Chapter 8
Rosalee
It was well after dark when the rideshare driver rolled into the long driveway that led to Xavier's cabin, and I was exhausted, bone-weary, and definitely done with shopping for the next few months, possibly ever.
It had taken twice as long as anticipated at the big-box store that specialized in all things babies and kids.
But I was confident I'd gotten all the things a little girl would need.
"Did you leave any money on the credit card?" Xavier's question, spoken directly in my ear in his deep, honeyed voice, tugged a laugh out of me.
I turned to face him, which was really a mistake because the combination of the jet-black hair and nearly clear gray eyes was as panty-melting as I remembered.
"This is just to get us through the next few weeks.
You still have a lot of shopping to do, thank you very much.
" I laughed again when he paled at my words.
A low groan escaped him as he motioned to all the bags with the familiar animal logo on them. "A few weeks? Tell me you're joking."
I shook my head. "While I have been known to kid around on occasion, I'm not kidding now.
You'll see." Ignoring the clench of his strong jaw, I turned to what seemed like thousands of bags, grabbed a bunch, and headed to the front door.
We had baby items, suitcases, and backpacks full of things to unload, not to mention an impatient driver ready to hurry down the mountain before another impromptu storm hit.
"Let's get a move on, Holloway." I clapped my hands as I made my way back, smiling at his dark scowl.
"The name is Xavier."
"Yeah, sure. Xavier Holloway, no 'mister' anywhere in sight.
" The sound of his deep, rumbling laughter did things to me I refused to name.
This isn't like the other women at the agency.
I have no desire to start dating anyone, never mind a guy who's now my boss.
He was nice eye candy, and that was it. Nothing more.
"Smart ass," he mumbled under his breath as I trekked back to the house with another load of luggage and shopping bags.
It took a few rounds, but eventually, we had everything inside the cabin, which was some type of progress, even if it wasn't the magic fairy kind that magically put everything away as well. "All right. I'll get my things tucked away in my room, and then we can tackle her stuff, one bag at a time."
Xavier grunted in response, and I paid little attention to him as I dragged my belongings up the staircase and into my room.
I could put it all away later. For now, we needed to get the crib and the changing table assembled, at least. "Are you ready?"
Xavier crossed his arms, and thankfully, he'd put on a shirt at some point since I left the cabin earlier. One black brow arched in confusion. "Ready for what?"
"To assemble the crib and changing table. The baby swing and the diaper bin, which I'm pretty sure don't require an IKEA level of assembly. So, are you ready to get started?"
"Is this part of your nanny training?"
I laughed. "No. It's just that each item comes with little pamphlets featuring words and pictures. Some people call them directions, and they guide you on how to assemble and set everything up. I think between the two of us, we can handle it. Don't you?"
His gaze narrowed in my direction. "You're a bit of a smart ass, aren't you?"
I shrugged, a look of absolute innocence on my face. "First I'm hearing of it."
He glared at me for a long moment, grunted, and then turned on his heel.
While Xavier was gone, the baby cried, and I took a break to wash out some new bottles and prepare one for her. I still had no idea how old she was or even if she should still be sucking down formula, but I had a feeling that convincing Xavier to talk about it would be harder than anticipated.
"I have my tools," he said, holding up a shiny red metal box that looked brand new.
"Okay." I sat on the floor and crossed my legs beside the baby's carrier and fed her the bottle. "Have you looked at the envelope yet?"
He glared at me again, shrugged, and pulled out a box cutter to rip the heavy plastic straps from the box holding the brand-new crib.
"I'll take that as a no," I sighed, disappointed for a reason I couldn't explain. "Does this mean we have to keep calling her baby girl?"
He didn't even dignify that question with an answer.
"Okay, great. Come on, Cosette, let's gobble up this food so I can help your dad, whose name is Xavier, set up your bed."
His hands flexed in anger, or maybe it was just anxiety. I had a feeling there weren't many people in his life who called him out on his bad behavior.
"Okay, sweetheart, up you go." I grabbed a burp pad, tossed it over my shoulder, and settled Cosette in for her post-meal burp.
She did not disappoint. "Oh yeah, that's worthy of every frat boy from here to the Atlantic, honey.
" I tossed my head back and laughed as she let out another one. "Just perfect."
"Are you going to help or what?"
"I am helping. Someone has to feed and burp Cosette, don't they?"
His nostrils flared, but he turned back to the box in silence while I settled Cosette back in her carrier and put on music.
"Okay. I have the different pieces all organized, so if you tell me what you need, I'll hand it to you and hold things while you tighten them. Unless you want to be the designated holder?"
"No, thanks."
"Didn't think so." Xavier was...exactly as handy as I would expect of a growly mountain man, and we managed to get the crib put together much quicker than anticipated.
The changing table and the swing took a few more hours, but we got them put together and settled them in the third and final guest room. "Good job, Xavier. Really good."
He let out a huff of laughter. "Yeah, thanks."
He was mocking me, but I let it slide since he did most of the hard work putting together the baby furniture.
"Right. I'm going to see about dinner." Xavier's fridge looked like what you'd expect of a modern bachelor, stocked with the basics like eggs, milk, and bread.
The freezer held a lot of meat: steaks, pork chops, and chicken quarters.
And potatoes. Lots and lots of potatoes.
Since he seemed like a steak-and-potatoes kind of guy, that's what I went with and got to work peeling and chopping russet potatoes. I set Cosette up on the table and kept up a steady chatter while I cooked.
"You just have to use a little bit of the starchy water to whip the potatoes. It makes 'em creamy without adding too much extra fat." I smiled, and she kicked her feet adorably. "Just you wait until you taste these bad boys; you're gonna squeal with delight, little girl."
"Give it a rest," he growled at me from the kitchen doorway.
"I wasn't talking to you at all, actually." I didn't know what his problem was, but there was no way in hell I was going to let him take out his frustrations on me. "Be mad about the situation, but don't be mad at me, Xavier. I'm just the hired help."
"Yeah, well, remember that." He stormed off again in a swirl of a bad mood and attitude, and the only good part was that he looked damn fine when he walked away.
"Don't ever let anyone tell you that we're the moody sex, Cosette. It's the men. They are about one hundred times worse than us on our worst, most emotional week of the month. Remember that, yeah?"
She made a few gurgling sounds that put a smile back on my face.
"Yeah, you get me, Cosette. You really get me." When dinner was done, I set two plates and piled them with food. I had no clue where Xavier was, so I shouted, "Dinner!" and sat down to eat my steak while it was still warm and juicy.
Xavier could eat or not eat; it wasn't my concern.