Colton Family Showdown

by Regan Black

  “There you are,” he said, pushing his hair back. “I thought you two were still in the barn.”

  The baby twisted away from her, seeking Fox’s attention. He indulged the little guy, letting the baby catch and hold his finger.

  “No. I—” She took a deep breath. “We were soaking up the sunshine around back.”

  “Great day for it.” He opened the door and urged her to go in.

  When they were in the office, she forced the words out in a rush. “I think someone is up there in the trees behind the house. Possibly watching the ranch,” she added when Fox’s shoulders went stiff. “I could be way off base.”

  He took the baby and gave him the bottle, but his gaze rested on her. “Start at the beginning,” he suggested.

  “I’m probably overreacting,” she began. “As I was feeding him, a light flashed over his cheek, like a reflection. When it happened again—”

  “How many times?”

  “Three that I noticed near us,” she answered. “The last time, the reflection hit the siding. Oval, too perfect to be sunlight bouncing off something natural.” She fidgeted with the burp cloth. “Do you think someone is checking up on the baby?” She preferred that scenario over the possibility of her brothers finding her out here. “Whoever was watching was a ways out, and they would have needed binoculars.”

  “Which can reflect light,” Fox said.

  Voice stern and eyes cool, she knew he’d handle it and she didn’t have to embarrass herself or risk the best job ever by bringing up her annoying brothers and their issues. If her brothers trespassed on Colton land, she’d deal with it.

  “I should take this to Deputy Bloom or the sheriff,” Fox said. “Have you seen anything else out of the ordinary?”

  His comment served as a reminder about the Avalanche Killer and the threat he posed to young women in the area. That explained Fox’s sudden concern for her. She felt selfish for worrying it was her brothers out there. “There’s been a car I don’t recognize in the area a time or two. A black sedan.”

  “Up behind the house? When?”

  “No, not so close,” she said. The baby grew restless, reacting to Fox’s distress, and she took him back, settling into her desk chair. “I noticed it a few days ago. It’s a new car, in good condition.” And her brothers wouldn’t drive a car that expensive. “It didn’t have a Crooked C logo like the other cars and trucks that are usually around.”

  “Maybe the mother is having second thoughts.” Fox skimmed his fingers over the baby’s head. “Or the real father found out where his son landed. I know I wouldn’t stop searching if he was mine.” He stepped back and pulled his phone from his pocket.

  Relieved, her pulse that had been racing minutes ago throttled back to normal. “Some coolheaded nanny you’ve got here.” She spread a blanket on the floor and turned the baby’s attention to a cloth book with bold contrasting patterns.

  “I’ll say.”

  She shot him a look but he was distracted with his phone. “What’s that mean?”

  “It means you’re remarkable. You might feel rattled, but the baby has no idea. That’s an impressive skill.”

  Skill? It was life. Survival. In her family, upsetting the new baby was never worth the hassle. Whatever was going on, be it worry, an argument, or even homework, it was better to keep anything distressing away from the newborn.

  “You’ve given him all he needs,” she said. “A full tummy and plenty of happy attention.”

  “Somehow I think his contentment is more about you than the formula or a cloth book.” He held up his phone. “I’m calling my cousin Trey to come look around.”

  His compliment wrapped around her heart, as comforting as a hug. Kelsey let her imagination run wild. As safe as she felt on the property, it would be absolutely amazing to rest her head on his strong shoulder and feel his arms come around her.

  Not exactly the wisest train of thought for a woman crushing on her boss, but she enjoyed the diversion while he spoke with the sheriff.

  * * *

  Fox could see Kelsey was spooked, no matter how cheerful she was with the baby. The signs were there, in the way her mouth pinched and her brow flexed. He also noticed that she’d positioned herself between the baby and the front doors.

  “Sheriff is on his way,” he said after he ended the call. “Want me to take the little guy?”

  “We’re good.” She kept her head down, tickling Baby John’s tummy. “He’s always happy when you join us.”

  “I’m always happy to join,” he murmured, realizing it was true. He’d come a long way on the baby interaction scale since Kelsey had arrived. Every day seemed more intriguing and less terrifying. “With you around, it’s easy to forget how much baby care frightens me.”

  “He’s a good training-wheel baby,” she said. At last she looked at him, but she was frowning a little. “Actually, that might be wrong.”

  “How so?”

  “Your mystery boy here is sweet as can be and easy to please. When you do have your own kids, you might be in for a rude awakening.”

  “Like Wyatt and Bailey?” So far their newborn had zero interest in sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time. Each time he visited, Wyatt looked strung out, though his brother was happier than Fox had ever seen him.

  “Some newborns are sleep resistant at first. They’ll figure him out.” Kelsey gave a little laugh. “One of my little brothers refused to sleep in the cradle. He had to be held, preferably by Mom. Eventually, we swaddled him in one of her sweaters and discovered all of us rested easier.”

  “Have you mentioned that trick to Bailey?”

  Her lips kicked up on one side. “You could,” she said. “You’d be her hero.”

  “Please. They’d know the idea came from you.”

  The baby rolled to his back, the cloth book caught in one tiny fist. He shook it and giggled, his legs kicking into the air.

  “Is it normal to feel like I can see him grow from one day to the next?” Fox asked.

  “It is,” she replied. A dreamy look transformed her face, her mind clearly in the past. “Especially for someone like you with excellent observation skills.”

  She had top-notch observation skills, as well. Fox started to ask how many siblings she remembered growing day by day when he heard a car door slam out front. He tickled the baby’s wriggling foot before he popped up to answer the door and show his cousin into the office.

  “Thanks for coming, Trey,” he said after he’d introduced Kelsey.

  “How’s your little John Doe?” The sheriff smiled down at the as-of-yet unclaimed baby. “He looks happy enough.”

  “The three of us are getting on just fine,” Fox replied. “Thanks in large part to Kelsey.”

  The baby gave the sheriff a wide smile, flapping his hands in the air.

  “Looks that way.” Trey grinned. “Any progress on the parent search?”

  “Not yet,” Fox said. “All of the ranch hands denied any connection. Agent Roberts fast-tracked the DNA for us, so we’re hopeful the results will be in soon.”

  “If you’re content, then I suppose this is still the best place for him.”

  “His mother thought so,” Fox said.

  The sheriff raised an eyebrow. “Assuming his mother is actually the person who put him on your doorstep.”

  His cousin had a valid point, one that struck a little deeper after what Kelsey had seen. “We called because Kelsey has seen an unfamiliar car in the area lately along with a strange reflection from the road up behind the house.”

  “What kind of reflection?”

  “I think it was sunlight bouncing off glass,” Kelsey said. “From the angle, it seemed like someone might have been watching the house.”

  “Show me,” Trey said. “Talk me through it.”

  Fox carried the baby as th
ey all traipsed outside and around to the back patio. Kelsey pointed out the landmarks as she explained what she’d seen as Trey took notes.

  When they came back in, the sheriff tucked his notebook away. “It’s probably nothing, as you said, Miss Lauder. Still, we have a serial killer on the loose and I don’t like that Fox hasn’t seen any of this trouble for himself.”

  Fox bristled. “You’re questioning her story?”

  “Take it easy.” Trey rested his hands on his hips. “First, it’s my job to play the skeptic until we have hard evidence. Second, you aren’t exactly the Avalanche Killer’s type. She is.”

  Immediately contrite, he subsided. “Hadn’t looked at it like that.” Although he was glad Trey probably believed Kelsey, the comments didn’t ease his mind at all.

  “Why don’t I go on up and look around? Deputy Bloom is headed this way. We’ll see if we can find anything helpful. I’ll stop back when we’re done.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff,” Kelsey said.

  Handing her the baby, Fox walked his cousin to his car. “You think the killer’s snooping around the ranch?”

  “I think there are plenty of variables,” Trey hedged. “You were smart to call. Trust me, we’re not leaving any stone unturned.” He hesitated. “What do you know about your nanny?”

  “She’s an expert on babies, all of her references agreed on that. She’s unflappable, has an endless well of patience, and I’d be lost without her.” She was already his best asset, in or out of the office, though he didn’t share that information with his cousin.

  “What you’re doing is admirable,” Trey said, “but don’t hesitate to ask if you need child services.”

  Inexplicably annoyed by what had surely been a supportive comment, Fox headed back to the office after his cousin went about his business. He found Kelsey reading to the baby.

  This time she met his gaze right away, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks for making the call,” she said.

  “They might not find anything,” Fox warned.

  She shrugged. “It helps to know someone is trying. You, the sheriff...” Her voice trailed off and the baby squirmed on her lap. “Well, it helps.”

  Who in her past hadn’t made the effort when she needed help? He crouched down, his gaze locked with hers. “I won’t let anything hurt you out here.” The promise was out there, a vow humming between them.

  Her eyes shimmered with a rush of emotion. He didn’t press and he didn’t downplay his words. She was on his property, working for him in a dual capacity. He felt a similar responsibility to keep all of his employees safe.

  “I can take care of myself,” she assured him. “And I won’t let anything happen to John.”

  He believed she meant every word. Although he’d seen her strength with the horses and in her daily yoga habit, it was hard not to have doubts based on her petite frame and gentleness with the baby. “The sheriff’s right,” he said. “With everything going on around here, we need to stay vigilant.”

  The baby fussed, and Kelsey went to change him while Fox stepped outside, trying to get a glimpse of Trey or Deputy Bloom searching for clues or evidence up on the road. He couldn’t think of any good reason for someone to sit up there and watch his office.

  His home.

  Anyone spying on the breeding operation would have more success by searching the barn or cracking his computer records. Fox didn’t have any idea how a serial killer’s mind worked. Didn’t want to know. He wasn’t sure which was worse, thinking that a killer might be hunting Kelsey or thinking that someone was interested in taking the baby.

  Both options gave him chills.

  More than once she’d gently pointed out how attached he was to the baby. Could she also see he was becoming more attached to her every day? It wasn’t practical, but he hadn’t figured out how to stop it.

  She’d transformed his house into a home practically overnight. Her laughter was contagious and her conversation captivated him. Each time they sat down to dinner or one handed off the baby to the other he fought the urge to touch her cheek or hair or kiss her. She was invading his dreams and he didn’t mind at all. Since moving in and starting his business, he’d enjoyed the solitude of living alone, yet having Kelsey near made him reconsider how a family could look in this same space.

  It was a damned appealing concept.

  Trey returned, his steps heavy as he crossed the drive. “We didn’t find anything specific,” he said. “What I wouldn’t give for a boot print or clear tire tread about now.” He glowered at the horizon.

  “Thanks for coming out.” Fox shook his cousin’s hand. “It puts my mind at ease.”

  “It shouldn’t,” the sheriff said. “Not until we have the killer in custody. Stay on guard.”

  “We will,” he promised.

  “And keep me in the loop about the baby,” Trey added, striding out to his car.

  Fox agreed to that, as well. Staring up at the rarely used access road, he tried again to think of a motive for anyone to spy on him. Unsuccessful, he returned to the office and applied himself to the evaluation of the failed pregnancies last season.

  It wasn’t quite enough to keep his mind from searching for how to best protect the woman and child living under his roof.

  * * *

  His blood rushed in his ears as he watched the sheriff and deputy search the area behind Fox’s house. Let them search. They wouldn’t find anything—he was too careful. Too good.

  He breathed deep, the crisp, pine-laced air stinging his lungs, affirming his life. The adrenaline, the anticipation was almost as addictive as the moment he put his plans into action.

  The only thing better than watching the life drain out of a pretty face was the abject fear that came first. He had his system down now, knew what he would feel in every step of the process. The confusion would rev him up. The begging and pleading would confirm his power. After that, the loss of hope and resignation when his victims knew he would prevail gave him a sweet, confident calm.

  And when it was over, a new facet of the game began as he outsmarted everyone trying to stop him.

  Chapter 7

  Kelsey was on edge after a night plagued with dreams of her brothers chasing her away from her new position with Fox. She much preferred the restlessness that followed her dreams of sharing sizzling-hot kisses with her boss. She gave in and hauled herself out of bed early, just to clear her mind.

  Uneasy about being watched yesterday, she only went as far as the front porch when it was time for Baby John’s midmorning bottle. Here, they couldn’t be seen from the access road on this side of the barn Fox called home. Yes, she needed to be vigilant, but today she concluded she was better off not knowing if she was being watched.

  This location also gave her an excellent view of the handsome rancher riding back to the barn after his morning visit to Wyatt’s acreage, sitting tall in the saddle, his hat shading his eyes and his hands easy on the reins. Her mouth watered. She wasn’t some innocent girl and yet her heart fluttered just watching him move. Her every nerve danced with increasing awareness and appreciation of his masculine form and rough-hewn sensuality.

  With a slow smile and a tap to his hat, he turned toward the barn while she dragged her heart rate back to normal. It was not appropriate to drool over her boss in the office or while she lived in as his nanny.

  The baby patted her hand. It wouldn’t be too much longer before he was ready to hold his own bottle. He grinned and milk dribbled down his chin. She had to chuckle. The little guy was a cutie, and such a flirt. She dried his chin and held the bottle out of his reach when he noticed Fox and started babbling.

  It sounded like da-da, though Baby John probably was still a little young for making real, meaningful words. “Look at you growing on schedule,” she crooned. “Such a big boy.”

  A few minutes later, the baby was nearly done with his bottle
when Fox came into view. He paused at the top step, leaning a shoulder against the post. “It’s a gorgeous day.”

  “We agree,” she said. “How are things with Wyatt?”

  “The cattle are fine.” His lips kicked up to the side. “Wyatt’s showing serious envy whenever I mention the perfect schedule you have for Baby John.”

  The baby started chattering and she turned him so he could see Fox better. He suddenly let out a loud burp, making Kelsey and Fox laugh.

  “Something else is on your mind,” she said.

  He tapped his cell phone against his open palm. “The DNA results just came in.” His gaze locked onto the baby and his straight dark eyebrows drew close.

  “Already?” Kelsey was impressed by the quick turnaround. The Colton influence hadn’t been exaggerated. “Your Agent Roberts really came through.”

  “I’ll say.”

  For a man who wanted to be done with child care he didn’t appear to be in a hurry about getting into review the findings. “Would you like to go in and get started?”

  He turned toward the mountains, the peaks glowing in the sunshine. “In a minute.”

  Things would change once Fox read the results. With genetic proof, the baby’s family couldn’t deny responsibility. Although Fox claimed he wanted to be done, his tenderness and care with the infant told a different story.

  The Coltons seemed to be a close-knit family. An illegitimate surprise child was bound to put serious stress on the family dynamic. She didn’t know if he was procrastinating because he didn’t want to find out one of his brothers had lied or if he wasn’t ready to let Baby John go.

  “Have you decided what you’ll do with all the baby gear when he is settled with his family?” she asked.

  Fox turned his phone end over end in his hands. “Whatever the family doesn’t need, I’ll offer to Wyatt and Bailey. If there’s anything leftover, I’ll cross that bridge later. Unless you want to share it with someone in your family.”