Mustang Daddy - A Single Daddy, Small Town Second Chance Romance Read online

  SIENNA PARKS

  COPYRIGHT 2017 PRISM HEART PRESS

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  COVER DESIGN: Louisa Maggio

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  For my babies

  Watching you laugh and love,

  is the greatest gift

  I could ever ask for.

  You are my heart.

  A.B.

  I thought moving back to Kingsbury Falls would be good for me… until I saw him.

  Maddox Hale was my high school sweetheart, and the best friend I ever had.

  We shared all the important firsts together, but when faced with making him choose between me and the life he wanted, I made the decision for him. I left without a word, or an explanation.

  Now I’m back, and so is he… with his daughter.

  Maddox

  A.B. Clark broke my heart and made me swear I would never return to my hometown. I left to become a champion bull rider. Eleven years later, I moved back, with a wife and a baby on the way. Now I’m a single daddy, running the family ranch. My daughter is the only woman in my life… until A.B. shows up, throwing my world into disarray. I don’t know if trust can ever be earned after it’s been broken, but she makes me want to believe in the possibility.

  With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Dr. A.B. Clark sets out to win back not just the trust, but the heart of her first and only love, single daddy Maddox Hale. With the best intentions, not to break his heart a second time, A.B. is faced with a decision that could risk losing everything she’s ever wanted.

  Can Maddox risk not only his, but his daughter’s heart being broken by the one woman that sets his world on fire?

  Mustang Daddy is a wild ride of small town, epic romance. An emotional, heartfelt, sexy and sassy love story that will restore your faith in second chances.

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Description

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  All The Thanks

  Social Media

  BONUS BOOK ONE – FLAWLESS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  BONUS BOOK TWO – RELENTLESS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  BONUS BOOK THREE – ENDLESS

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Vienna

  Chapter Seven

  Prague

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Paris

  Chapter Thirteen

  Budapest

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  New York

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Los Angeles

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Social Media

  Prologue

  MADDOX

  “I don’t love you anymore.”

  “What about Sally Rae?”

  “She’s better off without me. I wasn’t ready to be a mother. I told you that. I should never have listened to you… I made the same mistake my momma did – if I don’t leave now, I never will. I don’t want this life, Mad. I want… more.”

  Soft breathing echoes through the baby monitor, our fourteen-month-old daughter sleeping soundly. “Your baby girl needs you, Sam. I need you. I can’t do this by myself!”

  The walls close in as she paces
the floor, a caged animal in her own home. “Please sit down, sweetheart. Talk to me.”

  As I reach for her hand, it only agitates her more. “NO! Don’t touch me!” Her voice reverberates through the kitchen and out into the hallway, disturbing my little angel’s slumber. Sam flinches at the sound, fixed to the spot, staring me down in defiance.

  “Dang it! I just got her down an hour ago.”

  “I gotta go help set up for the fair. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Her words are clipped - dripping with disdain.

  The door slams, and my chest expands with every step toward Rae. As my eyes adjust to the dark of the nursery, I’m wrapped in the warm blanket of Rae’s scent. My heart swells whenever she’s near, her sweet, gentle nature capturing my undivided attention. As I lift her out of her crib, my fight with Sam is all but forgotten. “Hey, princess. How’s my favorite girl? Tell Daddy what’s wrong.”

  “Dadda. Dadda.”

  “Who’s my little Rae of sunshine?”

  Her chubby little hands find my face. “Want my mommy.”

  I wipe her tear soaked eyes. “I know, baby. Mommy’s at work. Just you and me tonight.” Grabbing her blankie, I settle into the rocking chair in the corner of the room – the steady rhythm distracting her – distracting me. As her small, shallow breaths even out, her head resting against my chest, I marvel at how much this little bundle has changed my life in the past year.

  The moment Sam told me she was pregnant, I asked her to marry me. Initially she fought me on the idea, we’d only been dating for three months, but my granddaddy raised me right. You don’t shirk your responsibilities. I’d always wanted to settle down and start a family, I just didn’t expect it so soon, and if I’m honest, I knew Samantha and I weren’t “soulmates,” if there is such a thing. Getting married was the right thing to do, and I want Rae to have a real family, like I never did. My dad worked day and night to expand the family ranch, but it came at a price, my mom left when I was young, and with him so focused on business, I was raised by my grandparents. As much as I love them, I always felt… like a burden. I don’t want that for Rae. I need her to know that she’s loved and wanted more than anything.

  After we got married, I bought a house here in Kingsbury Falls. I went back on the road, but things soon turned sour between Sam and me. She resented me every time I left, and by the time Rae was born, I knew I had to make a change if we were going to have a real shot at being a proper family. I gave up bronc riding, much to my dad’s delight, and started working the ranch. He was always disappointed that I never wanted to follow in his footsteps, and as his only son, the ranch was always going to be mine. I just figured I could have it all, but life has a funny way of knocking you down a peg or two.

  The rodeo circuit was shocked by my exit, and I’ve had my fair share of column inches in the newspapers – dumb rumors about why I quit. I’ve been accused of cheating, having a drug problem, some people even believe I was disqualified from competing. No one wants to believe that I did it because Sam and Rae are more important to me than fame and fortune. Sadly, I think Sam misses it all more than I do.

  I’m trying my best to love enough for the both of us, but lately, I feel like I’m swimming against the tide. Nothing I do is right. I take Rae up to the ranch with me most days because she just loves being outdoors, watching the horses all day long - perfectly content. I love having her with me, and it gives Sam some breathing space. Small town living can be hard when you’re not used to it, and in a town of 736 people, everyone knows your business.

  Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and I’m taking some of the horses down to the town square for pony rides. Everyone pitches in for the annual spring fair, and as much as I wanted to leave here when I was young, I appreciate the sense of community. It’s good for Rae to be surrounded by people that love her, and Sam and I have needed all the help we could get this past year. Becoming a parent in my twenties wasn’t part of my life plan – I can barely look after myself. But, things are looking up. I have a surprise planned for her tomorrow, so hopefully we can put tonight’s fight behind us and focus on moving forward.

  I lose track of time in the quiet serenity, humming Rae’s favorite song as she snuggles closer… rocking back and forth… lulling us both into a contented sleep.

  Chapter One

  Present Day

  MADDOX

  The air is crisp in the moments before dawn, pink rays of sunshine kissing the horizon. I draw in a slow, deep breath, my brain racing a mile a minute, flooded with the rush of oxygen. Synapses firing on a whole other level.

  I’m not looking forward to today, everyone staring at me – their hushed hollow whispers reverberating around the town square. I don’t need or want their pity, and neither does Sally Rae. Two years ago, Sam walked out on us, and I haven’t seen or heard from her since. I could almost understand if it was just me, but to leave her daughter behind without so much as a “Dear John” letter – that’s coldhearted. I should know. It’s exactly what my mom did to me.

  “You gonna stand there all day gazing at the daisies, or are you gonna help me get these dang horses to the fair?” My dad’s voice cuts through my pity party like a knife.

  “Yes, sir. Wouldn’t want a moment to stop and admire the scenery around here – that would be a waste now, wouldn’t it?”

  “Horseshit! You’re moping. Same as you did last year. Now, buck up and let’s get today over with.”

  “‘oresit! ‘oresit! ‘oresit!” Rae dances in the daises, the first burst of sunlight glimmering in her hair as she twirls.

  “Good one, Dad. Thanks for teaching my three-year-old to cuss!”

  He’s always been a hard-ass as a father, but as a grandfather… Rae has him wrapped around her little finger. He sweeps her up into his arms, spinning her around. “Bad Granddaddy. Don’t you be saying that word now, you hear?”

  “Bad Gandaddy!” Her nose scrunches up and her tiny brows furrow as she looks between us, before a wry smile hints at the corner of her lips. With a kiss on the cheek, she wriggles out of his grasp and runs to me, her goofy little run warming my heart.

  “You ready to ride the horsey with Daddy?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

  “Then let’s go.” I grab the reins as Rae crawls onto my back like a spider monkey – giddy with excitement. She loves riding with me. “Now hold on and I’ll lift you round front. You gotta be in the driving seat, baby girl.” Nothing makes me happier than having her nestled in tight, her hands clutching the reins. She truly believes that I’m the passenger – and it’s so stinking adorable.

  “Gid-up, horsey.” Even the horses are enthralled by Rae, always responsive to her commands.

  The short ride into town is my oasis of calm before the storm that is Kingsbury Falls. I steel myself for the day ahead, reminding myself that the only thing that matters to me is snuggled against my chest, her squeals of joy echoing in the morning breeze.

  The town doesn’t disappoint. My day is spent fielding questions about my social life. Am I dating? Do I need a babysitter? Am I feeding Sally Rae healthy food? Would I like to go out with the girl from the grocery store’s cousin from the next town over? Eyes follow me wherever I go, but all I care about is Rae. She’s having the greatest day with Pops, visiting every booth, playing the games and winning prizes – even when she didn’t really win anything. But, as much as I appreciate everybody’s kindness toward her, I don’t want her to grow up thinking she can get by on being pretty and people’s sympathy. She needs to earn what she wants, because one day, no one’s gonna care that her momma left when she was a baby, or that her daddy is a retired bronc rider.

  I learned that lesson fast. Even my dad didn’t cut me slack just because momma left us. I would cry myself to sleep at night, wondering what I did to make her leave me behind. I still remember him shouting down the hall, “Toughen up, boy. Ain’t nobody you can rely on but yourself.” I can’t imagine being that harsh with Rae, and he is constantly making
excuses for her when she’s misbehaving. He undermines me at every turn, but he loves her something fierce, and I’m happy he’s a good granddaddy. I have that relationship in my life, and it means the world to me. I never would have succeeded or followed my dreams if Pops hadn’t encouraged me all the way. He still does. He’s the stability in my life, and now I have Rae.

  My nanna died shortly after my 5th birthday. I don’t have any real memories of her – more like a vision of her, standing on the front porch at the ranch, hollering at Pops to come in for supper. the remnants of happy times. Her and Pops were stupid in love. After he lost her, he channeled all his energy into raising me, and helping build the ranch.

  All the old biddies in town remember nanna with a wistful fondness, recounting stories to Rae, any chance they get. It always lifts my mood, hearing them tell my baby what a fierce line of Hale women she comes from – positive role models to aspire to, but my heart aches for her. For the days she asks why she doesn’t have a mommy like the other girls. How do I answer that without changing her world?

  She comes running toward me, her face caked in chocolate ice cream. Her smile as wide as can be. “Daddy, I won a fishy! Can I keep it? Can I?”

  I could never refuse that cute little face. “Of course. It’ll need a name, though. What do you think? We could call it ‘Turtle,’ or ‘Frog.’ What do you think?”

  “I already called it Samantha.” My fists tighten – a reflex reaction at this point.

  Through gritted teeth I reply. “Sure. Whatever you want, baby girl. It’s getting late now. You better go home and put that fish to bed.”

  “You’re so silly. Fisheses don’t sleep.”

  “Sure they do. She can sleep in the barn. Some nice comfy hay.”

  “Fisheses need water, Daddy.”

  “Really? I think you might be a genius, Rae.”

  “Yes!” She snuggles in close, planting a big wet kiss on my cheek; clutching her goldfish bag as tight as she can.

  “Now run along with Pops. Your granddaddy and I will be home soon.”

  As she jumps out of my arms, Pops slaps me on the shoulder. “She’s lucky to have you.”