Single father, Weston Parker is set in his ways, and raising his daughter is his top priority. But his ten-year-old feisty little girl is growing up faster than he ever realized. Her go-getter attitude is one he's seen before--mainly on himself. When she starts trading in her ponytails for makeup, Weston realizes he just might be in over his head.
Dedicated and driven veterinarian, Timber Sellers always knew that she'd head back home, but she wasn't quite ready for it to happen so soon. Running into the stubborn and bossy Weston from her high school days doesn't make it any better either. But when she meets his spunky daughter, Timber knows she's right where she's supposed to be. As Timber grows closer to Weston's daughter, his rough exterior softens. Suddenly, the heat between them explodes and neither can deny the attraction. Weston always goes after what he wants, and this time, he wants a future with Timber.
Dedicated and driven veterinarian, Timber Sellers always knew that she'd head back home, but she wasn't quite ready for it to happen so soon. Running into the stubborn and bossy Weston from her high school days doesn't make it any better either. But when she meets his spunky daughter, Timber knows she's right where she's supposed to be. As Timber grows closer to Weston's daughter, his rough exterior softens. Suddenly, the heat between them explodes and neither can deny the attraction. Weston always goes after what he wants, and this time, he wants a future with Timber.
“You comin’ or what?”
“Hey Marsha, ‘nother round when you get a chance,” I say as I move toward Timber.
As we begin a friendly game of pool, I try my best to concentrate on beating her ass, but each time she bends over to shoot the ball, my mind goes straight to the gutter. Damn, it’s been too long if I can’t get Timber out of my head.
“Let’s see you do that, big boy,” she challenges as she makes me look like a fool then takes a swig of her beer. I do my best and hit only one ball in the corner pocket, which is better than nothing.
We finish our game and then take a seat at the bar. “So what made you come back?”
“Daddy’s retiring and I’m taking over. He hasn’t told anyone yet, but I’m sure most people have figured it out already. Why else would I be back?”
“Maybe because you were tired of Texas.”
“Never. Weston, ohmygawsh, it’s amazing out there. Not only was I in the city, which is crazy in itself, but I got to work the rodeo,” she pauses and smiles like she’s remembering a part of her life she never expected but couldn’t imagine not having experienced.
“What you thinkin’?”
“I always thought one day, I’d see you ride out there. Stupid, I know.” As she slightly blushes, I see a softer side to the Timber tornado that’s usually around.
“Well, those days are done.”
“You can’t be serious. You’ve still got time. Besides there’s one in three weeks and I’m going to be the on-duty vet.”
“I said those days are gone. I can’t leave my daughter without a mama or a daddy.”
She lays her hand on my leg. “I’m sorry, Weston. I wasn’t trying to start something. I thought you were considering it.”
“Hey Marsha, ‘nother round when you get a chance,” I say as I move toward Timber.
As we begin a friendly game of pool, I try my best to concentrate on beating her ass, but each time she bends over to shoot the ball, my mind goes straight to the gutter. Damn, it’s been too long if I can’t get Timber out of my head.
“Let’s see you do that, big boy,” she challenges as she makes me look like a fool then takes a swig of her beer. I do my best and hit only one ball in the corner pocket, which is better than nothing.
We finish our game and then take a seat at the bar. “So what made you come back?”
“Daddy’s retiring and I’m taking over. He hasn’t told anyone yet, but I’m sure most people have figured it out already. Why else would I be back?”
“Maybe because you were tired of Texas.”
“Never. Weston, ohmygawsh, it’s amazing out there. Not only was I in the city, which is crazy in itself, but I got to work the rodeo,” she pauses and smiles like she’s remembering a part of her life she never expected but couldn’t imagine not having experienced.
“What you thinkin’?”
“I always thought one day, I’d see you ride out there. Stupid, I know.” As she slightly blushes, I see a softer side to the Timber tornado that’s usually around.
“Well, those days are done.”
“You can’t be serious. You’ve still got time. Besides there’s one in three weeks and I’m going to be the on-duty vet.”
“I said those days are gone. I can’t leave my daughter without a mama or a daddy.”
She lays her hand on my leg. “I’m sorry, Weston. I wasn’t trying to start something. I thought you were considering it.”
“What?”
“I heard our daddies talking. Your dad said there’s a few spots open and he thought you were considering it.” I feel my blood begin to boil and give her a stern look. “Simmer down, Cowboy. He said considering. Hey, Marsha, I think we need a couple of shots, and the stronger the better.”
As the shot glasses are placed in front of us, I get a massive lump in my throat. It’s been over ten years since I took one with a girl by my side and it got me in a world of trouble.
“Hello?” she says, waving her hand in my face. “What in the hell are you thinkin’ or do I even want to know?”
“I’m gonna pass on the shot.”
“My ass you are! It’s been a long time since we threw ‘em back.”
“It’s been over ten years since I took a shot of anything.”
“Oh… well, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re not getting in these pants tonight,” she says confidently.
She takes the shot glass in her hand, and I do the same. We clink them together, tip them back, and I slam the glass on the table. Then I motion for Marsha to bring another one.
“I heard our daddies talking. Your dad said there’s a few spots open and he thought you were considering it.” I feel my blood begin to boil and give her a stern look. “Simmer down, Cowboy. He said considering. Hey, Marsha, I think we need a couple of shots, and the stronger the better.”
As the shot glasses are placed in front of us, I get a massive lump in my throat. It’s been over ten years since I took one with a girl by my side and it got me in a world of trouble.
“Hello?” she says, waving her hand in my face. “What in the hell are you thinkin’ or do I even want to know?”
“I’m gonna pass on the shot.”
“My ass you are! It’s been a long time since we threw ‘em back.”
“It’s been over ten years since I took a shot of anything.”
“Oh… well, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re not getting in these pants tonight,” she says confidently.
She takes the shot glass in her hand, and I do the same. We clink them together, tip them back, and I slam the glass on the table. Then I motion for Marsha to bring another one.
3.5 Stars
Worth The Ride, is a sweet, small town, friends to lovers contemporary romance.
Weston is a single father to his daughter Bryndle. He's a dedicated, determined, devoted and loving father to his ten year old daughter. Weston gave up his hopes and dreams to put his daughter's needs first and be the best parent possible.
Timber is Weston's best friends younger sister and she returns to town with a splash. She is sassy, and has a a temper to match and is not afraid to speak her mind.
Worth The Ride is an enjoyable fast paced, quick and sweet read, told in a dual point of view. I would have liked more development of the relationship included in the story line as the relationship moves fairly quickly. It's an enjoyable read with like-able characters who share a strong and intense chemistry.
I look forward to reading more of Casey Peeler's work in the future.
Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.