Single father, Weston Parker is set in his ways, and raising his daughter is his top priority. But his ten-year-old feisty little girl is growing up faster than he ever realized. Her go-getter attitude is one he's seen before--mainly on himself. When she starts trading in her ponytails for makeup, Weston realizes he just might be in over his head.
Dedicated and driven veterinarian, Timber Sellers always knew that she'd head back home, but she wasn't quite ready for it to happen so soon. Running into the stubborn and bossy Weston from her high school days doesn't make it any better either. But when she meets his spunky daughter, Timber knows she's right where she's supposed to be. As Timber grows closer to Weston's daughter, his rough exterior softens. Suddenly, the heat between them explodes and neither can deny the attraction. Weston always goes after what he wants, and this time, he wants a future with Timber.
Dedicated and driven veterinarian, Timber Sellers always knew that she'd head back home, but she wasn't quite ready for it to happen so soon. Running into the stubborn and bossy Weston from her high school days doesn't make it any better either. But when she meets his spunky daughter, Timber knows she's right where she's supposed to be. As Timber grows closer to Weston's daughter, his rough exterior softens. Suddenly, the heat between them explodes and neither can deny the attraction. Weston always goes after what he wants, and this time, he wants a future with Timber.
“You comin’ or what?”
“Hey Marsha, ‘nother round when you get a chance,” I say as I move toward Timber.
As we begin a friendly game of pool, I try my best to concentrate on beating her ass, but each time she bends over to shoot the ball, my mind goes straight to the gutter. Damn, it’s been too long if I can’t get Timber out of my head.
“Let’s see you do that, big boy,” she challenges as she makes me look like a fool then takes a swig of her beer. I do my best and hit only one ball in the corner pocket, which is better than nothing.
We finish our game and then take a seat at the bar. “So what made you come back?”
“Daddy’s retiring and I’m taking over. He hasn’t told anyone yet, but I’m sure most people have figured it out already. Why else would I be back?”
“Maybe because you were tired of Texas.”
“Never. Weston, ohmygawsh, it’s amazing out there. Not only was I in the city, which is crazy in itself, but I got to work the rodeo,” she pauses and smiles like she’s remembering a part of her life she never expected but couldn’t imagine not having experienced.
“What you thinkin’?”
“I always thought one day, I’d see you ride out there. Stupid, I know.” As she slightly blushes, I see a softer side to the Timber tornado that’s usually around.
“Well, those days are done.”
“You can’t be serious. You’ve still got time. Besides there’s one in three weeks and I’m going to be the on-duty vet.”
“I said those days are gone. I can’t leave my daughter without a mama or a daddy.”
She lays her hand on my leg. “I’m sorry, Weston. I wasn’t trying to start something. I thought you were considering it.”
“Hey Marsha, ‘nother round when you get a chance,” I say as I move toward Timber.
As we begin a friendly game of pool, I try my best to concentrate on beating her ass, but each time she bends over to shoot the ball, my mind goes straight to the gutter. Damn, it’s been too long if I can’t get Timber out of my head.
“Let’s see you do that, big boy,” she challenges as she makes me look like a fool then takes a swig of her beer. I do my best and hit only one ball in the corner pocket, which is better than nothing.
We finish our game and then take a seat at the bar. “So what made you come back?”
“Daddy’s retiring and I’m taking over. He hasn’t told anyone yet, but I’m sure most people have figured it out already. Why else would I be back?”
“Maybe because you were tired of Texas.”
“Never. Weston, ohmygawsh, it’s amazing out there. Not only was I in the city, which is crazy in itself, but I got to work the rodeo,” she pauses and smiles like she’s remembering a part of her life she never expected but couldn’t imagine not having experienced.
“What you thinkin’?”
“I always thought one day, I’d see you ride out there. Stupid, I know.” As she slightly blushes, I see a softer side to the Timber tornado that’s usually around.
“Well, those days are done.”
“You can’t be serious. You’ve still got time. Besides there’s one in three weeks and I’m going to be the on-duty vet.”
“I said those days are gone. I can’t leave my daughter without a mama or a daddy.”
She lays her hand on my leg. “I’m sorry, Weston. I wasn’t trying to start something. I thought you were considering it.”
“What?”
“I heard our daddies talking. Your dad said there’s a few spots open and he thought you were considering it.” I feel my blood begin to boil and give her a stern look. “Simmer down, Cowboy. He said considering. Hey, Marsha, I think we need a couple of shots, and the stronger the better.”
As the shot glasses are placed in front of us, I get a massive lump in my throat. It’s been over ten years since I took one with a girl by my side and it got me in a world of trouble.
“Hello?” she says, waving her hand in my face. “What in the hell are you thinkin’ or do I even want to know?”
“I’m gonna pass on the shot.”
“My ass you are! It’s been a long time since we threw ‘em back.”
“It’s been over ten years since I took a shot of anything.”
“Oh… well, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re not getting in these pants tonight,” she says confidently.
She takes the shot glass in her hand, and I do the same. We clink them together, tip them back, and I slam the glass on the table. Then I motion for Marsha to bring another one.
“I heard our daddies talking. Your dad said there’s a few spots open and he thought you were considering it.” I feel my blood begin to boil and give her a stern look. “Simmer down, Cowboy. He said considering. Hey, Marsha, I think we need a couple of shots, and the stronger the better.”
As the shot glasses are placed in front of us, I get a massive lump in my throat. It’s been over ten years since I took one with a girl by my side and it got me in a world of trouble.
“Hello?” she says, waving her hand in my face. “What in the hell are you thinkin’ or do I even want to know?”
“I’m gonna pass on the shot.”
“My ass you are! It’s been a long time since we threw ‘em back.”
“It’s been over ten years since I took a shot of anything.”
“Oh… well, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re not getting in these pants tonight,” she says confidently.
She takes the shot glass in her hand, and I do the same. We clink them together, tip them back, and I slam the glass on the table. Then I motion for Marsha to bring another one.
REVIEW
Worth the Ride was a quick read, bringing a friends to lovers story and a happy ending for a single father and his daughter.
Weston has spent the last ten years doing all he can to make life better for his daughter, even if it meant giving up on some of his dreams. As a single father he often takes over-protective to new levels, but he also knows what is at stake. With his daughter growing up and changing, Weston knows she needs a woman in his life, but he's not all about chasing the ladies, that is until the girl next door arrives back home.
Timber knew she'd return home to take over her father's clinic at some point, it was always her plan for the future. So when she gets the call from him that its time, she gets things settled and heads back home, never expecting to find something more waiting for her there. The moment she spends time with Bryndle she knows the girl is something special.
An attraction blooms between Weston and Timber that's never been there before - sure they've been friends and they have always teased each other, but now there's something different there, something more. But as they get to know each other now and explore these feelings will they find a real connection? Weston is determined to prove to Timber that what they can have together will work.
I loved the banter between these two characters. Timber's easy going relationship with Bryndle from the start, taking her side and showing Weston that sometimes letting go of the protective nature of his can work out okay. I loved the small town feel of the story as well, everyone knowing everyone and being a tight knit community.
Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
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