Leigh Bale - Reunited By A Secret Child

“You’re the father.”

These words bring the Men of Wildfire series to an emotional conclusion!

Katie Ashmore thought she’d be a single mom forever...until hotshot crew firefighter Reese Hartnett comes home. Now Katie can’t hide her secret—their six-year-old daughter! Learning he’s a dad gives Reese hope there’s a reason he survived the wildfire that killed his crew. And though he’s bonding with little Chrissy, Reese wants more. He wants forgiveness...and a forever family.

LEIGH BALE is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She is the winner of the prestigious Golden Heart® Award and is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Booksellers’ Best Award. The daughter of a retired US forest ranger, she holds a BA in history. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two children and two grandkids. You can reach her at leighbale.com.

Also By Leigh Bale

Men of Wildfire

Her Firefighter Hero

Wildfire Sweethearts

Reunited by a Secret Child

Lone Star Cowboy League

A Doctor for the Nanny

The Road to Forgiveness

The Forest Ranger’s Promise

The Forest Ranger’s Husband

The Forest Ranger’s Child

Falling for the Forest Ranger

Healing the Forest Ranger

The Forest Ranger’s Return

The Forest Ranger’s Christmas

The Forest Ranger’s Rescue

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Reunited by a Secret Child

Leigh Bale

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08250-1

REUNITED BY A SECRET CHILD

© 2018 Lora Lee Bale

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“Why didn’t you tell me I had a daughter?”

His gaze burned into hers, as if he could see inside her tattered heart.

“Frankly, I didn’t plan to ever tell you. But then I saw you on the news and I thought...”

“You thought I might die and Chrissy would never know her father.” He ran a hand through his hair. “A daughter... I can’t believe it.”

Katie tried to forget all the hurt and resentment she felt toward Reese. But it pained her to know that he’d never wanted her. Then or now.

“Back then I was young and thoughtless,” he said. “Now all I can do is ask for your forgiveness.”

She didn’t trust Reese. But she knew she had to try. “It’s in the past.”

“Not for me. I just found out that I’m a father. I need time to adjust.”

She didn’t want him adjusting. Frankly, she didn’t know what she wanted. All she knew was that she didn’t want trouble. But as she looked at Reese, she was certain trouble was unavoidable.

Dear Reader,

We were each sent here to earth to learn obedience to God’s will, to keep His commandments and to learn to live by faith. But sometimes, that is easier said than done.

In this story, Reese Hartnett returns to his hometown, seeking answers and solace after losing his entire hotshot crew during a wildfire. After being raised by an abusive alcoholic father, Reese turned his back on God and has lived a lonely life free of good works and service to others.

When we face trials in our lives, it’s easy to cling to our hurt, anger and pride. When we humble ourselves, that is when the Lord can do His greatest work in our lives. The power of prayer is great and the power of repentance is real and absolute.

I hope you enjoy reading this story and I invite you to visit my website at www.leighbale.comto learn more about my books.

May you find peace in the Lord’s words!

Leigh Bale

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say, on the Lord.

—Psalms 27:14

To Nancy, Joyce, Sally and Debbie...

my childhood friends. We sure had some

fun times, didn’t we?

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

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

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Wide, yellow ribbons fluttered among the cottonwoods bordering the north perimeter of the tarmac. The low hum of the prop plane’s engine escalated Reese Hartnett’s tension. Gazing out the small, oval window inside the plane, he gripped the armrests with tensed fingers. He’d been raised here, in the sleepy little town of Minoa, Nevada, but it wasn’t his home anymore. He had no family here now. No friends, either. But he didn’t know where else to go.

And honestly, he’d felt compelled to return. After what he’d been through, he longed to see his mom. If only she were still alive. Coming home was the best way to be close to her again. To go to the cemetery to pay his respects and apologize for hurting her when he’d left so unexpectedly.

He squinted as a spray of morning sunlight glinted against the metal siding of the hangar. Someone had tied a large hand-painted sign across the front of the building. He could easily make out the words: Welcome home. Our hero.