Susan Mallery: Full-Time Father

“Done,” the man said eagerly.

“Write your check to the Stacey Ridgeway Foundation,” she said.

The man pulled out his checkbook.

Parker came up behind her. Sam looked a little cleaner. He was already getting sleepy. The boy rested his head on his father’s shoulder and yawned.

“You’re not selling the horses are you?” Parker asked, placing his hand on her swollen belly. Their next child, a girl, was due in a month.

“A copy of them. I have to keep the originals.”

“I know,” he said.

She leaned against him and sighed in contentment. Parker knew everything about her. He understood that the horses reminded her what was important. That she had to grab on to happiness with both hands, then hold fast. If she was willing to risk everything, her dreams could come true.

She covered his hand with hers, glanced at Sam, then drew Christie close. She looked up at her husband. “You’ve been the best time of my life,” she murmured.

Ignoring the crowd milling around them, he kissed her. “It’s only going to get better,” he promised.

And she knew that he was right.

SUSAN MALLERYis a USA TODAY bestselling author of over eighty books and has been a recipient of countless awards, including the National Reader’s Choice Award. Her combination of humor, emotion and downright sexiness has made her a reader favorite. She makes her home in Southern California with her husband, her very dignified cat and her not-so-dignified dog. Visit her Web site at www.SusanMallery.com.