brother showed me a video of you splashing around in some waves,” she said.
“I love the beach,” Tate told her. “I’m a nipper now.”
“A junior lifesaver?” Dex held up his hand for a high five. “Way to go!”
Teagan asked, “So how long have you two been dating?”
“No, no,” Shelby said at the same time Dex hurried to explain. “I’ve employed Shelby to be Tate’s nanny.”
“Oh. I just assumed…” Teagan’s quizzical expression evaporated on a big smile. “Well, it’s great to meet you.”
They collected luggage then strolled out to the parking lot with Tate chattering about dinosaurs and airplanes the whole way. Needing more seats than a sports car allowed, Dex had hired a luxury SUV. As he buckled Tate in, then piled bags in the back, Teagan spoke in Shelby’s ear.
“Sorry about that misunderstanding. But it’s not a leap that you two could be an item. If you weren’t so glamorous and tall and beautiful—”
“Me? Glamorous?” In a plain cotton dress and no makeup? In any dress, for that matter.
“Well, you might be a nanny now, but I’d bet good money, if you stay in L.A., some lucky talent scout will snap you up.” Teagan wound the sturdy black knapsack off her back. “My tip is to get a good agent, pronto.”
“But I don’t want to be snapped up.”
“You don’t have any aspirations to be a leading lady, earn squillions of dollars, be adored and watched by crowds?”
Shelby shuddered. “I’m not a fan of crowds.” Teagan looked shocked and pleased at the same time.
Settling Tate in the backseat, Dex called out, “Hey, you two can chat in the car. We need to get this boy home. He’s got to be hungry.”
Tate began chanting, “Cheeseburber, cheeseburber!”
While Teagan slid into the front passenger’s seat, Shelby slipped in behind the driver’s seat.
“Dex and I went shopping yesterday,” Shelby let Tate know. “There are all kinds of great things to eat and do at home.”
“I love your shack by the sea,” Teagan said, belting up. “All three stories of it.”
“Actually, we’re staying at a hotel.” Dex named the establishment and Teagan let loose a low whistle.
“You always did like the best. But you couldn’t have sold your place. You bragged to everyone who’d listen about that view.”
“This address is only temporary.” Dex ignited the engine. “Everyone buckled up? Let’s get this show on the road.”
Shelby saw the same questions in Teagan’s eyes now that she’d wanted to ask when she’d learned about Dex’s sudden move. But as long as the temporary change of address didn’t concern her or Tate while he was here, what did it matter where he lived?
“Guess you want an update on Dad,” Teagan said when they were on their way.
Tate was getting comfortable in his booster seat. “The bump on his head’s all better now.”
“That’s real good, buddy,” Dex replied then told Shelby, “Teagan runs her own fitness studio in Seattle.”
Shelby remembered the woman’s glowing complexion and bouncy step. “You don’t work for the family business, Teagan?”
Dex reached over to squeeze his sister’s shoulder. “She’s our resident rebel, aren’t you?”
“Translation,” Teagan said, trying not to laugh as she shoved her brother’s tickling grasp away while she pinned him with a mock stern look. “I wanted to make it on my own.”
“Admirable,” Shelby said.
“And necessary to my sanity.”
Dex started another thread of conversation, although Shelby somehow thought the two were related.
“So you caught up with Cole while you were visiting,” he said.
“I was pleasantly surprised.” Teagan filled Shelby in. “You’d have to know our big brother to understand when I say he’s a giant control freak, to the point of driving everyone up the wall. But that seems to have changed since he realized there are more important things in life than telling people what to do.”
“Sounds like you might reconsider working for the business,” Dex slipped in.
Teagan pretended not to hear. “His fiancée, Taryn Quinn, is a honey. Strong-willed, smart. Cole’s match in every way. I never thought I’d say it but there’s a side to Cole that’s pure pussycat.”
“I’m looking forward to the ceremony,” Dex said with a grin in his voice.
“You’re not married, Shelby?” Teagan asked.
“No.” Shelby’s hands flexed and bunched on her thighs. “Not married.”
“Your accent…Texan?”
Dex replied for her. “Shelby comes from a little known place called Mountain Ridge, Oklahoma.”
“Sounds so peaceful,” Teagan said. “Horse Whisperer country.”
She thought that was set in Montana but Shelby shrugged and confirmed, “We own a ranch.”
“You like that life?”
“Very much.”
Teagan looked back over her shoulder. “If you weren’t chasing the limelight, what made you make the move to L.A.?”
Shelby felt Dex’s curiosity, too. While her pulse rate jumped, she assumed a calm expression. “Well, you see—” she rubbed her suddenly damp palms down her skirt “—it was time I saw more of the world.”
“Sounds like California’s just the beginning then.” Teagan moved around in her seat to face her. “I have a friend, a teacher. She flew overseas a couple years ago. Landed a job as a governess in France. She lives in a castle now. Can you believe it!”
“Stop giving her ideas,” Dex growled, turning onto the highway. “I’d like to keep Shelby with me a while.”
Studying the back of his head above the rest, seeing the smile creasing the corners of his eyes in the rearview mirror, Shelby felt the tension locking her shoulder blades ease. He sounded so determined. So sincere. And now that Tate was here and he seemed so happy and well-adjusted…
For the first time since seeing Dex being kissed by that poor woman that night, Shelby felt truly confident about agreeing to his terms.
“Can I please have annava cupcake before I go to bed?”
Dex,
