Back to You (The Road Back Home Series Book 1) by Nicole Dykes

Author:Nicole Dykes [Dykes, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Logan

“Wow. There are a lot more people in this town than I thought.” Claire's eyes widen as she looks around the fairgrounds, taking in the scene of the Fall Festival.

It's been a crazy few weeks since she showed up in my life. After I was granted guardianship, we came straight home, and Shane and I remodeled the guest room for Claire. My once simple and boring guest room has been transformed into a hot-pink and black teenager sanctuary. Thankfully, Maddie stepped up and signed alongside Shane. Even though it’s hard to be thankful to her, it made the process much easier. She even thought to bring the paperwork showing she legally changed her name, so everything went smoothly.

They dug through my financials and ran a full background check on me, and the judge deemed me fit. According to the state of Kansas, I’m Claire's uncle and guardian, but as long as we all know the truth, I’m good with it.

I’m walking through fatherhood at a clumsy pace, but I think I’m doing okay for the most part. Claire seems to like school and even comes home and tells me about her day over dinner, usually with Shane.

“Lots of out-of-towners,” Shane answers to Claire's amazement about the number of people strolling through the fairgrounds on the outskirts of town.

I haven't completely forgiven my brother for what he did, but he's the last of my family. Well, besides Claire.

We once spent years not talking because of Maddie, and I’ll be damned if I’m doing that again. He made it as right as he could, and I now have Claire in my custody.

Our shoes crunch the gravel as we walk toward the commotion of the festival, and Claire continues to look around in awe. “This is more crowded than the city!”

“Hey, the Fall Festival is the shit.” Shane almost fully smiles when he says that. I shove his shoulder.

“Shane loves the festival.”

“Not as much as you and Maddie did.”

My mouth forms a tight line instinctively at the mention of her. We never missed this festival. Not once, until she left.

I look around at all the vendors and the carnival rides. It hasn't changed.

“Maddison?”

I stop abruptly when I hear Claire's voice say her name. My blood turns cold as I see none other than Maddison Fucking James traipsing back into my life. She's dressed for fall in a yellow dress that shows off her bare shoulders and lands at her knees with a pair of tan cowboy boots.

My eyes instantly go to Shane, who of course gives nothing away. But I know he had something to do with this.

Maddie walks to us, stopping in front of Claire as Shane and I sandwich her between us. “You can call me Maddie.”

“Not Jamie?” I bite out.

Maddie sighs and addresses Claire. “You can call me whatever you want to. Maddie is what I went by until I had you.”

Honesty.

Claire nods her head, taking in the information. “Why did you change it?”

Maddie stands up straight, avoiding my eyes. “I guess I was afraid of being found.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.