“I’m having a think, trying to decipher your taps.”
“Talk-ing,” the boy supplied. “What did you think I tapped?”
He released an audible breath. “We’ll talk about it in twenty years.”
Ding-dong!
“They’re here.” Sebastian cried, forgoing the final two steps and leaping onto the marble floor.
“Go ahead and let them in,” Libby called as she padded down the steps. “Your dad and I need to check the patio and turn on the grill.”
“On it!” Sebastian answered, sprinting toward the front door.
“Why don’t you get the wine and the glasses, and I’ll grab the appetizers. I just looked at my phone, and Madelyn’s coming, too,” Libby said, taking his hand as they entered the kitchen.
He tucked a few bottles of wine under his arm and found a box with wineglasses. He sauntered onto the porch, then shook his head. “Plum!”
“Yeah?”
“Your mum crapped on the patio again,” he called, turning on the hose to wash away the bird poop as a crow landed on a branch of a tall oak overlooking the sprawling yard. He observed the crow, then nodded to the psychic ripple of his soon-to-be mother-in-law.
Yeah, thanks to Libby, his chakras were aligned, and he was one hundred percent on board with team metaphysical karma-licious yoga-speak mumbo jumbo.
Libby set the snacks on the table and peered at the bird. “It’s not my mother. It’s the—”
“Ripples of her love cosmically entering our lives,” he answered, drawing her into his embrace.
She tapped the tip of his nose. “That was a very zen-tastic explanation.”
He shrugged, playing it off. “I am engaged to the hottest yoga teacher on the planet. Something was bound to rub off.”
She gasped, mock outrage written all over her face.
“Fine! I’m a Pun-chi yoga super freak and proud of it.” He took her hand in his, admired the ring glinting in the sunlight, then kissed her knuckles. “I love you, plum.” He cupped her face in his hand and stared into her eyes.
She pushed onto her tiptoes and smiled against his lips. “I love you, too, beefcake.”
He closed his eyes and melted into her kiss. He parted his lips, ready to devour her softness, when Phoebe Gale’s voice pierced the air.
“This is very common, Sebastian. You’ll see this a lot,” the child said, her tone clinical.
“And it can happen at any time,” Oscar explained. “You don’t get much warning.”
“It’s kind of gross, but it’s a great time to raid the cookie jar. You can get away with anything when they’re like this,” the little girl continued, lowering her voice.
“Or get a popsicle. Popsicles don’t last long at my house,” Oscar added.
Libby giggled, lowering herself. “We’ve got an audience.”
He surveyed the pint-sized trio. “Sebastian, take your friends down to the barn to say hello to Beefcake and Plum. You can feed them some carrots.”
“We’ll come get you when it’s time to eat,” Libby added as the children sprinted toward the barn.
“Get used to being interrupted,” Mitch remarked and set a six-pack of beer on the table.
Charlotte, Penny, Rowen, and Landon filed in after the chef.
“Welcome to casa Cress,” he said, opening the wine and pouring the women each a glass.
“Thanks for having us over,” Penny replied, taking a seat. “Your new place is terrific, and I’ve got some news.”
“Do you remember when Penny thought up Erasmus Cress, Donkey Boxer?” Rowen asked, cracking a beer.
“I thought you were joking,” he answered, handing Libby a glass of wine.
“We had our designers put something together to beta test the idea,” Rowen began.
“And the players love it,” Penny chimed. “What do you say, Raz?”
He shared a look with Libby. Once upon a time, he’d have nixed anything as ridiculous as Erasmus Cress Donkey Boxer.
But now…
“I love it,” he answered, embracing every new opportunity.
Penny clapped. “Perfect. We’ll talk business later. Now, tell us how you’re doing.”
“How are you settling in?” Charlotte added.
“Slowly,” Libby answered, then glanced into the house. “Harper’s not with you? She said she’d be here.”
At the mention of Harper, Landon cracked open a beer and guzzled it down in one giant swig.
“Thirsty, mate?” he asked, taking in the heartthrob’s nervous demeanor, but before the man could answer, Madelyn Malone strode onto the patio.
“I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in,” the woman crooned, adding a bottle of wine to the table. “A housewarming gift for you. Thank you for inviting me.”
“You’re always welcome here,” Libby replied, embracing the matchmaker.
“You made another match,” Mitch said, pouring Madelyn a glass of wine.
The woman took a sip. “The matches make themselves. I’m simply the—”
“Facilitator of fate,” everyone but Landon supplied.
Madelyn chuckled. “Indeed, indeed.”
“I have to ask,” Penny said, sharing a look with Rowen. “You’re going to match Harper with Landon, right?”
The nanny matchmaker took another sip of wine and remained tight-lipped.
“Come on, Madelyn. This one is a no-brainer. There are four of us and four of them,” Mitch offered, gesturing to the group.
“The situation has…changed,” the matchmaker replied with a sly grin.
Raz stared at Landon. The guy looked ready to lose his lunch.
“How so?” Libby asked.
“Remember, I work exclusively with single male caregivers,” Madelyn explained.
“And what would you call Landon?” Rowen asked.
The matchmaker smoothed her red scarf. “Not that.”
Not that?
“What does that mean?” Libby whispered.
Good question.
He was about to ask for a little clarification when Harper charged onto the porch.
“Sorry I’m late,” she got out, breathless. “I wanted to get you a housewarming gift, and then I got into a fight with a lady, but I am the victor,” she announced, holding a wilted plant above her head like a trophy. She surveyed the group. “What did I miss?”
Landon glanced at Madelyn, then met Harper’s gaze and swallowed hard. “What happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas.”
ONE-CLICK Heartthrob here. Harper, and that mouth of hers, and Landon, with his dreamy pop star eyes, are coming your way in The Nanny and the Heartthrob.
BEEFCAKE BONUS CHAPTER
Love Shack Date Night Donkey Mania
One-click the Beefcake Bonus Chapter here. When Raz decides to surprise Libby with a sexy date night, it’s safe to say, things do not go as planned.
Also by Krista Sandor