A Little Winter Wonderland, page 1
A Little Winter Wonderland
Montana Daddies
Laylah Roberts
Published by Laylah Roberts, 2021.
A Little Winter Wonderland
Laylah Roberts
Laylah Roberts
A Little Winter Wonderland
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© 2021, Laylah Roberts
Laylah.roberts@gmail.com
laylahroberts.com
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.
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Cover Design by: Allycat’s Creations
Editing: Celeste Jones
Created with Vellum
Contents
Let’s keep in touch!
Books by Laylah Roberts
1. Abby and Kent
2. Eden and Zeke
3. Abby and Kent
4. Daisy and Jed
5. Daisy and Jed
6. Eden and Zeke
7. Abby and Kent
8. Daisy and Jed
9. Eden and Zeke
10. Abby and Kent
11. Eden and Zeke
12. Abby and Kent
Let’s keep in touch!
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Books by Laylah Roberts
Doms of Decadence
Just for You, Sir
Forever Yours, Sir
For the Love of Sir
Sinfully Yours, Sir
Make me, Sir
A Taste of Sir
To Save Sir
Sir’s Redemption
Reveal Me, Sir
Montana Daddies
Daddy Bear
Daddy’s Little Darling
Daddy’s Naughty Darling Novella
Daddy’s Sweet Girl
Daddy’s Lost Love
A Montana Daddies Christmas
Daring Daddy
Warrior Daddy
Daddy’s Angel
Heal Me, Daddy
Daddy in Cowboy Boots
A Little Christmas Cheer
Sheriff Daddy
Her Daddies’ Saving Grace
Rogue Daddy
A Little Winter Wonderland
MC Daddies
Motorcycle Daddy
Hero Daddy
Protector Daddy
Untamed Daddy
Her Daddy’s Jewel
Fierce Daddy
Harem of Daddies
Ruled by her Daddies
Claimed by her Daddies
Stolen by her Daddies (coming 2022)
Haven, Texas Series
Lila’s Loves
Laken’s Surrender
Saving Savannah
Molly’s Man
Saxon’s Soul
Mastered by Malone
How West was Won
Cole’s Mistake
Jardin’s Gamble
Romanced by the Malones
Twice the Malone
Men of Orion
Worlds Apart
Cavan Gang
Rectify
Redemption
Redemption Valley
Audra’s Awakening
Old-Fashioned Series
An Old-Fashioned Man
Two Old-Fashioned Men
Her Old-Fashioned Husband
Her Old-Fashioned Boss
His Old-Fashioned Love
An Old-Fashioned Christmas
Bad Boys of Wildeside
Wilde
Sinclair
Luke
1
Abby and Kent
End of November
* * *
Up. Down.
Up. Down.
Up. Down.
Abby kept her attention on her baby boy, watching his chest rise and fall. It was hypnotic. She could almost slip off to sleep. Except that was the last thing she wanted. Because it was her job to keep this tiny little human being alive.
Up.
Down.
Her eyes burned, and she yawned before reaching down to grab her energy drink.
Got to stay awake. Got to make sure he’s still breathing.
Up. Down. Up. Down.
Another yawn.
She pried her eyes open, watching her baby sleep.
Asher.
Just four months old and still so tiny. She couldn’t believe she’d nearly lost him. He’d come early, despite her assurances to Kent that wouldn’t happen.
She’d ended up having an emergency caesarean. The memory still sent a shiver up her spine and struck fear deep into her belly. Asher had been in distress, his heartbeat slowing. She’d been so terrified.
Abby had vowed that she would never let anything happen to him. That was her job as his mom.
Which is why she was here at three in the morning, watching her baby boy sleep.
Kent wouldn’t be happy if he discovered that she was barely sleeping. But he was away on a job. And everything fell on her shoulders.
Nothing could happen to Asher.
Kent didn’t usually go away on jobs anymore. However, both Macca and Bain had taken time off. Macca and Gigi had flown back to Australia for the month and Bain and Ariana had gone to Escana.
She knew that Kent hated leaving her and Asher. She didn’t blame him. It would be impossible for her to leave her baby boy for any length of time. He was pretty much all she thought about. All the time.
Heavy eyelids.
Up. Down.
She blinked. For a very long moment. Then jolted herself awake. She couldn’t stop watching him. Worrying over him. Always watching and worrying.
Up.
Down.
Her eyes blinked shut. And stayed closed.
Kent parked outside his truck outside the house. Damn, he was glad to be home. He’d wrapped the job up early and caught the first flight home.
Grabbing his duffel bag, he made his way silently into the house. The air was crisp and still. There was meant to be a snow heading their way tomorrow, so he’d wanted to get home before that.
It was only six. Hopefully, Abby was still asleep and he could climb into bed with her. He’d need to be careful not to wake her, she needed her sleep.
After he was born, Asher had remained in the hospital for a month to let his lungs develop further. They’d both been terrified. Everything from that time was kind of fuzzy. He’d been trying to take care of his wife while worrying over his son.
He’d been concerned how Abby would cope while he was away. Not that she didn’t have plenty of support. All she had to do was ask, and anyone on the ranch would help her.
He loved his baby. His family. But he also wanted a few hours alone with his girl. Her Little hadn’t had any time to play or have fun.
Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d even spanked her.
Was she ready to let someone else look after Asher for a few hours so they could spend some time together? Was it too soon? Was he being an asshole?
If only this parenting gig came with a manual. Was it wrong to want to spend time alone with his sweet girl?
Kent shook his head as he set the bag down outside the laundry door so he could do some washing later. The house was spotless. Quiet. Peaceful. He didn’t know how she did it. She shouldn’t be worrying about keeping the house perfect. He hoped she hadn’t been burning herself out. She needed to look after herself as well.
Something she didn’t seem to understand. Or believe.
But without Abby, he and Asher would be completely lost.
She had to take care of herself.
Or he’d do it for her.
Perhaps that was what she needed. For him to take charge. At least he was home now. Things would slow down over Christmas and he could concentrate on taking care of his family.
Which is how things should be.
He was kind of surprised that the house wasn’t starting to fill with Christmas décor. Abby loved Christmas. And usually by this time the house resembled an overflowing Christmas shop. As soon as Halloween finished, the Christmas decorations would go up. But she’d been a bit preoccupied.
He’d offer to help her put everything up. It would be nice to see the place looking cheerful and slightly cluttered rather than pristinely clean and tidy.
Midnight meowed at him as he walked into the kitchen. He fed her before making his way upstairs to their bedroom. He’d missed his little guy fiercely and even though video chat was awesome, it wasn’t the same as holding him, taking in that little baby smell.
Damn. He had it bad.
But he didn’t care.
Opening the door to their bedroom quietly, he came to a stop in surprise. Asher was asleep in his bassinet by their bed.
While his wife slept in the feeding chair next to the bassinet. She’d been unable to breastfeed him, something she’d really struggled with in the beginning.
Why was she sleeping there when she had a perfectly good bed a few feet away? He
She was dressed in a pair of pajamas that he’d bought for her. They had pictures of fluffy bunnies all over them. And on her feet were some bunny slippers. Her chestnut hair was pulled into two braids.
She looked adorable.
And exhausted.
Had she been in the chair all night? He spotted the energy drink at her feet.
This wasn’t acceptable.
She needed sleep. Proper sleep.
This wouldn’t have happened if you were home.
He ran a hand over his face. Trying to juggle being a new father with his job and his relationship. Yeah, it wasn’t easy.
But totally worth it.
Well, he was home now. Time to look after his family.
Crouching down, he brushed some stray hairs off her face. He slid his arm under her thighs, placing the other around her back. As he lifted her, Asher stirred, letting out a small noise.
“Be back in a moment, baby boy,” Kent told him quietly. “Just got to put your mama down to sleep.”
“What?” Abby asked tiredly, opening her eyes to gaze up at him. “I don’t wanna get up yet, Daddy. Can’t I sleep in?”
“You sure can. In fact, I insist on it.”
“Then why you tryin’ to wake me up? That’s just mean.”
“I’m sorry, sweet girl. You go back to sleep.” He laid her on the bed, then put the covers over her.
“Yeah. Sleep. Where’s Boss Hog?” she cried. Her hands moved around, obviously trying to search for her soft toy.
“Here he is.” He put Boss Hog into her arms.
“Thanks, Daddy. You the best Daddy ever.”
“That’s good to know,” he whispered, leaning over her to kiss her lightly. “Sleep. I’ve got everything handled.”
“Course you do, you’re Daddy.”
“Well, my boy. That was a stinky bum, huh? What have you been eating? You been dining on beans? Cabbage? What, you don’t get to eat solid food yet? Poor boy.”
Kent finished changing Asher then picked him up, holding him close as he kissed the top of his bald head.
“Oh, shit!”
He turned as the words came from the doorway. Concern filled him as he spotted Abby leaning against the doorframe of the nursery, her hand on her chest as she attempted to catch her breath.
“I thought . . . I woke up, and I went to check on him and he was gone . . . sorry . . .”
Kent frowned and held out one arm. “Come here, baby girl.”
Abby stumbled forward. She’d slept for another hour after he’d put her in bed. Just an hour. He’d managed to dress Asher, give him a bottle, then change his bottom. The boy was a champion pooper.
Kent set Asher down in his rocker, then Abby leaned against him and he kissed the top of her head. Did she feel thinner? That wasn’t possible, right? He’d only been gone five days.
“Good morning, sweet girl.”
“Morning,” she whispered back. Then she leaned her head back to look up at him with a small smile. “I didn’t know you were coming back early. This is a nice surprise.”
“Good. I didn’t want to spend any more time away from the two of you.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet.”
He leaned in to kiss her, but she shied back then slapped his cheek.
Kent stared down at her in shock.
“Oh my God! Oh, Kent, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to . . . I was trying to stop you from kissing me . . . oh no, I’m such a klutz. Did I hurt you?” She peered up at him worriedly. “I’ll go get you an ice pack. I can’t believe I slapped you!”
He drew her tight against him as she tried to rush off. “Abby, calm down.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Shh. It’s all right. I know you didn’t mean to.”
Asher started to fuss, probably picking up on his mama’s upset.
“Oh, Asher, I’m sorry. I’m just . . . so sorry . . .” Tears started to drip down Abby’s face and panic filled him.
“Abby, it’s all right. It was just an accident. I’m not hurt,” he soothed. He hated seeing her so upset.
“I know,” she sniffled, wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her pajama top. “I’m s-sorry.”
“Shh, shh, shh.” He held her close to his chest and rocked back and forth. “It’s all right. I’m fine and so are you. Shh, now, baby girl. You’re going to make yourself sick.”
Leaning back, wiped her face with the sleeves of her pajama top.
“Come on, let’s take your mama back to bed. She needs some sleep,” he said to Asher, picking him up then wrapping an arm around Abby to lead her out of the room.
“Wait, no, I don’t want to go back to bed. I just got up. And it’s nearly eight . . . I have things to do. Plus, I won’t sleep.”
“You’re exhausted, Abby,” Kent told her gently, turning her toward him. “When I got in, you were sleeping on the feeding chair.”
“I got up to check on Asher. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“No? And what did you mean to do? Stay up and watch him sleep?”
Her eyes dropped guiltily. Right. Just what he’d thought.
“How often have you been doing that since I’ve been gone?” he asked.
“Um.”
“Abby,” he said sternly.
“Every night,” she said, her shoulders slumping. “Are you mad?”
“Sweet girl, look at me.” He waited until she was looking up at him. “Of course I’m not mad. Why would I be?”
“I don’t know,” she muttered. “When you’re here, I can relax more. But when you’re not here, I worry that something will happen and I’ll sleep through it. So, it’s just easier to get up and sit with him.”
Damn it.
“Abby, why didn’t you tell me?” He cupped the side of her face with his hand, running his thumb over her damp cheek. “We need to get you cleaned up. Come on.”
Placing his hand on the small of her back, he pushed her gently out of the nursery and into the bathroom.
“You should have told me,” he scolded. “Sit on the toilet.”
He put the lid down. Once she’d sat, he handed her Asher. She cooed down at the baby while Kent wet a cloth.
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Excuse me?” he asked sternly. He waited until she was looking up at him. “I’m certain I did not just hear those words coming out of your mouth. Because my wife knows that she could never be a bother to me, doesn’t she?”
“Yes.” Her gaze dropped.
Nope. He wasn’t having that.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Kent?”
“Yes, Daddy,” he told her firmly.
Something that looked like relief filled her face. Did she need this as much as he needed to give her this? For his Daddy side to reconnect with her Little?
Man, he’d fucked up.
He tilted her face back and cleaned her up. Grabbing a tissue first, he had her blow her nose. Then he wiped her face with the wet cloth.
“Right, we need to have a chat,” he said firmly. “But my first question is why didn’t you want me to kiss you?”
“I did want you to kiss me!” she protested.
“You tried to put your hand over your mouth.” He stood with his hands on his hips. “Why?”
“Because I haven’t brushed my teeth. I didn’t want to kiss you with morning breath. Only, that went horribly wrong.”
“Sweet girl, do you really think I care about a bit of morning breath?”
“I do!” she wailed.
“All right, you brush your teeth and then you can kiss me properly. I’ll cook you some breakfast and we can have a bit of a chat about everything you’ve been keeping from me.”
A bit of a chat?
Those words shouldn’t sound ominous. But they did. Abby reluctantly made her way down the stairs. She’d known that she was going to be in trouble when Kent returned. And part of her wondered if she’d wanted that.
