The Parent Pact (Book Three of The Return to Redemption Series) Read online

  THE PARENT PACT

  The Return to Redemption series—Book Three

  by

  Romance Writers of America®

  Golden Heart® Award-winning author

  Laurie Kellogg

  Cinderella and Prince Charming never had to consider the welfare of their children

  When widower Tyler Fitzpatrick meets Annie Barnes at his daughter’s school, his libido goes tilt. The sexy single mother is everything he and his grieving little girl need. Unfortunately, Annie flatly refuses his dinner invitation. She wants a husband and a father for her son—not just a boyfriend. And the last time she checked, wealthy, summa-cum-laude lawyers didn’t marry high-school-drop-out housekeepers.

  Tyler concedes there’s a vast difference between their experiences and lifestyles. Still, he’s inexplicably drawn to the impoverished young woman—even though her little boy reminds Tyler of an underprivileged past he’d rather forget. While becoming better acquainted, he offers Annie a job caring for his daughter and home in Redemption, PA. He also proposes a Parent Pact—an agreement to become role models to each other’s child and to fill one another’s needs as single parents while they continue to search for true love.

  Accepting Tyler’s offer would solve a lot of Annie’s problems. However, surrendering to her weak-in-the-knees attraction to the irresistible widower could very well leave her and her son heartbroken. Yet, when circumstances threaten her ability to feed her child, Annie reluctantly agrees to the pact, making it clear she has no desire for Tyler to fill her so-called needs in bed. It’s a bald-faced lie, but she knows the man’s desperation to give his daughter the nurturing she needs will compel him to accept a purely platonic relationship.

  Now, Annie’s only problem is resisting the overwhelming temptation to let sin-in-a-tailored-suit Tyler seduce her.

  The Parent Pact

  Copyright 2012 Laurie Kellogg

  LK Books

  All rights reserved

  ISBN-13: 978-1-938618-09-3

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations. Thank you for respecting this author’s hard work.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are used only to provide authenticity and are used factiously. All other characters, places, incidents, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination and should not be construed as real. Any resemblance between the novel’s characters and setting and actual individuals or places is completely coincidental. All inaccuracies or mistakes are the author’s fault and accidental. The author apologizes for any factual discrepancies or typographical errors. If you find any, please contact the author so she can correct them for future copies.

  http://www.LaurieKellogg.com

  Edited by

  Gwynlyn MacKenzie

  Copyeditor

  Heidi Luchterhand

  Proofreader

  Elizabeth Walls

  Dedicated to my nieces and nephews

  I love you and am so proud of you all!

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, I praise God for giving me the imagination and ability to write. So many people have contributed to my career and helped mold me into the author I’ve become. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank:

  My husband who’s given me more support than any writer could hope for and who is the kind of man who inspires all of the best characteristics of the heroes in my stories

  My son—not just for his encouragement and advice, but for blessing me with the best daughter-in-law any woman ever had and for giving me an adorable grandson

  My wise daughter who never doubts me and who did me the favor of marrying a wonderful man, who is also a talented author

  My mom who passed on the love of reading to me and who never lets me forget there are other things in life besides writing

  My father and my dear late friend. Both of you believed in me but left us too soon to share in my joy. I miss you both every day.

  My sister and sisters-in-law, a/k/a my most faithful cheerleaders

  My nieces and nephews who motivated me to keep going and compelled me to set an example of perseverance

  My brother and brother-in-law who never considered my writing a hobby

  My prior neighbor and good friend who convinced me to join RWA® and start writing

  My critique partner and sister-of-the-heart who never lets me down pointing out why my babies aren’t ready for the runway

  My beta-readers, proofreaders, and good friends

  Romance Writers of America® and all its generous members who helped me learn to use the talent I was blessed with

  The members of the RWA chapters Bucks County Romance Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, and the Golden Network

  All my Golden Heart® friends from 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011—especially my 2009 Ruby-Slippered Sisters who I share a multi-author blog with at www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com

  Acknowledgements

  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

  EPILOGUE

  About the Author

  (The Great Bedroom War Excerpt)

  Chapter 1

  It seemed like only yesterday she’d snipped off Noah’s baby curls.

  Annie Barnes stood in front of Redemption’s brick elementary school and smoothed her six-year-old son’s blond-streaked hair.

  Okay, God, if you’ll cut me a break and keep the kids from making fun of him, I promise to be a better mother. I’ll find some way to buy him new sneakers next week.

  Right. Considering her life thus far, the window Noah busted yesterday would count as her so-called break. She didn’t know why she bothered trying to bargain with the Big Guy upstairs.

  He hadn’t saved her parents’ lives.

  He hadn’t kept her from getting an A-plus on the four pregnancy tests she’d taken between her tenth-grade final exams—the last two of which she’d failed.

  And He hadn’t allowed her to afford anything more than a small box of crayons for Noah to carry in his second-hand backpack the first day of school.

  “Have fun today, Pumpkin. And listen to Mrs. Winslow.”

  “O-kaay.” Noah ducked, evading the smooch she aimed at his sun-kissed cheek.

  Her throat tightened as he dashed off to the playground. Today, he didn’t want her kissing him in public. By tomorrow, he’d want her to say good-bye at the corner.

  On the bright side, now that her son was in first grade and in school all day, she could add more homes to her cleaning schedule. She’d lost her best paying customer last week, and as her late mechanic father used to say, finances were as tight as a rusted lug nut.

  At sixteen, the decision to keep her child had been an agonizing one. However, after much soul searching, she’d promised herself she would do everything in her power to give her son the best life possible. So far, she’d managed to care for Noah, but she wasn’t about to win a mother-of-the-year award.

  If she didn’t drum up some new business soon, she’d never be able to buy the winter jacket he needed, let alone the bike he wanted for Christmas. All summer, the other kids had whizzed by on t
heir shiny two-wheelers. The envy in her son’s eyes had sent her on an around-the-world guilt trip. And her inability to afford a measly pair of new sneakers this week had provided a first class upgrade.

  “Hey, Annie.” Jennifer Hanson, the mother of twin boys who’d been in Noah’s kindergarten class, stopped her.

  “Hi, Jenn. How’re you?”

  Jennifer launched into a long-winded tale, explaining her husband, Keith, had been laid off in June, and they’d had to cancel the family vacation they’d planned at Disney World that summer—a place Annie dreamed of taking Noah, despite that she would need a minor miracle.

  Human physiology finally forced Jenn to draw a breath, and she asked, “How was your summer?”

  “About as exciting as watching mold grow. I spent what little free time I had studying for my GED exam.” Unfortunately, she hadn’t learned nearly enough to pass the test for her high school diploma. “If I don’t want to end up scrubbing toilets the rest of my life, I need to take a prep class.”

  “Check out the continuing ed night school. I think they’re offering a course.”

  Unfortunately, it would mean paying for a babysitter as well as tuition, which was tough living in Redemption. The small town’s commuting distance to Princeton, Philadelphia, and even New York attracted successful professionals, which sent the hourly rate for childcare sky-high.

  Jenn had already segued into the huge Labor Day picnic her boss, Dr. Webber, had invited her family to the previous day. “I met the new dentist Dr. Webber hired. He’ll take over the practice when my boss retires in a few—” She suddenly fell silent, which only proved miracles were possible. The incurable chatterbox nudged Annie, jerking her head toward the school’s driveway. “Hull-O.”

  Whoa. Annie did a double take. Six feet of temptation in a hand-tailored suit climbed out of a silver Jaguar convertible. “Uhhh, you’re married, Jenny. Remember Keith, your husband?”

  “A wedding ring doesn’t blind a woman.” Her friend chuckled. “And you’re single. You keep saying Noah needs a daddy. Go make some small talk and see if the guy is available.”

  “It’s doubtful. And if he is, a man who looks like that probably has no desire to get tied down. In fact, I’m thinking he might be gay.”

  “You never know.” Jenn’s eyebrows lifted in an encouraging arch.

  The tawny-haired man oozed self-confidence, smiling at the little girl in the back seat. Contrasted against his tan, his teeth looked as brilliant as his white dress shirt.

  “Wait a minute.” Annie wrinkled her forehead. “Isn’t that Mandy Fitzpatrick in his car?”

  Jenn heaved a disappointed sigh. “It figures Erica’s hubby would be even more gorgeous than she is.”

  The man strolled around to the passenger side of his car, surveying the schoolyard. His gaze swept past Annie, then snapped back for a second look lasting several heartbeats. The broad smile he aimed at her warmed her cheeks. Okay, definitely not gay.

  “I wonder why he’s suddenly bringing Mandy to school.” Annie frowned. “He never has before.”

  “Maybe Erica had their baby,” Jenn speculated, dragging Annie closer to the car as the man pulled a comb from his back pocket. “Wasn’t she due the end of September?”

  Before Annie could answer, a high-pitched shriek sliced the air.

  “Shhh—I’m sorry, Kitten.” The man squatted at the rear of his car and hugged Mandy. “You can’t go to school like this.”

  The little girl winced and squirmed while her father raked his black fine-toothed comb through her long blonde tangles. Unable to watch the child’s torture a moment longer, Annie darted the few yards between them to rescue her.

  “If you keep yanking on her hair, your daughter’s going to look like she had several rounds of chemo, heaven forbid,” Annie warned, recalling the way her mom’s hair had fallen out by the handfuls. “Would you like to borrow a comb with wider teeth? I promise it’s bug-free.”

  “That’d be great. As you saw, I’d starve as a hairdresser.” He tossed his hands up, and the deep timbre of his voice reverberated through her. “I did my best to comb it after her bath last night, but there were lots of tears. And then we ran late this morning.”

  Annie rooted in her shoulder handbag for her comb. “Would you like me to do it?”

  A long breath hissed out of him. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “It helps if you use conditioner after you shampoo. There’s a spray-on kind that’s great for kids.”

  “It didn’t look this bad when we left the house. But after driving to the school with the top down….” He spread his arms helplessly, stepping closer while Annie worked snarls out in small sections of his daughter’s hair.

  A whiff of the man’s exotic after-shave wafted past her nose. Glancing up, she discovered him staring intently at her face rather than watching how she detangled Mandy’s hair. Annie swallowed hard and jerked her gaze away.

  It figured. Another married creep looking to fool around on the side while his wife swelled with his child.

  She finished Mandy’s hair, tucked her comb back inside her purse, and faced the child’s father. “By the way, I’m Annie Barnes. My son Noah was in Mandy’s kindergarten class last year.”

  “Son? You don’t look old enough to—I mean, I thought you were a kid’s older sister or aunt.” A deep flush crept up from his collar. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

  “Don’t sweat it. Having a child at only sixteen causes that misconception a lot. How’s Erica?” she asked, pointedly. “Since you’re doing this stint as Mr. Mom, should I assume she had the baby early?”

  Mandy looked up at her father, her lower lip quivering as tears brimmed in her bright blue eyes. He stroked his daughter’s flaxen head. “It’s okay, sweetheart. She doesn’t know.”

  Annie’s stomach clenched. She’d obviously stuck her foot in her mouth. Was it possible Erica had miscarried?

  He wiped Mandy’s damp cheeks and kissed them. “Get your backpack and your lunch.”

  While the child turned back to the convertible, the man pulled Annie out of his daughter’s earshot. “My wife was killed in a car accident right after school let out for the summer.”

  Annie squeezed her eyes shut. It was more awful than she’d suspected. Talk about thinking the worst of a person. She hated it when people made assumptions about her based on appearances. Not only had the poor guy lost his wife, his unborn baby must have been killed with her.

  “I’m so sorry.” She might as well pry her jaw open a little wider to shove her other five toes in. “If there’s anything I can do to help, Mr. Fitz—”

  “Tyler.” The uneven curve in his lips hinted at his weariness. “You’ve already been a big help. Thanks for doing Mandy’s hair.” He nodded toward his daughter who had returned with her pink Hello Kitty backpack and matching lunchbox. “I was afraid I’d have to send her to school looking like a scarecrow.”

  “Well, I couldn’t bear the idea of six-year-old girl looking like Homer Simpson.” She smiled, finding it impossible to ignore his long, thick lashes and the tiny indentations dimpling his cheeks.

  “I appreciate it. I really don’t need the school reporting me for child neglect.” He hugged Mandy to his side. “I’m ashamed to say, I’m one of those guys who’s been so busy bringing home the bacon I’m clueless about frying it. In fact, I’m not even sure Mandy even likes it.”

  “I love bacon, Daddy,” his daughter chimed in.

  “Good, Kitten. Maybe I’ll try making some this weekend.” He turned his attention back to Annie. “It’s a shame little girls don’t come with owners’ manuals.”

  “If you’re that inexperienced, how’ve you been managing the last few months?”

  “My sister stayed with us for the summer.” His clover-hued gaze bored into Annie as if he had laser vision. “Unfortunately, with the new term starting, Sabrina had to leave yesterday—she’s an elementary school nurse.”

  The blood pulsing in Annie’s head
drowned out the sounds from the playground. She usually avoided men with Tyler’s stop-a-girl-in-her-tracks good looks. However, his tenderness with his daughter touched Annie in a way that made her regret letting her usual cynicism discolor their meeting.

  Even so, she could forget any hearts-and-flowers notions. An educated, well-to-do guy like Tyler Fitzpatrick would never be seriously interested in a little nobody like her.

  ~*~

  Tyler studied Annie’s high cheekbones and the twin pools of dark chocolate shimmering above them. His heart thudded in his chest like a convict beating on prison bars.

  In the two years since he’d discovered Erica’s multiple affairs, he’d been so bitter he hadn’t had much regard for women. Although, Doc Foster’s explanation of his wife's specific type of bipolar condition and the resulting lower inhibitions had helped him understand Erica's reckless and impulsive behavior.

  Forgiving her infidelity had been another matter.

  If his wife had truly loved him, she would have sought help for her mood swings rather than self-medicating her depression through the exhilaration of sleeping around.

  He’d yet to absolve his late wife, so except for the loss of her innocent baby, whom he’d vowed to accept as his son and love as much as Mandy, Erica’s passing had been more of a release than a source of sorrow—something that still filled him with intense guilt.

  After all, didn’t it say something about him as a husband that losing the son he’d never held, and who wasn’t even his own, had caused him more anguish than the loss of the woman he’d once imagined he loved?

  He was tired of playing the grieving widower and couldn’t remember the last time a woman’s smile had affected him like Annie’s.

  Her flawless complexion and the glossy cap of sable curls framing her huge eyes reminded him of an Ivory soap model—wholesome and pure. However, her wry sense of humor contradicted her innocent face. Undoubtedly, a teen pregnancy would have forced her to grow up fast and had probably destroyed any illusions she might have had, along with her naivety.