A Father's Pledge

A Father's Pledge
Eleanor Jones

Can this single dad rise to the challenge?Luke Travis may be a father, but he’s never really been a dad to Ben. When the nine-year-old enrolls at the boarding school where Luke works, Luke knows it’s time to step up. Except his son wants nothing to do with him. And then there’s Kat Molloy, the child therapist whose "help" conflicts with everything he believes about raising kids. Some part of him realizes they both want what’s best for Ben—and that same part of him wonders why he’s so drawn to Kat despite their differences. But Luke can't risk letting romance get in the way of his relationship with his son…

Can this single dad rise to the challenge?

Luke Travis may be a father, but he’s never really been a dad to Ben. When the nine-year-old enrolls at the boarding school where Luke works, Luke knows it’s time to step up. Except his son wants nothing to do with him. And then there’s Kat Molloy, the child therapist whose “help” conflicts with everything he believes about raising kids. Some part of him realizes they both want what’s best for Ben—and that same part of him wonders why he’s so drawn to Kat despite their differences. But Luke can’t risk letting romance get in the way of his relationship with his son...

“Ben’s been spoiled all his life,” Luke said. “That’s what his behavior is all about.”

“How do you know? How do you really know what his life has been like up to now?” Kat asked. “He’s only nine. You need to let him learn to love you, Luke.”

Their faces were so close that Kat could feel his breath on her cheek.

“That’s just it,” he murmured, his eyes soft with a vulnerability she’d never seen in him before. “What if he never forgives me and never grows to love me? Perhaps I’ve already lost my chance with him.”

On impulse, Kat moved closer. Cupping his jaw with gentle fingers, she touched her lips to his, and when his arms wrapped around her, it felt so right. His lips closed over hers, soft and yet demanding, and for an endless moment it felt as if they were one being, a part of the vast space and beauty that surrounded them...

But they weren’t alone. With a surge of guilt, Kat pulled away in panic, looking for Ben. What were they thinking?

Dear Reader (#u4bfd1649-88da-5881-924d-3357804c4c0d),

Thank you for picking up my book, I do hope you enjoy it. There is just something timeless about the sea that draws us in. At times serene and breathtakingly beautiful, it can also be awe inspiring in its ferocity—dangerous, wild and untamed. A bit like life, really, I suppose.

I am so enjoying writing this series, Songs of the Sea, and I would love to hear your comments. You can contact me at info@holmescalesridingcentre.co.uk.

All very best wishes,

Eleanor

A Father’s Pledge

Eleanor Jones

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ELEANOR JONES was brought up on a farm in the north of England and learned to love animals and the countryside from an early age. She has ridden all her life, and after marrying her husband at just eighteen years old and having two wonderful children, they set up a riding center together. This is still thriving over thirty years later, doing hacks, treks and lessons for all ages and experiences. Her daughter competes at the national level, and she is now a partner in the business and brings her adorable three-year-old son to work with her every day. Eleanor’s son is also married with two children, and they live nearby.

Eleanor has been writing for what feels like her whole life. Her early handwritten novels still grace a dusty shelf in the back of a cupboard somewhere, but she was first published over fifteen years ago, when she wrote teenage pony mysteries.

I would like to dedicate this book to my dear sister, Catherine, who lives by the sea.

Contents

Cover (#u1e2a43b4-8610-5590-a465-1832618f1790)

Back Cover Text (#uf8ac4850-4354-5a9b-b5e5-78aec00e67fa)

Introduction (#u50b2d9fd-b93e-5c56-9899-92c269f2a617)

Dear Reader (#u4036b551-8269-5388-beca-1587c709af06)

Title Page (#ub34280b4-0f26-5d34-9da1-9b7301e21521)

About the Author (#ua959dd4d-16ac-5013-932d-4721a9c90138)

Dedication (#u98e06808-51f3-5a69-b950-564c92f3a2f3)

PROLOGUE (#u59604add-9510-573f-939d-911483229741)

CHAPTER ONE (#ucc0c78cb-90a1-5220-a09f-ab6d66ec8fd3)

CHAPTER TWO (#uee00a143-3211-5713-8459-d560b46e0d4d)

CHAPTER THREE (#u3894d731-74e8-5824-ba64-60bb4db9d9ad)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u1c8e9418-b428-5cab-83f2-cc14797799dd)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u00bf31cc-0edf-586b-86af-c9f2b6e836a2)

CHAPTER SIX (#u7a4bca82-906e-51ff-9113-ddf88d85405f)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)