She's never had a family. He thought he'd never need one. Brooks Kane wants two things: to continue his Pa's legacy by running Kane Ridge Ranch, and some goddamn peace and quiet. But when his ex shows up and leaves him with a baby girl he never knew existed, Brooks's quiet life is thrown into chaos. Desperate and in over his head, he hires a live-in nanny. Pepper Basil has nothing tying her down and nowhere else to go. She's not exactly qualified to care for a child, but she can't afford to say no to the grumpy cowboy offering her a job and a place to stay. Hiring someone like Pepper-sunshine in human form, too tempting for his own good-was never part of the plan. And Pepper didn't set out to want a life that was never meant to be hers. But somewhere between late nights, shared responsibilities and a baby who needs them both, lines begin to blur. Building a family was never part of the plan...but sometimes, the best family, isn't the one you're given, but the one you choose.