Tina Beckett - The Nurse's Christmas Gift

A Christmas kiss from the past!

Pediatric surgeon Max Ainsley arrives at Teddy’s for a fresh start, only to find himself working with the woman he lost years before—his estranged wife!

Annabelle once hoped to give Max the perfect family he never had, but when that dream was broken so was her heart—and she pushed him away. She’s never imagined loving again, but now working on a tiny patient with Max stirs buried feelings... Can a miracle in Maternity reunite them in time for Christmas?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ,

Have you ever wanted something so badly that it consumes your every waking thought? And yet that very same desire ends up causing unimaginable pain?

Annabelle Brookes finds herself facing a tragic cycle of hope and grief as she tries time and time again to carry a child to term. Those failed attempts finally affect her health and her relationship with her husband. When he finally puts his foot down and says, ‘No more,’ she is devastated. So devastated that she pushes him away.

Years later Annabelle comes face to face with the man she once loved. All the emotions she thought long-dead are resurrected, and she has to decide once and for all what the important things in life are. Only this is Christmas, the season of miracles, when nothing is carved in stone.

Thank you for joining Max and Annabelle as they struggle to let go of the pain of the past. And maybe—just maybe—they’ll discover something more tucked among the tinsel and the holiday lights. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I loved writing it!

Love,

Tina Beckett

The Nurse’s Christmas Gift

Tina Beckett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Three-times Golden Heart ®finalist TINA BECKETTlearned to pack her suitcases almost before she learned to read. Born to a military family, she has lived in the United States, Puerto Rico, Portugal and Brazil. In addition to travelling, Tina loves to cuddle with her pug, Alex, spend time with her family, and hit the trails on her horse. Learn more about Tina from her website, or ‘friend’ her on Facebook.

Books by Tina Beckett

Mills & Boon Medical Romance

The Hollywood Hills Clinic Winning Back His Doctor Bride

Midwives On-Call at Christmas Playboy Doc’s Mistletoe Kiss

To Play with Fire

His Girl From Nowhere

How to Find a Man in Five Dates

The Soldier She Could Never Forget

Her Playboy’s Secret

Hot Doc from Her Past

A Daddy for Her Daughter

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.ukfor more titles.

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To my kids, who are always willing to give me space—and time—when I’m under deadline. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Christmas kiss from the past! Pediatric surgeon Max Ainsley arrives at Teddy’s for a fresh start, only to find himself working with the woman he lost years before—his estranged wife! Annabelle once hoped to give Max the perfect family he never had, but when that dream was broken so was her heart—and she pushed him away. She’s never imagined loving again, but now working on a tiny patient with Max stirs buried feelings... Can a miracle in Maternity reunite them in time for Christmas?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright , Have you ever wanted something so badly that it consumes your every waking thought? And yet that very same desire ends up causing unimaginable pain? Annabelle Brookes finds herself facing a tragic cycle of hope and grief as she tries time and time again to carry a child to term. Those failed attempts finally affect her health and her relationship with her husband. When he finally puts his foot down and says, ‘No more,’ she is devastated. So devastated that she pushes him away. Years later Annabelle comes face to face with the man she once loved. All the emotions she thought long-dead are resurrected, and she has to decide once and for all what the important things in life are. Only this is Christmas, the season of miracles, when nothing is carved in stone. Thank you for joining Max and Annabelle as they struggle to let go of the pain of the past. And maybe—just maybe—they’ll discover something more tucked among the tinsel and the holiday lights. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I loved writing it! Love, Tina Beckett

Title Page The Nurse’s Christmas Gift Tina Beckett www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Three-times Golden Heart ® finalist TINA BECKETT learned to pack her suitcases almost before she learned to read. Born to a military family, she has lived in the United States, Puerto Rico, Portugal and Brazil. In addition to travelling, Tina loves to cuddle with her pug, Alex, spend time with her family, and hit the trails on her horse. Learn more about Tina from her website, or ‘friend’ her on Facebook. Books by Tina Beckett Mills & Boon Medical Romance The Hollywood Hills Clinic Winning Back His Doctor Bride Midwives On-Call at Christmas Playboy Doc’s Mistletoe Kiss To Play with Fire His Girl From Nowhere How to Find a Man in Five Dates The Soldier She Could Never Forget Her Playboy’s Secret Hot Doc from Her Past A Daddy for Her Daughter Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

Dedication To my kids, who are always willing to give me space—and time—when I’m under deadline. I love you!

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

MAX AINSLEY WAS happy to be back on familiar soil.

Opening the door to his new cottage in a brand-new city, he hefted his duffel bag and tossed it over his shoulder, enjoying the warmth he found inside. Six months was too long; the days and nights spent helping displaced children in war-ravaged North Africa had eaten into his soul—one painful bite at a time. Trying to meet each desperate need had drained his emotional bank account until there was nothing left. He’d needed to come back to recharge and decide what he wanted to do next.

What better season than winter? The icy weather and the festive lights of the approaching holiday should help him push aside the thoughts of what he hadn’t been able to accomplish on this trip. At least he hoped so.

Three years of running from his past had changed nothing. Maybe it was time to start living in the present. To sign the papers he’d left behind and to finally let go of the past once and for all.

Shedding his parka and throwing his belongings onto a nearby leather sofa with a sigh, he surveyed the place. With its white-painted walls and comfortable furniture, it wasn’t huge or fancy, but it was big enough for a landing place, at least until he could figure out where he wanted to park his butt for the long haul. Sienna McDonald had sent pictures of several possibilities that were just a short distance from the hospital, and he’d settled on this one, the cottage’s quaint one-bedroom floor plan made more attractive by the small private garden off the back. This was the place.