Patricia Johns - The Lawman's Surprise Family

Their Secret Child

For eight years, journalist and single mother Sofia McCray kept her son a secret from his maverick father. But when she returns to her small Montana hometown, her high school sweetheart isn’t the rebellious teen she left behind. Ben Blake is a widowed cop who’s been through heartbreak, and he wants their child in his life. When her next assignment throws Sofia together with the handsome police officer in his squad car, she discovers just how much he truly cares about his community, their son…and her. Now Sofia must learn to trust her own heart to reunite a family that’s meant to be together.

“I’m willing to have you get to know our son,” Sofia said.

“But I don’t want to include anyone else in that right now,” she continued. “Meeting his dad is big enough without complicating that. And that includes your family.”

“So your whole family kept the secret?” he asked, a tinge of bitterness in his voice.

They had, and saying it out loud made it sound worse somehow. They’d all agreed that keeping the secret would be best for the child.

“Ben, I’ve been the center of Jack’s world for his entire life,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “This isn’t about our families. Not yet, at least.”

“Agreed,” he said. “This should be about you and me.”

Just about the two of them…well, the three of them now.

“We tried that once,” she said past a lump in her throat. “It didn’t work too well.”

“Yeah.” His voice was low and deep, and she suddenly wished she could lean into his strong shoulder, smell that old scent of leather and cologne and feel loved again. “Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” she repeated. And for the next two weeks, she thought.

PATRICIA JOHNS writes from northern Alberta where she lives with her husband and son. The winters are long, cold and perfectly suited to novel-writing. She has her BA in English lit, and you can find her books in Harlequin’s Love Inspired and American Romance lines.

The Lawman’s

Surprise Family

Patricia Johns

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

—Proverbs 21:2

I’d like to dedicate this novel to my father, a surprising fount of romance novel ideas. Whenever I get stuck in a plot, he can see the way out. Thank you, Dad!

And, of course, I’d like to dedicate this book to my husband, who inspires the romantic in me.

I could never do what I do without the love of these two sweet, supportive men.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Their Secret Child For eight years, journalist and single mother Sofia McCray kept her son a secret from his maverick father. But when she returns to her small Montana hometown, her high school sweetheart isn’t the rebellious teen she left behind. Ben Blake is a widowed cop who’s been through heartbreak, and he wants their child in his life. When her next assignment throws Sofia together with the handsome police officer in his squad car, she discovers just how much he truly cares about his community, their son…and her. Now Sofia must learn to trust her own heart to reunite a family that’s meant to be together.

Introduction “I’m willing to have you get to know our son,” Sofia said. “But I don’t want to include anyone else in that right now,” she continued. “Meeting his dad is big enough without complicating that. And that includes your family.” “So your whole family kept the secret?” he asked, a tinge of bitterness in his voice. They had, and saying it out loud made it sound worse somehow. They’d all agreed that keeping the secret would be best for the child. “Ben, I’ve been the center of Jack’s world for his entire life,” she said, her voice quivering with emotion. “This isn’t about our families. Not yet, at least.” “Agreed,” he said. “This should be about you and me.” Just about the two of them…well, the three of them now. “We tried that once,” she said past a lump in her throat. “It didn’t work too well.” “Yeah.” His voice was low and deep, and she suddenly wished she could lean into his strong shoulder, smell that old scent of leather and cologne and feel loved again. “Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Tomorrow,” she repeated. And for the next two weeks, she thought.

About the Author PATRICIA JOHNS writes from northern Alberta where she lives with her husband and son. The winters are long, cold and perfectly suited to novel-writing. She has her BA in English lit, and you can find her books in Harlequin’s Love Inspired and American Romance lines.

Title Page The Lawman’s Surprise Family Patricia Johns www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. —Proverbs 21:2

Dedication I’d like to dedicate this novel to my father, a surprising fount of romance novel ideas. Whenever I get stuck in a plot, he can see the way out. Thank you, Dad! And, of course, I’d like to dedicate this book to my husband, who inspires the romantic in me. I could never do what I do without the love of these two sweet, supportive men.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

The chances of avoiding Benjamin Blake in a town this size weren’t in her favor, but it didn’t stop Sofia McCray from hoping. If she could just get through today, she might be able to escape him until she was ready.

As she knocked on the police chief’s office door, Sofia could make out the muffled voices of two men inside. After a moment, the door swung open to reveal a man with blond hair that was gray around the temples, an easy smile and a wedding ring. The Chief of Police badge shone on his blue uniform. He shook her hand and gestured her in.

“Good morning,” Chief Taylor said. “Miss McCray, I presume?”

“Yes, from the Haggerston Chronicle,” Sofia replied with a quick smile, mentally preparing herself for her assignment. She’d only started at the Chronicle a couple of weeks ago after returning to Haggerston, and this assignment meant that her editor was taking her seriously—for now. She wanted to keep it that way.

“Let me introduce you to the officer you’ll be riding along with.” He gestured to the chair in front of the large desk.

A tall officer, dark and rugged, sat with his arms crossed over his broad chest. His dark hair was cropped short, his blue uniform setting off his obsidian eyes. He cocked his head to one side as her gaze lit on him, and a small smile turned up one corner of his mouth. Her heart thumped hard and then seemed to stop in her chest. He needed no introduction—this was Benjamin Blake.