Tempted by the Single Dad

Welcome to San Camanez Island, an oasis off the coast of
Seattle founded decades ago by hippies and draft dodgers but now home to the
Distillery Dads. Four sexy single fathers who bonded over their love of spirits
while learning how to braid their daughters’ hair, then decided to quit their
jobs and start a distillery. They love their gin, vodka, rye, their kids, and
their island. But they also hope to one day, just maybe, find love again, too.

This is Spencer’s story …

Spencer Paxton has everything he needs. Two great kids,
three best friends, and a distillery he’s damn proud of. He’s happy with his
life and isn’t looking for anyone to complicate it. Then the mysterious woman
next door catches his attention, and suddenly coffee and yoga on her roof
become the best parts of his day. Before long, his kids have completely adopted
Natalie, too, and Spencer starts wondering how a woman he barely knows has
managed to become such an important part of their lives.

Natalie Fox is a geneticist hiding in plain sight. On San
Camanez, she’s posing as a women’s fiction author on a writing retreat, while a
carefully constructed story about an abusive ex keeps everyone from asking too
many questions. Her career has always been her life, and that was fine with
her—until Spencer starts seeing the woman beneath the lies. With him, Natalie
finds herself wanting things she never realized she was missing.

But the people Natalie is actually hiding from are getting
closer, and when the quiet life she's created begins to unravel, Spencer and
his children could be caught in the fallout. Can Natalie trust Spencer with the
truth before her past puts them all in danger? And when he finally sees
everything she’s been hiding, will he still be the man who makes her want to be
seen?

Spencer Paxton has everything he needs. Two great kids,
three best friends, and a distillery he’s damn proud of. He’s happy with his
life and isn’t looking for anyone to complicate it. Then the mysterious woman
next door catches his attention, and suddenly coffee and yoga on her roof
become the best parts of his day. Before long, his kids have completely adopted
Natalie, too, and Spencer starts wondering how a woman he barely knows has
managed to become such an important part of their lives.

Natalie Fox is a geneticist hiding in plain sight. On San
Camanez, she’s posing as a women’s fiction author on a writing retreat, while a
carefully constructed story about an abusive ex keeps everyone from asking too
many questions. Her career has always been her life, and that was fine with
her—until Spencer starts seeing the woman beneath the lies. With him, Natalie
finds herself wanting things she never realized she was missing.

But the people Natalie is actually hiding from are getting
closer, and when the quiet life she's created begins to unravel, Spencer and
his children could be caught in the fallout. Can Natalie trust Spencer with the
truth before her past puts them all in danger? And when he finally sees
everything she’s been hiding, will he still be the man who makes her want to be
seen?

She reached the top of the stairs and had to shield her eyes
from the sun’s rays. Luckily, there was a big red umbrella collapsed in the
corner, so she kept her head down and went to unfurl it. More red geraniums in
terracotta pots lined the deck along the glass and black metal railing, and a couple
of white wooden Adirondack chairs and a few anti-gravity chairs were scattered
around for those who, unlike her vampiric hide, worshipped the sun. Once she’d
expanded the umbrella, she hid her pale ginger ass in the safety of its shade
and stared out at the mouth of the marina. The water glittered like cut
diamonds in the high afternoon sun, and the faintest warm, briny breeze ruffled
her red waves. 

“I suppose it could be worse,” she murmured. “I could be
stuck in some grungy apartment in the middle of nowhere, or a dank cabin with
nothing but squirrels and my thoughts to keep me company.”

The rhythmic sound of another umbrella being cranked opened
pulled her attention, but she hid behind the rain barrel and heat pump while
poking her head over top to peek at who was making the noise. 

Her gasp was louder in her head than it was out loud as she
took in the shirtless, dark-skinned man with broad shoulders, cropped curly
black hair and lime-green board shorts, cranking open a big army-green
umbrella. His back was to her, but there was no mistaking the toned muscles, or
the way his biceps bulged. 

He was on the rooftop deck of the red and white houseboat
next to hers. And as she studied the space, she could see that children lived
there too. A small laundry line was strung up, and smaller swim trunks and a
couple of little girls’ one-pieces were hung to dry, as well as a Moana
beach towel. 

“Daddy,” came a little voice, prompting the man to turn
around just as a blonde and blue-eyed angel with perfect twin Dutch braids came
skipping up the stairs. “Carter wants to know if we can have ramen for lunch.”

He faced his daughter, giving Natalie a view of his sculpted
profile now, and nodded. “Veggies or fruit too, ladybug.”

She furrowed her brows at him and tossed her hands onto her
non-existent hips beneath the cute little baby-pink shift dress. “Duh.”

Her dad’s lips twitched, but he cocked one eyebrow at her. 

“I mean, okay,” she replied. 

“I’ll be right now. Just going to water the herbs.”

Natalie wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing, she
was too busy paying attention to the handsome shirtless man and his adorable
daughter, that when she felt the burn of the sun on her shoulder and shifted to
get deeper into the shade, she knocked over a metal watering can. 

The noise was probably heard in Norway. Reindeer were surely
running for cover out of fear of danger. At least that’s how loud it felt. 

Father and daughter bother lifted their heads and faced her
just as the flesh-burning heat of embarrassment rushed into every cell of her
body. 

“Hi!” the little girl said, excitement making her eyes go
wide. She waved enthusiastically. 

The man cocked his head to the side as Natalie remained
hidden—not very well, though, apparently. 

“Are you hiding?” the girl asked. 

Shit. Better not to keep being a weirdo and just
meet your hot new neighbor and his cute little girl. 

She stood up and stepped out from behind the rain barrel and
heat pump, giving them both an awkward wave. “Hi. Yes.”

“I’m Cleo. This is my dad.”

The man gave Natalie a friendly wave and a big, bright
smile. “Spencer,” he said. 

Natalie waved again, her smile less big or bright as the
heat of embarrassment caused sweat to emerge between her breasts beneath her
saffron-colored tank top. “Natalie.”

“Nice to meet you, Natalie. Are you here for a bit?” Spencer
asked. 

She swallowed. How much was she allowed to disclose to
people? Eventually, she’d need to go grocery shopping and stuff. She would have
to interact with the locals and tourists. What if people asked questions? Was
she expected to lie? Create an entirely new persona? Isaac hadn’t briefed her
on her what she was supposed to say and how low a profile she was supposed to
keep. 

“Nat?” came her brother’s voice from the porch down below.
“Nat?” Already more panic laced his tone as he said her name again. His
footsteps echoed on the stairs, and his dark red hair emerged a second later.
He took in the scene, and his face grew stoney. 

“Hi,” Cleo said, waving again. “I’m Cleo.”

“Hi Cleo,” Isaac said. His gaze shifted to Spencer, and he
nodded. 

“Spencer.”

“Isaac.”

Oh god, this is so awkward.

“You guys staying long?” Spencer asked again. 

“Uh … I am,” Natalie finally said. “This is my brother. He’s
just helping me move in. I’m renting it for the summer.” Or longer. Or
shorter if they find me and kill me.

Spencer smiled and nodded. “Well, welcome. We live here, so
if you have any questions about the island, don’t hesitate to ask.” He turned
on a tap for the spray nozzle and hose in his hand and started to water the
terracotta pots filled with happy, healthy herbs. 

“Thanks,” Natalie said just as Isaac grabbed her elbow. 

“Downstairs,” he whispered, giving her a tug. 

Like a scolded child, she returned Cleo’s extra wave, then
reluctantly followed her brother downstairs. 

She prepared herself for beratement, but he surprised her by
pulling her into his arms for a hug. Almost instantly—after the shock wore
off—she melted into his embrace and let the emotions take over. Soon, she was
trembling with sobs. 

“I know,” he finally said. “I know. It’s not going to be
easy.”