"Where do you get your ideas?" That's one of those questions readers ask. It's also a question I ask myself, particularly when they *aren't* showing up. Some books start with a spark. Saving the Single Dad is one of those books for me.
It all started while I was eavesdropping on a conversation a big tough guy was having with his son on the phone. The sweet "I love you" before he hung up instantly gave me hero inspiration. Brett Hendrix is a law enforcement ranger with his hands full raising his kids alone. Christina Braswell, waitress at the campground diner and his ex-wife's best friend, is the only help in sight. When we meet Brett, he's having a bad day, but he always has time for his son's phone calls.
It all started while I was eavesdropping on a conversation a big tough guy was having with his son on the phone. The sweet "I love you" before he hung up instantly gave me hero inspiration. Brett Hendrix is a law enforcement ranger with his hands full raising his kids alone. Christina Braswell, waitress at the campground diner and his ex-wife's best friend, is the only help in sight. When we meet Brett, he's having a bad day, but he always has time for his son's phone calls.
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“Dad, Riley said she’ll give me ten dollars if I do
her chores when we get home this afternoon. That’s a good deal, right?” Parker
said, and gasped as if he was running down the hall. They’d been on time when
he dropped them off, but Parker’s curiosity led him astray. A lot.
First grade was all about exciting new things.
“We’ve talked about this. Riley doesn’t have your
best interests at heart, son. Remember that and try to think about her offers
with that in mind.” Brett glanced over his shoulder to see that Christina had
managed to shake loose of her meditation to bag up his order. She’d put two
cups right next to the bag. He should have kept an eye on her. A wise man never
turned his back on an angry woman.
Interrupting whatever little showdown she’d been
caught in the middle of might be the first thing that had worked for him that
morning. He hoped it wasn’t the last. She’d never thank him. She never had been
the grateful sort, not even when he’d done his best to make sure she was safe.
For a split second, he’d wanted to try that all over again, but the woman had
more sharp edges than shattered glass.
“But it’s folding clothes, Dad. And she said she’d
help me with my room.” Parker sneezed and Brett could almost hear the nurse’s
phone call telling him his son needed to come home. Right now, no fever meant no
sick day.
“What happened the last time she made that offer?”
he asked as he pulled his wallet out. With one raised eyebrow, he asked
Christina his total. She took a ten from him and turned to the cash register.
“She tricked me.” Parker’s sad voice made Brett
smile. Having a daughter with an impressive criminal mind was scary. He’d only managed
to stop her from shaving off her hair because Parker had asked him where his
clippers were that morning. He’d had to learn to follow the trail to anticipate
however Riley would act up next, and it often started with his trusting son.
Since her mother had gone off the deep end again,
Riley needed careful attention. How to help her eluded him, but keeping her
safe wouldn’t.
“Right. Don’t let her trick you again. This
morning she almost got you, so watch her, P.” Brett took his change and shoved
it in his pocket. “Now, be good. Pay attention. Call me when you get home this
afternoon.”
“I will, Dad.” Parker heaved a huge sigh. “Girls
are tricky.”
“Don’t you ever forget it, son.” With his wife’s
best friend watching his every move, he couldn’t argue with that. “I love you,
Parker.”
“Love
you—” The call ended before he finished the rest of the sentence. That was
Parker’s usual goodbye, so it was more reassuring than worrying.
Saving the
Single Dad
His son and
daughter—
They are her family, too
Christina Braswell would do anything for her divorced best friend’s kids, including help their father. Park ranger and sudden single dad Brett Hendrix inspires trust and has everyone’s back. But Christina’s torn between loyalty and a deepening attachment to the handsome Sweetwater, Tennessee, lawman. Brett’s not making it any easier—Christina’s finally feeling as if she belongs somewhere.
They are her family, too
Christina Braswell would do anything for her divorced best friend’s kids, including help their father. Park ranger and sudden single dad Brett Hendrix inspires trust and has everyone’s back. But Christina’s torn between loyalty and a deepening attachment to the handsome Sweetwater, Tennessee, lawman. Brett’s not making it any easier—Christina’s finally feeling as if she belongs somewhere.
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Cheryl, love the story inspiration. And your cover is beautiful. Looks like a great read!
ReplyDeleteDon’t you love it when the inspiration for a story comes like that? There’s great built-in conflict here, Cheryl, and Brett’s such a hero! Congrats on this new book. Sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh, Leigh, I love it SO MUCH. Why can't they allllll be that way?
DeleteI find good ideas are arriving farther and farther apart. It used to be they tumbled over one another. Maybe I'm not getting out in the world enough these days to eavesdrop. Your book is a really good story.
ReplyDeleteI do find them a little slower to arrive, too, lately. Eavesdropping is a gift sometimes!
DeleteYou do very productive eavesdropping! Congratulations on the release.
ReplyDeleteEvesdropping can be so fascinating. Love the excerpt. What a great dad!
ReplyDeleteThis year has been so blissful to me for God has given me a reason to live happily again after been heart broken for 3 months when my husband neglected me and went back to his mistress. I suffered and went through all types of emotional tortures for i couldn't get any help to get my man back not until i was refereed to Robinson Buckler by my co-worker. I got in touch with Robinson Buckler and i took to his words and followed the instructions given to me by him. Could you believe that my husband got back home within 12 hours as said by him, my marriage is restored & i'm so thankful, appreciative & grateful to God for using..... https:// r o b i n b u c k l e r. com….... robinsonbucler@gmail.com to bring my man back …^*"*
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Thank you so much!! xoxo