Tymber Dalton - Love and Brimstone

To Hubby, because without him, I never would have realized my dream. To my mom and dad, for encouraging my writing when I was a kid. To Mr. B, He knows why.

To my readers for buying my scribbles, thank you all! And to my publisher, Siren-BookStrand, for having faith in me.

This was my first published book (originally bylined as Lesli Richardson). It was originally released by another publisher on August 8, 2008 (8/8/08), the opening day of the Olympics. I’ve learned a lot since then, and when it was first published, the original prologue, as well as some other scenes, ended up cut. I’ve always wished they had been included, because they give more insight to Taz’s personality. So here is the original version, revised and expanded from the way it was first published. I hope you enjoy it.

Tim Robertson followed Eric Proctor through the kitchen, where Eric’s wife, Bianca, tried unsuccessfully to shovel pureed sweet potatoes into their baby’s mouth.

“Darling, this is Tim Robertson, the chap I told you about. The one I’m interviewing to be our business manager.”

“Hello,” Tim said. The attorney held out his hand as the woman flashed him an exasperated, exhausted smile.

Bianca started to shake his hand and realized too late hers was covered with baby food. “Uh, sorry. Nice to meet you, Mr. Robertson.”

Robertson smiled and reached for a dish towel. “That’s quite all right. Please, call me Tim. And who is this precious one?”

Eric laughed. “My pride and joy, Anastazia.”

“She’s adorable.” He fixed the little girl with his blue eyes. Transfixed by his gaze, she immediately stopped finger-painting with her food and cooed at him.

“Where are you from again?” Eric asked Tim.

“I was born and raised in Cheshire. Spent some time in London, but I’ve lived most of my adult life here in the States.”

“I won’t hold it against you, mate.” Eric laughed. “Bianca dragged me out of Dublin. Have to say, the weather is nicer here in LA—”

“Oh, crap!” Bianca swore. “The studio car is coming in an hour, and I still need to get ready. Crap!”

Anastazia burbled, still smiling at Tim. “Why don’t you let me feed her?” Tim offered, already taking off his suit coat and rolling up his sleeves.

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask you to—” Tim fixed her with his blue gaze. She paused and looked from him to the baby, who was now body painting with her entree. “Really?”

He nodded, taking the spoon from her. “I love children.” He turned to the baby, who was once again entranced by her new friend. He scooped up a small spoonful. She obediently opened her mouth for him, keeping every bit of it in.

“You’re hired!” both parents said.

Tim winked at the baby, who flashed him a gummy grin. “I can stay late tonight, if you’d like. I don’t have any plans.”

Bianca’s face lit up in a dazzling smile. “Fantastic!” She quickly washed her hands. “Eric, I don’t know where you found him, but whatever he wants, give it to him.” She disappeared through the doorway.

Eric watched their new manager feed the baby. “She really likes you.” He nodded toward his daughter. “The baby, I mean. Although Bianca sure took a shine to you, too.”

“I have lots of nieces and nephews,” Tim said. He got the rest of the baby’s dinner into her. She finally cooed, burped, and giggled, her round green eyes sparkling. She has her father’s eyes , Tim noted.

Eric laughed. “I love her. But I’m not very…you know…parental.” Tim smelled a hint of bourbon on Eric’s breath. “Unfortunately, neither is Bianca. We love Tazzie to death, don’t get me wrong, but we’re both busy. We need someone…you know…responsible around.”

Tim nodded, wiping the baby clean with a damp cloth and cleaning the smeared food off the tray. “I understand completely.” He looked into Eric’s eyes. “I was going apartment hunting tomorrow. I’m tired of paying for a house when I’m rarely there.” He held Eric’s gaze as the baby quieted, watching them.

Eric’s face went blank for a moment. Then he grinned. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Stay right here!” He bolted from his chair and disappeared through the same door his wife had exited.

Tim smiled at the baby. “You and I will be great friends, won’t we, sweetheart?”

She clapped her chubby hands and gave him another gummy grin. He brushed her wispy hair from her forehead. “You’re going to be a beauty. I’ll certainly have my hands full with you.”

She reached out and took his finger in her hand and gnawed on it, making him laugh.

“Gah!” she babbled.

He chuckled. “Gah, indeed, young lady.”

Eric ran—literally—into the kitchen. He was moving so fast he grabbed the doorway as he rounded the corner to keep from going ass over teakettle.

“You’ll move in here,” he breathlessly exclaimed. “I talked to Bianca, and she’s all for it. Please say yes. It’ll save us a huge hassle. I’ve got racing season coming up, and she’s got two movies in the pipe. If you’re going to be handling all our stuff anyway, it makes sense. Tazzie really seems to like you. She hates most everyone else. I’ve never seen her take to anyone the way she takes to you.”

Tim looked at the baby. “Would you like that?”

She rewarded him with another gummy grin. “Gah!” She clapped.

He turned to Eric. “Splendid. Let me clean her up. Then you can show me where everything is and show me my new quarters.”

A puzzled look clouded Eric’s face. “You don’t mind being a babysitter? You’re an attorney.”

“I think a more accurate term for my position with you would be majordomo, and no, I don’t mind. I am perfectly capable of handling a baby as well as your affairs.” Eric blushed, which Tim didn’t miss. “I can hire staff to take care of cleaning and other tasks.” Tim fixed Eric with his eyes again.

His face momentarily went blank before he smiled. “Great! Bianca will be thrilled!” He bolted out the door.

“Does your father ever slow down?”

“Gah!”

Tim lifted her out of the high chair. “Yes, it is very gah . Let’s get you a bath and some pajamas, shall we?”

Eric left the house soon after his wife departed in the studio car. He mumbled something about a meeting. Tim said if Bianca checked in, he would tell her Eric was in the bathroom, and then call Eric’s cell.

Eric’s jaw dropped. “You’re amazing, man. You know that?”

He nodded. “I’ve been told I’m efficient.”

Tim checked on the baby, asleep in her crib. He’d move his things in tomorrow. But for now…

He placed a call as he watched her sleep.

A male voice on the other end answered. “Hello?”

“It’s Tim. No problems at all. They were tripping over themselves.”

“Hired you?” the other man asked.

“I start tomorrow. Well, tonight, technically.” He paused. “I need a favor.” He outlined his request.

“He won’t be happy about that,” the other man said.

“I don’t care. This one’s special. If he trusts me as much as he claims, he must take my word for it. Let me deal with her. And I mean hands off.”

“All right. I’ll tell him. If you need anything, let us know.”

“With these two as parents, I’ll need all the help I can get.”

“Now go play. Nicely,” Tim said. He sat on the park bench. Anastazia—Taz—was a five-year-old fireball. She liked wearing her reddish auburn hair loose and long. It was already to her shoulders and naturally wavy. He dressed her in jeans and sneakers, knowing she’d be filthy by the time they returned home from the park.