A Texan For Christmas. Jules Bennett

a second shot, a restraining hand stopped him. Hayes stood between the brothers, his hands on each of their chests.

      “All right, we’re not doing this,” Hayes told them both.

      “Looks like I missed the official work reunion.”

      At the sound of the new voice, Beau turned to see Nolan come striding in. No fancy doctor clothes for his oldest brother. Nolan looked like the rest of them with his jeans and Western shirt and boots and black hat.

      There was no mistaking they were brothers. Years and lifestyles may have kept them apart, but the Elliott genetics were strong. Just the sight of his three brothers had something shifting in Beau’s chest. Perhaps he was supposed to be here now, for more than Madelyn.

      “Throwing punches took longer than I thought,” Nolan growled, closing the distance. “You’ve been here a whole week.”

      Beau ignored the comment and glared back at Colt. “You know nothing about me anymore, so don’t presume you know what type of man I am.”

      “Whose fault is that?” Colt shouted. “You didn’t let us get to know the man you grew into. We had to watch it on the damn movie screen.”

      Guilt...such a bitter pill to swallow.

      “Why don’t we just calm down?” Hayes suggested as he stepped back. “Beau is home now and Dad wouldn’t want us going at each other. This is all he ever wanted, us together, working on the ranch.”

      “You haven’t even been to see him,” Colt shot at Beau, his dark eyes still judgmental.

      “I will.”

      Colt shook his head in disgust, but Beau didn’t owe him an explanation. Beau didn’t owe him anything. They may be twins, but the physical appearance was where their similarities ended. They were different men, with different goals. Why should Beau be sorry for the life he’d created for himself?

      Nolan reached them then and diverted his attention. “Pepper wanted me to invite you and Madelyn for dinner,” he stated in that calm voice of his. “Are you free this evening?”

      Beau blew out the stress he’d been feeling and raked a hand along the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m free. Madelyn’s been a little cranky. Scarlett thinks she’s cutting teeth, but we should be able to make it.”

      “Scarlett?” Nolan asked.

      “His new nanny,” Colt interjected. “She’s petite, curvy, stunning. Just Beau’s type.”

      Beau wasn’t going to take the bait, not again. Besides, already he knew that Scarlett was so much more than that simple description. She was vibrant and strong and determined...and she’d had his fantasies working overtime.

      “You’re married,” he said instead to his twin. “So my nanny is none of your concern.”

      “Just stating the facts.” Colt held his hands out and took a step back. “I’m happily married with two babies of my own, so don’t worry about me trying to lay claim. I’m loyal to my wife.”

      “Scarlett can come, too, if you want,” Nolan added, clearly ignoring his brother’s argument. “Pepper won’t mind.”

      Scarlett joining him? Hell no. That would be too familial and definitely not the approach he wanted to take on day one with his temporary help. Not the approach he’d want to take on any day with her, actually.

      Not that long ago he would’ve jumped at the excuse to spend more time with a gorgeous woman, but his hormones were just going to have to take a back seat because he had to face reality. The good times that he was used to were in the past. His good times now consisted of a peaceful night’s sleep and a happy baby.

      Damn, he was either getting old or finally acting like an adult.

      He’d always tried to keep himself grounded over the years, but now that he was home, he realized just how shallow Hollywood had made him. Shallow and jaded. Yet another reason he needed to keep himself and his daughter away from that lifestyle.

      “It will just be Madelyn and me,” he informed his brother. Then he shifted his attention back to Colt. “Do you want my help around here or not?”

      “From the prodigal son?” Colt’s jaw clenched, and Beau could see a bruise was already forming there. Colt finally nodded. “I’ve got most of the guys on the west side of the property mending fences. I’ll take your free labor here.”

      Well, that was something. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Beau decided since they weren’t yelling or throwing more punches, now would be as good a time as any to pitch his thoughts out there.

      “I want in on the dude ranch, too.”

      Beau didn’t realize he’d wanted that until they all stood here together. But there was no denying his wishes now. Whether he stayed on the ranch or not, he wanted to be part of his father’s legacy with his brothers.

      Colt’s brows shot up, but before he could refuse, Beau went on. “I’m part of this family whether you like it or not and Dad’s wish was to see this through. Now, I know you plan to open in just a few months and a good bit of the hard work is done, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use me.”

      Hayes shrugged. “Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him do some marketing. He’d have some great connections.”

      Colt’s gaze darted to Hayes. “Are you serious?”

      “Hayes is right,” Nolan added. “I know none of us needs the extra income, but we want Dad’s dream to be a success.”

      Colt took off his hat, raked a hand over his hair and settled the hat back in place. “Well, hell. Whatever. We’ll use you until you take off again, because we all know you won’t stick.”

      Beau didn’t say a word. What could he say? He knew full well he likely wasn’t staying here long-term. He’d returned because of a deathbed promise and to figure out where to take his daughter. Pebblebrook was likely a stepping stone...nothing more. Just like Hayes had said.

       Four

      Scarlett swiped another stroke of Cherry Cherry Bang Bang on her toes. Beau had taken Madelyn to dinner at his brother’s house and told her she didn’t need to come.

      So she’d finished unpacking—getting all of her panties put away properly. Then she’d caught up on social media, and now she was giving herself an overdue pedicure with her new polish. She wasn’t a red type of girl, but she figured with the new move coming and another chapter in her life starting, why not go all in and have some fun? Now that she was admiring it against her dark skin, she actually loved the festive shade.

      And that’s about as wild as she got. Red polish.

      Could she be any more boring?

      She never dreamed she’d be in this position at nearly thirty-five years of age: no husband, no children and a changing career.

      She was fine without the husband—she could get by on her own, thank you very much. But the lack of children would always be a tender spot and the career change hurt just as much. Not that her career or lack of a family of her own defined her, but there were still dreams she’d had, dreams she’d had to let go of. These days she tried to focus on finding a new goal, but she still scrambled for something obtainable.