Because of You : A single dad romance Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  copyright

  social media

  dedication

  prologue

  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

  chapter 15

  chapter 16

  chapter 17

  epilogue

  sneak peek

  books by

  about the author

  Copyright © 2020 by Fabiola Francisco

  Because of You

  All rights reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover design: Kat Savage

  Interior Formatting: Cary Hart

  Editing: The Polished Author

  social media

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  Twitter

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  Website

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  dedication

  For Jennifer, Veronica, Miriam, and Leslie who became more than co-workers.

  Thank you for your friendship beyond the classroom.

  prologue

  Sawyer

  I sit back with my buddy and drink my beer, watching the blonde woman who’s been moving to the electric beats coming from the speakers since I arrived. She laughs and dances as if no one were watching her. Shaking her hips, luring me in. My eyes follow her as she shimmies to a group of women I assume are her friends and drags two of them by the arms.

  Her long hair sways to the beat, and her smile is infectious.

  “You’ve been staring at that woman for twenty minutes. Go dance with her.” My friend, Emmet, says with a cocky smile.

  “Nah,” I shake my head. I drink my beer and keep watching her with curiosity. “I’ll be moving soon anyway,” I add as an afterthought.

  “So?” Emmet’s eyebrows dip as he stares at me as if I’m crazy. “It’s just a dance. Besides, it’s not like Springville is that far from here.”

  It’s not about the distance from Nashville, my current home, to Springville, where I’ll be moving to at the end of the summer, but more so the fact that I have a seven-year-old son, River, who counts on me to be the stable one in our home. A relationship, hell, a date, at this point, would just add to the current of change flooding our lives.

  “Too much going on to think about a woman,” I finally reply.

  “One dance.” Emmet holds up a finger. “As a farewell. We both know you won’t be out again before you leave.”

  He’s right. This is a rare night out for me. Usually, I’m with River, spending Friday nights together, watching sports recaps and eating pizza. Doing guy stuff, as he calls it.

  I smile as I think about my son, and then abruptly stop when the woman I’ve been eyeing looks my way. Her eyes lock on mine. I can’t tell the shade from here, but I suddenly have the urge to know what color they are.

  Wordlessly, I drop my beer on the bar and walk over to her, hands in my pockets. She watches me approach, appraising me from head to toe before a slow smile curves her lips, and she moves her hips in front of me.

  I smirk, staring into her eyes, discovering they’re a hypnotizing blue, and begin dancing with her. My hands on her hips. Her hands on my shoulders. We move together as if it weren’t our first meeting.

  “What’s your name?” I lean in and whisper, smiling when she shivers.

  I look back at those baby blues with a grin.

  The woman chuckles shyly, a contrast to the seductive smile she was giving me a moment ago. “Amanda Bynes,” she throws out.

  I laugh and shake my head. “Hell, then I’m Justin Bieber.”

  “Must be hard going around town without getting some hate thrown your way.”

  “Could say the same for you.”

  “Eh,” she shrugs. Spinning around and coming back to me, she continues talking. “It’d be an odd pairing.”

  I nod, wrapping my arm around her lower back to bring her closer, and we move together to the beat spilling from the speakers. When the song changes to something smoother, I keep her close and guide the dance to something more sensual.

  Amanda Bynes’s lips part as her eyes stare into mine. I lean in, feeling her faint breath on my chin before tipping my head down and kissing her, stealing her breath, taking what I can from this stranger who lured me in.

  Her hands scrape my scalp, and I cradle her jaw, sweeping my tongue against hers. Her kiss is sweet and tempting, a deadly combination as I scramble how to get some time alone with her while warring with myself that I have a son to get home to soon.

  My mystery woman leans back, cutting the kiss shorter than I’d like and leaving me hard. Her body pressed against mine gives me a preview of how good we’d fit together if I could take her home. One night to satisfy this need burning through me.

  Suddenly, everything turns chaotic when her friends approach, laughing and eyeing me as they drag her away. It happens so fast, I don’t realize I’m standing alone on the dance floor until Emmet comes up to me, clapping my shoulder.

  I’m pretty sure her real name is not Amanda Bynes. That would be a horrific coincidence. I could just imagine people’s faces when she introduces herself.

  “Ready to head home?”

  “Fuck, yeah.” I run a hand through my hair. It’s probably best this way.

  chapter 1

  Ada

  Two months later

  I straighten a paper on one of the desks in my classroom before looking around and making sure it’s perfect for our Open House tonight. Summer flew by between helping my parents run their ranch and delivering my mom’s homemade jam to local stores in our small town and taking a two-week vacation to the coast right before school started. Some sun and beach time were much-needed.

  I love teaching, but I value time for myself. Being a teacher can be emotionally straining, and I tend to worry a lot about my students’ well-being. I wanted a short escape before returning to a class full of new second graders.

  “Are you ready?” My friend and co-worker, Libby, pops into my classroom.

  “Yup. How about you?” I lean against my desk.

  “All ready for a fresh wave of kindergarten tears,” she jokes.

  I giggle and shake my head. “You’re a pro with those kids.”

  “I’m the kid whisperer,” she shrugs.

  Libby really is a kid whisperer. She was meant to be doing this, working with kids and making them feel special. I’ve learned a lot from her through the years.

  “Hey,” Mackenzie, one of our first-grade teachers, waltzes in with a smile and a box. “Ready?”

  I’ve known her and Libby since we were young, having been raised in a small town and only a year apart. When Mackenzie moved back to Springville a few years ago, we got reacquainted.

  “Yeah,” I nod
. “Are you ready for Paisley’s first year in the big kid school?” I ask with a giggle. Mackenzie and her husband, Hunter, have the cutest little girl who has been so excited about coming to the “big kid school” her mom works in.

  “She’s so damn excited. Hunter will be there tonight, Libby.”

  “You know how it works. I’m not really worried about you not being present,” Libby waves her off.

  “What’s in the box?” I jut my chin toward her hands.

  Mackenzie smiles. “Hunter dropped off some goodies from Margie’s Bakery.”

  “Yuummmm,” Libby groans.

  Margie’s Bakery is our local bakery in Springville, and it’s heaven on earth.

  “That husband of yours is a keeper,” I say, reaching for a mini cupcake when she offers.

  “He’s pretty darn great.” Her smile lights up her entire face.

  We continue catching up as we eat our sweets, and then we finish getting ready for Open House. I check my presentation, making sure there are no glitches and keep my nerves at bay. Children I can do, but talking to a group of parents always makes my skin itch.

  I smile as parents and children enter my classroom, greeting each one with a smile and introducing myself. Some of the children are shy, and others recognize me from seeing me around in the hallway the previous year.

  I’m more at ease as I begin talking, introducing myself, and explaining how the school year will go and what’s expected from the students and families. Halfway through my presentation, the door opens, and everyone turns toward the newcomer. My eyes pop open.

  Holy mother of…

  My heart threatens to leap out of me as a familiar man walks in with his son. My mouth dries, making it difficult to swallow. It can’t be…

  The man looks up, his eyes reflecting the same surprise as he mumbles an apology before standing in the back of the classroom, despite his son tugging his plaid shirt and pointing to an empty desk. The man, who I only know as Justin Bieber—the same one I met in Nashville when we went away for a weekend trip at the end of the school year to celebrate the start of summer—shakes his head and whispers something to his son.

  I still have dreams about the kiss we shared. It’s pathetic really since it’s not the first time I’ve been kissed, but, damn it, it was a great kiss that could’ve led to more had my friends not pulled me away and rushed to another bar where a rising country star was performing. Since we were in Nashville, everyone wanted to see live music. I wanted to dance a little longer with the stranger who moved against me with perfection.

  After an awkward moment, I clear my throat and refocus on my task, finishing off my presentation less confident than when I started. Parents make their way toward me to ask questions, turn in supplies, and thank me.

  I’m sweating by the time the man from Nashville approaches us with a tight smile. His son holds his dad’s hand with a tentative smile as a million thoughts cross my mind. Why is he here and not in Nashville? Springville is small enough that I’d have seen him around if he lived here. And where the hell is his wife? I hope he’s divorced and not some asshole who kissed a random woman while his wife was at home caring for their son.

  I cross my arms at that final thought, guarding myself. A fake smile covers my mouth.

  “Hello.” I bend down to greet the boy first.

  “Hi,” he whispers.

  “What’s your name?”

  “River Brooks.”

  “I’m Ms. Ward.” I extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, River.”

  He shakes my hand and smiles. “Likewise, Ms. Ward.”

  “You’ve got some great manners,” I compliment.

  “My dad always says it’s important to be polite.”

  I glance up at the man above us and back at River. “Your dad’s right.” I stand and look at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Brooks. I’m Ms. Ward.” I nod, introducing myself though I just did so with his son.

  “So, it’s not Ms. Bynes?” Humor lines his question, and I shake my head. “Anyway,” he clears his throat, turning serious. “We just moved to Springville a few weeks ago. River has been nervous about starting a new school, but I guaranteed him he’d make friends in no time.” Mr. Brooks gives me a meaningful nod.

  I smile down at River. “The children are all very nice, and they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

  “Thanks.” The young boy pinches his lips together.

  “You didn’t miss much from the presentation. It’s all written on the paper you got, and if you have any questions, my email is also listed.”

  Mr. Brooks smiles, dashing like the night I saw him at the bar, and I suppress a shiver. He’s as good-looking as I remember with wavy hair that’s slightly mussed, scruff framing his face, and green eyes. His smile holds a hint of mischief, but it’s those full lips that draw me in. He’s a good kisser, and I have to keep that tidbit to myself because as handsome as Mr. Brooks is, he’s my student’s father. Things could get complicated really fast if I continue to imagine the feel of his hands on my hips and his lips against my own.

  chapter 2

  Sawyer

  “Dad!” River rushes over to me when he sees me standing outside with the rest of the parents anxiously waiting to pick up their kids after the first day of school. I’d bet I’m more nervous than most since River is new to the school and the town. I’ve been hoping that I made the right choice when I took the job offer to be Springville’s newest doctor.

  It was time we made a change, too.

  “Hey, big guy.” I bend to hug my son, savoring these moments where he still wants his dad around. “How was it?” I raise my eyebrows and pray he says it was amazing.

  “My teacher is super nice. I also made a friend.” River adjusts the straps on his backpack, and I reach for it, but he shakes his head. “I can carry it. I’m a big kid now.”

  I shake my head, sticking my hands in my pockets. When I look up, I catch Ms. Ward’s gentle smile. I nod and wave before guiding River to my car.

  The woman I unofficially met in Nashville, who left me before I could fully memorize the taste of her lips, has been haunting my memory. I hate to admit that I’d search for her around the city in hopes I could see her again, get her real name. Look into those blue eyes one more time. Learn more about her hips and the way she moves…in private.

  “Dad?” River interrupts my thoughts as he looks at me as if he’s waiting for my response.

  “I’m sorry, what?” I scratch the scruff on my cheek.

  “I said that I don’t have homework since it’s the first day, so can we go for a ride?”

  “Yeah, sure.” I ruffle River’s hair and make sure he’s buckled in before walking toward the driver’s seat.

  Growing up in a small town in Tennessee gave me the opportunity to have a sense of community and hard work. Despite living in Nashville after college, I have made it a point to raise River with the same standards. He loved going to my parents’ house to ride our horse, and fortunately, we were able to get a house here with a small barn for Blaze.

  After my wife passed, taking time to be with Blaze was both heaven-sent and torture. She used to love riding with me, and the memory was sometimes too much to bear. It still is at times, despite how many years she’s been gone.

  “Oh! Isn’t that the place with the pies?” He points to Margie’s Bakery, what River and I quickly learned would be the go-to spot for dessert or an afternoon snack. We both have big sweet teeth.

  “Do you want a first-day-of-school treat?” I look at him through the rearview mirror.

  He shakes his head and smiles shyly. “I wanted to take a slice to Ms. Ward tomorrow. She was super nice, and she even had lunch with me.”

  “Really?” I lift my brows.

  “Yeah,” River nods enthusiastically. Then, he looks down at his hands. “I was nervous about eating lunch, and I didn’t want to sit alone. I didn’t tell her anything, but she just sat down next to me and ate her sandwich with me.”

/>   I fail at hiding my smile through a pang of guilt. River will adjust to this new school, I’m confident of it, but any new beginning is hard. I park the car and meet River by the back door before we walk toward the bakery.

  My mind wanders back to Ms. Ward. What are the odds that the woman would live here? And be River’s teacher? That complicates things, but fuck if I don’t want to see her again. And not necessarily in a parent-teacher conference.

  River tugs my hand, and I look down at him. “What flavor should we get?” he asks with wide eyes as he stares at the variety of pies.

  “Um… I’m not sure.” I run a hand down my face.

  “Is this for a new friend?” Margie, the owner, smiles kindly.

  Before I can respond, River jumps in. “It’s for my new teacher, Ms. Ward.”

  “Ah…” She nods, leaning over the counter. “May I suggest a pumpkin square instead? They’re her favorite.” She whispers this last part as if sharing a desired secret.

  River looks up at me with round eyes. “Can we get that, Dad?”

  I nod. “We’ll take a pumpkin square for her. Thank you.”

  “Of course. How was your first day?” she asks River with a smile. Since the first time we stepped in here, Margie has been nothing but kind to us.

  “It was good.” He rocks back on his heels.

  “I’m glad to hear that. Would y’all like something for yourselves?”

  “How about we share a slice of pie?” I ask River, squeezing his shoulder.

  “Cherry?” His green eyes light up.

  “We’ll have a slice of cherry pie to eat here,” I tell Margie, smiling and paying for our sweets.

  As River and I share our slice, he goes into detail about his day. I listen and ask questions, grateful he seems happy. After, we head home and get ready for a ride. Spending time with my boy is priceless, and I’m taking advantage before he grows up and prefers to spend time with friends than his old man.

  I always thought that when he’d get to that age, I’d have my wife by my side, not be alone to reminisce about the years that have passed.