I worked my way around the movers and headed out the front door. Although there was a fence around the property and a gate at the entrance, the driveway wasn't very long. I exited the gate, leaving it open. Bran would scold me if he knew. I headed up the street toward the cul-de-sac, since I hadn't been in that section of the neighborhood yet.
The community was in the middle of nowhere, but it still had amenities like paved roads and sidewalks. I walked up the street and as I reached my neighbor’s home, the gate started to open. I was ready to smile and wave at my new neighbor. But instead of a car exiting, a hulk of a man with a baby stroller and a crying baby walked out. As he drew closer, my gut clenched.
"Noel St. Martin."
His head jerked up from where had been looking down at a crying infant. His brow furrowed, and then recognition came. "Harper Erickson?”
I couldn't wrap my brain around why he was here and with the child. "Are you now a bodyguard for babies?"
He gave me a sheepish smile. "My ineptitude with infants is that obvious, huh? The truth is, he's my son."
I tried to keep my jaw from dropping. Noel St. Martin didn't seem like the type of man to have fatherly instincts. Although he was always polite to me, he had an air of danger around him. The baby's crying grew louder, and he reached into the stroller picking up the child. He held the infant, bouncing him gently.
I watched them for a moment, Noel trying to soothe the baby, but the baby continuing to wail. I started to feel sorry for Noel. He clearly wasn't having any luck calming the child.
"Can I give it a try?" I asked, although I don’t know why. Sure, I did fine with my niece, but I wasn’t a baby expert.
"I'm not going to turn down any help." He handed the child over to me. I cradled it in my arms looking down into its sweet little face, red and angry. I rocked side to side and gently bounced the baby in my arms. I started to sing a song that my mother used to sing to me and Bran when we were little.
At first the baby continued to cry and squirm in my arms, but then he hiccupped and stopped crying, looking up at me. His little brow furrowed like he was trying to figure out who I was.
"You're magic." Noel watched me, amazement shining in his eyes.
I continued to rock and sing as I watched the baby’s eyes droop lower and lower until they finally closed.
"I don't suppose you're here answering my advertisement for a nanny, are you?"
I shook my head. "No. I just bought the house next door. Today's moving day."
"You're moving next-door?" He looked at me in surprise.
I studied him trying to determine if he was being genuine. Ever since Bran hired Noel’s company to protect me from the stalker, I'd been paranoid that I was still being followed, not by the stalker, but by Bran’s army of bodyguards.
I was sick of his over protection. I wasn't sure how Bran could manipulate this situation, but if it was possible, he would do it. I was sure of it.
That meant Noel’s being my neighbor could be a part of Bran’s grand scheme. Just when I thought my home was perfect, I now had to worry that Bran was still trying to dictate my life.
CHAPTERFIVE
Noel
The last person I ever expected to buy the house next door to me was Harper Erickson. She was a socialite. Her life was filled with clubbing, hanging out with celebrities, and donating to charities.
She wouldn't find any of that out here.
The community wouldn't tolerate it if she tried to bring it here. Everyone who lived here was looking to get away from the world.
But an even bigger surprise than Harper buying the home next to me was the way Mo settled down and fell asleep in her arms. On the one hand, I felt like he was a traitor. I'd been trying so hard to soothe him and he’d ignored my efforts, while immediately taking to Harper.
On the other hand, I was happy that finally someone was able to give him what he needed. Too bad I wouldn't be able to hire her as his nanny.
"What are you doing living way out here?" she asked me.
"I wanted peace and quiet.”
"To raise your son?"
I shook my head. "No. I moved to this area last year, but bought this home a few months ago thinking I’d have some peace and quiet. Mo arrived about a month ago.”