Christyne Butler - Destined to Be a Dad

“Where’s my daughter?” Missy asked, hating the huskiness of her voice.

Liam moved to the edge of the porch. Despite the passage of time, he looked the same, like an older version of the boy she’d known. He was impossibly handsome in jeans, a long-sleeved dress shirt with the cuffs folded back to his elbows and cowboy boots.

Always cowboy boots.

His gaze lit on her, but the setting sun and deep shadows of the porch made it impossible to see his expression as he thanked the driver who’d placed her suitcases on the porch. She tore her gaze from him and thanked the man as well when he walked past her. When it was just the two of them again, she returned her focus to Liam, who hadn’t moved other than to cross his arms over his chest.

The defensive pose spoke volumes about his state of mind.

Fine, but right now she wanted to see for herself that Casey was okay. “I asked you—”

“Is it true?” The words were out of his mouth as she reached for the stair railing, freezing her on the first step. “Is Casey my daughter?” he demanded.

* * *

Welcome to Destiny:Where fate leads to falling in love

Destined to Be a Dad

Christyne Butler

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHRISTYNE BUTLERis a USA TODAY bestselling author who fell in love with romance novels while serving in the US Navy and started writing her own stories in 2002. She writes contemporary romances that are full of life, love and a hint of laughter. She lives with her family in central Massachusetts and loves to hear from her readers at www.christynebutler.com.

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To the following extraordinary authors … you have no idea how much your books mean to me, as a fan who spends many hours lost in the pleasure of reading them and as a writer for the inspiration you provide.

Thank you!

Donna Alward

Rachel Gibson

Kristan Higgins

Shirley Jump

Virginia Kantra

Laura Kaye

Susan Mallery

Catherine Mann

Sarah Morgan

Molly o’Keefe

Christine Rimmer

Jill Shalvis

Roxanne St. Claire

Karen Templeton

Contents

Cover

Introduction “Where’s my daughter?” Missy asked, hating the huskiness of her voice. Liam moved to the edge of the porch. Despite the passage of time, he looked the same, like an older version of the boy she’d known. He was impossibly handsome in jeans, a long-sleeved dress shirt with the cuffs folded back to his elbows and cowboy boots. Always cowboy boots. His gaze lit on her, but the setting sun and deep shadows of the porch made it impossible to see his expression as he thanked the driver who’d placed her suitcases on the porch. She tore her gaze from him and thanked the man as well when he walked past her. When it was just the two of them again, she returned her focus to Liam, who hadn’t moved other than to cross his arms over his chest. The defensive pose spoke volumes about his state of mind. Fine, but right now she wanted to see for herself that Casey was okay. “I asked you—” “Is it true?” The words were out of his mouth as she reached for the stair railing, freezing her on the first step. “Is Casey my daughter?” he demanded. * * * Welcome to Destiny: Where fate leads to falling in love

Title Page Destined to Be a Dad Christyne Butler www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CHRISTYNE BUTLER is a USA TODAY bestselling author who fell in love with romance novels while serving in the US Navy and started writing her own stories in 2002. She writes contemporary romances that are full of life, love and a hint of laughter. She lives with her family in central Massachusetts and loves to hear from her readers at www.christynebutler.com .

Dedication To the following extraordinary authors … you have no idea how much your books mean to me, as a fan who spends many hours lost in the pleasure of reading them and as a writer for the inspiration you provide. Thank you! Donna Alward Rachel Gibson Kristan Higgins Shirley Jump Virginia Kantra Laura Kaye Susan Mallery Catherine Mann Sarah Morgan Molly o’Keefe Christine Rimmer Jill Shalvis Roxanne St. Claire Karen Templeton

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Wankers! You cowboys promised to take me to Liam Murphy, not show me the back side of some bloody barn!”

The lilting British accent, rarely heard here in the small town of Destiny, Wyoming, floated on the hot August morning breeze. It came from somewhere behind him and despite the voices bickering on the other end of this endless phone call—and the fact she’d said his name—the inflection kicked Liam square in the gut.

He should have been used to it by now.

His family’s business, Murphy Mountain Log Homes, was celebrating its twentieth year in business with a growing following in the United Kingdom, thanks to securing a contract to build a log home—scratch that, a twenty-thousand-square-foot log mansion—for a popular movie actor based in Scotland.

Meaning as company president, Liam spent a lot of time on the phone and in meetings with people who spoke the Queen’s English. Still, whenever he heard that soft and silvery accent spoken by a female voice, it never failed to take him back.

To another place, another time when he’d thought he could have it all.

Aw, hell, that was a lifetime ago.

“Are you daft?” The girlish voice came again, cutting into Liam’s thoughts. “Not bloody happening!”

Hmm, not so soft this time.

She sounded young and her words were angry, but there was a hint of fear laced through as well. Liam didn’t know what was going on, but he had a pretty good idea.

Ending his call, he pocketed his phone, backtracked a few steps and headed for the far end of a nearby barn.

The first-ever Destiny rodeo was in full swing, and campers and horse trailers filled this area of the fairgrounds. It’d taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people to pull this event together. His family’s company was a major sponsor, and while it might only be a one-day event, the prize money was good, ensuring participants and fans alike packed the arena and the town.

The last thing they needed was trouble.

Liam spotted the trio as soon as he rounded the corner. Dressed in jeans, plaid shirts and Stetsons, two cowboys stood with a young girl sandwiched between them. He wasn’t sure about the men, but the female definitely looked to be under eighteen. That made the six-pack of beer held by one of the cowboys—who didn’t have a valid alcohol wristband—even more of a concern. And it wasn’t even noon yet.

“Come on, darlin’. Let’s enjoy a cold brew in our camper.” One of the cowboys encircled the girl’s waist with his arm. “Then we’ll track down that Murphy guy for ya.”

“No need to go far.” Liam kept his voice light as he strolled toward the group, despite his anger spiking at the scene before him. “I’m right here.”