He Needs Her
Fatherhood is the last thing on navy SEAL Calder Remington’s mind. On the job, he’s a hardworking hero; in civilian life, he’s a carefree bachelor. When he finds a baby—his baby—on his doorstep, he’s got no choice but to be a dad. He needs help, and that’s where super-nanny Pandora Moore comes in. She’s perfect in every way. Calder can’t deny that he’s powerfully attracted to her.
But she’s his employee, which puts her strictly off-limits. And though Pandora may seem perfect, she becomes evasive whenever talk turns to her past. Calder can’t help wondering if she’s hiding something. He never imagines that the truth may tear them apart—just as they dare to imagine a future together.
“If you’re not happy with my work…” Pandora took inordinate care with drying a saucepan.
“Did I say that?” I can’t even say why, but my gut tells me you’re hiding something.
“You’ve seen my references. If I’ve caused you to doubt my ability to care for your son, then—”
“Dammit, Pandora.” When he slapped his palm to the table, she not only jumped, but tears filled her eyes. He was instantly sorry, yet at the same time, he’d been trained to always follow his instincts. What was going on with her that he couldn’t see? “What’s with you? Some things don’t add up. Your first day on the job, when you didn’t have a cell or a way to even purchase a small amount of groceries without calling me for help. The fact that you lived in Norfolk, yet have never been to the beach. Your two mystery Saturdays. All I’m asking is for you to be straight with me. Is there something going on with you that I’m missing?”
“No.” She raised her chin, and her expression lost its earlier wide-eyed fear and turned to steely determination. “But if you’re unhappy with my performance, I’ll turn in my resignation in the morning.”
Dear Reader,
This story features a character and issue much heavier than I’ve ever dared deal with before. The character is Pandora from the first book in my Operation: Family series, A SEAL’s Secret Baby. Her issue is serious alcoholism. By the end of that first book, her volunteer counselor, Ellie, feared Pandora was a lost cause.
What Ellie failed to take into account was the strength of a mother’s love. It’s no secret I’m a big ol’ momma bear when it comes to my kids, and Pandora discovers she’s no different. Alas, she also finds that just because she knows she’s no longer the addict who once lost her child, that doesn’t mean the rest of the world will be so accepting.
What I never expected was how personal this story became. When we took in our son, Russell, we found ourselves on the opposite end of just such a heartbreaking situation in that we were the court-appointed family who received a dear child.
I can’t fathom how tough being a social worker must be. One time through this process was more than enough for me. My hearts goes out to all the men and women striving to reunite families who’ve lost their way.
As for Pandora and Calder, you’ll have to read on to discover if their sweet, unexpected family finds their happy ending….
Happy reading!
Laura Marie
A Navy SEAL’S Surprise Baby
Laura Marie Altom
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After college (Go, Hogs!), bestselling, award-winning author Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to boy-girl twins and a bonus son. Always an avid romance reader, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps.
When not immersed in her next story, Laura teaches art at a local middle school. In her free time she beats her kids at video games, tackles Mount Laundry and, of course, reads romance!
Laura loves hearing from readers at either P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101, or by email, [email protected].
Love winning fun stuff? Check out www.lauramariealtom.com.
This story is dedicated to all of my
new Twitter friends on #YR.
From the day The Young & The Restless began, I’ve watched with my mother. My daughter has now joined in and even though they’d never admit it, the guys in our family occasionally follow along, too! The characters of this long-running daytime show have become like family to me, and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon each day has become sacred! LOL!
Since discovering Twitter, I’ve found a great wealth of fellow Y & R viewers who are always eager to discuss Genoa City’s latest gossip. As an added bonus, many have also become great friends.
Here’s to you Y & R! May your rich, wonderful characters be forever young and especially restless!
Contents
Chapter One
Pandora?
One glance at the next name on his nanny-candidate list told navy SEAL Calder Remington all he needed to know. She’d be a card-carrying unicorn lover or flake. He needed a Mary or Hazel. Someone not only dependable, but with impeccable references and the patience of Mother Teresa. The last four women had been nice enough, but they’d lacked experience. Ideally, he needed a grandmotherly type who’d successfully raised her own brood to be doctors, and now looked to pass along her vast parental knowledge to the next generation.
At twenty-eight, how much parenting knowledge could Pandora have?