Darcy and the Single Dad. Stacy Connelly

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      To Gail Chasan and Susan Litman—

      Thank you for this chance at my first series for Cherish^™. I’m looking forward to telling all the Pirelli brothers’ stories!

      Chapter One

      Nick Pirelli was exhausted. Staring out the windshield of his SUV, he was glad he knew the back routes around his hometown as well as he did. The evergreen-lined asphalt curving through the mountains had landed more than one tourist—and the occasional local—in a ditch or with a new guard-rail-shaped hood ornament. But even under the dark skies of an approaching storm, he could easily find his way.

      It had been one hell of a day. Nick had worked as Clearville, California’s only vet for years, and most days, he loved his job. He had an affinity for animals and recognized the joy they brought to people’s lives with their loyalty and affection. In his almost ten years as a vet, he’d learned to control his emotions to best deal with the animals and owners who trusted him with their care. He’d treated injuries and accidents and the heartbreak of old age.

      But the horse the sheriff had called him out to evaluate wasn’t sick or injured or old.

      Instead, it had been abandoned and left to fend for itself in a weed-and-debris-filled paddock. Nick didn’t know how people could walk away from someone who depended on them. Who needed them.

      The animal had stood still as Nick and the sheriff debated its fate, head bowed, posture as poor as the pitiful creature had to feel. But in that moment of decision, the horse’s head rose and it looked right at Nick. Its eyes had been dull and listless, but in the soulful brown gaze, he saw a hint of … It was ridiculous to call it hope in such a hopeless situation, but he’d seen a flicker of something. Maybe just the ghost of a chance that with a little care, a little love, the future could be so much brighter.

      Not wanting to look too closely at the reason why the horse’s plight seemed to reach inside and grab hold of his gut, he’d pulled out his phone. Within the hour, Jarrett Deeks had arrived with a trailer hitched to his king cabin truck.

      None of the local rescues would have the resources or ability to even try to nurse a horse this far gone back to health.

      The horse barely had the strength to walk, but the two of them managed to ease it into the trailer. Nick had followed Jarrett out to his property. He gave the former rodeo star all the instructions he could, promising to check on the horse the next day and letting Jarrett know he could call for help at any time.

      Nick was still wondering if he’d made the right choice as he headed home. Only time would tell. For now, he was looking forward to relaxing and, hopefully, leaving this day behind. With nothing more pressing to do, he planned to spend a few hours in front of the television, enjoying a baseball game and having a beer. Alone.

      Thanks to a slumber party his daughter, Maddie, had been invited to, he had a weekend to himself, and he was looking forward to it with enough anticipation to send guilt dogging his heels.

      After all, Maddie had just gotten back from a trip to San Francisco to see her mother. He shouldn’t have wanted—needed—a break so soon. The only saving grace was that Maddie had missed her friends during her two weeks away and had been thrilled with the invitation to stay with the Martins.

      So, really, he had no reason to feel guilty at all.

      Trying to force the feeling aside, he focused on the cold, СКАЧАТЬ