Series:
Dawson Family Ranch (Book 11)
He has seven days to make up for seven missed years of
his son's life…
Logan Winston knows one thing: he never wants kids. Ever.
But when the superstar bull rider returns home to meet his biggest fan, he's
met by his ex-love Annabel Dawson and their son. Now he has seven days to
fulfill seven missed birthday wishes -- and rekindle his relationship with
Annabel. But that last wish is going to take more courage and nerve than
sitting on the back of two tons of angry bull.
This was a sweet second-chance story with a little bit of
heat. Eight years earlier, a chance encounter between eighteen-year-old Annabel
and twenty-one-year-old Logan led to a three-day relationship that had lasting
consequences. But Logan was gone before Annabel knew she was pregnant, and she could
not reach him. And when she could, she didn't. Cody is seven years old, Logan's
biggest little fan and neither knows the truth.
I liked Annabel and Logan. The backstory is a little
heartbreaking. They connected quickly and deeply over those three days together,
sharing hopes and dreams. Annabel's belief in him did great things for Logan's
confidence. Even after such a short time, Annabel dreamed of a future together.
Those dreams took a hit when she learned that Logan never wanted children of
his own and that nothing would keep Logan in Bear Ridge. Logan's relationship
with his father is difficult at best and often emotionally abusive. A
late-night phone call from his father that last evening reinforced Logan's need
to get away. When Logan left the next morning, he cut all ties with Bear Ridge,
including Annabel, going so far as to change his cell number and move several
hours away. When Annabel realized she was pregnant, she could not reach him.
As the book opens, Annabel's son tells her that his
"My Hero" essay will be on the paper's front page. She has a feeling
that her secret is about to come back and bite her. Meanwhile, Logan has a
minor injury he has to recover from, and his manager sends him to the Dawson
Ranch for that recovery time. He will also meet his special fan. One look at
the information in the paper, and Logan has a feeling about that little fan.
Logan and Annabel impressed me with their handling of the
revelation. Annabel doesn't make excuses for her actions. She knows she was
wrong. Now that the secret is out, she will do her best to smooth the
relationship between Cody and Logan. I could feel her nervousness over sharing
Cody with Logan and her worry about the future with him in their lives. Be that
as it may, she doesn't try to keep them apart, instead including Logan in
everything from school pickups to bedtime rituals.
Logan is shocked but understands why she didn't contact
him. Though he had never intended to be a father, once he knows about Cody, he
is determined to be the best father he can be. The scenes with Logan and Cody
are so sweet as they get to know each other. I also loved that Logan has no
problem acknowledging Cody as his son to anyone and everyone they meet and that
he doesn't let his celebrity overshadow their growing bond. Logan makes an
impulsive promise to grant seven of Cody's birthday wishes to make up for the
birthdays he's missed. Some of those wishes are steeped in emotions wrapped up
in Logan's memories of his life in Bear Ridge. To fulfill those wishes, Logan
will have to face those memories.
Complicating matters is the attraction that still sparks
between Annabel and Logan. Neither has forgotten the other over the years, and
their connection is as strong as ever. Annabel is wary of risking her heart
again, especially since Logan makes no secret of his plans to continue his
rodeo career. I loved that Annabel understands Logan, what drives him, and
doesn't try to change him. She does, however, know that he needs to face his
past. I enjoyed how he got a boost in that direction, thanks to Cody. Annabel
does her part in easing Logan's way and finds a crucial piece of information to
help him. Meanwhile, Logan is at war with himself. Part of him can't wait to return
to the rodeo, but another part pushes him toward Annabel and Cody. I loved the
ending and seeing how Logan solved his dilemma.
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