by Natalie Ann
Not wanting to be presumptuous, yet unable to stop her protective instincts, she took his hand and led him to the living room away from what awaited him in the kitchen.
“I wanted to warn you. We have the Social Worker here today to see Caro, question you, and inspect the home. But if you’re not up to talking with her, I can make an excuse for you.”
“Give me a moment.” Beau buried his face in her neck, holding her tight. “I’ve been waiting for this, having you in my arms so I can feel happy again. It’s been a sad morning, Elli.” He proceeded to give her a quick rundown about everything that he’d found out in Detective Harding’s office.
“Your brother? I’m so sorry, Beau. Caro will never get to meet him. I’m really glad she has you in her life now.”
He watched her expression, and she knew he saw her sincerity. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch when we first met, Beau. So doubting and critical.”
He squeezed her to him and then kissed her until her head spun. “I think you should have to pay me back for that by sticking around forever and checking me on what I do in the future too.”
Elli nodded. “You mean as Caro’s nanny?” She was teasing but held her breath for his reply.
“As nanny for both of us. Caro needs you, and she can have you during the days, but the nights are mine. All your nights, while we decide our way forward.”
“Deal.”
“Just so you know, my future is all about making a real home for Caro and being a family.”
Elli had never experienced the huge relief that his words provided. He wanted her. As much as she wanted him. They had something precious. Though right now, they needed to deal with the present.
“Then I’ll be yours – yours and Caro’s.” She kissed him quickly and pulled away before he could instigate more passion that she wouldn’t be able to resist. “I’m sure the caseworker has been alone with Caro long enough. It’s time we presented a united front so she can see our angel will be well cared for.”
“I’m ready to face anything now. She’s ours. Enough said.”
“Considering she was like a puppy waiting at the door for her master all morning, I’d say she’s already made her choice. She didn’t like you not being there when she woke up. Ran around the house looking for you. Grabbed my hand and pulled me to your office and did that questioning with her eyes and hands thing. When I told her you had to go out for a little while, she headed for the closet. I had to go and pick her up and convince her you’d want her to come in the kitchen and eat breakfast with me so I wouldn’t be lonely.”
“Being as she’s a softhearted little princess, she went with you, right?”
“Yes, but she kept listening for you, and when Miss Grundy arrived – she decided to do the home inspection herself – Caro’s disappointment turned to tears. It took both of us to cheer her up again. I’m sure she’s in there wondering why I’m staying away so long.”
“Then let’s go and settle this mess once and for all. The kid stays with us. End of story.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Beau led Elli toward the kitchen with his arm around her waist. He couldn’t stop touching her, didn’t want to… ever. Knowing she’d be here waiting for him after his grueling morning had made all the difference in the world. Since he’d met her, the loneliness he’d experienced before his life had turned upside down had fled. He never felt so alive. Not even when he’d completed a new computer program, which had given him the biggest highs in his life up until now.
When he opened the kitchen door, he saw his niece at the table coloring with Miss Grundy, who watched her and chatted with the little girl as if they were the same age. Actually, Grundy chatted, and Caro nodded, using her hands to get her message across. It melted the dislike he’d previously felt for Elli’s snarky old boss.
As soon as Caro realized someone had entered, her eyes looked up with such hope, it almost brought him to his knees. She scrambled from her chair carelessly, almost falling in her haste to get to him, then flung herself in his direction. Lifting her in his arms, he held her close, careful not to squeeze too hard and hurt the precious armful.
“Hi, angel. Did you miss me?”
Caro’s head nuzzled into his neck and bobbed up and down, but she wouldn’t show her face.
“I missed you too, baby girl.”
Miss Grundy opened the conversation by holding up Caro’s drawing. There were three pretty basic, childishly formed, stick figures showing. One very small that had curls. Another bigger with more curls. And a really big one with a huge grin, eyes lopsided and hair sticking up – obviously the male. “We’ve been drawing together, haven’t we Caro?”
Again, Caro nodded but still clung to Beau’s neck, hiding her face.
Miss Grundy carried on. “I believe the smaller figure is Caro. Elli, I’m told, is the larger girl with curls, but the bigger person must be the daddy. Right, Caro?”
Expecting another hug, the three adults got a huge shock when Caro turned to face them, tears staining her cheeks and a mutinous expression on her face. “Daddy’s mine,” she said. Then again, loud and clear, “Daddy’s mine.”
Beau’s whole body felt the jolt of joy from her words. He kissed her little face over and over until she giggled. “Yep, I’m your daddy from now on, and I’ll take on anyone who thinks they can change that fact.”
“Me too,” said Miss Grundy. “Me too.”
Epilogue
The celebration of their engagement had been everything Beau had hope for. Not a large affair like their wedding promised to be when Elli’s parents returned.
Just a casual evening out at one of Elli’s favorite restaurants in Casa Grande with her best friend, Mandy, and his office manager, Neal.
They’d planned to spring their surprise by showing off Elli’s new diamond ring, and at the same time, hoped the two people would get along well enough so they might ask them to stand up with them when they got married.
After spending one of the most enjoyable evenings he’d experienced in a long time, Beau had to admit, getting those two together had been ideal. Besides introducing a man and woman meant for each other, they’d made certain that their wedding day would be one that they’d all work hard to make special.
He knew Neal well enough to see how smitten he’d become from the moment the pretty redhead had made the first joking comment. Kind of shy, attracted to the opposite personality, sociable women appealed to his pal, and Mandy reeked with character and a soft soul.
He’d thought so the first time he’d met with her back when he’d wanted to find Caro a psychologist who could work with her.
Now Caro had a live-in nanny with credentials who fit the bill, and who’d only taken on one other patient – a boy who desperately needed help. A poor soul who would slip through the system without her stepping up.
Driving home after the fun evening, he looked over at Elli, who returned his smile, her gorgeous face radiating with affection, her happiness glowing in the dashboard lights. She reached over to take his hand.
Then he checked the rearview mirror and saw his little chatterbox fast asleep in her car seat.
And he asked himself… how could one man get so lucky?
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading Sweet and Sassy Daddies.
I loved writing Daddy’s Mine, and I hope you enjoyed reading it too.
In fact, if you enjoyed all these stories, I would ask you for a favor. Where you purchased this book on Amazon, please take a few minutes and leave an honest review. Authors enjoy hearing that readers like their stories, and hopefully, others will read your words and choose to buy the book because of your sentiments.
My website at http://mimibarbour.com now has all my books listed with links to the various publishers to make it easy for you to return to where you bought the book and to find my other work.
While you’re there, I’d really appreciate it if you would sign up for my newsletter so I can keep in touch. http://b
it.ly/MimiBNewsletter. I only send out newsletters approximately twice a month. It's usually full of giveaways, contests and freebies along with my personal news. (You have my word that your address will never be shared.)
Hugs, Mimi
Other Books by the Author
***Mimi's books can be found FREE on Kindle Unlimited!!
Universal Links used for your Amazon address. ***
~*~*~*~
The Vicarage Bench Series
— Spirit Travel at its Best! —
She’s Me (Book 1)
He’s Her (Book 2)
We’re One (Book 3)
Vicarage Bench Anthology (Book 4 - Books 1-3)
Together Again (Book 5)
Together for Christmas (Book 6)
Together Always (Book 7)
***
Angels with Attitude Series
— Angels Playing Cupid! —
The Angels with Attitudes Anthology (Books 1-3)
My Cheeky Angel (Book 1)
His Devious Angel (Book 2)
Loveable Christmas Angel (Book 3)
A Wonderful Life (Book 4)
Mischievous Christmas Angel (Book 5)
***
Elvis Series
— Make an Elvis Song a Book! —
She’s Not You (Book 1)
Love Me Tender (Book 2)
***
Vegas Series
— Action–Packed Thrillers! —
Vegas Series – Complete Boxed Set
Partners (Book 1)
Roll the Dice (Book 2)
Vegas Shuffle (Book 3)
High Stakes Gamble (Book 4)
Spin the Wheel (Book 5)
Let it Ride (Book 6)
***
Undercover FBI Series
— Popular & Compelling! —
Special Agent Francesca (Book 1)
Special Agent Finnegan (Book 2)
Special Agent Maximilian (Book 3)
Special Agent Kandice (Book 4)
Special Agent Booker (Book 5)
Special Agent Charli (Book 6)
Special Agent Rylee (Book 7)
Special Agent Murphy (Book 8)
Special Agent Sophia (Book #9 – to be released in May 2020)
***
Holiday Heartwarmers Series
— Truly a Christmas favorite! —
Holiday Heartwarmers Trilogy
Please Keep Me (Book 1)
Snow Pup (Book 2)
Find Me a Home (Book 3)
Frosty the Snowman (Book 4)
Love of my Life (Book 5)
A Perfect Storm (Book 6)
***
Mob Tracker Series
— She's unstoppable! —
Sweet Retaliation (Book #1)
Sweet Justice (Book #2)
Sweet Resolution (Book #3
Sweet Endings - (Book #4)
Sweet Faith (Book #5)
Sweet Leni (Book #6)
***
Single Title Series
He's My Baby (Book #1)
Christmas Runaway (Book #2)
Because You cared (Book #3)
Daddy is Mine (Book #4 – to be released in March 2020)
***
The Best in Romance Series
Red Hot Divas (Book #1 Box Set)
Hot and Handsome (Book #2 Box Set
***
Other Titles
I'm No Angel
Hotshot Cowboy
Big Girls Don't Cry
Christmas Runaway
The Surrogate's Secret
Mimi's Mix (Box Set)
'Tis the Season (Box Set)
Hearts, Flowers & Romance (Box Set)
Love, Christmas (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Romances (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Heroes (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Christmas (Multi-author Box Set)
A Christmas She'll Remember (Multi-author Box Set)
Snowflakes and Christmas Kisses (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Valentine (Multi-author Box Set)
A Valentine She'll Remember (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Suspense (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Danger (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Trouble (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Weddings (Multi-author Box Set)
A Wedding She'll Remember (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Brides (Multi-author Box Set)
Love, Christmas 2 (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Suspense (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Thrills (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Passion (Multi-author Box Set)
A Romance She’ll Remember (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Cinderella (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Power (Multi-author Box Set)
Daring Protectors (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Charmers (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Baby Love (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Heroes (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Intrigue (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Christmas Dreams (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Holiday (Multi-author Box Set)
Christmas Shorts (Multi-author Box Set)
Unforgettable Temptations (Multi-author Box Set)
Doctors in Love #2 (Multi-author Box Set)
Cute but Crazy (Multi-author Box Set)
Sweet and Sassy Daddies (Multi-author Box Set)
***
All Mimi's books can be found on her Amazon Author Page:
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About the author
MIMI BARBOUR: New York Times & USA Today Best-selling romance author has written 9 series and over 48 books. She lives on the beautiful East coast of Vancouver Island and writes her books with tongue-in-cheek and a mad glint in her eye. The fans all agree that it's the fascinating characters she creates which makes her writing so entertaining and brings them back for more of her magic.
“The favorite part of my job is meeting the characters from each new book. Designing them the way I want and having them act however I think they should. It’s thrilling, especially when most of my make-believe folks are so very interesting. They’re fun and surprising, and in most cases, people I would love to interact with in reality.”
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COLOR ME SMART
Color Me Smart
The Monroes, Book #2
Jen Talty
USA Today Bestselling Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Jen Talty
Book Description
One Child Psychologist. One ugly custody battle. Two hearts forever tangled.
Alston Walsh never wanted to be a father. Hell, until six months ago, he didn’t even know he was a father. But when me meets his little girl for the first time, he falls instantly in love. And when he sees first-hand how his ex-girlfriend is living and raising his daughter, he takes matter into his own hands. He will do whatever it takes to make sure little Coralie is removed from her mother’s home and placed, permanently, with him, including retiring from the Military and taking a job that will keep him stateside.
But what he doesn’t anticipate is falling in love with the woman who has the power to crush his heart and take away everythin
g he holds dear.
Praise
"Deadly Secrets is the best of romance and suspense in one hot read!" ~ NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst
"A charming setting and a steamy couple heat up the pages in an suspenseful story I couldn't put down!" ~ NY Times and USA today Bestselling Author Donna Grant
"Jen Talty's books will grab your attention and pull you into a world of relatable characters, strong personalities, humor, and believable storylines. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll rush to get the next book she releases!"~ Natalie Ann USA Today Bestselling Author
"I positively loved In Two Weeks, and highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait to get my hands on future installments of the NYS Troopers series." ~Long and Short Reviews
"In Two Weeks hooks the reader from page one. This is a fast paced story where the development of the romance grabs you emotionally and the suspense keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair. Great characters, great writing, and a believable plot that can be a warning to all of us." ~ Desiree Holt, USA Today Bestseller
"Dark Water delivers an engaging portrait of wounded hearts as the memorable characters take you on a healing journey of love. A mysterious death brings danger and intrigue into the drama, while sultry passions brew into a believable plot that melts the reader's heart. Jen Talty pens an entertaining romance that grips the heart as the colorful and dangerous story unfolds into a chilling ending." ~ Night Owl Reviews
"This is not the typical love story, nor is it the typical mystery. The characters are well rounded and interesting." ~ You Gotta Read Reviews
"Murder in Paradise Bay is a fast-paced romantic thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. You won't want to miss this one..." ~ USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard
