Wildest Dreams: A Small Town, Single Dad Romance (The Wilds of Montana Book 3)

We stayed late into the night, talking and celebrating Ryan and Polly and their family. No one left before ten, and the bulk of us stayed past midnight.

I’m damn happy for them.

I’ve just finished helping pick up empty glasses and plates and stacked them in the kitchen. Ryan called in a service to come tomorrow to give everything a deep clean.

“Come on, baby, I need you to wake up. You know that Mommy can’t carry you anymore.”

I frown and turn the corner at the sound of Abbi’s voice. Daisy is fast asleep on the couch, her little hands under her cheek, and Abbi looks tired and flustered.

“I’ll carry her out,” I offer, and Abbi glances up in surprise.

“Oh, it’s okay. I’ll wake her up.”

“No need. She had a busy evening.” I scoop the little girl up and cradle her against my chest. “We’re ready when you are. No rush, though.”

“Let me just grab our coats,” she says and hurries to the entry closet. She wraps her red winter coat around herself, and with Daisy’s jacket draped on her arm, she nods. “Okay, I’m good.”

We wave to Ryan and Polly, and then I follow Abbi out to her SUV, with the little girl still sleeping peacefully against me.

I ease Daisy into her booster seat in the back and gently close the door.

“There you go.”

“You really didn’t have to,” Abbi insists. “She’ll have to wake up when I get her home anyway. I’m pretty strong and have never had an issue carrying her, but I swear she’s grown so much since school started in September, and I just can’t do it anymore.”

“I’ll follow you home.”

Abbi frowns. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. Really, we’ll be fine.”

“The roads are icy tonight,” I reply, unsure why I can’t just let it go. They manage without me every damn day. “I’d like to make sure you get home okay.”

“I have a feeling that fighting with you is a waste of time.”

I smile at her, and she rolls her eyes, climbing into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll be behind you,” I inform her before closing her door. I wouldn’t usually drive back into town. I live out at Wild River Ranch, so I’m going the opposite way, but there’s something about those two girls that pulls at me.

With Daisy, it’s easy. She’s cute as a freaking button. When she asked me to escort her to the dance, it was an easy yes.

And, I admit, Abbi is hot as hell. She’s a curvy woman, with a body that I’d love to get my hands on. My mouth. Hell, every part of me. She has plump lips that I want to sink into and kiss for days. I want my hands in her thick, blonde hair.

I shift in my seat and will my cock to calm the fuck down. Just because I want her doesn’t mean that I get her, tonight or any other night.

Abbi lives in a cute townhouse in a good neighborhood in Bitterroot Valley, and she pulls into her driveway and cuts the ignition.

I park at the curb and join her at her SUV, open the back door, and see that Daisy’s still sleeping away.

“She won’t wake up until tomorrow,” Abbi says, smiling softly. “She’s always been a good sleeper.”

I pick the little girl up and follow Abbi into the townhouse, up the stairs to Daisy’s room, and help her quickly change Daisy into pajamas before I pull the covers over her and kiss her forehead.

I notice that the townhouse is clean and decorated nicely and that Abbi’s bed is made as I pass by her bedroom.

I’d like to pull her in there and mess that bed up.

“Thanks,” Abbi says as we go downstairs. “Would you like anything? Something to drink? I have some hot chocolate, if you’d like.”

Yeah, I want to stay. I want to stay all night.

Which is why I have to go.

“Thanks, but I’d better head home.”

“Right.” She nods and looks a little embarrassed.

“I’ll see you Friday.”

She frowns up at me.

“The dance.”

“Right. The dance. You have a date with my daughter.” She laughs and shoves her fingers through her hair. “I’ll see you then.”

“Abbi—”

What? What am I supposed to say next? I’m sorry I’m an asshat who can never get serious with a woman? That would be stupid.

Instead, I sigh and head for the door.

“Good night,” I say as I turn the nob.

“Good night, Brady.”

My name on her lips is a punch to the gut, and I get out of there as fast as possible. What was I thinking, following them home like this? Going into their home?

It’s too fucking tempting.

I’d better just stay the fuck away.

But I promised Daisy that I’d take her to that dance. So, I’ll do that, and then I’ll stay away.

It’s what’s best for everyone.