Single Dad's Holiday Wedding

Single Dad's Holiday Wedding
Patricia Thayer

This Christmas, we’e got some fabulous treats to give away! ENTER NOW for a chance to win £5000 by clicking the link below. www.millsandboon.co.uk/ebookxmas (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/ebookxmas).

“I can’t believe you’re passing up a home-cooked meal, Jace Yeager,” Lori said. “Maggie’s biscuits are the best around, and probably even better with Cassie helping.”

“Please, Daddy. I’ll go to bed right on time. I won’t argue or anything.”

Jace looked back at Lori. It was her first night here, and probably a rough one.

Lori smiled. “Now, that’s a hard offer to turn down.”

“You’re no help,” he told Lori.

“Sorry, us girls have to stick together.”

That was what he was afraid of. He was losing more than just this round. He hated that he didn’t mind one bit.

“Okay, but we can’t stay long. We have a bedtime schedule.”

“I promise I’ll go to bed right on time,” Cassie said again, and then took off toward the kitchen.

He looked at a smiling Lori. “Okay, I’m a pushover.”

“Buck up, Dad. It’s only going to get worse before it gets better.”

Suddenly their eyes locked and the amused look disappeared. Lori was the first to speak. “Please, I want you to stay for dinner. I think we both agree that eating alone isn’t fun.”

“Yes, we can agree on that.”

He followed Lori into the kitchen, knowing this woman could easily fill those lonely times. He just couldn’t let it happen. No more women for a while—at least not over the age of seven.

Dear Reader,

I can’t tell you how happy I am to be returning to Destiny for my next story. The small Colorado town has always been one of my favourite locations—so, for those of you who remember, I’ll also be revisiting the Keenan family and their historical inn.

This time I move on to another famous family in town: the Hutchinsons. A hundred years ago Raymond Hutchinson built the mining town after he struck gold in the area. When great-grandson Lyle passes away suddenly his estranged daughter, Lorelei, returns to town for the first time in twenty years to learn she’s the only heir to the family fortune. There’s a catch. Lori must live in Destiny for a year and run the Hutchinson Corporation. That brings her face to face with angry contractor Jace Yeager.

Jace doesn’t have time to deal with any more delays on his construction project—especially when his new partner could stop the project at any time. His first priority is his seven-year-old daughter and getting permanent custody. He doesn’t want or need any other female in his life. So it’s strictly business with Lorelei Hutchinson—until they’re snowed in together …

Enjoy!

Patricia Thayer

About the Author

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself, accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together, they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them: her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years, and has authored more than forty-six books. She has been nominated for both a National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA

Award. Her book Nothing Short of a Miracle won an RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award.

A longtime member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website, www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

Single Dad’s

Holiday Wedding

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To my Vine Street Sisters.

I’ve enjoyed our time together. Bless you all.

CHAPTER ONE

SHE still wasn’t sure if coming here was a good idea.

Lorelei Hutchinson drove along First Street to the downtown area of the small community of Destiny, Colorado. She reached the historic square and parked her rental car in an angled spot by a huge three-tiered fountain. The centerpiece of the brick-lined plaza was trimmed with a hedge and benches for visitors. A pathway led to a park where children were playing.

She got out, wrapped her coat sweater tighter against the cold autumn temperature and walked closer to watch the water cascade over the marble structure. After nearly twenty years many of her memories had faded, but some were just as vivid as if they’d happened yesterday.

One Christmas she remembered the fountain water was red, the giant tree decorated with multicolored lights and ornaments and everyone singing carols. She had a family then.

A rush of emotions hit her when she recalled being in this exact spot, holding her father’s hand as he took her to the park swings. One of the rare occasions she’d spent time with the man. He’d always been too busy building his empire. Too busy for his wife and daughter. So many times she had wanted just a little of his attention, his love. She never got it.

Now it was too late. Lyle Hutchinson was gone.

With a cleansing breath, she turned toward the rows of storefront buildings. She smiled. Not many towns had this step-back-into-the-nineteen-thirties look, but it seemed that Destiny was thriving.

The wind blew dried leaves as she crossed the two-lane street and strolled past Clark’s Hardware Store and Save More Pharmacy, where her mother took her for candy and ice cream cones as a child. A good memory. She sure could use some of those right now.

There was a new addition to the block, a bridal shop called Rocky Mountain Bridal Shop. She kept walking, past an antiques store toward a law office with the name Paige Keenan Larkin, Attorney at Law, stenciled on the glass.

She paused at the door to the office. This was her father’s town, not hers. Lyle Hutchinson had made sure of that. That was why she needed someone on her side. She pushed the door open and a bell tinkled as she walked into the reception area.

The light coming through the windows of the storefront office illuminated the high ceilings and hardwood floors that smelled of polish and age, but also gave off a homey feeling.

She heard the sound of high heels against the bare floors as a petite woman came down the long hall. She had dark brown hair worn in a blunt cut that brushed her shoulders. A white tailored blouse tucked into a black shirt gave her a professional look.

A bright smile appeared. “Lorelei Hutchinson? I’m Paige Larkin. Welcome home.”

* * *

After exchanging pleasantries, Lori was ushered into a small conference room to find a middle-aged man seated at the head of the table, going through a folder. No doubt, her father’s attorney.

He saw her and stood. “Lorelei Hutchinson, I’m Dennis Bradley.”

She shook his offered hand. “Mr. Bradley.”

When the lawyer phoned her last week, and told her of her father’s sudden death and that she’d been mentioned in his will, she was shocked about both. She hadn’t seen or talked with her father since she’d been seven years old.

All Lori was hoping for now was that she could come into town today, sign any papers for Lyle’s will and leave tomorrow.

The middle-aged attorney began, “First of all, Lorelei, I want to express my condolences for your loss. Lyle wasn’t only my business associate, but my friend, too.” He glanced at Paige and back at her. “I agreed to see you today knowing your reluctance. Your father wanted the formal reading of his will at Hutchinson House tomorrow.”

Great. Not the plans she had. “Mr. Bradley, as you know, I haven’t seen my father in years. I’m not sure why you insisted I come here.” He’d sent her the airline ticket and reserved a rental car. “If Lyle Hutchinson left me anything, couldn’t you have sent it to me?”

The man frowned. “As I explained on the phone, Ms. Hutchinson, you’re Lyle’s sole heir.” He shook his head. “And that’s all I’m at liberty to say until tomorrow at the reading of the will. Please just stay until then. Believe me, it will benefit not only you, but this town.”

Before she could comprehend or react to the news, the door opened and another man walked into the room. He looked her over and said, “So the prodigal daughter finally made it to town.”