Mindy Obenhaus - The Doctor's Family Reunion

His Instant Family

Family means everything to Dr. Trent Lockridge. Growing up without a father, he always yearned for a family of his own. One long-ago summer in Ouray, Colorado, he thought he might build a future with beautiful Blakely Daniels. But when he abruptly fled town, he broke her heart and left behind more than memories. Years later, Trent is shocked—and overjoyed—to learn he’s a father. He’d like to earn back Blakely’s love and trust—but it won’t be easy. And the clock is ticking. He’s got only a few weeks to prove that, this time, he’s here to stay…forever.

Trent followed Blakely to the kitchen, eager to ease the tension between them.

He found her frantically wiping the stovetop when he entered. “Anything I can do to help?”

Halting midwipe, she hesitated before finally turning around. “Um…” Eyes wide, she bit her bottom lip. Something he found sweet.

She looked away. “Actually, it’s Austin’s job to set the table.”

Unwilling to let the moment go, he stepped closer, eliminating what little space remained between them.

“He’s a great kid, Blakely. You’ve done a fantastic job.”

She glanced up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Thanks.”

At the table, he clasped Austin’s hand, then offered Blakely his other. The softness of her touch sent a wave of awareness through him. And, for a split second, it was as though they were a family.

Dreams he’d tucked away long ago drifted to the surface. Could he still have the one thing that had eluded him all his life?

MINDY OBENHAUS

always dreamed of being a wife and mother. Yet as her youngest of five children started kindergarten, a new dream emerged—to write stories of true love that would glorify God.

Mindy grew up in Michigan, but got to Texas just as fast as she could. Nowadays, she finds herself trapped in the city, longing for ranch life or the mountains. When she’s not penning her latest romance, she likes cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with her grandkids. Learn more about her at www.mindyobenhaus.com.

The Doctor’s Family Reunion

Mindy Obenhaus

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

Acknowledgments

Becky Yauger, writing partner extraordinaire. Girlfriend, I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for understanding how my brain works

and for putting up with countless phone calls,

emails, texts and IMs. We did it!

Many thanks to Ted and Betty Wolfe, owners of the Ouray Comfort Inn, for your friendship, hospitality and for answering a multitude of questions.

To Bob and Brandy Ross, owners of

Switzerland of America, aka the little blue building

on Seventh Avenue. You were my inspiration.

Thanks for letting me hang with you guys.

Your attention to detail shines through in all you do.

Thank you to all my writer friends who helped me

along the way—Lisa, Lindi, Lena, Patty, Julie, Lynne, Kellie, Ruthy, Missy, Christy, Marilyn, Lee,

Betty and Jackie. Your input, no matter how large or small, helped get this story where it is today.

Thank you to my mother-in-law, Helen Obenhaus,

for introducing me to Ouray.

Melissa Endlich, you are the editor of my dreams.

Thank you for believing in me.

And to the agent of my dreams, Tamela Hancock Murray, thank you for your support and encouragement.

For my family. Thank you.

Richard, you gave me the courage to follow my dream and cheered me on every step of the way. You are my best friend, my rock, and I will love you forever.

Amy, Rachel, Danielle, Ryan and Michael,

I love you all more than you will ever know.

Never give up on your dreams.

Jesus, my Lord and Savior, without You, I wouldn’t have had a dream to chase. May it be for Your glory.

Contents

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

Chapter Twenty-Four

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Blakely Daniels’ world had turned upside down.

Literally.

Her gaze darted throughout the cab of her tour vehicle, her breath ragged. Three tons of metal groaned around her, protesting against the copse of aspens that had stopped their free fall. The splintered windshield resembled a complex spider web and the indented driver’s door pressed against her leg.

Head throbbing, Blakely squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get her bearings. She’d been driving these mountain roads since she was a teenager. Yet here she sat—rather, hung—who knows how far below the cliff’s edge, her pickup in ruins.

How could she have made such a dangerous miscalculation? Praise God she was alone. She didn’t even want to think about the outcome if she’d had a truckload of guests.

A pungent odor touched her nostrils. Her eyes flew open.

Gasoline.

She had to get out of here.

Now.

Thanks to the seatbelt’s taut hold, she dangled precariously. Her ponytail swayed in front of her like the pendulum of the clock in Gran’s living room. Traffic on these old mine roads this time of year was few and far between. So unless someone happened along...

God, I really need Your help. I know You already know that, but if You could please show me what to do.

Slipping a thumb under the satiny webbed fabric that held her captive, she moved her hand upward until she reached the harness. Her grip tightened as she wiggled, willing her back against the seat, trying to make herself as small as possible. Then, bracing one hand against the roof, she fingered the red button.

One. Two.

Oof!

Pushing up on all fours, she crawled across the soft gray fabric that lined the top of the cab and took hold of the latch on the passenger door. Because the truck rested on an incline, opening the door vertically would take all the effort she could muster. Pulling on the handle, she pushed with her shoulder but the door refused to budge.

She peered through the window. The sight of crumpled metal made her heart sink. She could only pray the damage wouldn’t impede the window’s descent. If so, she’d have to break the glass.

With the odor of gas growing stronger by the second, she hit the switch and the window disappeared into the door.

Thank You, Lord.

Blakely pushed through the opening.

Grasping at roots and spindly limbs, she clawed her way back up the steep slope. Cold mud seeped through her jeans, chilling her to the core.

Thirty feet later, she hoisted herself over the edge and stumbled across the narrow strip of road. The late morning sun warmed her face as she drooped against the wall of rock and filled her lungs with mass quantities of fresh spring air.