Daddy's Sweet Girl (Montana Daddies 3)

Fuck. Shit.

“What? You’re kidding me. How did I not know this?” Eden shrugged, then seemed to think back. “I guess you were in the SEALs at the time. He might have left town before you returned. I can’t quite remember.”

He still didn’t know how he didn’t know that.

Maybe because you’re too involved in your own life to see what’s going on around you?

He’d told himself that he needed to concentrate on business. He’d thrown himself into it. Not just to make it a success. Or to give other ex-military personnel a safe place, somewhere they could work where they were valued. Where they were still part of something. But also, to chase away his demons.

But he knew he hadn’t paid much attention to what went on in Wishingbone. He’d only cared as far as it concerned him or the people on Sanctuary.

“So, he definitely doesn’t live here anymore? She has nothing to do with him?”

“I don’t know Abby that well. But I probably would have heard if he was back.” Eden gave him a curious look. “You seem awfully concerned about Abby’s brother. Especially considering you won’t even go check on her for me.”

“It’s best I stay away from Abby right now,” he said without thinking first.

“Really? Why is that?”

“That is none of your business, boo. Now, did you have breakfast? Because I’m starved. Think Charlie might take pity on me and whip me up some pancakes?”

Eden snorted. “You know she will. But don’t think I know what you’re doing. Something happen with you and Abby?”

“No. Nothing. I’m just too busy to go check on her. I’ll send Macca. She’s met him before.”

Coward.

He ignored the sick feeling that bubbled in his gut at the thought of how the other man might care for her. It would be a good thing if they developed feelings for each other. Macca was just the sort of man she needed. She needed someone to build up her self-esteem. To make her see how beautiful she was. To protect and guide her.

Yep, he was perfect for her.

And now Kent really wanted to punch his face in.

THE FIRST THING SHE noticed was that the front door was ajar.

Her heart raced. Her body started to shake. She tightened her hold on the bag of groceries in her hand. What should she do?

Call the cops, Abby.

Right. Right. Only problem was her phone was dead and her neighbors weren’t the type of people who’d welcome the cops bearing down on their doorstep.

Maybe she’d just forgotten to lock it this morning. She gulped. Except she knew she hadn’t. Was it the guy who’d approached her in the diner parking lot the other night? Had he broken into her house? Her mind went to the card in her top drawer.

No. Nope, not happening. She wasn’t calling him.

He had made it abundantly clear that he was just repaying a debt the other night. That she wasn’t his type. Oh, he’d tried to soften the blow by saying he wasn’t what she needed.

But how did he expect her to believe that? He was gorgeous, smart, rich, strong and kind to his sister.

She’d finally managed to read between the lines and figured out what he’d really meant. Then she’d gotten angry. After a few days, that had worn off and now she was just sad. Lonely.

And apparently, the victim of a break-in.

Seriously, what sort of an idiot would break into her place? Wasn’t it obvious from the outside that she had nothing worth stealing?

Her temper stirred. Like she needed this right now? Wasn’t the universe sending enough crap her way, now she had to deal with this too? She didn’t have the money to replace the door let alone anything else this asshole had taken or destroyed.

She gasped as she remembered the one thing in the house that might be worth stealing.