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Daddy's Saving: ABC Towers, #3
Daddy's Saving: ABC Towers, #3
Daddy's Saving: ABC Towers, #3
Ebook186 pages3 hours

Daddy's Saving: ABC Towers, #3

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Only a Daddy could save her from herself now…

After a lengthy sabbatical to be with her terminally ill husband, Sharon Ross is finally returning to Edgewater Industries. Broken by her loss, and weary from constant caregiving, she is relieved to be back with the only family she has left. 

Knox Miller has loved Sharon from afar for years, and he can't stand by as grief and exhaustion consume the Little girl inside her. A special Daddy's tender love and care could rescue Sharon from her misery, and Knox intends to be the one she can count on for that relief. 

Daddy's Saving is book 3 of the ABC Towers series. If you're tempted by hot Daddies who will risk everything to keep their Littles safe, this adventure is for you.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 3, 2022
ISBN9781737362050
Daddy's Saving: ABC Towers, #3

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    Daddy's Saving - Pepper North

    PROLOGUE

    Sharon sank down on the pew reserved for her at the front of the small chapel, her gaze fixed on the polished wood urn. Roger. She couldn’t believe that he was gone. A chill ran through her, and she wrapped her arms around herself.

    Easton Edgewater immediately slid his arm across the seatback to pull his former administrative assistant close. His warmth seeped into her side, providing comfort. He turned to the woman on his other side and suggested, Piper, Sharon’s cold in here. Could you sit on her other side?

    Piper nodded and patted her Daddy’s thigh before standing.

    I’ve got it, a deep voice replied, making her freeze in place. Piper smiled at the large man and sat back down.

    Knox. Sharon smiled as Edgewater Industries’ head of security filled the empty space beside her.

    Easton patted his newly arriving employee’s broad shoulder before removing his arm.

    Sharon leaned toward Knox to whisper, Thank you for coming.

    I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I should have been here earlier. I’m sorry.

    You got here just in time, she rushed to assure him.

    Waving a hand at the table set up before the altar, Sharon’s voice broke as she shared, That container is so small. It’s hard to imagine Roger is… That he’s in there.

    Knox simply patted her on the knee. Sharon knew he understood. Her mind focused on the most improbable things as she tried to hold herself together.

    That burled wood is the perfect touch. It reminds me of the handcrafted bowl in your entryway. Where did Roger find that? Knox asked as if to distract her.

    In a small wood carver’s shop in the Ozarks of Missouri. It was frightfully expensive, but Roger bought it for himself and considered it his Christmas present for five years. He didn’t splurge on much, but those things he bought, he loved. Sharon smiled as she remembered his expression upon finding it. He had the artisan describe the entire process of how it was made. We were in that shop for a couple of hours.

    A door opened and the minister entered. A hush fell over the small assembly as the service began. Other than Sharon, there were no living relatives on either side left to attend. Only their friends filled the sparse pews of the chapel. Sharon had struggled to know what to do for the memorial service.

    She didn’t remember a lot of it. A few bible verses, a beautiful song, and it was over. Clutching the handful of tissues she had soaked with her tears, Sharon stood to thank the minister when he approached. Knox stripped them from her hand without a fuss to allow her to shake the officiant’s hand.

    You have my deepest condolences, Mrs. Ross. If I can be of assistance to you as you grieve, please do not hesitate to call, the kind man offered.

    Thank you. I appreciate you leading the service. I needed to say goodbye, Sharon expressed her gratitude.

    We all need closure. It was my pleasure to help.

    As the minister stepped away, Sharon realized she had a check for him. She fumbled with her purse, trying to open it.

    Everything is taken care of, Knox reassured her.

    Thank you.

    Exhaustion settled over her. How long had it been since she’d slept? Sharon weaved slightly as she stood in place. People streamed toward her to give their condolences. Stiffening her spine, she forced herself to stand straight.

    Sit here, Knox instructed, guiding her to a tall stool that he produced from somewhere.

    Grateful, she looked over her shoulder to nod her thanks. Knox settled close by, allowing her to speak individually to those who had attended while keeping her in sight. Sharon enjoyed speaking to those who had known Roger. A few shared fun stories that she’d forgotten or never heard from her husband. It was good to focus on all the positives from his life.

    When the crowd dwindled, Knox appeared by her side. It’s time to leave, Sharon. Would you like me to carry the urn?

    No, I need to do it.

    Sharon walked to the small display table with him and ran a hand over the sleek wood. I miss him. I know this sounds awful, but I’d said goodbye to the man I married months ago.

    That sounds honest, not awful, Knox observed.

    She pulled the urn to her body and wrapped her arms around it to lift the container. The weight of the ashes surprised her each time. A lump formed in her throat and she couldn’t breathe. Blindly, she turned to Knox.

    What am I going to do? she asked, her voice sounding desperate to her own ears.

    You are going to do what I bet your Daddy told you to do when you heard his diagnosis. You are going to grieve and miss the man who loved you more than life itself. You’re going to be proud of yourself for caring for him until his time came. And you’re going to figure out how to allow yourself to live and be happy for all the years you have left.

    Sharon looked at him in astonishment as Roger’s words echoed in her mind. I love you, Sharon. Remember that. Forget all this. Live a magnificent life.

    Okay, she whispered.

    Knox wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the beautiful chapel and into the bright, sunny day. She blinked into the light as she emerged. Life went on. Sharon hugged the urn to her body.

    Three months later, Sharon walked out the back door of the home Roger and she had selected for the amazing view. Crossing the long backyard, she walked with purpose. The weight of the urn in her arms seemed lighter today than it had after the service.

    Approaching the edge of the water, she waded out onto the shallow rocks to where the blue turned a darker shade. There, the water was deepest along the shoreline. Repeatedly, Roger had targeted that spot while fishing in a vain attempt to capture the massive catfish who’d taunted him for years. She’d never seen it, but he swore it was there. Sharon had teased him about Moby Cat for years.

    Unscrewing the top of the wooden container, Sharon didn’t hesitate. She sprinkled the ashes into the water, watching them shimmer on the surface before sinking. The urn became lighter in her arms as she tilted it to pour the last portion out.

    I’ll always love you, Roger, she promised in a voice that sounded stronger to her ears than she felt.

    A flash of motion captured her attention. Sharon’s breath caught in her throat as she watched in delight. Roger’s catfish leapt from the blue water in a spiral that revealed the immense size of the creature. The splash as it hit the surface of the lake sent widening circles toward her legs and toward the center of the vast body of water.

    By damn, Roger. Moby Cat wasn’t a fisherman’s tale! Sharon blew her husband a kiss goodbye. Leave it to her Daddy to make her laugh as she completed his final instruction.

    CHAPTER 1

    S haron! Easton answered on the first ring. When are you coming back?

    Monday if you have a job for me, she proposed.

    Perfect. I’ve reserved you a room in B Tower if you’d like to stay here during the week to cut down on travel time, he suggested.

    Thank you, Easton. That would be convenient. She grinned at the phone. Her boss had read her mind before she could even ask. Want to tell me what I’m going to do?

    Monday, you have an appointment with me at eight a.m. We’ll go over the details then. Move in the weekend before so you have a chance to settle in before diving into work.

    Shaking her head as she disconnected, Sharon headed to the bedroom to pack. She’d just take enough for a couple of weeks. Then when she was settled, she’d decide what to do with the house.

    Located on the far side of the lake, the drive to reach the front gate of the community took twenty to thirty minutes. It wasn’t too far from Edgewater Industries. She’d driven that circuitous route frequently with Roger as they both headed in to work. Sharon just wasn’t sure she wanted to mess with it now. Staying in the apartment would be easier.

    Sharon rolled her suitcase toward the front entrance of B Tower on the Edgewater Industries’ campus Saturday morning. The guards at the gate had greeted her warmly and offered to help her unload her car. With only one bag, she’d assured them she could handle it.

    About time you came back, the deep gravelly voice said, pulling her attention from her thoughts.

    Knox! I’m glad to see you. Sharon smiled at the large man holding the door open for her.

    Likewise. Is this all you brought? he asked, taking the handle of the suitcase from her.

    I’m hoping I didn’t forget anything, she confided.

    Come on. Let’s get your badge updated and pick up the key to your apartment. Knox glided her bag over the doorsill without an ounce of effort.

    Grateful for his help, she followed him to the security desk. Knox circled behind the desk to open a folder with her name on it. The badge she’d surrendered on her last day sat on top.

    I pulled a few strings and got you a new lanyard. Yours looked like it had been caught in a file cabinet or doused with that black ink from the copy machines a few times, he observed with a raised eyebrow.

    How did you guess? she asked with a laugh. Rising to her tippy toes, Sharon tried to peek at the papers in her file.

    What position does Easton have me slated for?

    Monday. It’s all top secret until your meeting. Knox pointed to the band of tape obscuring her assignment before closing the file.

    But you know?

    I know everything.

    Tell me. I won’t spill the beans to Easton. I’ll look surprised.

    When Knox looked skeptical, Sharon crossed her fingers over her heart. Promise!

    Monday at your meeting, Knox corrected, handing her the badge.

    You’re killing me here, Knox.

    I’m glad you’re back. Let’s go see your apartment, he invited, changing the subject.

    Taking command of her bag once again, Knox led her to the elevators. Pushing the button to the eighth floor, he reported, You’ve been assigned room eight-twenty-six. It has a good view of the green space between the B and C towers.

    You’ve checked it out for me? Sharon asked in surprise.

    I stocked your apartment with some food so you could settle in tonight. The Littles are having a Saturday night pizza party in the lobby tonight. It’s becoming a weekly event. Easton and Piper will be there.

    Maybe I can find out what my assignment is going to be, she joked, before adding, Thank you, Knox, for the food. You’re right. That makes my transition here a bit easier.

    The duo walked down the hallway in silence to reach the correct apartment. Sharon loved the cheerfully decorated doors that they passed. There was so much life here. Not like…

    Her eyes filled with tears and Sharon tried furiously to blink them away. She stiffened her spine, trying to invoke a professional demeanor. This isn’t home. You can’t just cry at random moments.

    Little girl. You’ve been so brave. Knox’s gravelly voice poured over her as he stopped and drew her to him. His arms wrapped around her back as he squeezed her tight.

    Don’t! she begged. I’ll just cry harder.

    There’s nothing wrong with that. You had the rug pulled out from under you and then an avalanche of crap rained down on top of you.

    The visual image he shared popped into her mind. Unable to resist, Sharon laughed, even as tears continued to pour down her cheeks. You sure don’t sugarcoat things, Knox.

    I never have. Knox carefully wiped the tears from her cheeks with swipes of his thumbs. The raw power of his hands contrasted with his gentle touch.

    Looking into his deep brown eyes, Sharon whispered, I may have come back too fast. I don’t know if I can do this, Knox.

    Do what?

    Be the uber professional administrative assistant. Be in total control of myself. That mask seems to have disappeared.

    Good riddance. No one wants you to wear a mask—Easton especially.

    He always saw through it to know when I was worried or nervous.

    Daddies always know, Knox confirmed.

    I miss him, Knox, Sharon confessed. Her eyes filled with tears once again. But he hadn’t been my Daddy for a long time.

    Knox didn’t say

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