Lenora Worth - Her Lakeside Family

A Home for the Single Dad

Landing a renovation job for a wealthy Millbrook Lake client is a coup for contractor Davina “Dani” Connell—one that could give her business a much-needed boost. But Santo Alvanetti could be trouble in more ways than one. Dark, brooding and distractingly handsome, this recently widowed father of three is surrounded by sadness and shadows, much like his home. All good reasons not to become emotionally involved. They may be complete opposites, but there’s something irresistible about Santo. Dani’s determined to give him and his children the new home and future they deserve. But could she also be the wife and mom they need?

“What do you want to do at the new house?”

She laughed and tugged at her haphazard bun. “So much. A complete overhaul.” When she looked up, he was staring at her with a look akin to awe.

“Santo? Are you okay?”

He nodded. “Uh...yes.” His gaze moved over her face and then settled on her hair. “I’ve just never known a contractor with such beautiful hair.”

A blush moved down Davina’s neck. Great. Now she’d get the blotchies, as her sister Tilly always called them. A flush that only showed off her freckles. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.

He kept staring at her.

“Santo, the house?”

“Oh, yes, the house,” he said with a wry smile. “I need to focus on the house.”

Frantic now, she searched her notes. What was happening to her anyway? She never acted like a ninny with clients.

With over seventy books published and millions in print, LENORA WORTH writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence became a New York Times bestseller. Her novella in Mistletoe Kisses made her a USA TODAY bestselling author. Lenora goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don, and enjoys reading, baking and shopping...especially shoe shopping.

Her Lakeside Family

Lenora Worth

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Therefore with joy shall ye draw water

out of the wells of salvation.

—Isaiah 12:3

To my family, always.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Home for the Single Dad Landing a renovation job for a wealthy Millbrook Lake client is a coup for contractor Davina “Dani” Connell—one that could give her business a much-needed boost. But Santo Alvanetti could be trouble in more ways than one. Dark, brooding and distractingly handsome, this recently widowed father of three is surrounded by sadness and shadows, much like his home. All good reasons not to become emotionally involved. They may be complete opposites, but there’s something irresistible about Santo. Dani’s determined to give him and his children the new home and future they deserve. But could she also be the wife and mom they need?

Introduction “What do you want to do at the new house?” She laughed and tugged at her haphazard bun. “So much. A complete overhaul.” When she looked up, he was staring at her with a look akin to awe. “Santo? Are you okay?” He nodded. “Uh...yes.” His gaze moved over her face and then settled on her hair. “I’ve just never known a contractor with such beautiful hair.” A blush moved down Davina’s neck. Great. Now she’d get the blotchies, as her sister Tilly always called them. A flush that only showed off her freckles. Maybe he wouldn’t notice. He kept staring at her. “Santo, the house?” “Oh, yes, the house,” he said with a wry smile. “I need to focus on the house.” Frantic now, she searched her notes. What was happening to her anyway? She never acted like a ninny with clients.

Dear Reader

About the Author With over seventy books published and millions in print, LENORA WORTH writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence became a New York Times bestseller. Her novella in Mistletoe Kisses made her a USA TODAY bestselling author. Lenora goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don, and enjoys reading, baking and shopping...especially shoe shopping.

Title Page Her Lakeside Family Lenora Worth www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. —Isaiah 12:3

Dedication To my family, always.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Lucia, stop aggravating your sister! Adriana, hurry and get your backpack. Daddy’s late for work. And where did your brother go?”

A screaming cyclone whizzed by, all dark curls and giggles.

Nate.

Santo Alvanetti grabbed his two-year-old son and tried for the third time to get his shoes on. But Nate wasn’t in the mood to get dressed so he kept running away, taking off an article of clothing each time. Now he was down to his little blue jeans and one shoe.

“Daddy, the school bus is coming,” Lucia—the oldest, who’d just turned nine—screamed from the floor-to-ceiling front windows. “I’m gonna miss it again.”

Santo sent her a pleading glance. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll drop you off at school.”

The school was in town, near Millbrook Lake. Completely out of his way but he was already late. Thirty more minutes wouldn’t hurt. His cell rang, indicating his being late had already cost him money. Alvanetti Imports moved at a fast pace. He needed to do the same, but these days every morning had become a challenge and a race against time.

Adriana stomped a booted foot. “I can’t find my purse, Daddy.”

“She has a purse?” he asked Lucia. His middle child was only seven. But then, her late mother had loved expensive purses.

Lucia’s dark eyes opened wide. “Duh. We both do. Mom bought them for us a long time ago, before...” Her eyes went dull. “We need Mom back here. She knows how to find purses.”

Santo wasn’t sure how to answer that. His wife Althea was dead. She’d died a horrible death about a year ago, in a showdown with his sister Rikki and a police detective. While Santo both mourned her and resented her for betraying him, her children still missed her. Althea had tried to be a good mother but something had gone so wrong in their marriage.

Raising three children and trying to run a business made Santo too tired and stressed to try to figure out what had happened to bring his life crashing down around him. He thought of happier times with Althea, when they were younger and she still loved him. He’d pushed away his anger and pain for a while now, but his children had been acting out. They all needed help.