady.” I groan because I know what this means. Lady. A more apt word has never been used to describe Summer Hamilton. My agent’s princess. My brother’s eyes dart to my face. “Lady? Did you finally knock someone up?”

“You making me a granddaddy again, Rhett?” My dad chuckles as he draws near. He has no business hearing this well for a man his age. It’s annoying that nothing gets past him.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I mutter as I turn back to them, trying to ignore the confused scowl on Cade’s face. That’s basically his range of looks: happy scowl, tired scowl . . . I imagine he even has some sort of horny scowl that he’s hidden away for the past several years. “Summer is here, Rhett,” my dad starts, with a look that says I better behave myself. I’ve been seeing that look my entire life. “You didn’t mention how delightful she is. Did you know she just finished law school?”

My brows pop up. I’m not above admitting that’s a little bit impressive. But it’s also worse somehow. She’s prissy, smart, accomplished, and assigned to babysit me. And also insanely beautiful. She’s changed into jeans, and I’m trying like hell not to eye the way they hug her pint-sized frame. With a few sure strides, my brother closes the space between himself and Summer, stretching one long, muscled arm out in her direction. “Cade Eaton.” His voice is brusque, but I know he’s not shaking her hand as hard as he usually does. She has a delicate air about her, and Cade may be a grumpy asshole, but he’s also a gentleman. “Summer Hamilton.” She smiles, and it still borders on a smirk. Like she’s amused by this whole thing. When she’s alone, I bet she has a nice, long, rich-girl laugh at my expense.

Here it is, the moment everyone has a big laugh at my expense. My dad already knows, but as much as he jokes around, I don’t think he’d throw me under the bus. We both know my dickhead brothers are going to get a real kick out of Baby Brother being in trouble. Again. He’ll just sit back and enjoy watching it all unfold. But Summer doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m a new junior agent with his firm. Just trying to learn the ropes with someone established.” Her smile is soft and demure—sincere. And she’s lying through her

The girl is good. I’ll give her that. My brother’s brows tug together, and my dad’s eyes twinkle as he watches the exchange. I hold my breath, hoping that’s all there

is to it. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get away with this without being co...

“I’m hungry,” Luke announces. “Bet you are,” Summer replies. “What’s your favorite snack?” Instant redirection. My dad catches my eye and winks.

Summer quirks a hip and crosses her arms, like she’s weighing the child’s response. “With M&M’s mixed in?” “Oooh!” Luke exclaims as the rest of us men wrinkle our noses. “I’ve never had that!” “No?” Her eyes flare dramatically as she crouches down. “What are emnems?” Luke asks, admitting he hasn’t got a fucking clue what she’s talking about. The exchange is cute, and my eyes

snap to my brother, wondering if he’s falling in love with Summer Hamilton on the spot. But he just seems perplexed.

And just like that, Cade looks colossally annoyed. “Can we, Dad?” Luke’s big blue eyes light up. “After you ran away from poor old Mrs. Hill?” Cade’s jaw pops, and he shoots Summer a disapproving glare. Some women would shrink under that scowl, but not this one.

But when she glances over her shoulder at me, that smug smirk touches her mouth. And that’s the moment I realize she wasn’t chagrined at all. That entire exchange was a completely

intentional way of cutting off my brother’s line of questioning. To help me save face. “I’ll go give Cade a hand with Luke,” my dad says, dropping his head down to hide what I know has to be a grin under the brim of his cowboy hat. Which means Summer and I are here on the top of the dry, scrubby knoll, all alone for the very first time. But she doesn’t give me any attention. She just stands gazing out over the hills toward the peaks of the Rockies. She’s so still that for a few moments I can’t help but watch her. The cool wind whistles through the bare branches of the sparse trees. There’s a solid nip in the air, and when it gusts, her shoulders come up tight under her ears, the puffy down coat rubbing against her earrings as the breeze tosses her silky brown hair around behind her.

And then she sighs, deep and heavy, and I watch her shoulders slowly drop, entranced by her reaction. When my eyes track lower, I shake my head. I have to remember that even if she throws me a bone, she and I are not friends. We’re not even on the same team. “Using a five-year-old boy to get your way. Is that a new low?” She huffs out a laugh and shoves her hands into her back pockets before turning around to face me, all wide eyes. “I didn’t use him. I enlightened him. Mixing candy with your popcorn is a life experience that every child deserves.” “Cade is going to hate you for that.” Her lips press together, and she shrugs, seeming truly unaffected by the prospect. “I guess I’ll have to hope Br...

Her head tilts, and she stares at me in the most unnerving way. “I guess we all see things the way we want to. I am new at the firm. They only recently hired me as more than a summer intern. And you are established. And I’d be an idiot to think I’m not here to learn something. Or Kip would have sent someone with more experience, no?” Then she walks back toward the main house.

I hang back for a few minutes, because when Summer Hamilton tells me to jump, I refuse to respond with, How high?