Daddy Lessons. Victoria Chancellor

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      “ I’m bringing my daughter to Texas to live with me.

      I’m all she’s got, and really, I’m glad. I want to claim her as my daughter.”

      Kate thought that was admirable. Many men would have tried their best to get out of the responsibility of raising an eight-year-old. “This will really change your life.”

      “Exactly!” Travis said, straightening and, in the process, moving a little closer. “I’ve never thought about children much. I’ve never been around them, since I’m an only child and most of my friends are single. So I’m going to need some help. Your help.”

      Kate knew her surprise showed on her face. “My help? What are you talking about?”

      Dear Reader,

      With mixed emotions I have written the last Harlequin American Romance novel set in Ranger Springs, Texas. I really love these characters and wanted to tell the story of two people who start over in the Hill Country, finding more than they anticipated. I also love the town of Ranger Springs, the people who “live” there, and other stories I have written about them. So although there won’t be new stories, I hope you will revisit the friends and families who found their perfect match and began a new life in this friendly town. The Fourth of July committee, which has been planning throughout seven books, finally got their parade!

      Kate Wooten, sister of Travis Whitaker from Coming Home to Texas, is now divorced and starting over with her six-year-old son. She’s a schoolteacher and former soccer mom—not the kind of woman “retired” stuntman and animal trainer Luke Simon is interested in. That is, until he needs someone to give him lessons on how to be a daddy to his newly discovered eight-year-old daughter. Kate is the perfect teacher for this job, but he soon realizes he can’t keep their relationship professional. Kate must decide if she will risk her heart one more time for the right man, to create a new family.

      As you read Daddy Lessons, I hope you will consider the plight of unwanted animals, whether they are the retired performance animals that Luke cares for or the thousands of pets in shelters or on the streets. I give special thanks to D. J. Schubert of the Black Beauty Ranch, run by The Fund for Animals in Murchison, Texas. What a wonderful sanctuary and what a giving man, who answered all my questions.

      Best wishes to everyone, and happy reading.

      Victoria Chancellor

      Daddy Lessons

      Victoria Chancellor

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      In loving memory of my mother-in-law, Lillian Huffstutler, 1919-2005, who supported and loved me like a daughter. We miss you so much, Sudie.

      Books by Victoria Chancellor

      HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

      844—THE BACHELOR PROJECT

      884—THE BEST BLIND DATE IN TEXAS

      955—THE PRINCE’S COWBOY DOUBLE

      959—THE PRINCE’S TEXAS BRIDE

      992—THE C.E.O. & THE COOKIE QUEEN

      1035—COMING HOME TO TEXAS

      Contents

       Prologue

       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

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Epilogue

      Prologue

      Kate loved sharing a meal with her son Eddie, her brother Travis and his family at the Four Square Café. The decor was a little outdated, even by the current retro standards, the menu a bit heavy on carbs, sugar and fats, and the service not nearly as speedy as the fast-food place on the highway. But the waitresses were friendly, the food delicious and the company the best she’d had in years.

      Since about six months into her marriage with her lying, cheating ex-husband Ed, to be exact.

      “Here you go,” Charlene Jacks said as she delivered a tray of burgers and fries to the table.

      “Thanks, Charlene,” Travis said. He handed a plate to his wife Jodie, which she immediately passed to Eddie.

      “Thank you, Aunt Jodie.”

      Kate smiled at her six-year-old son, the light of her life, who’d thankfully remembered his manners. Her divorce and Ed’s subsequent desertion had been especially hard on their son—not that Ed had ever been an involved parent. He’d never been the kind of father that Travis was already with his infant daughter, Marsha.

      “Earth to Kate,” Travis said, interrupting her thoughts in the same way he had when they were children. He held out her plate. “If you’re not hungry…”

      “Oh,