Chapter Three
Judd Mathews
SCARLETT HAS BEEN PART OF my life for ten weeks. I’m getting there, but I’m still not completely used to the idea of being a father. It’s been impossible to get to that place because she’s been living somewhere else with other people taking care of her. But not for much longer. My little girl is coming home in two days.
Leighton worked her final shift at the hospital yesterday. Today, we’re moving her to my house in Mason. I hope that being at the ranch for a little while before Scarlett’s arrival will help make the move into her new home a little easier. And maybe help with my transition as well.
Having a woman and a baby around my house is going to be a huge change for me. I’ve enjoyed my life as a bachelor for a long time—alone and doing whatever the hell I like without any consideration for others. Watching sports. Drinking whiskey. Leaving a mess until Maria comes by to clean. I’ve never had anyone else to consider, but that ends today.
I push the button that lifts the garage door closest to the entry, but I also open the one next to it. “That’s your new car.”
She looks at the shiny new SUV and then turns to me, her mouth agape. “You got an Audi for me?”
“I was going to buy you a Volvo, but I was more satisfied with the Q7’s safety ratings after doing some research. Do you like it?”
She smiles and lifts a brow. “Umm . . . yeah. I won’t hate driving that at all.”
“Is black okay? It seemed a little sportier and less . . . grocery getter.” Leighton is young. Single. I hated to put her in a mom mobile.
“Black is great. I love it.”
“Want to go for a drive after we move your things into your room?” I think she should get used to the Q7 before she becomes responsible for driving Scarlett.
“I’d love to.”
“I got Scarlett a car seat, but I’m not sure that I installed it correctly. I’d like you to double-check it.” I followed the directions, but I don’t trust myself to get it right. Not when it comes to something so important regarding my daughter’s safety.
“I had to be checked off on proper infant-car-seat installation since I discharged babies from the nursery. I could inspect it with my eyes closed. Don’t worry; I’ll make sure it’s in there correctly.”
Leighton’s watchful eye and presence in Scarlett’s life puts me at ease. I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t accepted my job offer.
I hear the slam of a door and look up into my rearview mirror. “Gunner’s here.”
She turns and looks out the back glass of my truck. “Who’s he?”
“My cousin. I asked him to come over and help move your things.”
“You didn’t have to ask anyone to do that. I can do it.”
“I know, but Gunner is strong.”
“And I’m not?”
I’m not sure if that smile on her face is amusement or sarcasm. “Well . . .” I consider my next words carefully. I’m not acquainted with Leighton well enough to know if she’ll be offended by my saying that Gunner will do a quicker or better job of helping me move her things into the house. “Gunner works a ranch. He’s used to heavy lifting. These boxes won’t be anything to him.”
She chuckles, and I’m relieved. Maybe that means that I’ve not offended her. “I know that I’m not much help.”
“You’re a ton of help with many things.” A grin breaks through the straight face I’m trying to maintain. “Just not moving heavy things.”
It’s not Leighton’s fault. She’s a small woman, and her prior job required her to lift and hold babies who mostly weigh under five pounds.
“I have a full gym at the ranch. Maybe I can interest you in a little light weight lifting with me.” I’ve always worked out alone, but I might not mind a partner.
“Probably not. I prefer running.”
No surprise there. Leighton is fit and light but not physically strong.
“I have a treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike. You’re welcome to use the equipment anytime you like.”
“Thanks for the offer. I’ll be taking you up on that after I’m settled in.”
“Please do.” I love having a gym at home, but it’s sort of a shame that no one else puts it to use.
Gunner is standing next to my truck when I open the door. He looks at Leighton as she gets out on the other side and grins, not saying a word.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong.” Leighton is hot as hell. I know that everyone who didn’t see her caring for Scarlett at the hospital will think that’s the only reason that I hired her.
Gunner holds up his hands. “Didn’t say a word, bro.”
I lower my voice. “Didn’t have to. I can see it all over your face.”
My cousin offers his hand to Leighton. “Gunner Mathews. Judd’s cousin.”
“Leighton Mitchell. Scarlett’s nurse . . . I mean nanny. Sorry. It’s going to take a minute to get used to saying that. I’ve been a nurse for five years.” She giggles and it makes her seem even younger. “Anyway . . . it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“My wife wanted to come and meet you, but she and the kids have been sick the last couple of days. They’re better now, but she didn’t want to risk bringing any kind of illness into the house since Scarlett is coming home soon.”
Leighton smiles. “That is so considerate. Please tell her how much I appreciate her thoughtfulness and that I look forward to meeting her.”
“Certainly will.”
I hope Ellie will come by soon. Aside from my parents and me, Leighton knows no one in Mason. This is a brand-new start for her, and I don’t want her to be unhappy. I need her to stay for Scarlett.
“I’d like to give Leighton a quick tour of the house.”
Gunner flicks his hand. “Yeah, do what you gotta do. I’ll go ahead and start moving stuff.”
“We won’t be long.”
“Better not be.”
Leighton and I enter the house and two scents hit my nose at the same time: cleaning supplies and a freshly baked cake.
“Wow. Smells clean and delicious in here.”
“Can’t take credit for that. My mom wanted to come over and clean the house for you and Scarlett.” Diane Mathews believes that no one can cook or clean like her. And she’s probably right.
“Your mama is so sweet.”
My mother immediately liked Leighton. The two just clicked. And when I mentioned hiring Leighton as Scarlett’s nanny, she told me to do whatever it took to convince her. Which I’d already done.
“I left my parents’ house when I was eighteen to chase a career in music. I’ve been out from under their roof for twelve years, and she still comes over to make sure that her baby boy is well fed.” She’s a nurturer, just like Leighton.
“And I bet you don’t mind that at all.”
“Nope. There’s nothing like my mom’s cooking.”
Leighton follows as I lead her into the kitchen. “Hey lady. Smells like you’ve been up to something while I’ve been gone.” Lady. I like calling her that.
“Made a sock-it-to-me cake for Leighton. Just a little something to help her feel welcome in her new home.”
Leighton licks her lips. “Mmm . . . I love sock-it-to-me cake.”
My mother goes to my new roomie and embraces her, placing a kiss against her cheek. “We are so happy to have you here, darlin’.”
My new employee has already grown incredibly close to my mother and sister. And just like Scarlett, I’m pretty sure that they like her better than they like me. But I plan on remedying that with my daughter soon.
“I’m happy to be here, and I can’t wait until Scarlett is too.”
She isn’t the only one who’s excited about having her home.
My mother’s smile is wide. “Having a baby in this house—Judd’s bachelor pad—is going to be strange.”
“It’ll be an adjustment for the three of us, but I have no worries. Everything is going to work out just as it should.”
The three of us. It’s odd to hear Leighton refer to us that way. You’d expect that if a woman ever said those words in regard to you, she’d be your wife and mother of your child.
“I’m not a bit worried,” my mom says.
Seems like all I did during the first two months of Scarlett’s life was worry. It began with worry that the paternity test would prove that I was her father. After I found out that she was mine, it was worry about the health and prognosis of my sick child. We got beyond that, and then it was worry about what I would do when it was time for my daughter to come home to a house without a mother.
I’d still be worried if it weren’t for Leighton.
She’s the calm to this storm. The piece in this threesome that’s going to hold everything together.
I’ve never needed a woman. But I need this one.
I need this woman more than she can possibly imagine.