Daddy’s Lost Love Read online

  Daddy’s Lost Love

  Laylah Roberts

  Contents

  Let’s keep in touch!

  Books by Laylah Roberts

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from a Montana Daddies Christmas

  Laylah Roberts

  Daddy’s Lost Love

  © 2019, Laylah Roberts

  [email protected]

  laylahroberts.com

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

  Cover Design by: Allycat’s Creations

  Editing: Celeste Jones

  Created with Vellum

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  Books by Laylah Roberts

  Doms of Decadence

  Just for You, Sir

  Forever Yours, Sir

  For the Love of Sir

  Sinfully Yours, Sir

  Make me, Sir

  A Taste of Sir

  To Save Sir

  Sir’s Redemption

  Reveal Me, Sir

  Montana Daddies

  Daddy Bear

  Daddy’s Little Darling

  Daddy’s Naughty Darling (in the Dirty Daddies Anthology)

  Daddy’s Sweet Girl

  Daddy’s Lost Love

  Haven, Texas Series

  Lila’s Loves

  Laken’s Surrender

  Saving Savannah

  Molly’s Man

  Saxon’s Soul

  Mastered by Malone

  Men of Orion

  Worlds Apart

  Cavan Gang

  Rectify

  Redemption

  Redemption Valley

  Audra’s Awakening

  Old-Fashioned Series

  An Old-Fashioned Man

  Two Old-Fashioned Men

  Her Old-Fashioned Husband

  Her Old-Fashioned Boss

  His Old-Fashioned Love

  An Old-Fashioned Christmas

  WildeSide

  Wilde

  Sinclair

  Luke

  The Hunters

  A Mate to Cherish

  A Mate to Sacrifice

  Prologue

  10 years ago

  He cupped her head between his hands, staring down into her beautiful face. He might only be nineteen. She might only be sixteen, but he knew what he wanted. . .her.

  “I’m gonna call as much as I can.” They were at their special place. The pond on his grandfather’s estate. It was where they always met. Only tonight was different, because they were saying goodbye before he went on deployment overseas for nine months.

  It was going to be hard leaving her. Knowing how tough she had things back here with her shit mother. Taking care of her brother and sister. But he was doing this to build a life for them. Oh, he knew his grandfather would set them up. But Jed was his own man. He wanted to start life with Daisy right.

  “I know,” she whispered. Tears shimmered in her deep gray eyes.

  “I love you, Daisy-girl,” he told her.

  “I love to you too.”

  “Here, I got you a birthday present.” He reached into the duffel bag he’d brought with him, pulling out a box wrapped in pale green paper. Her favorite color.

  “A present? For me?”

  He loved that she treated every gift she received with a sense of wonder. Hated it too. As he knew she’d received very few in her life.

  “I know your birthday isn’t for a few weeks. I’m sad I’m gonna miss it. Open that now.”

  She ripped off the paper like an eager toddler at Christmas, making him laugh. Then she looked down at the box of fairy lights with excitement. “Oh, Jed.”

  “Know how much you like pretty lights.”

  “Oh, I do. Thank you!” She threw herself at him and he caught her tight, breathing her in.

  “Also got something else for you and you’re gonna take it. No arguments.” He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. “I’ve put some cash in there for you in case of an emergency.”

  She opened her mouth and he placed his finger over it. “I said no arguments. It’s all mine from working that part-time job over summer. It’s for you. I know things might get tight and I won’t be here to help. So you put this where your mom can’t find it and you use it if you have to. Yeah?”

  Her eyes shimmered bright with tears.

  “Yeah. Thank you.”

  He kissed her again.

  Sugar and strawberries.

  “I’ll be home soon. Any trouble, you go to Grandfather. He’ll help.”

  She stiffened next but he felt her nod. She and Grandfather didn’t get on well, but Grandfather knew how much Daisy meant to him. He’d take care of her.

  1

  It was a pretty sad testament to her life that all her belongings fit in the back of her car.

  Wasn’t even like she had a big car. Just a small hybrid Toyota. It was racy looking and cute, with enough space to fit two suitcases and a couple of boxes on the backseat.

  Daisy sat in her car, staring up in wonder at the gorgeous house in front of her. Two-storied with a wrap-around porch, well-kept grounds and obviously freshly-painted, it looked enormous. And far too good a place for her.

  Worthless white trash.

  She took a deep breath and pinched her thigh until the pain washed away the awful voice in her head. She wasn’t trash. She was smart. She was loved. She was worthy.

  She banished the bad thoughts from her mind. She could live in this beautiful house. She deserved to. Didn’t she have as much right as anyone else to have something like this in her life? She was a good person. She wasn’t mean. She didn’t kick puppies or make faces at babies or cheat on her taxes.

  It was big for one person. She was kind of surprised she could afford it. She’d thought maybe the photos of it had been photoshopped because it was too good to be true.

  But she could definitely settle in here. She worked from home; she wanted a place she could feel happy.

  She pulled her cell out of her handbag. She was a few minutes early to meet her new landlady, so she might as well take the chance to text her sister. She sent off a brief message, telling her she’d arrived. Then she took a photo of the house and sent it as well. She’d email her brother later. Not that he’d reply for a while. He was backpacking around Chile and often didn’t get in front of a computer.

  Sylvie would take a while to reply. If she did at all. Daisy breathed through a ball of hurt at the distance that seemed to only be growing between her and her siblings. She’d basically raised them
. She loved them.

  But she wasn’t going to live her life for them anymore. They were both adults. It was time for her to do something just for herself. She’d needed to get away from the city and, she was ashamed to say, her sister. She loved Sylvie, but she was sucking her dry. She could work from anywhere and she’d always loved the idea of living in a small town. Somewhere with friendly locals and beautiful scenery. She’d done some searching around and found a rental ad for this house. Something had pulled her towards it.

  Now here she was.

  A truck pulled up behind her, dragging her from her thoughts. Nerves fluttered in her stomach. A man emerged from the driver’s side. Holy hell, he was enormous. Tall and broad, with a beard, he took a moment to study her car before moving around to the passenger door of his truck. Her sporty little car looked like a toy next to his enormous double-cab truck. He opened the passenger door then reached in and lifted out a woman who looked to be around the same age as her. She was small with waves of crazy, dark hair.

  Daisy watched as the man, who looked like he could bust knee-caps for a living, gently set her down, handling her like she was made of the most delicate glass. He pulled her jacket closer around her then zipped it up. She didn’t know if she’d ever seen anything sweeter in her life. Tears welled in her eyes and she had to blink them away.

  What she would give to have something sweet like that in her life.

  Be thankful for what you have, Daisy.

  She looked back at the couple, surprised to find them staring at her car, waiting.

  Oh shit. Taking a calming breath, she climbed out of her car. She shivered as a cool wind lashed at her, and she reached in to grab her jacket, pulling it hastily on.

  “Um, hello,” she called out, hoping she was hiding her nerves. “Are you Ellie?”

  “Yep,” the other woman said cheerfully. “I sure am. You must be Daisy, then.”

  Daisy nodded, unable to get any words past her lips as she grew closer. Jesus, this guy was even bigger up close.

  Just because he was enormous and intimidating looking, didn’t mean he was a bad person.

  “Yes, nice to meet you,” she finally managed to find her voice and her manners as she held out her hand. Ellie took it into her gloved one, pumping it gently. When she let it go, Daisy turned bravely towards the behemoth who just stared down at her solemnly.

  “Hi.”

  He nodded. Without a word, he reached out and grasped hold of her hand. His was bare, like hers, but much warmer and rough with calluses.

  “This is my boyfriend, Bear,” Ellie said cheerfully.

  “Bear?” she asked startled.

  “It’s a nickname,” Ellie explained. “Due to his size. Plus, he’s just a big ole teddy bear.”

  Daisy sent the other woman an incredulous look.

  Teddy bear, right. And she was Goldilocks.

  She glanced up at Bear who showed no real reaction to his girlfriend’s proclamation that he was just a teddy bear, was staring down at her hand which was still held in his big paw. She snatched it back, feeling herself blushing. What was wrong with her hand?

  “You should be wearing gloves,” Bear said suddenly. “Hands are freezing.”

  She blinked up at him. That was why he’d been studying her hand? He thought she should have gloves on? That was strange. . .she couldn’t remember the last time anyone had ever cared about whether she was dressed for the elements. It made her feel warm inside and a little odd. She didn’t know this man, why would he care?

  She shoved her hands into her pockets and took a step back. She needed to say something to get this conversation back on track, and make her feel less weird. She turned to Ellie.

  “I thought you’d be old.”

  Awesome. Good job, Daisy.

  Ellie glanced up at Bear, who was still staring at her strangely. What the hell did he find so fascinating?

  She fought the urge to hunch her shoulders, to try to protect herself from whatever he could see.

  White trash.

  No. She wasn’t.

  “Um, Daisy?” She glanced up to find both of them staring at her. But not like they thought she was crazy. Rather they looked concerned.

  “Sorry, did you say something?”

  “Are you all right?” Ellie asked gently. “You looked kind of scared.”

  She forced her shoulders back. “I’m fine. Sorry, long trip.”

  They didn’t look like they bought her lie. Shit. Then Ellie nodded. “I know what that’s like. I drove long hours to get here from Texas then when I arrived, it was snowing and I crashed my car.” She smiled up at the behemoth. “Bear rescued me.”

  There was such adoration in her voice that it made Daisy’s teeth ache. And her gut hollowed out with longing. Especially when Bear’s face warmed as he glanced down at Ellie. His whole face changed. Grew softer. This was why Ellie was with someone who could snap her like a twig.

  Because he absolutely fucking adored her.

  And that was something most people searched for all their lives.

  “That’s how you met?” she found herself asking, despite her usual rule of not getting involved in others’ lives or business.

  “Yep,” Ellie said cheerfully. “He nursed me back to health in this rustic old cabin. Treated me like a princess. It was the first time anyone had ever taken care of me. I was used to being the one who did everything for everyone else and suddenly here was this big, bossy, sweet man ordering me to rest and making me meals and even reading to me.”

  “Wow.” She stared up at Bear. He did not look like the type to sit and read bedtime stories to anyone.

  “Yep.” Ellie hugged his arm. “Makes a real sexy nurse. Bossy, though.”

  Bear just snorted.

  “This was actually my aunt’s house. I inherited it from her. She was old,” Ellie said helpfully.

  Daisy blushed at the reminder of her rudeness. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Sometimes I just blurt things out without thinking.”

  Ellie waved her hand around with a smile. “I wasn’t upset. I promise the house is all updated and beautiful inside.”

  “Oh, it looks beautiful on the outside as well. Too gorgeous for me.”

  Shoot. When would she stop her mouth from running?

  “Of course, it’s not!” Ellie protested as Bear gave her a funny look.

  Crap. Time to get things moving and get them out of here. Obviously, her rusty social skills were not up to talking to people.

  “Maybe you should show Daisy around while I carry in her stuff,” Bear suggested.

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she protested. “I don’t have much. I can get it in later.” Although with the way her body ached from long days in her car, she might save the majority of it for tomorrow. All she needed was her blankie, PJs and toothbrush. Even the coffee maker could wait.

  “I’ll get it.” He ran his gaze over her car. “Unlocked?”

  “Umm, yes,” she said hesitantly as he strode to the trunk and opened it, hauling out her two heavy suitcases out as though they weighed nothing. He started carrying them towards the house without another word.

  “Just go with it,” Ellie advised on a whisper as she followed him. “He likes to feel useful.”

  “Right.”

  Ellie gave her a grin. “Some of the men around here are a bit old-fashioned. There’s no way they’d ever let a woman carry something while they’re around.”

  “There’s still men like that?” she asked.

  Ellie nodded solemnly. “Oh yes. And thank goodness for it.”

  “Ellie!” Bear called out.

  “Oh right, I have the key. Come on,” she said.

  When Daisy walked into the house, she was struck by wonder for a moment. Bear carried her suitcases up the staircase. She knew she should protest. After all, it was her stuff and he was being a bit high-handed. But she would have struggled to carry her suitcases upstairs. So, she took the opportunity to instead study
the inside of the house with its gleaming wooden floors, high ceilings, and wainscoting.

  “Like it?” Ellie asked.

  “Like doesn’t even come close,” she whispered.

  “Oh goody.” Ellie clapped her hands just like an excited toddler, surprising a smile out of Daisy.

  “I’m glad it’s furnished, it’s huge.” How was she going to heat it? What would she do rattling around on her own in these big rooms? What was she thinking?

  “I’m so glad you’re going to be living here, Daisy,” Ellie told her, taking her hand.

  “You are?”

  Ellie nodded. “I know it sounds silly, but the house was lonely and none of the other applicants felt right. Before I met Bear, my aunt was the only person in my life who cared about me. I don’t want to sell her house, but I also don’t want it sitting empty. Sometimes it feels like she’s looking out for me and when I saw your application, I think she guided me to you.”

  She gaped at the other woman. Ellie blushed lightly. “You think I’m a total whack job, don’t you?”

  “Who called you a whack job?” Bear rumbled as he walked down the stairs. He glared at Daisy who immediately stepped back, her hands held up.

  “Not me, Mr. Big Bear,” Daisy said quickly, biting her lip as Bear stared at her incredulously.

  Ellie giggled as she went bright pink. “I said it about myself,” Ellie finally told Bear, letting Daisy off the hook.

  Bear just pointed at her with a stern look on his face. Ellie seemed to understand what he was silently saying and nodded, as she tried to stifle her giggles. Then he looked over at Daisy, shook his head and muttered something to himself as he headed back out the door. Presumably to cart in more of her stuff.