SUDDENLY A SINGLE DAD
Reid Hardell never imagined heâd become a single dad or that heâd ever return to his familyâs ranch in Stampede, Texas. But for his newfound daughterâs sake, Reid is coming home, hoping his estranged brothers can help him master fatherhood. Life in Stampede has an unexpected perkâreconnecting with gorgeous Scarlett Johnson. Until Reid discovers sheâs the new social worker on his custody case.
In working with Reid and his daughter, Scarlett finds a connection she thought was impossible. She wants more than anything to be part of their family, but a relationship could jeopardize their case and her job. How can she turn away from having everything sheâs ever wantedâeven if itâs the right thing to do?
MARIN THOMAS grew up in the Midwest, then attended college at the U of A in Tucson, Arizona, where she earned a BA in radio-TV and played basketball for the Lady Wildcats. Following graduation, she married her college sweetheart in the historic Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Recent empty-nesters, Marin and her husband now live in Texas, where cattle is king, cowboys are plentiful and pickups rule the road. Visit her on the web at marinthomas.com.
Also By Marin Thomas
The Cowboys of Stampede, Texas
The Cowboyâs Accidental Baby
Twins for the Texas Rancher
Cowboys of the Rio Grande
A Cowboyâs Redemption
The Surgeonâs Christmas Baby
A Cowboyâs Claim
The Cash Brothers
The Cowboy Next Door
Twins Under the Christmas Tree
Her Secret Cowboy
The Cowboyâs Destiny
True Blue Cowboy
A Cowboy of Her Own
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
ISBN: 978-1-474-08475-8
LONE STAR FATHER
© 2018 Brenda Smith-Beagley
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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âMaybe this wasnât such a good idea,â Reid said.
âWhat?â
âComing back to Stampede.â
Scarlettâs heart sank. The last thing sheâd meant to do was discourage Reid from staying in town, especially when he hadnât been home in over a decade. âYou canât leave.â She winced at the eager note in her voice. âBeing with family will play in your favor when the social worker decides whether or not you should be given permanent custody of Jessie.â
âGot any other reasons why I shouldnât leave?â
She shook her head. âThatâs it, why?â
His mouth curved into a smile. âI thought maybe youâd want to judge for yourself if my kissing has improved.â
âWell, there is that, too.â Scarlett smiled.
His blue eyes darkened. âI really like you, Scarlett.â
Reidâs declaration wasnât all that swoon-worthy but for a woman who dealt with the ugly side of life on a daily basis, it was a beacon of sunshine filled with hope and possibilities.
Dear Reader,
Iâm so excited to share Reid Hardellâs story with you! If youâve read the previous two books in my Cowboys of Stampede, Texas series (The Cowboyâs Accidental Baby and Twins for the Texas Rancher) then you know that Reid is the black sheep of the Hardell family and he made a conscious choice years ago to keep his distance.
Iâve always been fascinated by family secretsâwe all have them. In Lone Star Father Reid Hardell is heading home to Paradise Ranch because heâs looking for help raising a daughter he never knew existed until recently. He knows the homecoming wonât be the stuff of fairy tales, but the last thing he expects to find waiting for him at the ranch is another family secret and a woman who quickly becomes more than just his daughterâs social worker.