Lorraine Beatty - The Nanny's Secret Child

Ready-Made Family

Widower Gil Montgomery’s new nanny has a secret. There’s a reason Julie Bishop and Gil’s daughter, Abby, connect so perfectly—Julie is Abby’s birth mother. Julie gave her daughter up for adoption years ago, but she couldn’t resist the chance to be close to the child her heart never forgot. But Julie never imagined she’d fall for the handsome adoptive dad. Gil’s been burned before, and Julie worries that if her secret is exposed, he’ll never forgive her. The perfect family is so close, but so far… Unless Gil can let the past go and welcome Julie home. Right where she belongs.

Something about Gil compelled Julie to draw closer, to know him better.

That was something she couldn’t afford. Especially after learning his wife had lied to him.

“It’s late. I need to go,” she told him.

He followed her to the door. She looked up at him, resisting the impulse to reach up and touch his cheek to ease his worry. “Go up and say good-night to your daughter, Gil. And relax. All you need to do is show Abby you love her,” she advised.

Julie fought tears all the way home. She cried for Gil, who was longing for his child’s love, and for herself, for bringing another lie into the Montgomerys’ life. What a mess this was.

Thankfully, tomorrow was her last day. She’d have to pray that Gil’s mother could guide the pair to a new relationship. But in her heart she knew she was the only one who could do that. She had a bond with Abby neither of them had.

Biology. Blood was thicker than water.

LORRAINE BEATTY was raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and is a member of RWA and ACFW, and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

The Nanny’s Secret Child

Lorraine Beatty

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Therefore each of you must put off falsehood

and speak truthfully to your neighbor,

for we are all members of one body.

—Ephesians 4:25

To my mother-in-law, Mary.

My biggest fan and my dearest friend.

What a blessing you are to us.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Ready-Made Family Widower Gil Montgomery’s new nanny has a secret. There’s a reason Julie Bishop and Gil’s daughter, Abby, connect so perfectly—Julie is Abby’s birth mother. Julie gave her daughter up for adoption years ago, but she couldn’t resist the chance to be close to the child her heart never forgot. But Julie never imagined she’d fall for the handsome adoptive dad. Gil’s been burned before, and Julie worries that if her secret is exposed, he’ll never forgive her. The perfect family is so close, but so far… Unless Gil can let the past go and welcome Julie home. Right where she belongs.

Introduction Something about Gil compelled Julie to draw closer, to know him better. That was something she couldn’t afford. Especially after learning his wife had lied to him. “It’s late. I need to go,” she told him. He followed her to the door. She looked up at him, resisting the impulse to reach up and touch his cheek to ease his worry. “Go up and say good-night to your daughter, Gil. And relax. All you need to do is show Abby you love her,” she advised. Julie fought tears all the way home. She cried for Gil, who was longing for his child’s love, and for herself, for bringing another lie into the Montgomerys’ life. What a mess this was. Thankfully, tomorrow was her last day. She’d have to pray that Gil’s mother could guide the pair to a new relationship. But in her heart she knew she was the only one who could do that. She had a bond with Abby neither of them had. Biology. Blood was thicker than water.

About the Author LORRAINE BEATTY was raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and is a member of RWA and ACFW, and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

Title Page The Nanny’s Secret Child Lorraine Beatty www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. —Ephesians 4:25

Dedication To my mother-in-law, Mary. My biggest fan and my dearest friend. What a blessing you are to us.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Turn right onto Sycamore Avenue. Your destination is on the right.”

Julianna Bishop followed the directions on her GPS and made the turn, searching the house numbers for 122. The old, established neighborhood in Dover, Mississippi, could have been lifted from a fifties television sitcom. Each home oozed charm, their appealing facades nestled on neatly landscaped yards that even the gray drab of January couldn’t dim. Full-grown trees stripped of their leaves arched overhead, filtering the bright sunlight streaming down from a clear blue sky. Evergreen live oaks and giant magnolia trees added a splash of green to the winter landscapes.

The peaceful and picturesque surroundings were at odds with the violent storm raging inside her. She swallowed hard against the tightness in her throat and searched the house numbers again. Heart pounding against her rib cage, Julie pressed down on the brakes, bringing the car to a full stop. She had arrived. One-twenty-two Sycamore Avenue was a two-story white colonial with black shutters, a red front door and a lamppost at the edge of the sidewalk. Her hands gripped the steering wheel, turning her knuckles white. She was doing the right thing. Her prayers had been answered.

Her gaze surveyed the white house more closely. It was exactly as she’d expected. It was a beautiful home, the kind of place where families laughed and loved and enjoyed each other. All that was missing was the white picket fence.

Closing her eyes, Julie inhaled slowly, hoping to settle her jittery nerves. The house and the neighborhood were reassuring. Everything would be fine.

Sliding the gear shift into Park, she inhaled a couple of slow breaths, hoping to calm her churning stomach and take a moment to plan her introduction. The opening strains of “Mighty God” sounded from the depths of her oversize purse. She rummaged around, found the small phone and glanced at the display. DiDi. Her moral support. And oh, how she needed her longtime best friend at this moment. “Hey.”

“Are you there yet?”

DiDi’s anxious tone mirrored her own. “Yes.” Julie rested her head against the back of the seat, mentally scolding herself for being such a coward. “I just pulled up out front.”