Nanny in Lumberjack Lagoon

By Elsie James

Lumberjack single dad and curvy nanny instalove summer romance
Lumberjack Lagoon Book One

Poppy
As a teacher, I'm always looking for adventure during breaks in the school year. Two months spent lounging in Lumberjack Lagoon fits the bill, but with my funds running low I'll need to find a summer job to make it happen. When a hot lumberjack hires me to nanny for his two boys, my lesson plans go out the window. Kaden is sexy, burly, and I want to swing his axe. But does he want me for more than just babysitting?

Kaden
Balancing my life as a lumberjack and a single dad is a full-time gig, and it's hectic. But when summer comes and the kids are out of school, I have to hire help. When a sexy nanny applies for the position, I need to give myself a time-out. Poppy is curvy, caring, and makes me want to put the kids to bed early. But can I convince her that we could be forever?

This is the first book in the Lumberjack Lagoon series. As always, this book is safe with a promise of no cliffhangers, no cheating, a steamy sex scene, a sweet storyline, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Read this book if you want to escape reality in the arms of a burly lumberjack with a heart of gold. If you like a sweet storyline with steamy sex scenes along the way, you will love Lumberjack Lagoon. Go ahead, fall in love with a lumberjack tonight, you deserve it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elsie James
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224525812

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

POPPY

Just keep on running for me, I say, patting the hood of my car. Using the questionably clean squeegee, I wash my front windshield as the gas pump drains my account and fills my tank. One more summer and then I promise to retire you, I tell my faded blue sedan.

As I pull into Lumberjack Lagoon the town’s humble charm bowls me over and I know I’ve made the right choice.

Colorful cottages in rows interspersed with shops make up the tiny downtown. Prideful signs declare the town the home of the world's largest logging operation. This place is just as adorable as advertised.

Following the signs to the lagoon, I pull into the parking lot. I think about how good it feels to close the doors to my classroom for the next sixty days. Before I get out of the car, I send my mom a quick text. She’s always worrying for no reason, my wanderlust isn’t that different from hers.

Me: Made it

Mom: Great! Any lumberjacks yet?

Me: Unfortunately not

Mom: Lol post lots of pics & call after you meet the family

Me: I will

Mom: Promise

Me: Promise, love you

Excited, I start the hike from the parking lot to the lagoon. My feet crunch on the mixture of sand and gravel with each step I take. I have to admit that it's more than just the pristine views and promise of hot lumberjacks that drew me to this town.

This lagoon is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The undisturbed ecosystem is home to hundreds of unique aquatic species. As a self-proclaimed science nerd, I can’t wait to spend time observing it and collecting specimens to bring back to my students.

From the parking lot, the path winds into the forested area. The heat of the bright summer sun quickly trades for a cooler and more pleasant shade broken by the majestic Douglas Fir and more delicate Shore Pine trees. Eventually, the trees part into a clearing. Excitement courses through me and I pick up my pace. When I reach the rocky edge of the water, I make my way off of the path.

Taking in the view in front of me I marvel at the tall seagrass woven together in naturally intricate patterns. But a rustling sound just a few feet away from me snaps me back to reality.

The top of the tall seagrass parts as someone or something draws closer to me. I watch with bated breath, running into a wild animal isn’t exactly how I’d planned to start my trip.

Found it, a child’s voice shouts, startling me.

I involuntarily leap into the air and land on the muddy soil struggling to find my footing. I let out an awkward yelp as a small blonde head emerges from the tall grass beside the lagoon.

In a clumsy, pirouette-like move, I stumble my way thigh-deep into the murky brackish water. Eew.

The blonde boy walks unflinchingly into the muddy water beside me wearing brown cargo shorts cinched with a red belt. His boots in the mud make a sucking sound with each step he takes.

I’d guess him to be the same age as the students in my class, maybe eight years old. He’s scrawny and his skin is so fair it has an almost translucent quality. He holds out a pebble in my direction.

Did you know this is limestone? He asks me as if standing partially submerged in water is the most natural thing in the world.

Is it? I ask, with a hint of amusement.

It comes from fossilized coral, the boy says, matter-of-factly.

That’s incredible. How do you know so much about limestone?

I wade back towards the shore and he follows me. My denim shorts are so waterlogged that I keep a hand on the back of them to keep them from sliding down my hips.

I love science, at school, we study the ecosystem of the lagoon. I even have a rock collection. I’m the only scientist in my family so I work alone. You know, like when my brother is doing lumberjack things, I read. The boy rambles in an adorably flat tone.

Oh, I’m a science enthusiast myself, I tell him. He doesn’t respond so I continue, So will you go to the lumberjack camp?

The signs for the annual youth camp line the town’s streets and are impossible to miss. Something about the idea of a line of lumberjacks training the next generation of tiny lumberjacks makes me smile.

There's no way I would go to lumberjack camp mostly because I don’t have anything to prove. His deadpan delivery makes me laugh.

Oh is that so? I ask. This kid is a science