Single Dad's Holiday Wedding Read online

  A mommy for Christmas?

  Summoned back to her hometown, Lori Hutchinson hides her apprehensions behind a dazzling smile. She may be totally out of her depth, stepping into her father’s corporate shoes, but she has a job to do….

  Single dad Jace has learned to rely only on himself and his adorable little daughter. His construction business now depends on him working with Lori—so Jace sets out to prove who’s boss....

  But with the holiday season drawing near, it’s not all just business. Jace discovers a sweet, generous woman hiding behind those pinstripes....

  “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 favorite 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

  Patricia Thayer

  Single Dad’s Holiday Wedding

  Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, Patricia Thayer is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterward headed West. 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’ organization. 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 for Harlequin® Books. She has been nominated for both a National Readers’ Choice Award and a 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.

  Books by Patricia Thayer

  THE COWBOY COMES HOME*

  ONCE A COWBOY...**

  TALL, DARK, TEXAS RANGER**

  THE LONESOME RANCHER**

  LITTLE COWGIRL NEEDS A MOM**

  *The Larkville Legacy

  **The Quilt Shop in Kerry Springs

  Other titles by this author available in ebook format.

  To my Vine Street Sisters.

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

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  Excerpt

  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 st
rolled 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.”

  The big man had a rough edge to him, his dark hair a little on the shaggy side. He was dressed in charcoal trousers and a collared shirt, minus the tie. His hooded blue-eyed gaze fringed by spiky black lashes didn’t waver from her.

  Paige stood. “Jace, you shouldn’t be here. This is a private meeting between me and my client.”

  He didn’t retreat. “I just wanted to make sure she doesn’t take the money and run. Lyle had obligations he needed to fulfill before that happens.”

  Lori wasn’t sure how to handle this—Jace’s attack. But having heard of her father’s shrewd business deals, she wasn’t surprised by the man’s anger.

  “I’m Lorelei Hutchinson, Mr....”

  He stepped closer. “Yeager. Jace Yeager. Your father and I were partners on a construction project until I realized Lyle pulled one over on me.”

  “Jace,” Bradley warned. “Work stopped because of Lyle’s death.”

  The man made a snorting sound. “It wouldn’t have if Lyle had put his share of money into the business account in the first place.” He glared at Lori. “Sorry if my impatience bothers you, but I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks and so have my men.”

  “Be patient a little while longer,” Bradley told him. “Everything should be resolved tomorrow.”

  That didn’t appease Mr. Yeager. “You don’t understand. I can’t keep the project site shut down indefinitely, or I go broke.” He turned that heated look on her and she oddly felt a stirring. “It seems tomorrow you’re coming into all the money. I want you to know that a chunk of that belongs to me.”

  Lori fought a gasp. “Look, Mr. Yeager, I don’t know anything about your partnership with Lyle, but I’ll have Paige look into it.”

  Jace Yeager had to work hard to keep himself under control. Okay, so he wasn’t doing a very good job. When he’d heard that Lorelei Hutchinson was coming today, he only saw red. Was she going to stroll in here, grab her daddy’s money and take off? He wasn’t going to be on the losing end with a woman again.

  Not when his business was on the chopping block, along with his and Cassie’s future. Just about every dime he had was wrapped up in this project. And it was already coming to the end of October as it was, with only bad weather on the horizon. It needed to be completed without any more delays.

  Jace looked over Lyle’s daughter. The pretty blonde with big brown eyes stared back at him. She had a clean-scrubbed look with a dusting of freckles across her nose, and very little makeup.

  Okay, she wasn’t what he expected, but he’d been wrong about women before. And the last thing he wanted to do was work for her. After his ex-wife, he wasn’t going to let another woman have all the control.

  He looked at Bradley. “What does Lyle’s will say?”

  “It won’t be read until tomorrow.”

  Lori saw Jace Yeager’s frustration, and felt obligated to say, “Maybe then we’ll have some news about the project.”

  He glared. “There’s no doubt I will. I might not have your father’s money, Ms. Hutchinson, but I’ll fight to keep what’s mine.”

  Jace Yeager turned and stormed out right past a tall redheaded woman who was rushing in. “Oh, dear,” she said, “I was hoping I could get here in time.” Her green eyes lit up when she saw Lori. “Hi, I’m Morgan Keenan Hilliard.”

  “Lori Hutchinson,” Lori said as she went to shake Morgan’s hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you. As mayor, I wanted to be here to welcome you back to town, and to try and slow down Jace. Not an easy job.”

  Since Paige and Bradley had their heads together going over papers, they walked out into the hall. “I’m not sure if you remember me.”

  “I remember a lot about Destiny. Like you and your sisters. You were a little older than I was in school, but everyone knew about the Keenan girls.”

  Morgan smiled. “And of course being Lyle’s daughter, everyone knew of you, too. I hope you have good memories of our town.”

  Except for her parents’ marriage falling apart, along with her childhood. “Mostly, especially the decorated Christmas tree in the square. Do you still do that?”

  Morgan smiled. “Oh, yes and it’s grown bigger and better every year.” She paused. “Our mom said you have a reservation at the inn for tonight.”

  She nodded. “I don’t feel right about staying at the house.”

  The redhead gripped her hand. “You don’t have to explain. I only want your visit here to be as pleasant as possible. If there is anything else, any details about your father’s funeral.”

  Lori quickly shook her hea
d. “Not now.”

  Morgan quickly changed the subject. “Look, I know Jace isn’t giving you a very good impression at the moment, but he’s having some trouble with the Mountain Heritage complex.”

  “I take it my father was involved in it, too.”

  Morgan waved her hand. “We can save that discussion for another time. You need to rest after your trip. Be warned, Mom will ask you to dinner...with the family.”

  Lori wasn’t really up to it. She wanted a room and a bed, and to make a quick call back home to her sister.

  Morgan must have sensed it. “It’s only the family and no business, or probing questions. We’ll probably bore you to death talking about kids.”

  Lori relaxed. She truly didn’t want to think about what would happen tomorrow.

  “You’re right. That’s what I need tonight.”

  * * *

  That evening as Jace was driving to the Keenan Inn, he came to the conclusion that he’d blown his chance earlier today. He tapped his fist against the steering wheel, angry about the entire mess.

  “Daaad, you’re not listening.”

  Jace looked in the rearview mirror to the backseat. “What, sweetie?”

  “Do I look all right?”

  He glanced over his shoulder. His daughter, Cassandra Marie Yeager, was a pretty girl. She had on stretchy jean pants that covered coltish long legs and a pink sweater that had ruffles around the hem. Her long blond hair had curled around her face with a few tiny braids. Something she’d talked him into helping with.

  “You look nice. But you always do.”

  “We’re going to Ellie’s grandmother’s house. Ellie Larkin is my best friend.”

  “I think she’ll like your outfit.”

  “What about my hair?”

  “Honey, I’ve always loved your blond curls. The braids are a nice touch.”