Small Town Bride: Small Town Brides, #3

By Ava Catori

Kennedy Rae is a single mother with one determined focus, improving her situation. With school, work, and a three-year old, she doesn't have time for an unwelcome distraction like Jack Spencer. As far as she's concerned, he's a self-centered, commitment-phobic playboy who can only see skin deep.

Jack's rugged good looks and charming personality has always won him time with the ladies, but his usual lines fall on deaf ears when it comes to Kennedy. Enamored by the gorgeous blonde, he's convinced that she could be the one for him. Unfortunately, she wears a cage of steel around her heart and wants nothing to do with him.

When they're forced to spend time together during an ice storm, Jack takes the opportunity to chip away at Kennedy's tough armor. Can he convince her to trust him or is it all a game to get his way with the sexy, single mother?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Oct 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386689195

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kennedy Rae sat on the edge of the sofa and gently pulled the brush through her daughter’s blonde hair. Her daughter wiggled and squirmed as if she was anxious to move on. Kennedy begged for a little more patience and cooed, Almost finished.

Emily groaned at her mother and tried to sit still, but at three years old, sitting still wasn’t her strong point.

Okay, silly girl, one more minute and we’ll be done. She gathered Emily’s hair in her hand, then put a ponytail holder in place. If it kept the tangles to a minimum, it was a win for them both come bath time.

Emily’s tricycle waited on the other side of the living room. Once free, she tore away from her mother’s grasp and jumped onto her small, red bike. There wasn’t a lot of room to ride around inside, but she managed to find space.

If Kennedy could afford a bigger home with a yard, it would be heavenly, but it wasn’t in the cards yet on her meager salary. She had more school to finish, and there was always another unexpected bill popping up. She wasn’t sure where her life would be if it weren’t for Emily, but she was her sole reason for living. Driven with a singular purpose, Kennedy worked hard to better herself. One day she’d be able to give her daughter the best of things. For now, their small apartment would have to do.

Kennedy glanced at her watch. Twenty minutes and she’d need to be out the door. She sent a text to her mother to say she’d be on the way shortly. Thankfully, her mom stepped in and watched Kennedy a couple days of the week, which allowed Kennedy time to study and work. She couldn’t afford a babysitter and her mother understood.

While her parents weren’t wasn’t happy when Kennedy broke the news of her pregnancy, they easily fell in love with their granddaughter and opened their arms to her when the moment came.

Tony Mallard. He stepped out of the picture the second she told him that she pregnant with his child. To this day, she hated him as much as she hated the stupid mistake that allowed her to get into the position of being a single mother.

As for Emily, she didn’t resent her daughter one tiny bit. She only regretted that she couldn’t give her daughter more since she’d gotten pregnant too young, and too unprepared for the real world.

The self-hatred ended when her father set her straight. ‘It was a mistake, young lady. You deal with the consequences, then get on with your life. You’re a Rae, and that means that you stand up, brush yourself off, and work hard to better yourself.’

His words stayed with her. He didn’t cast her out when he’d heard the news. No sir. He embraced her and told her that mistakes happen. He’d be there for her, and he was. He took the news surprisingly better than her mother had, though even her mother came around and supported her when the time came.

More than three years had passed, and she’d afforded to move out of her parents’ house, even if her apartment was teeny, tiny. Standing on her own two feet was a proud moment and one she’d worked hard for.

Along with moving out, she went back to school and took courses online. She studied in her spare time and found a job that allowed her flexible hours. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. She’d started by waiting tables, then moved on to bartending which paid better.

The Copper Kettle had its share of regulars and they were always willing to tip well, so when it closed its doors, it was a tragic blow to Kennedy’s finances. She’d worked there for two years when the news came. Shattered, she scrambled to find a new bartending gig.

She was still getting used to the crowd at The Red Rooster Bar and Grill, affectionately called The Roost by most. It was a different setting along with a rowdier bunch of patrons. As long as it paid her bills, she’d adjust.

The biggest hindrance of switching was that when things were quiet at The Copper Kettle, her boss was okay with her studying. The Red Rooster rarely had quiet moments. It was too distracting to study, and the owners preferred she kept her two worlds separate. Fair enough. They were the ones paying her, so they got the final say.

Oh yeah, there was one other thing that took some getting used to...getting hit on regularly. The Copper Kettle was more of an upscale establishment and an older crowed, which meant less drunken good ole boys making an attempt to land the pretty blonde bartender on a bet. At The Roost, she’d been propositioned and asked for things no stranger should ask for. Kennedy surrounded herself in an iron fence and grew a cage of steel around her heart. She wasn’t interested in that kind of distraction. No way, no how.

She had more important things to do in life than party with a bunch of guys like she did back in her younger school days. These days her priorities were with Emily and landing a better paying job. Guys that treated her like a number? No thanks. She respected herself too much to travel down that road again. She’d learned a hard lesson and had a daughter to show for it. In the three years that’d passed, she grew up fast.

When Kennedy started to waiver and tire, or feel sorry for herself, she’d look into Emily’s perfect, little, angelic face and once again she’d find the energy to keep going.

Everything, absolutely everything good in her life came down to one thing—the want and need to do her best by her daughter.

Chapter 2

Jack Spencer drove down the driveway of his family’s farm, then turned toward the highway. A pit stop at The Roost was the perfect way to end the day after celebrating his brother’s wedding. Just one or two beers, then he’d head home. He needed to clean up a bid he’d be putting in for a construction project come Monday. It was mostly ready, but he’d read it over one last time before wrapping his notes.

The project had the potential to take his business to the next level. Getting his name and brand out there had been a slow and steady endeavor, but this, this would push him from small town contractor to a city household name. Now he just had to win the bid.

He turned his heavy-duty pick-up into the parking lot. His spirits were high. Seeing his brother’s excitement and pride during his wedding was great. Anna made a beautiful bride, and Sam wore a grin from ear to ear. His oldest brother was a good guy and deserved to be happy.

Not only that, but his sister-in-law was pregnant. That was a fun surprise. Ryan and Rebecca were about to be parents. It would be a good year. With one brother newly married and another getting ready to welcome a child, his family was in a good place.

As for commitments and family matters, he’d leave that to his older brothers. He wasn’t interested in settling down. Not anytime soon, at least. He’d consider his options in another ten years. For now, he’d focus on growing his business. Besides, he liked to spread himself around. Happily-ever after sounded okay for some people, but to Jack it was more like a prison sentence. The idea of being tied to one woman for the rest of his life? No thanks! Maybe when he was old and gray he’d get tired of the single life.

Jack opened the door of The Red Rooster Bar and Grill and found a seat at the bar. The world’s most beautiful woman stood behind the counter asking him what he wanted to drink? He was certain he’d blanked out, because she was staring at him, still waiting