Read The Nanny (The Fabulous Dalton Boys Book 1) Online
Authors: Kirsten Osbourne
Tags: #Romantic Comedy, #Contemporary, #Romance, #Fiction, #Forever Love, #Adult, #Bachelor, #Single Woman, #Dalton Boys, #Elementary Teacher, #Montana, #New York City, #Texas, #Nanny Position, #Single Father, #Family Life, #Young Charge, #Newborn Child, #Doorstep, #Nanny Agency, #Perfect Mother, #Perfect Wife, #Bad Boy Image, #Billionaire, #Triplet Brothers
The Nanny (The Fabulous Dalton Boys Book 1) (9 page)
Chapter Ten
Barrett finished filling out the paperwork for the restraining order before heading back to the ranch. There was no way he was going to allow MaryBeth to torment Ashley and the baby again.
He'd been scared of what could happen the whole way to Wal-Mart, not knowing what the crazy woman was capable of. MaryBeth claimed that she had expected him to come back to her, and she never meant to give the baby up forever. Of course, she hadn't once asked to see or hold the baby, so he didn't believe that.
When he got home, he found Ashley in her old room rocking the baby as she fed him. He knelt in front of her, gathering his little family into his arms. "You're both okay?"
Ashley nodded, using her chin to prop the bottle as she stroked his hair. "We're fine. Baby Keifer slept through it all."
"Baby Keifer?" he asked, an eyebrow raised. She'd used so many names on the baby in the past few days, he never knew what would come out of her mouth next.
She nodded. "Yeah, Keifer. As we were leaving Wal-Mart, I heard a mother call her little boy that. It's not a common name, but it's not something that's way out there either. I like it. I think Keifer William, after my father."
Barrett considered. "How about Keifer Robert, and I can call him Keifer Bob?" He could picture himself yelling out for Keifer Bob to bring him a Coke from the fridge.
She shook her head. "Nope. Keifer William. Please?"
He couldn't deny her anything. As far as he was concerned she could name him Baby Rock, and he'd go along with it. He didn't know when it had happened, but she had his entire heart and soul wrapped around her little finger. Finally he nodded. "Keifer William."
"Thank you." She leaned down to kiss the baby's forehead. "It suits him."
"I think so too." Not really, of course, but he was willing to agree to anything. "We'll start the paperwork to legally change his name next week."
"I appreciate you hurrying to Wal-Mart to rescue us. What happened?"
Barrett got up from the floor and walked over to sit on the bed, bouncing once and thinking about getting her naked on it as soon as the baby was down for a nap again. "She was mad that I married you. She thought I should have married her. All the same stuff she was spewing at you, I'm sure. I've filed a restraining order. She's not allowed to get within five-hundred feet of you, me, or little Keifer."
"Good. That seems logical." She smiled down at the baby who was already mostly asleep, his cheeks still sucking steadily at the bottle in his mouth. "Did you get the diapers and formula?"
He nodded. "I put them in the baby's room."
Ashley transferred the baby to her shoulder, patting his back, now that he'd finished his bottle. "I'm really glad you were there. I needed you." She hadn't realized how strongly she'd come to depend on him until she was faced with that witch in Wal-Mart.
He took the baby from her, carrying him to his room and gently placing him in his crib before coming back to her, and pulling her to her feet. He wrapped both arms around her and just held her for a moment. "She didn't do anything violent, I know, but I was still scared. She's so unpredictable."
Ashley clung to him, so glad he was there to hold her. "We're all fine now. and really? I'm kind of glad it happened."
"Why's that?" he asked, surprised she'd say anything of the kind. She left the room with the baby anytime there was an argument. She was bent on keeping him sheltered from anything negative.
"Because it made me realize just how much both of you mean to me." She stroked his cheek. "I love you, Barrett. Just as much as I love the baby."
He stared down at her for a moment, surprised. "Really? You love me?" He'd never thought a woman would see past his brothers, or his money, to love the real him. As far as he could tell, Ashley had no idea how rich he was. She just didn't seem to care at all about money.
She pulled his head down for a kiss. "Of course, I love you. Do you really think I married you so I could inherit a baby?"
He shrugged. "I guess it never occurred to me that anyone would love me and not my brothers, or my house, or my money." He drew in a deep breath. "But I'm so glad you do, because I love you too. I think I loved you from the moment I saw you, but I didn't realize it right away."
She rested her cheek against his shoulder. "I'm so glad. I don't care what my aunt says. Sex on a stick does make for a good husband."
He chuckled. "I can't wait to meet that aunt of yours. Maybe we can Skype with her later." He turned and locked the bedroom door. "Much later."
She giggled as he carried her to the bed and gently laid her down on it. "You have other plans for now?"
"Yes, plans that are
much
better..."
Acknowledgments: I want to thank my co-writers on this project, Merry Farmer and Ava Catori. Ava's book,
The Maid
, should be read next in order and finally Merry's book,
The Advisor
.
Wondering about the history of the Dalton family? Read the Dalton Brides series, written by myself, Cassie Hayes, and Kit Morgan. The first book in the series features Walton Dalton and is called
The Rancher's Mail Order Bride
.
In my story, I mention Ashley's crazy aunt Lachele, and her matchmaking business. If you're interested in learning more about the business, I'm writing a series of books where Lachele Simpson is the matchmaker. The first book is
Married in Montana
. Check it out!
Want more books by Kirsten Osbourne?
Brides of Beckham Series
Anthologies Containing Books 13 and 16 in Brides of Beckham
Wild Western Women
(Contains Mail Order Misunderstanding)
Wild Western Women Ride Again
(Contains Mail Order Mischief---the story of Elizabeth Miller)
Dallas Billionaires Series
Stand Alone Books
Suitors of Seattle
Orlan Orphans
At the Altar
Regencies
Writing as Morganna Mayfair
Thrice Blessed Trilogy
Stenwick Siblings Trilogy
