Judy Duarte: Bluegrass Baby

“Talk about what?” Her voice waffled, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed.

“About you and me.”

His gaze snagged hers, and even though sexual awareness nearly knocked her for a loop, getting involved with him wasn’t a good idea.

The problem was her mind had no trouble believing that, but her body wasn’t listening.

She turned, trying to break eye contact with the man who aroused everything but her common sense. “Nothing has changed.”

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Things had changed, big-time. Kyle just didn’t know it yet.

Dear Reader,

Well, if it’s true that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, you’re going to need some fabulous romantic reads to get you through the remaining cold winter nights. Might we suggest starting with a new miniseries by bestselling author Sherryl Woods? In Isn’t It Rich?, the first of three books in Ms. Wood’s new MILLION DOLLAR DESTINIES series, we meet Richard Carlton, one of three brothers given untold wealth from his aunt Destiny. But in pushing him toward beautiful—if klutzy—PR executive Melanie Hart, Aunt Destiny provides him with riches that even money can’t buy!

In Bluegrass Baby by Judy Duarte, the next installment in our MERLYN COUNTY MIDWIVES miniseries, a handsome but commitment-shy pediatrician shares a night of passion with a down-to-earth midwife. But what will he do when he learns there might be a baby on the way? Karen Rose Smith continues the LOGAN’S LEGACY miniseries with Take a Chance on Me, in which a sexy, single CEO finds the twin sister he never knew he had—and in the process is reunited with the only woman he ever loved. In Where You Least Expect It by Tori Carrington, a fugitive accused of a crime he didn’t commit decides to put down roots and dare to dream of the love, life and family he thought he’d never have. Arlene James wraps up her miniseries THE RICHEST GALS IN TEXAS with Tycoon Meets Texan! in which a handsome billionaire who can have any woman he wants sets his sights on a beautiful Texas heiress. She clearly doesn’t need his money, so whatever can she want with him? And when a police officer opens his door to a nine-months-pregnant stranger in the middle of a blizzard, he finds himself called on to provide both personal and professional services, in Detective Daddy by Jane Toombs.

So bundle up, and take heart—spring is coming! And so are six more sensational stories about love, life and family, coming next month from Silhouette Special Edition!

All the best,

Gail Chasan

Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the special women who have loved and supported me since

birth, blessing my life in so many special ways. My aunts:

Mary Jane Coleman, Frances Houser, Beatrice Johnson,

Dottie Johnston, Mae Johnston, Loraine Shaw

Thank you, ladies, from the bottom of my heart!

an avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, always wanted to write books of her own. One day, she decided to make that dream come true. Five years and six manuscripts later, she sold her first book to Silhouette Special Edition.

Her unpublished stories have won the Emily and the Orange Rose awards, and in 2001 she became a double Golden Heart finalist. Judy credits her success to Romance Writers of America and two wonderful critique partners, Sheri WhiteFeather and Crystal Green, both of whom write for Silhouette.

At times, when a stubborn hero and a headstrong heroine claim her undivided attention, she and her family are thankful for fast food, pizza delivery and video games. When she’s not at the keyboard or in a Walter Mitty–type world, she enjoys traveling, spending romantic evenings with her personal hero and playing board games with her kids.

Judy lives in Southern California and loves to hear from her readers. You may write to her at: P.O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068-0498. You can also visit her Web site at: www.judyduarte.com.

Hospital Happenings

Congratulations to midwife Cecilia Mendoza on her engagement to our very own Bingham Enterprises executive Geoff Bingham! A combination bridal and baby shower for the happy couple is tentatively scheduled for late fall. Please see nurse Vanessa Harris for more details, or to volunteer for the decorating committee.

Detective Bryce Collins will be working alongside Dr. Mari Bingham on an investigation into procedures at the Foster Clinic. Please give the detective your full cooperation should he request information about the hospital. And please continue to report any strange behavior at the Foster Clinic or in the pharmacy department to Dr. Bingham or her receptionist.

Finally, a belated—but hearty—greeting to Dr. Kyle Bingham. Back in his hometown for a pediatrician residency, the handsome doctor has reformed his bad-boy ways in order to help the children of Merlyn County. Everyone—especially you single ladies—be sure to give him your warmest welcome!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Milla Johnson pressed the cell phone closer to her ear and glanced around the hospital cafeteria, glad no one could hear her conversation with her mother.

“The Binghams will turn on you,” her mom said, “now that you’ve been named in that malpractice suit.”

Milla rolled her eyes. She had enough stress in her life without her mother creating an enemy force out of the town’s most prominent family.

“I worry about you,” her mom added.

“I’m worried, too.” Milla, a midwife for only a year, had been unfairly charged with malpractice, following the home birth of a baby girl. “That lawsuit could potentially end my career before it gets off the ground. And it could shut down the Foster Clinic’s unique home-birth program.”

“That’s what I mean about the Binghams turning on you.” When Milla didn’t respond, her mother asked, “Did you hear what I said?”

Actually, the words rang loud and clear, but listening to unwelcome advice was another story. Especially when the Bingham family wasn’t responsible for the lawsuit. “I’m sorry, Mom. It’s a bit noisy in here.”

Milla stared at the plate of meat loaf in front of her, then shoved it aside. She’d thought the mashed potatoes might sit well. Now she wasn’t so sure. Her stomach had been a mess ever since learning of the malpractice suit, more so now that she’d talked to her mom.

“You watch your back, honey.”

“I’ll be careful.” Milla felt badly enough about being blamed for something that hadn’t been her fault and for the problems the lawsuit would cause the Bingham Foundation. She didn’t need a dose of maternal paranoia to complicate things.

Her mother had never made a secret of her distrust of the Binghams, but Milla was grateful to them. The family had done a lot for Merlyn County, and the Bingham Foundation had provided the grant that had paid for her midwifery education. True, she agreed to work for the clinic for the next five years to pay back the funds, but she loved her job and the professionals with whom she worked. She couldn’t imagine working at another clinic. Or worse, if the plaintiffs had their way, not working as a midwife ever again.