Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway:
Where There’s A Will by Anna Sparrows

Dads & Adagese, Book 1

…There’s A Way.

Connor and Will are at vastly different points in their lives.

At 32, Connor Stark’s life is pretty great. With a handsome boyfriend, a thriving business as an Events Coordinator, and a vibrant social life set against the stunning backdrop of Australia’s Gold Coast, he has very few complaints. Hell, he even has eye candy in the form of his uniformed silver fox upstairs neighbour, not that he’d ever do anything more than perv on the guy.

Then one day tragedy strikes, and Connor is thrust into single parenthood as he is handed a newborn baby and what feels like zero lifelines.

Meanwhile, at 49, perpetually single firefighter Will Bradford’s life is also pretty great. Though his hair might be more silver than brown these days, he has a rewarding job, amazing grown-up kids, and an adorable downstairs neighbour he probably shouldn’t be checking out as often as he does. So sue him; he’s only human.

When Connor’s life is turned upside down overnight, Will finds himself helping the younger man navigate his new reality. He has no intention of falling butt over teakettle for Connor or his kid, but somehow it happens anyway.

With Connor a broken man, and Will concerned about restarting the whole parenting gig from scratch, how can they make a relationship work, especially when life seems intent on throwing even more hurdles their way?

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From Chapter 5

Will puts the milk away, then grabs the canister of sugar from next to the kettle and spoons a slightly heaped teaspoon of the little white granules into each mug, stirring one and then the other, before picking them both up and bringing them over to the couch.

He sets one in front of me, and then he puts the other next to it, taking the much more comfortable armchair to my left.

It wasn’t that long ago when Daisy sat in that same chair for her baby shower, surrounded by friends and gifts. I can still picture her clear as day.

Suddenly needing yet another distraction from my thoughts, I thank him and pick up my mug for want of something to do, sipping at the weak beverage he’s made me. Something inside me loosens after a couple of little mouthfuls, but I don’t know if it’s the soothing qualities of the tea, or the fact that Will isn’t pushing me to talk. He’s just here, and somehow, even though we were barely more than strangers yesterday, it’s comforting.

“So,” he says after nursing his own mug for a little while. His expression is a little pained, like he knows any topic he wants to bring up right now is likely littered with conversational landmines. But he forges ahead, meeting my gaze with his steady, grey-blue stare. “Has the hospital been in touch about sending the little one home?” He peers curiously over my shoulder towards the hallway. “I’m guessin’ you don’t have a room all set up yet. Can I help with that?”

Shaking my head, I answer, “Not yet. It’ll be a couple of days. Henry’s making sure all the paperwork’s in order and that the official adoption process is getting started, so that should help.” Running my finger around the rim of my cup, I sigh. “He’s also getting the cot and stuff from…” A lump lodges itself in my throat, caught around my sister’s name.

Will leans over from his seat and squeezes my knee. “He came to see me earlier, actually. Asked me to check up on you, as if I wasn’t already planning to.” I almost give myself whiplash with how quickly I snap my eyes back up to meet his. Henry’s behaviour isn’t a surprise, but Will’s almost teasing confession has my full attention. “He’s a good friend. And,” another grimace twists his face as he tilts his head towards the pile of suitcases and garment bags by the door, “I’m sorry to hear about Anthony.”

Unexpectedly, a snort escapes me. “No, you’re not.”

Even if we’ve never actually spoken about my relationship before now, Will’s disdain for Ant wasn’t something he ever disguised. Not even in passing.

“No,” he agrees, a little smirk playing on his lips now, “I’m not. Not about him, anyway. But I am sorry that you’ve got that to deal with, on top of everything else.”

My heart flips at the sincere empathy in his tone. “Better now than later, I guess,” I sigh. It comes out shaky as another wave of grief hits me out of nowhere. I screw my eyes shut, inhale as deeply as possible, and then breathe out a long stream of air. “Fuck,” I mutter on the tail end of the extended exhalation.

When I reopen my eyes, Will is staring at me with understanding and concern. “What can I do?” he asks.

I’m relieved that he doesn’t try to tell me that things will get better with time. That he doesn’t try to get me to let it all out, or talk, or start thinking about the silver lining – the beautiful little girl I’ll be bringing home. But I’m also frustrated because there’s nothing he can do. Nothing anyone can do.

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