T. McClure - Wanted - The Perfect Mom

His daughter deserves the best

Police chief John “Mac” McAndrews is on a mission to find the perfect mother for his daughter. Someone who will stay home, welcome his child after school and bake cookies. Obviously, Holly Hoffman is not that woman. She’s still as feisty, independent and headstrong as she’d been when they were teenagers. And she’s just spent every last dime opening the Wildflower coffee bar. Mac would never ask her to give up her brand-new business. Still, he can’t help dropping by the shop whenever he gets the chance, fanning old flames he should be dousing instead.

“Do you remember when we used to—”

“—sled down this hill?” The memory sparked a laugh in Holly. “We were crazy.”

Leaving the trees behind, Holly stepped into the hayfield at the top of the ridge. Mac followed close behind as she walked to the summit and studied the view before them.

Mac came up beside her. The touch of his shoulder against hers sent an electric shock through her body.

“Holly.”

Holly focused on the mountains in the distance, covered in haze, and ignored the burn where his arm touched hers. “Hot today,” she said. “I can’t imagine sledding in weather like this, can you? I wonder if the kids—”

“Holly.” The gruffness in Mac’s voice brought her up short, but she refused to meet his eyes.

“Mac, I can’t—”

Mac reached out and pulled her closer. “The girl I knew didn’t have can’t in her vocabulary.”

First of all, thank you for picking up this book. The journey to publication has been long and I have learned so much in the past few years. All of which goes to prove you’re never too old to learn. Thanks to all who have offered advice and encouragement along the way. Special thanks to the crew at Mills & Boon who worked to bring Wanted: The Perfect Mom to print. This book is my first with Mills & Boon. I am honored to be included in the diverse and talented group of Mills & Boon Heartwarming authors.

This story is about family—the one we’re born into and the one we create. Both have tremendous impact on our lives. Family dynamics are a living, growing thing. Sometimes, as in Holly’s case, there comes a time when our place in the original has morphed into something unrecognizable. Creating a new family seems an impossible dream. Holly must find her way in the unfamiliar territory between the two.

She figures it out. We all do. Eventually.

Enjoy the read.

T.R.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

T. R. McCLURE wrote her first story when she was ten years old. A degree in psychology led to a career in human resources. Only after retirement did she pick up her pen and return to fiction. Wanted: The Perfect Mom is her first novel with Harlequin.

T.R. lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband of thirty-seven years. They share their country home with one horse, one cat, four beagles and Sunny the yellow lab. T.R. is always up for travel adventures with her grown twin daughters.

To Grandma McClure, who always had a bag of sugar cookies in the freezer for hungry grandchildren. On lazy summer walks, she shared with me the magic of the touch-me-not flower. Thanks to her for happy childhood memories on the farm.

Contents

COVER

BACK COVER TEXT His daughter deserves the best Police chief John “Mac” McAndrews is on a mission to find the perfect mother for his daughter. Someone who will stay home, welcome his child after school and bake cookies. Obviously, Holly Hoffman is not that woman. She’s still as feisty, independent and headstrong as she’d been when they were teenagers. And she’s just spent every last dime opening the Wildflower coffee bar. Mac would never ask her to give up her brand-new business. Still, he can’t help dropping by the shop whenever he gets the chance, fanning old flames he should be dousing instead.

INTRODUCTION “Do you remember when we used to—” “—sled down this hill?” The memory sparked a laugh in Holly. “We were crazy.” Leaving the trees behind, Holly stepped into the hayfield at the top of the ridge. Mac followed close behind as she walked to the summit and studied the view before them. Mac came up beside her. The touch of his shoulder against hers sent an electric shock through her body. “Holly.” Holly focused on the mountains in the distance, covered in haze, and ignored the burn where his arm touched hers. “Hot today,” she said. “I can’t imagine sledding in weather like this, can you? I wonder if the kids—” “Holly.” The gruffness in Mac’s voice brought her up short, but she refused to meet his eyes. “Mac, I can’t—” Mac reached out and pulled her closer. “The girl I knew didn’t have can’t in her vocabulary.”

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 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 EPILOGUE EXTRACT COPYRIGHT , First of all, thank you for picking up this book. The journey to publication has been long and I have learned so much in the past few years. All of which goes to prove you’re never too old to learn. Thanks to all who have offered advice and encouragement along the way. Special thanks to the crew at Mills & Boon who worked to bring Wanted: The Perfect Mom to print. This book is my first with Mills & Boon. I am honored to be included in the diverse and talented group of Mills & Boon Heartwarming authors. This story is about family—the one we’re born into and the one we create. Both have tremendous impact on our lives. Family dynamics are a living, growing thing. Sometimes, as in Holly’s case, there comes a time when our place in the original has morphed into something unrecognizable. Creating a new family seems an impossible dream. Holly must find her way in the unfamiliar territory between the two. She figures it out. We all do. Eventually. Enjoy the read. T.R.

TITLE PAGE Wanted: The Perfect Mom T. R. McClure www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR T. R. McCLURE wrote her first story when she was ten years old. A degree in psychology led to a career in human resources. Only after retirement did she pick up her pen and return to fiction. Wanted: The Perfect Mom is her first novel with Harlequin. T.R. lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband of thirty-seven years. They share their country home with one horse, one cat, four beagles and Sunny the yellow lab. T.R. is always up for travel adventures with her grown twin daughters.

DEDICATION To Grandma McClure, who always had a bag of sugar cookies in the freezer for hungry grandchildren. On lazy summer walks, she shared with me the magic of the touch-me-not flower. Thanks to her for happy childhood memories on the farm.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE