Ruth Herne - Her Unexpected Family

A Family to Love

Emily Gallagher and Grant McCarthy are planning a wedding together—just not their own. Emily’s well-structured life is turned upside-down when her company is hired to help Grant put together his deployed sister’s nuptials. Because as Emily spends more time with Grant and his adorable twins, she can’t help but daydream about being at the altar herself. But Emily’s ex-beauty-queen status brings Grant memories of his children’s appearance-obsessed mother—a woman who walked out on their family. For a future with Emily, can Grant escape the confines of his painful past? If he can, the next wedding they plan could be their own…

Her heart sped up.

She ordered it to stop that nonsense, right now.

Her heart had other ideas. When Grant climbed out of the car and crossed the drive, the sight of him, rugged and strong, dressed in working man’s clothes, tugged at her.

“You’re shoveling?”

“Just finished.”

“I’d have done this for you.” He reached out and tucked her hair back behind her ear, then indicated the walks with his gaze, but didn’t move his hand. “It would be my pleasure, Em.”

The strength of his callused hand against her cheek, against her ear, sent warmth through her. “Grant, I—”

“You’re beautiful with snowflakes in your hair.” He spoke softly, tenderly. “But you’re beautiful without the snowflakes, too.”

“Grant…”

“Em.” He whispered her name then gathered her into a long, warm embrace, the kind of hug a woman would cherish for all her days.

“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?” She stepped back, because if she didn’t, she might linger in the yard forever, lost in the moment.

Multipublished, bestselling author RUTH LOGAN HERNEloves God, her country, her family, dogs, chocolate and coffee! Married to a very patient man, she lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York and thinks possums should leave the cat food alone and snakes should always live outside. There are no exceptions to either rule! Visit Ruthy at ruthloganherne.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

—Ephesians 4:31–32

To my beautiful daughter Beth:

You are a blessing and a delight to us.

Thank you for being a constant source of

love, light and encouragement.

And the four grandkids are a total bonus!

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright

A special thanks to Jean Cosgriff, Ed Hall,

Donna Kocienski and Kathy Pittaway for their

love and help during my years at Bridal Hall.

Your warmth and humor made it an

absolute pleasure to work there!

And to the constant efforts of the Town of Parma

Highway Department, always working to keep

roads safe and clear. Your example helped me

shape this delightful story. Every time you get

behind the wheel of one of those big plows or

machines, you’re a hero to so many of us.

Thank you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Family to Love Emily Gallagher and Grant McCarthy are planning a wedding together—just not their own. Emily’s well-structured life is turned upside-down when her company is hired to help Grant put together his deployed sister’s nuptials. Because as Emily spends more time with Grant and his adorable twins, she can’t help but daydream about being at the altar herself. But Emily’s ex-beauty-queen status brings Grant memories of his children’s appearance-obsessed mother—a woman who walked out on their family. For a future with Emily, can Grant escape the confines of his painful past? If he can, the next wedding they plan could be their own…

Introduction Her heart sped up. She ordered it to stop that nonsense, right now. Her heart had other ideas. When Grant climbed out of the car and crossed the drive, the sight of him, rugged and strong, dressed in working man’s clothes, tugged at her. “You’re shoveling?” “Just finished.” “I’d have done this for you.” He reached out and tucked her hair back behind her ear, then indicated the walks with his gaze, but didn’t move his hand. “It would be my pleasure, Em.” The strength of his callused hand against her cheek, against her ear, sent warmth through her. “Grant, I—” “You’re beautiful with snowflakes in your hair.” He spoke softly, tenderly. “But you’re beautiful without the snowflakes, too.” “Grant…” “Em.” He whispered her name then gathered her into a long, warm embrace, the kind of hug a woman would cherish for all her days. “I’ll see you in the morning, okay?” She stepped back, because if she didn’t, she might linger in the yard forever, lost in the moment.

About the Author Multipublished, bestselling author RUTH LOGAN HERNE loves God, her country, her family, dogs, chocolate and coffee! Married to a very patient man, she lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York and thinks possums should leave the cat food alone and snakes should always live outside. There are no exceptions to either rule! Visit Ruthy at ruthloganherne.com .

Title Page Her Unexpected Family Ruth Logan Herne www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:31–32

Dedication To my beautiful daughter Beth: You are a blessing and a delight to us. Thank you for being a constant source of love, light and encouragement. And the four grandkids are a total bonus!

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 Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright A special thanks to Jean Cosgriff, Ed Hall, Donna Kocienski and Kathy Pittaway for their love and help during my years at Bridal Hall. Your warmth and humor made it an absolute pleasure to work there! And to the constant efforts of the Town of Parma Highway Department, always working to keep roads safe and clear. Your example helped me shape this delightful story. Every time you get behind the wheel of one of those big plows or machines, you’re a hero to so many of us. Thank you!

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

I can’t break this appointment again, Grant McCarthy thought as he bundled the twins into their car seats. He’d already put the wedding planner off twice.

Timmy gazed up at him, round-eyed, then smacked him upside the head with a plastic truck. For a little guy, the two-year-old packed a mean punch.