Patricia Thayer - Daddy by Christmas / Christmas Magic on the Mountain

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DADDY BY CHRISTMASJarrett McKane has never had any festive cheer, but when pregnant Mia needs help he won’t turn his back on her. Before Mia, Christmases were spent alone. Now this previously ruthless tycoon may just have found a fairytale ending for all his Christmases to come!CHRISTMAS MAGIC ON THE MOUNTAINWhen Sean Hughes meets Zoe Flynn on Mount Hood he recognises a free spirit – much like himself! And as they spend the Christmas holidays together Sean soon wishes there was more than just chemistry between them. But Zoe has a secret…and he has until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve to discover it!These two heartwarming tales capture the magic – and the romance – of Christmas!

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Jarrett would do everything he could to move this deal along. With the slow economy, he needed to make sure this sale didn’t fall through. If only he could find a place for the Mountain View tenants, life would be perfect.

“Why not have the best of both worlds?” he said. “If you lived around here, you could enjoy hearty meals, because there’s plenty of hiking and skiing around to keep you in shape. And there’s a great gym where you can work out.”

Neil smiled. “You’ve kept in shape well enough since you left football. How do you do it?”

Jarrett couldn’t believe people still remembered his college career. But he’d use it if it helped seal the deal with Fulton Industries.

“I have a home gym,” he explained. You and your wife will have to come by and I’ll show you. It’s Robin, isn’t it?”

Fulton nodded, then returned to scanning the menu.

“I also want to show you both some houses in the area. There are several estates with horse property. Riding is another great way to keep in shape.”

Neil raised a hand. “First, I need to put all my energy into building this plant. Robin will stay in Chicago until we can get things moving along. From past experience, once my wife gets going on a new house, she’ll throw herself into decorating it.”

“Well, when that happens I’ll have one of my top agents help her find the perfect house.”

Neil frowned. “You don’t know Robin. She’s hard to please.”

Jarrett bet he could handle her. “Then I’ll work with her personally.”

Neil laughed. “You may live to regret that offer.”

Before Jarrett could respond, a young man approached the table. “Excuse me, sir, are you Jarrett McKane?”

“Yes, I am.”

The guy pulled out a manila envelope from inside his jacket. “This is for you.” He smiled. “You’ve been served.”

Jarrett felt his face heat with anger. Then he glanced across the restaurant as the man stopped at a table. He sat down beside a dark-haired woman. Mia Saunders.

“Is there a problem, Jarrett?” Neil asked.

“No. Just a minor disagreement with a client.”

Mia raised a hand and waved.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with our project, does it?”

Jarrett nodded at Mia. “Like I said it’s a minor problem. Nothing I can’t handle.”

The following morning, Mia drove to her doctor’s appointment in Grand Junction, about forty miles away. The roads were clear so far, and she only hoped that northwest Colorado’s winter weather would hold off for another month.

Since she was in her last trimester, she had to travel there regularly. Not a problem; she liked her doctor, Lauren Drake. In her forties, the attractive fertility specialist had been there for her from the beginning of the surrogacy. She’d also supported Mia through Brad and Karen’s horrible accident and death.

“How have you been feeling?”

“Great,” Mia said. “Except the baby is pretty active. He or she is kicking all the time.”

The attractive blonde was tall and slender and happily married to her college sweetheart. Mia should hate her for her perfect life, but Lauren was too nice to hate. She had become a good friend. And Mia needed as many friends as she could get.

“I know the pregnancy is going well, but I’m worried about you, Mia. Your life has been turned upside down in the past few months. And now, you aren’t even sure about a place to live.”

“So what else is new?” Sadness crept in. She missed her brother desperately. He’d been her rock for most of her life. Even with Brad’s help, it had taken her years to get her act together. Now, she felt on the verge of falling apart. What kind of mother would that make her? Not a good one.

“I know you’ve had to deal with a lot,” the doctor said. “You only planned to be the aunt to this baby. Now, you’re going to be the mother, unless you’ve changed your mind on that.”

Mia shook her head. Well before Brad and Karen had moved ahead with the surrogacy, everyone had agreed that if something ever happened to them, Mia would raise the child. Yet, no one had ever imagined the loss of both parents even before the baby arrived.

“It’s a big responsibility, Mia. Even when there’s a father in the picture.”

Mia added, “A single mother with no money and no apparent means of income isn’t the best candidate.”

“Don’t say that.”

Mia hadn’t hidden anything from the doctor before the procedure began. Dr. Drake knew about everything in her past.

“There are agencies around to help, too.”

Mia shook her head. She had some money set aside. And Brad and Karen had some left-over insurance money. “I just want a job.”

“I’d prefer you didn’t take any more on your plate right now.”

Mia fought her panic. “Is there something wrong?”

Lauren shook her head. “Just watching your blood pressure. It’s a little high, but no worries right now.” She quickly changed the subject. “Have you picked out any names?”

“No, I haven’t thought about it.” She had some personal things of Karen’s, a baby book that might give her a clue and a letter from her sister-in-law that Mia wasn’t supposed to open until the birth of the baby.

“Well, do it. And stop trying to take on everyone’s problems. Think about yourself for a change. You won’t get the chance after the baby comes.”

Mia knew she couldn’t walk away from her neighbors. Not now. They’d been so good to her. “We’re just trying to stay in our homes for a little while longer. We’re going to court next week, and we’re hoping the judge will rule in our favor.”

Having a place to live was her main concern right now. She couldn’t be homeless again. Not with a baby.

A week later, Jarrett walked into the courtroom. What he didn’t expect to see were several of the tenants there, too. Of course, leading the pack was Mia Saunders.

She looked professional in her dark skirt and a long wine-colored sweater draped over her rounded stomach. Her rich brown hair was pulled back from her oval face and clipped at the base of her neck. She didn’t wear makeup. She didn’t try to highlight her already striking blue eyes or her rosy-hued lips. She did nothing to enhance her good looks. She didn’t need to.

He wasn’t interested in her anyway. She had issues he didn’t want to deal with. Yet it seemed he would be dealing with her whether he liked it or not. He hoped today would end any and all future meetings.

That was why he’d brought his lawyer. Matthew Holliston wasn’t only his attorney but a longtime friend from high school. And he was damn good at his job.

Although, when Matt had heard that Judge Barbara Gillard was going to hear the case, he’d been worried. She had a reputation as a tough judge, and something else went against Jarrett. Years ago, he had dated Judge Gillard’s sister, Amy, in high school. It hadn’t ended well, so Matt had suggested that he make a generous offer to the building tenants. They had written up something to appease the judge and, they hoped, the tenants.

“Good morning, Ms. Saunders,” Jarrett said.

She nodded. “Mr. McKane.”

He was quickly drawn into her sparkling gaze and lost the ability to say more. That was when Matt stepped in and guided him to his seat.

The court deputy soon called their case. “The Mountain View tenants versus Jarrett McKane Properties.”

“Here, your honor,” Matt acknowledged. He and Jarrett went to the front of the courtroom.

“We’re also here, your honor.” Mia Saunders walked up with two elderly people.

Everyone waited in silence as Judge Gillard glanced over the case papers in front of her. There were also pictures and estimates for several repairs. The judge’s gaze turned to Jarrett. “How can you expect your tenants to live like this?”

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