Series:
Last Ride Texas (Book 5)
They’re in for the ride of their lives
When single mom Lorelei Parkman discovers the biological
father of her adopted daughter could be Dax Buchanan—the Dax Buchanan—she’s
shocked. Of all the men in Last Ride, Texas, the bull-riding bad boy doesn’t
quite fit the bill of…parent. But as Lorelei learns more about Stellie’s mysterious
birth mother, she realizes she’ll have to trust the reckless rodeo star…or risk
losing her baby forever.
Dax is normally up for any kind of challenge, and Daddy
duty, however, is best left to the pros. Still, being with the little girl, and
the gorgeous Lorelei, unlocks something inside—a completeness he’s been chasing
his whole life. And now that he has it, he’s sure as hell not about to let it
go.
Good book. Lorelei adopted the infant daughter of a woman
with no known relatives who died in their town. Right after the adoption was
final, she found a photograph that might be of the biological father. She has a
sinking sensation that she knows who it is and goes to confront him.
Dax is a bull rider with a reputation for his romantic
exploits. He's never made any question of his disinterest in relationships of
any kind. He's understandably shocked when Lorelei tells him that he may be
little Stellie's father.
I thought the impetus behind Lorelei's research into
Stellie's birth mother was interesting. Every quarter, the town draws the name
of someone buried in their cemetery to research and report on so that person
isn't forgotten. Lorelei never anticipated the can of worms waiting when she started
her project. Dana Smith turned out to be someone very different from the
down-on-her-luck jewelry maker she portrayed herself as. Uncovering her
identity opened Lorelei up to her worst nightmare - the possibility of someone
taking her daughter away.
I liked Lorelei. She's a strong woman who isn't afraid to
go after what she wants. She owns a successful business and has close
relationships with her family and friends. The only thing she doesn't have is a
man in her life. She has trust issues stemming back to an incident with her
college boyfriend. She loves being a mother to Stellie and wants what is best
for her.
I liked Dax, too. He has a reputation but has started
moving past his reckless younger self. He is a successful bull rider who also
raises bulls for rodeo work. After years of injuries, Dax realizes that it's
time to retire before he does himself permanent damage. Dax has some secrets from
his past that have convinced him that a family is not in his future.
Matters quickly become complicated when Dax remembers
Stellie's mother, who used a different name. When they take that information to
the sheriff, he discovers that Valerie Ford had parents and a husband. This is
a blow to Lorelei, who could lose custody of Stellie to her grandparents or
Valerie's husband if he turns out to be the father. I ached for Lorelei, who
was devastated by the news. Though Dax is in no hurry to become a father, he
hates to see Lorelei's distress and immediately does a paternity test. I loved
how he showed up at her house that night to keep her company and provide moral
support. That was especially important when Valerie's parents and husband
showed up the next day. The parents were okay, but the husband, Aaron, was
obnoxious and had all the hallmarks of an abuser.
I loved Dax's protectiveness toward Lorelei. Despite what
he thinks of himself, he has a deep core of goodness, and watching out for Lorelei
and Stellie is a no-brainer. What neither counts on is the strength of the
attraction between them. Both try to fight it, but it isn't easy, especially
with as much time as they spend together. I loved seeing them get to know each
other, share the good and the bad in their lives, and grow closer. Neither
wants to admit their feelings, though those around them can see them clearly.
There is a lot of stress as Dax and Lorelei join forces against
Aaron. His methods stir up ghosts of the past, including using Lorelei's college
boyfriend as his lawyer. I loved how Julian was so smug and condescending until
he discovered that Lorelei wasn't the naïve college girl she used to be. There
were several great scenes where either she or Dax got the better of him, which
was fantastic. There were times when things looked dark for Lorelei, but an
unexpected revelation brought the case to a very satisfying conclusion.
Meanwhile, the heat between Dax and Lorelei continues to
burn. Just when it looks like their lives are settling down, Dax receives
devastating news that brings back his old fears. I hurt for him and its effect
on his belief in himself. I loved Lorelei's support and attempt to make him see
the truth. I loved the ending and seeing Dax talk about his "epiphany."
The rodeo at the end was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the pre- and post-bull
ride scenes between Dax and Lorelei. The conclusion was terrific. I hope to see
more of them in future books.
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