Small Town King: A Single Dad Romance (Carlisle Cellars Book 3)

by Fabiola Francisco

  “I know,” she says with her hands on my shoulders. “It won’t pay off their debt, but they’re covering the expensive medicine and her insulin and helping with the hospital bill. It will lower their monthly payment by over half.” She beams, and I know how relieved she is about this.

  “This is good news,” I nod, kissing her softly.

  “Yeah,” she sighs. “I’m so relieved. I was nervous they’d deny them, but God must’ve been on our side. I know they can breathe easier, too, even if they won’t admit it to me.”

  I hug her tightly and nod. “Yeah, babe. This is really good.” I kiss the top of her head.

  She leans back with a sexy smile. “Now, about that suga’?”

  I laugh, cradling her face, and she leans into my touch.

  “I’m gonna give you all the sugar you want for the rest of my life.” I kiss her full lips, not caring if her red lipstick stains mine. I taste her slowly, stroking my tongue along hers as our lips move to their own rhythm.

  Magnolia’s hands move to the back of my body, combing her fingers through my hair. We stand like this for a long time, kissing, teasing, nipping each other’s lips. I slow down, needing some space before I find a private area and take her. My hands roam down her body, gripping her ass. She moans and blinks up at me lazily. She looks like she’s waking up from a seductive dream. Sexy as hell.

  “For the rest of your life, huh?” she smiles easily.

  “Yeah,” I nod firmly, my face serious now.

  “I like the sound of that.” Her eyes reflect the love in her heart, and I know how damn lucky I am to be on the receiving end of it. I promise myself to make this the best damn life for her, love her through the good and bad, and show her how much she means to me.

  Epilogue

  Magnolia

  Two years later

  I drop on the couch, exhausted after a long day of work, and lift my feet beside me as I sink into the side of the sofa. I close my eyes for a moment, reveling in the quiet. When the couch dips beside me, I blink them open and look at the man I love more than anything smiling at me. He grabs my legs and places them over his thighs, massaging my calves. His wedding band catches my eye as his fingers gently squeeze my muscles.

  He’s all mine.

  These last two years have been what dreams are made of. Brett and I got married a year ago in a private wedding with just family and close friends here on the house’s property. It was perfect and whimsical, and I married the man of my dreams.

  Living as a family has been fun, and I love his girls as if they were my own. Though I know they’re not biologically mine. I make sure they continue to remember their mother.

  “Chloe’s asleep,” Brett says quietly. “Finally. She was a chatterbox tonight. She wouldn’t stop telling me about her day, the math problems they did at school—one by one—and the theme she wants for her birthday party next month. She no longer wants unicorns; she now wants some kinda doll that’s popular now. I don’t remember the name.”

  I giggle. “That’s expected. She’ll probably change her mind again by next week.” Chloe has made such a change in these last two years. She’s become more open and expressive. I love seeing her become the girl she is, proud of her progress.

  Both girls have lived through enough trauma—losing their mother at such a young age and then the fire. They’re such beautiful souls, and I’m honored to witness them growing up.

  “Well, Charlie kept telling me about this boy in her class. Matthew…something.”

  “Wilson… I know him and his family,” Brett nods.

  “I think she has a crush on him.”

  “Not funny, Magnolia,” Brett squeezes my leg in warning.

  I laugh loudly and snort, which makes him chuckle. “It’s only normal she has a crush, babe. She’s eight already.”

  “They’re getting so big. Did Charlie show you her new dance moves?” Brett smiles, holding his laughter.

  “She sure did.” I nod, biting my own smile. “We should put her in dance class. I think she’d like that.”

  “Yeah,” Brett nods, peaceful quiet settling between us.

  “How do you feel?” he breaks the silence with his question. “You’re working too much.”

  “Please,” I glare at him. “I’m not working too much. I could use a few more clients.”

  He grunts in disapproval. My business has been doing great, growing each year. I’ve worked with many children, helping them work through their emotions until they’re ready to fly on their own. It’s such a satisfying feeling when I see their transformation. I’m doing what I was meant to do.

  “You don’t.” His hand lands on my swollen stomach as if emphasizing his point. “You need to take care of yourself and our baby.”

  Every time he mentions our baby, I can’t stop the tears from flowing. He smiles warmly at me, rubbing soft circles.

  “We’re gonna have another tiny human in a few months,” he says, his own words gruff with emotion.

  I nod, scooting over to him and tucking my legs under me. That’s not enough for him, apparently, and Brett brings me to his lap, brushing away the stubborn strands of hair that have fallen from my messy bun.

  “Another girl,” I say.

  “Yeah, I guess I’m not meant to have a boy,” he chuckles.

  “Maybe, maybe not.” We haven’t really discussed how many kids we want. We knew we wanted one, and it happened as a surprise, but it’s been the best surprise so far.

  “It’s okay. I love my girls.” He brushes his lips against mine.

  “And we love you,” I murmur against his lips before taking them fully in mine and showing him my love with actions instead of words.

  Never did I imagine that my life would take this turn, that I’d fall in love with a widower, a single father, and I can’t imagine it happening any other way. Brett, Charlie, Chloe, and our baby girl are my entire world. This man, our family, and the events that brought us together are all part of our journey, and without them, I don’t know where I’d be.

  Life is full of surprises, and sometimes we resist them for fear of change and the unknown, but I guarantee that if you step out of your comfort zone, take a leap of faith, you’ll land where you’re meant to be. The hardships will wash away with the years, the scariest of experiences will be conquered, but love and happiness will live on. In the end, it’s what we’re left with, what I want to look back on and remember—love and happiness.

  Thank you for reading Brett and Magnolia’s story! I hope you loved it. If you’re inclined to, I’d love if you left a review on Amazon and Goodreads.

  If you haven’t read Miles and June’s story yet, read Not So Charming today on Amazon!

  She's the help’s daughter. He's the town charmer and everything she hates. When she sees a different side of him, will these two opposites find true love?

  Read this opposites attract today!

  If you enjoy small town romance, then you'll love my other books!

  Love in Everton: Welcome to Everton—a small town hidden in the Wyoming mountains where cowboys rule, rumors run, and love wins. Your trip to Everton will be full of feel-good romance, lots of swoon, and small-town charm.

  Start the series today!

  Perfect Mess: A broody rancher + a curvy city girl meet in this opposites attract romance. A toxic relationship crumbled her self-esteem, but Wilder James, the sexy rancher, is tearing down every insecurity, showing her what it feels like to be wanted. Her time in Mason Creek is temporary, and soon she’ll have to say the hardest goodbye.

  Read this swoon-worthy romance today!

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you, the reader, for taking a chance and reading this book. Without your support, I wouldn’t be able where I am today in my publishing journey. I’m grateful.

  So many people are necessary to publish a book, and I’ve got an amazing team I can count on. Thank you to Amy from Q Designs for the gorgeous cover, Brittany from The Blurb Whisperer for always pro
ving feedback, Bex from The Polished Author for taking your time to make this story perfect, and Claire and Wendy from Bare Naked Words for helping me put this story out in the world.

  Ally, I can’t thank you enough for all your help. Another single daddy to add to the list.

  Joy, thank you for your friendship. You’re always there, willing to help, and I appreciate that more than you know.

  Veronica, thank you for your friendship and always cheering me on.

  Christy and Rachel, I’m so grateful for your friendship. It’s priceless to know that I can count on you and turn to you despite distances, time zones, and life chaos. #soapythighs

  Brit and Cary, thank you ladies for always being there to listen to me ramble and for providing feedback when I need to put things into perspective.

  Savannah, thank you for believing in my work and helping me get my stories out in the world.

  Daniele, thank you for taking the time to beta read my books and provide feedback. I so appreciate it!

  A special thanks to Leigh, Gayle, and Cindi for your help in this topic when I needed to speak to someone familiar with working as a mental health professional.

  Fabiola’s Fab Reads, you’re the best group a girl could ask for. Thank you for being a part of my writing career and sharing everything from your fave reads to your life updates.

  A huge thanks to my review team and master list for stepping up each time I have book news to share, reading and reviewing my work, and being there for me. It means the world to me that you love to share my work.

  To all the reviewers, bloggers, authors, and bookstagrammers that have shared my work and supported me, thank you. I couldn’t do this without you. It takes a tribe, and you’re part of mine.

  About the Author

  Fabiola Francisco loves the simplicity—and kick—of scotch on the rocks. She follows Hemingway’s philosophy—write drunk, edit sober. She writes women’s fiction and contemporary romance, dipping her pen into new adult and young adult. Her moods guide her writing, taking her anywhere from sassy and sexy romances to dark and emotion-filled love stories.

  Writing has always been a part of her life, penning her own life struggles as a form of therapy through poetry. She still stays true to her first love, poems, while weaving longer stories with strong heroines and honest heroes. She aims to get readers thinking about life and love while experiencing her characters’ journeys.

  She is continuously creating stories as she daydreams. Her other loves are country music, exploring the outdoors, and reading.