Destined to Be a Dad
The British Are Coming! Cowboy-turned-businessman Liam Murphy thought he had it all–until the teen daughter he never knew existed walks into his life, her mother close behind. Now the Wyoming bachelor must confront his first love, former London exchange student Missy Dobbs, and get answers. To start: How can he still be so attracted to this person who has seemingly betrayed him?Missy has to ask herself the same question. Long in the dark about her child's paternity, Missy can't help feeling a secret thrill that Liam's back in her life. Maybe staying in Destiny awhile will help her daughter bond with her dad, but is it a trap for Missy's shell-shocked heart?
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âWhereâs my daughter?â Missy asked, hating the huskiness of her voice.
Liam moved to the edge of the porch. Despite the passage of time, he looked the same, like an older version of the boy sheâd known. He was impossibly handsome in jeans, a long-sleeved dress shirt with the cuffs folded back to his elbows and cowboy boots.
Always cowboy boots.
His gaze lit on her, but the setting sun and deep shadows of the porch made it impossible to see his expression as he thanked the driver whoâd placed her suitcases on the porch. She tore her gaze from him and thanked the man as well when he walked past her. When it was just the two of them again, she returned her focus to Liam, who hadnât moved other than to cross his arms over his chest.
The defensive pose spoke volumes about his state of mind.
Fine, but right now she wanted to see for herself that Casey was okay. âI asked youââ
âIs it true?â The words were out of his mouth as she reached for the stair railing, freezing her on the first step. âIs Casey my daughter?â he demanded.
* * *
Welcome to Destiny: Where fate leads to falling in love
CHRISTYNE BUTLER is a USA TODAY bestselling author who fell in love with romance novels while serving in the US Navy and started writing her own stories in 2002. She writes contemporary romances that are full of life, love and a hint of laughter. She lives with her family in central Massachusetts and loves to hear from her readers at www.christynebutler.com.
To the following extraordinary authors ⦠you have no idea how much your books mean to me, as a fan who spends many hours lost in the pleasure of reading them and as a writer for the inspiration you provide.
Thank you!
Donna Alward
Rachel Gibson Kristan Higgins Shirley Jump Virginia Kantra Laura Kaye Susan Mallery Catherine Mann Sarah Morgan Molly oâKeefe Christine Rimmer Jill Shalvis Roxanne St. Claire Karen Templeton
Contents
âWankers! You cowboys promised to take me to Liam Murphy, not show me the back side of some bloody barn!â
The lilting British accent, rarely heard here in the small town of Destiny, Wyoming, floated on the hot August morning breeze. It came from somewhere behind him and despite the voices bickering on the other end of this endless phone callâand the fact sheâd said his nameâthe inflection kicked Liam square in the gut.
He should have been used to it by now.
His familyâs business, Murphy Mountain Log Homes, was celebrating its twentieth year in business with a growing following in the United Kingdom, thanks to securing a contract to build a log homeâscratch that, a twenty-thousand-square-foot log mansionâfor a popular movie actor based in Scotland.
Meaning as company president, Liam spent a lot of time on the phone and in meetings with people who spoke the Queenâs English. Still, whenever he heard that soft and silvery accent spoken by a female voice, it never failed to take him back.
To another place, another time when heâd thought he could have it all.
Aw, hell, that was a lifetime ago.
âAre you daft?â The girlish voice came again, cutting into Liamâs thoughts. âNot bloody happening!â
Hmm, not so soft this time.
She sounded young and her words were angry, but there was a hint of fear laced through as well. Liam didnât know what was going on, but he had a pretty good idea.
Ending his call, he pocketed his phone, backtracked a few steps and headed for the far end of a nearby barn.
The first-ever Destiny rodeo was in full swing, and campers and horse trailers filled this area of the fairgrounds. Itâd taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people to pull this event together. His familyâs company was a major sponsor, and while it might only be a one-day event, the prize money was good, ensuring participants and fans alike packed the arena and the town.
The last thing they needed was trouble.
Liam spotted the trio as soon as he rounded the corner. Dressed in jeans, plaid shirts and Stetsons, two cowboys stood with a young girl sandwiched between them. He wasnât sure about the men, but the female definitely looked to be under eighteen. That made the six-pack of beer held by one of the cowboysâwho didnât have a valid alcohol wristbandâeven more of a concern. And it wasnât even noon yet.
âCome on, darlinâ. Letâs enjoy a cold brew in our camper.â One of the cowboys encircled the girlâs waist with his arm. âThen weâll track down that Murphy guy for ya.â
âNo need to go far.â Liam kept his voice light as he strolled toward the group, despite his anger spiking at the scene before him. âIâm right here.â
The three jerked around, surprise on the faces of the cowboys, relief in the girlâs eyes. And there was something else about their dark navy coloring that hit him as hard as her voice had.
