Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
He wanted the chance to prove he could be the man his stepfather always was to him.
He had given up hope of ever claiming that for his own.
Then he lost everything.
Can one woman and her daughter give it all back?
Full synopsis to be revealed.
Standalone Novel.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Prologue
Indy
I came to the Maggie Valley area to start over with my daughter, Tinsley, to start over. We needed a fresh start, and that meant not being in the same state as my douchebag ex. I wanted my daughter to have the best I could give her. I also wanted to settle somewhere that moved at a much slower pace than Fort Wayne. When my grandmother was alive, my parents would take me to Kentucky to visit her. She lived almost in North Carolina. When I discovered Maggie Valley, I instantly fell in love, so I decided to relocate here.
It seemed perfect, and it was … until the Feral Kings MC took over the old amusement-turned zipline-park, Ghost Town in the Sky. In the blink of an eye, my peaceful refuge was being destroyed. There also wasn’t much I could do about it. I kept my head down and only ventured into town when I had to. I ran my business as best as I could, while trying to save money to move the hell out of dodge. It may seem like a lame plan, but it’s all I could do.
Sadly, today is one of those days that I had to venture into Bryson City. It was actually for a wonderful reason. I served as a witness for Phillip and Max’s wedding. I was so happy for them, even if I didn’t understand their choice of venues. I mean, we’re steps away from the Smoky Mountains, yet those two bozos decide to get married at the local courthouse. Still, for what it was, it was a beautiful wedding, and my two friends are extremely happy.
Now, I’m heading back home. I’m also running late. I still need to check on my animals and get some things done in my office before Tinny gets off the school bus. I took a back road, hoping not to see anyone. It’s also shadier than most areas, which is nice because it’s miserable outside today. The heat is suffocating, and it’s so humid that my blonde hair is trying to poof up—which sucks because it took me an hour to straighten out my curls. I love my hair and hate it at the same time. Some days I want to shave it off and let it start over to see if it grows back being more manageable. It doesn’t help matters that my air conditioner isn’t working. I have the windows down, but that seems to let more heat in than actually help. If I can ever get my head above water and pay off my student loans, I’d move out of this place. That’s not happening anytime soon. No one wants to move to a town that lives in fear.
As if taking their cue from my thoughts, I hear the racking of pipes and the loud roar of motorcycles. I look in the review mirror and see a couple of members from the Feral MC coming up fast behind me. I try not to panic. Most days, I’m normally in my truck. I keep a shotgun in it. Today, I have nothing. Which leaves me defenseless and vulnerable. To make matters worse, this road doesn’t get a lot of traffic at all. It’s why I chose it, thinking it would be safer.
My heart runs away with me as they get right behind me, then move alongside my car. I try to keep my gaze on the road, but they stay right beside me for so long, I can’t help but look. One of them grins, giving a cocky wave as he goes ahead of me. However, he’s staying at a slow speed. I know this is to keep me from going faster and getting away. When my gaze turns to the other guy. He uses his left hand to hold his thumb up and his index finger out—making the shape of a gun. He aims right between my eyes and makes a shooting motion, before flicking his wrist up and pointing up, blowing on his finger.
The message is clear, and it terrifies me. I slow down even more, and with a laugh that I can’t hear over the bike, he takes off, the other guy joining him. My heart is slamming against my chest as I decide to pull over. I shut my car off, lock the door and crouch down out of view. I want to give those assholes time to get out of the area. I don’t want to be anywhere near them. I’m going to have to get a handgun and keep it in my glove box. I hate to. I don’t like keeping guns around Tinny. Today could have been a disaster, though. I need to keep myself safe for my daughter. Thanks to her so-called father’s dumb life choices, I’m all she has.