Ruth Herne - Their Surprise Daddy

Instant Family

Cruz Maldonado has vowed to provide for his beloved cousin’s orphans. With his estranged mother’s health failing, they might soon be Cruz’s only family. But the kids’ immigration status brings complications. Mostly “Miss Rory”—their idealistic young teacher—and Cruz’s court-appointed co-guardian. Cruz has the means to give the kids a good home, yet Rory Gallagher wonders whether he has the heart. That is, until she glimpses the sweet small-town boy inside the polished, handsome Wall Street exterior. Soon they both begin to wonder if this temporary partnership could turn into more—a chance to raise the children as husband and wife.

Cruz didn’t move.

He sat right there while Rory smooched little Javier and ruffled his hair, and when she was done kissing him, Cruz leaned in and kissed the boy, too. They said one last good-night, then he followed her out, into the hall. Before they were halfway down the stairs, she paused and looked back. “You surprised me in there.”

“Because I knew prayers?”

“Not that.” She stayed on the second step and faced him. “You kissed them good-night.”

“I believe that’s customary with small children, isn’t it?”

“It is, but you don’t have small children, do you?”

He shook his head.

“And I don’t expect you do a lot of babysitting in Manhattan.”

“No, again.”

She almost spoke again, then stopped herself. “I just thought it was nice, that’s all. You made them smile.”

She started back down the stairs to rejoin the others. Five little words made her stop again.

“That’s why I did it.”

She turned and looked up, and when she did, her heart did that shuffle-step dance once more.

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.

Their Surprise Daddy

Ruth Logan Herne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

“And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.

—2 Corinthians 6:18

To my dear friend Mia Ross,

who has shared a delightful number of years

with me… Thank you for always being

a shining light of common sense and humor!

We are so blessed to be able to work together!

Acknowledgments Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page Bible Verse 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright

To my sons, Luke and Zach, whose lives in Lower Manhattan help me mold characters from all walks of life, and to my amazing editor, Melissa Endlich, whose keen eye helped hone the lump of coal into a polished gem of a story! Thank you!

To show respect for our police forces across the USA, all men in the Grace Haven series have been given names of fallen police officers, both local officers here in my upstate area (A. J. Sperr and Daryl Pierson) and from the 2014 fallen-officer list provided on the Downed Officers website. My husband and I have friends and family who wear the uniform with pride and grace, and our respect for them never falters. Cruz Maldonado was named for Deputy Sheriff Steven LaCruz “Cruz” Thomas of California.

Huge thanks to my beautiful friends Karen and Matt Varricchio of Canandaigua for their help on locations, seasonal workers and life in a Finger Lakes town. We love you guys!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Instant Family Cruz Maldonado has vowed to provide for his beloved cousin’s orphans. With his estranged mother’s health failing, they might soon be Cruz’s only family. But the kids’ immigration status brings complications. Mostly “Miss Rory”—their idealistic young teacher—and Cruz’s court-appointed co-guardian. Cruz has the means to give the kids a good home, yet Rory Gallagher wonders whether he has the heart. That is, until she glimpses the sweet small-town boy inside the polished, handsome Wall Street exterior. Soon they both begin to wonder if this temporary partnership could turn into more—a chance to raise the children as husband and wife.

Introduction Cruz didn’t move. He sat right there while Rory smooched little Javier and ruffled his hair, and when she was done kissing him, Cruz leaned in and kissed the boy, too. They said one last good-night, then he followed her out, into the hall. Before they were halfway down the stairs, she paused and looked back. “You surprised me in there.” “Because I knew prayers?” “Not that.” She stayed on the second step and faced him. “You kissed them good-night.” “I believe that’s customary with small children, isn’t it?” “It is, but you don’t have small children, do you?” He shook his head. “And I don’t expect you do a lot of babysitting in Manhattan.” “No, again.” She almost spoke again, then stopped herself. “I just thought it was nice, that’s all. You made them smile.” She started back down the stairs to rejoin the others. Five little words made her stop again. “That’s why I did it.” She turned and looked up, and when she did, her heart did that shuffle-step dance once more.

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 Their Surprise Daddy Ruth Logan Herne www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse “And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty. —2 Corinthians 6:18

Dedication To my dear friend Mia Ross, who has shared a delightful number of years with me… Thank you for always being a shining light of common sense and humor! We are so blessed to be able to work together!

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

One minute Cruz Maldonado was a sought-after Manhattan financial investor with a law degree, a force to be reckoned with on Wall Street.

The next he was the guardian for two children whose existence probably sprang from the jaws of Mexican cartels.

This couldn’t be happening. And yet, it was.

Cruz frowned as he drove his pricey rental car toward the Grace Haven town hall. The long midsummer day gave him a good view of the hometown he hadn’t seen in years. At some point he’d greet the mother he hadn’t visited since his father’s funeral, the woman who’d raised him to be just as tough and jaded as she was.

You need to come home, Cruz, Reverend Steve Gallagher had told him during the unexpected phone call that morning. Two kids, no records, a falsified paper trail and your mother’s dealing with heart disease complicated by type 2 diabetes, seriously compromising her health. It would be wrong of me to make any decisions without you.