Gail Gaymer Martin: A Mother to Love

An Unexpected Family

Angie Bursten wants to find love on her own timeline. Tired of her family’s interference, coworker Rick Jameson comes to the rescue—as her pretend boyfriend. Angie starts to spend time with Rick and his adorable daughter, Carly, and what began as a hoax soon feels all too real. Betrayed by the woman he’d married, single dad Rick is slow to trust. But seeing Angie with Carly, he can’t ignore the way he feels for his beautiful coworker. And when Angie helps Rick with the toughest battle of his life—gaining full custody of his child—there’ll be no more pretending. If they can open their hearts, Rick and Angie have a real shot at happily-ever-after.

Two days with Angie felt like a gift for him and Carly.

She made life fun and meaningful. And yet a flicker of concern tightened his chest. He had to be careful. He’d already feared her hesitation to plant today was because of something he’d said.

“If we’re finishing the planting tomorrow…” She paused and looked at Carly. “We might have time to go the park today.”

“The park? Really?” A gleeful giggle escaped Carly. “Can we, Daddy?”

“If we have time, why not?”

Carly jumped in place. “Why not?”

Angie gave him a wink, pleasure filling her face. She hurried down the row, selecting a few more perennials, and after he loaded her choices in the cart, he pushed it toward the cashier.

Many times, things he longed to know flew into his head, but those kinds of questions needed time. Instead he treaded lightly. A lifetime didn’t happen in a day. Angie clung to a private past she seemed unwilling to share. He could learn a lesson from her silence.

Already he’d revealed too much.

GAIL GAYMER MARTIN is a multi-award-winning novelist, writer of contemporary Christian fiction with fifty-five published novels and four million books sold. CBS News listed her among the four best writers in the Detroit area. Gail is a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers, is a keynote speaker at women’s events and presents workshops at writers’ conferences. She lives in Michigan. Visit her at gailgaymermartin.com. Write to her online or at PO Box 760063, Lathrup Village, MI, 48076.

A Mother

to Love

Gail Gaymer Martin

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

—Romans 15:13

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Angie’s Crock-Pot Fiesta Chicken Dear Reader Extract Copyright

Thanks to my friend Brenda Evans who made contact for me with Kimberly Springsdorf in Owosso, Michigan, the executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kimberly gave us a tour of the city and showed us the highlights of the town as well as parks and residential areas so I could find the perfect street on which to set my story. She answered a volume of questions and was a valuable resource for my research for the Lilac Circle Series. Thank you so much, Kimberly. My thanks, too, to the lovely sales staff at Owosso Books, Janet O’Shea and Carla Bates, who spent time with us and answered my questions. Thanks also to numerous members of my Facebook group, Readers of Gail Gaymer Martin’s Books, for their support, ideas and wonderful reviews. A huge thank-you to my agent, Chip MacGregor. And as always my deepest thanks and love to my husband, Bob. Without his support and patience (especially that), I wouldn’t be the writer I am today.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text An Unexpected Family Angie Bursten wants to find love on her own timeline. Tired of her family’s interference, coworker Rick Jameson comes to the rescue—as her pretend boyfriend. Angie starts to spend time with Rick and his adorable daughter, Carly, and what began as a hoax soon feels all too real. Betrayed by the woman he’d married, single dad Rick is slow to trust. But seeing Angie with Carly, he can’t ignore the way he feels for his beautiful coworker. And when Angie helps Rick with the toughest battle of his life—gaining full custody of his child—there’ll be no more pretending. If they can open their hearts, Rick and Angie have a real shot at happily-ever-after.

Introduction Two days with Angie felt like a gift for him and Carly. She made life fun and meaningful. And yet a flicker of concern tightened his chest. He had to be careful. He’d already feared her hesitation to plant today was because of something he’d said. “If we’re finishing the planting tomorrow…” She paused and looked at Carly. “We might have time to go the park today.” “The park? Really?” A gleeful giggle escaped Carly. “Can we, Daddy?” “If we have time, why not?” Carly jumped in place. “Why not?” Angie gave him a wink, pleasure filling her face. She hurried down the row, selecting a few more perennials, and after he loaded her choices in the cart, he pushed it toward the cashier. Many times, things he longed to know flew into his head, but those kinds of questions needed time. Instead he treaded lightly. A lifetime didn’t happen in a day. Angie clung to a private past she seemed unwilling to share. He could learn a lesson from her silence. Already he’d revealed too much.

About the Author GAIL GAYMER MARTIN is a multi-award-winning novelist, writer of contemporary Christian fiction with fifty-five published novels and four million books sold. CBS News listed her among the four best writers in the Detroit area. Gail is a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers, is a keynote speaker at women’s events and presents workshops at writers’ conferences. She lives in Michigan. Visit her at gailgaymermartin.com . Write to her online or at PO Box 760063, Lathrup Village, MI, 48076.

Title Page A Mother to Love Gail Gaymer Martin www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Angie’s Crock-Pot Fiesta Chicken Dear Reader Extract Copyright Thanks to my friend Brenda Evans who made contact for me with Kimberly Springsdorf in Owosso, Michigan, the executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kimberly gave us a tour of the city and showed us the highlights of the town as well as parks and residential areas so I could find the perfect street on which to set my story. She answered a volume of questions and was a valuable resource for my research for the Lilac Circle Series. Thank you so much, Kimberly. My thanks, too, to the lovely sales staff at Owosso Books, Janet O’Shea and Carla Bates, who spent time with us and answered my questions. Thanks also to numerous members of my Facebook group, Readers of Gail Gaymer Martin’s Books, for their support, ideas and wonderful reviews. A huge thank-you to my agent, Chip MacGregor. And as always my deepest thanks and love to my husband, Bob. Without his support and patience (especially that), I wouldn’t be the writer I am today.