By: Lenora Worth
Genre: Contemporary Christmas Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Publisher: Tule Publishing
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A winter wonderland provides the perfect holiday setting—but only if they can find a way to unwrap their hearts.
When event planner Kara Benton walks into her latest client’s home and is mistaken for the new nanny, she impulsively says yes. Kara’s determined to elevate her career, and saving a high profile holiday party just weeks before Christmas is the perfect solution. Suddenly she’s saddled with two adorable kids, one excited dog, and a huge dilemma: can she pull off both jobs?
Widower Richard Westfield may be a whiz at designing top-of-the-line security technology, but he’s flummoxed as to how to protect his kids and his heart from taking another emotional hit. He strikes a deal with Kara: she’ll work her organizational magic if he’ll make an effort to find his footing as a father again.
But as they team up to return the Christmas spirit to his Colorado mountain chateau, sparks fly and Kara realizes she needs to let go of her own pain to embrace the love she’s beginning to feel in her heart.
Age: Late twenties
Physical Description: Green eyes, auburn hair, expressive features
Occupation: Event planner
3 likes in no particular order: Cupcakes, Christmas, Her job
3 dislikes in no particular order: Distant fathers, Rowdy kids, Noisy animals
Drink of choice: Peppermint mocha latte and good wine
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite song: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Choice of transportation: A small economy car
Favorite way to spend an evening: By the fire with cheesecake
Favorite holiday tradition: Decorating
Best memory to date: When her mother was alive
If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently? I’d talk to my widowed father about our grief. We both hid it so well for years, but now seeing this family suffering, I can understand how hard this is for a father. I want to fix this family.
What’s something you’ve said you would never do, but in fact have done? Take care of children again, after raising my siblings—my mother died when I was a teenager. But Richard, Ricky, and Maxie needed someone to help them find Christmas again.
Most romantic gesture (done or received): When Richard finally takes me on a buggy ride in the snow.
Words to live by: Go for it
Kara touched today’s date.
Event planner, seven forty-five.
New nanny, nine thirty.
His assistant had filled in the home calendar, but Richard Westfield had mixed things up and forgotten the later appointment, which meant he didn’t have a clue of the time or the people involved. What had happened to the real nanny? Not your problem, she reminded herself. She’d have a serious talk with Mr. Westfield once she did find him.
She was about to call it a day and leave when the front door burst open, and Ricky and Maxie came running in.
“What are you two doing home so soon?” she asked, glancing behind them, and hoping to see their father.
“The carpool dropped us off. Half day,” Ricky said with a grin. “Dad forgot to tell you.”
And so did you, she thought. Score one for Ricky. Of course, the kid probably thought his dad would be waiting for them. Which left Kara in a bit of a pickle.
She couldn’t leave the children here by themselves, but she didn’t want to pretend to be their nanny. She’d been known to overstep and jump right in when she saw what needed to be done, but she wouldn’t let that happen this time.
Not your place, not your job. But Kara couldn’t convince her heart. She’d already jumped right in, and now with everything she’d need to get done before the party, it might be too late to change that. She’d have to explain things to Richard Westfield. She had one job to do. And it didn’t involve babysitting.
After a hectic morning with no assistant to shield him, Richard came home early and walked into the kitchen, the smell of something sweet hitting his nostrils. Looking around, he noticed fresh flowers on the counter and plates set for dinner on the formal dining table, which they rarely used.
Then he heard laughter and turned to find the new nanny—he’d have to get her name since he’d somehow forgotten it after his assistant had told him three times last week—standing with Maxie and Ricky, decorating Christmas cookies. Buttons yelped and ran to meet him then turned and ran back toward the children.
Christmas cookies.
The buttery scent and the holiday-shaped cookies brought a quick and precise pain to his heart. Julia had loved to bake cookies.
How could it still hurt three years later? The rush of agony tore through his system like a hot knife. All the memories he held in his heart with a lockbox grip poured over him.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, causing all three of them to turn with guilty looks on their icing-smudged faces. The nameless nanny had her dark red hair up in a funny-looking bun and the sleeves of her bright green sweater rolled up to her elbows. She had a smudge of flour on one cheek and red cookie glitter shimmering over her right eye.
Adorable. He chastised himself for even thinking that. He’d noticed her enough this morning, but tonight he took in the beautiful auburn hair and her bright smile. She sure knew how to light up a room.
“Daddy!” Maxie rushed into his arms and handed him a cookie. “We baked these ’cause Christmas is in two weeks.”
Ricky splattered icing against a cookie, his expression bordering on hostile. “You forgot again.”
“I haven’t forgotten Christmas,” he said, his words defensive. “I’m behind a little, but I’m just getting started.” He hadn’t thought about anything beyond the party on Christmas Eve. His absent assistant usually handled all the details, such as buying gifts, securing flights, and reminding him of everything else. A hired decorator put up a few baubles and bows here at the house. “I suppose I need to talk to Santa.”
“You do,” Maxie said with an earnest honesty. “We thought you’d forgotten.”
“Never. Who could forget Christmas? Don’t worry. I have Santa on speed dial.”
Maxie grinned and rubbed sprinkles across her nose.
He knew full well December was here. Christmas had been a special time for them. Once. Julia used to go all out planning their annual party. He’d never forget Christmas, but his children thinking he had made him feel like the worst kind of father. Well, thanks to Nanny-No-Name and the scents wafting through the house, he’d also remembered the woman he could never forget. The woman who’d given him so much, including these two beautiful children. Now another woman made cookies with them. He should be upset, but he was touched with a bittersweet longing.
Ricky stood staring, disbelief coloring his dark expression. “You’re home early. That never happens.”
Even Buttons gave him a wide-eyed, confused stare.
But the woman in charge smiled and said, “Hello, Mr. Westfield.”
Richard rarely blushed, but he felt heat hissing up his neck. “I apologize for rushing out this morning. Things have been hectic with a new system we’re working on, and my assistant usually handles the details of everything else.”
Too many of his household staff had come and gone. He’d sent his loyal housekeeper, Mrs. McCoy, on a long-awaited vacation after she’d threatened to quit. His assistant had hired a service to clean the house once a week until the fussy housekeeper returned after Christmas, and after negotiating a higher salary. He’d given up on a good nanny, until now.
He gave the woman who’d just greeted him so formally a quiet appraisal while she fussed with the kids.
So different. Younger than he’d expected and confident, the take-charge kind of person he liked having around. Well-dressed. She wore the nice green sweater over a sharp black skirt with tall black boots. Not regular nanny garb.
Richard kissed Maxie and carried her to a barstool then winked at Ricky. “I see everyone survived the first day.”
“We like Nanny Kara,” Maxie said with glee.
“Well, that’s different,” Richard said, giving Nanny Kara another quick glance. She busied herself with making sure the messy cookies were perfectly arranged on the reindeer embossed tray.
Ricky shrugged and nibbled on a cookie, his head down. Richard wished he could get through to his son, but those days of playing catch and going fishing were few and far between.
“Nanny Kara,” Richard said, smiling at her. “I failed to verify your name this morning.”
“Good thing she’s the right one,” Ricky said, shrugging and widening his eyes. “We could have been taken by a strange woman.”
His son did have a point. Richard made a mental note to be more thorough. He had tight security in this house, but simple things like verifying names seemed to escape him at times. What was wrong with him? He’d hurried out of here this morning, leaving his children without checking her identity. This new project had taken over his life. Just a few more days…
“I’m sorry,” he said, encompassing all of them with a sweep of his hand. “I messed up this morning. I’ve had a lot on my mind, but that’s no excuse for being rude. I went into work because of something urgent but barely got anything done.”
“You are forgiven,” Maxie said. “If we get to keep Nanny Kara.”
Event planner, seven forty-five.
New nanny, nine thirty.
His assistant had filled in the home calendar, but Richard Westfield had mixed things up and forgotten the later appointment, which meant he didn’t have a clue of the time or the people involved. What had happened to the real nanny? Not your problem, she reminded herself. She’d have a serious talk with Mr. Westfield once she did find him.
She was about to call it a day and leave when the front door burst open, and Ricky and Maxie came running in.
“What are you two doing home so soon?” she asked, glancing behind them, and hoping to see their father.
“The carpool dropped us off. Half day,” Ricky said with a grin. “Dad forgot to tell you.”
And so did you, she thought. Score one for Ricky. Of course, the kid probably thought his dad would be waiting for them. Which left Kara in a bit of a pickle.
She couldn’t leave the children here by themselves, but she didn’t want to pretend to be their nanny. She’d been known to overstep and jump right in when she saw what needed to be done, but she wouldn’t let that happen this time.
Not your place, not your job. But Kara couldn’t convince her heart. She’d already jumped right in, and now with everything she’d need to get done before the party, it might be too late to change that. She’d have to explain things to Richard Westfield. She had one job to do. And it didn’t involve babysitting.
#
After a hectic morning with no assistant to shield him, Richard came home early and walked into the kitchen, the smell of something sweet hitting his nostrils. Looking around, he noticed fresh flowers on the counter and plates set for dinner on the formal dining table, which they rarely used.
Then he heard laughter and turned to find the new nanny—he’d have to get her name since he’d somehow forgotten it after his assistant had told him three times last week—standing with Maxie and Ricky, decorating Christmas cookies. Buttons yelped and ran to meet him then turned and ran back toward the children.
Christmas cookies.
The buttery scent and the holiday-shaped cookies brought a quick and precise pain to his heart. Julia had loved to bake cookies.
How could it still hurt three years later? The rush of agony tore through his system like a hot knife. All the memories he held in his heart with a lockbox grip poured over him.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, causing all three of them to turn with guilty looks on their icing-smudged faces. The nameless nanny had her dark red hair up in a funny-looking bun and the sleeves of her bright green sweater rolled up to her elbows. She had a smudge of flour on one cheek and red cookie glitter shimmering over her right eye.
Adorable. He chastised himself for even thinking that. He’d noticed her enough this morning, but tonight he took in the beautiful auburn hair and her bright smile. She sure knew how to light up a room.
“Daddy!” Maxie rushed into his arms and handed him a cookie. “We baked these ’cause Christmas is in two weeks.”
Ricky splattered icing against a cookie, his expression bordering on hostile. “You forgot again.”
“I haven’t forgotten Christmas,” he said, his words defensive. “I’m behind a little, but I’m just getting started.” He hadn’t thought about anything beyond the party on Christmas Eve. His absent assistant usually handled all the details, such as buying gifts, securing flights, and reminding him of everything else. A hired decorator put up a few baubles and bows here at the house. “I suppose I need to talk to Santa.”
“You do,” Maxie said with an earnest honesty. “We thought you’d forgotten.”
“Never. Who could forget Christmas? Don’t worry. I have Santa on speed dial.”
Maxie grinned and rubbed sprinkles across her nose.
He knew full well December was here. Christmas had been a special time for them. Once. Julia used to go all out planning their annual party. He’d never forget Christmas, but his children thinking he had made him feel like the worst kind of father. Well, thanks to Nanny-No-Name and the scents wafting through the house, he’d also remembered the woman he could never forget. The woman who’d given him so much, including these two beautiful children. Now another woman made cookies with them. He should be upset, but he was touched with a bittersweet longing.
Ricky stood staring, disbelief coloring his dark expression. “You’re home early. That never happens.”
Even Buttons gave him a wide-eyed, confused stare.
But the woman in charge smiled and said, “Hello, Mr. Westfield.”
Richard rarely blushed, but he felt heat hissing up his neck. “I apologize for rushing out this morning. Things have been hectic with a new system we’re working on, and my assistant usually handles the details of everything else.”
Too many of his household staff had come and gone. He’d sent his loyal housekeeper, Mrs. McCoy, on a long-awaited vacation after she’d threatened to quit. His assistant had hired a service to clean the house once a week until the fussy housekeeper returned after Christmas, and after negotiating a higher salary. He’d given up on a good nanny, until now.
He gave the woman who’d just greeted him so formally a quiet appraisal while she fussed with the kids.
So different. Younger than he’d expected and confident, the take-charge kind of person he liked having around. Well-dressed. She wore the nice green sweater over a sharp black skirt with tall black boots. Not regular nanny garb.
Richard kissed Maxie and carried her to a barstool then winked at Ricky. “I see everyone survived the first day.”
“We like Nanny Kara,” Maxie said with glee.
“Well, that’s different,” Richard said, giving Nanny Kara another quick glance. She busied herself with making sure the messy cookies were perfectly arranged on the reindeer embossed tray.
Ricky shrugged and nibbled on a cookie, his head down. Richard wished he could get through to his son, but those days of playing catch and going fishing were few and far between.
“Nanny Kara,” Richard said, smiling at her. “I failed to verify your name this morning.”
“Good thing she’s the right one,” Ricky said, shrugging and widening his eyes. “We could have been taken by a strange woman.”
His son did have a point. Richard made a mental note to be more thorough. He had tight security in this house, but simple things like verifying names seemed to escape him at times. What was wrong with him? He’d hurried out of here this morning, leaving his children without checking her identity. This new project had taken over his life. Just a few more days…
“I’m sorry,” he said, encompassing all of them with a sweep of his hand. “I messed up this morning. I’ve had a lot on my mind, but that’s no excuse for being rude. I went into work because of something urgent but barely got anything done.”
“You are forgiven,” Maxie said. “If we get to keep Nanny Kara.”
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Giveaway ~ Tule Publishing is offering up an eBook copy of Lenora's A NANNY FOR CHRISTMAS.
To enter: Answer Lenora's question. “Would you rather have a Rocky Mountain Christmas like the one Richard and Kara enjoy, or would you prefer a tropical Christmas with palm trees and a view of the ocean?”
I have always wanted a tropical Christmas.
ReplyDeleterocky mountain Christmas
ReplyDeleteI would choose the mountains.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the tropical Christmas. I have had both and I prefer being warm!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the mountains.
ReplyDelete