Kathie DeNosky - Suddenly a Daddy - The Billionaire's Unexpected Heir / The Baby Surprise

Two fan-favorite romances from USA Today bestselling author Kathie DeNosky and Brenda Harlen.

The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir

Becoming the owner of Hickory Hills Thoroughbred farm isn’t in Jake Garnier’s plans. Becoming a father is even more unimaginable. For his new business comes with Heather McGwire, ranch manager…and mother to Jake’s secret child. Marriage seems the only solution. But Heather won’t settle for simple sweet talk and seduction. If Jake wants a real family, he’ll have to saddle up for the long ride.

The Baby Surprise

Paige Wilder is married to her job as a high-powered attorney—until she suddenly becomes guardian to a baby girl. And when Zach Crawford appears, her life really goes topsy-turvy. Because the sexy military pilot is determined to win custody of his little girl…if the sparks that fly every time he and Paige are together don’t distract him first!

www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE BILLIONAIRE’S UNEXPECTED HEIR The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author Kathie DeNosky writes highly emotional stories laced with a good dose of humor. Kathie lives in her native southern Illinois and loves writing at night while listening to country music on her favorite radio station. Visit her online at kathiedenosky.com. Look for more books by Kathie DeNosky in Harlequin Desire—the ultimate destination for powerful, passionate romance! There are six new Harlequin Desire titles available every month. Check one out today!

Dedication This series is dedicated to Charlie, the love of my life. And a special thank-you to my editor, Krista Stroever. Here’s to new beginnings.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

THE BABY SURPRISE

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Epilogue

USA TODAY bestselling author Kathie DeNosky writes highly emotional stories laced with a good dose of humor. Kathie lives in her native southern Illinois and loves writing at night while listening to country music on her favorite radio station. Visit her online at kathiedenosky.com.

Look for more books by Kathie DeNosky in Harlequin Desire—the ultimate destination for powerful, passionate romance! There are six new Harlequin Desire titles available every month. Check one out today!

This series is dedicated to Charlie, the love of my life.

And a special thank-you to my editor, Krista Stroever.

Here’s to new beginnings.

“Hi, I’m Jake Garnier, the new owner of Hickory Hills.”

From the corner of her eye, Heather McGwire saw the man stick out his hand in greeting, but she chose to ignore the gesture. She knew who he was and she’d just as soon have a snake crawl up beside her. Jake Garnier was the last person she wanted or needed to have to deal with this close to the big race. But now that he was the new owner of the thoroughbred farm she managed, there was no way of getting around it. She either had to get used to working for him or stick it out until after Stormy Dancer won the Southern Oaks Cup Classic, then look for employment elsewhere.

Besides, after what they’d shared, she took exception to the fact that he didn’t even have the decency to remember her. The thought hurt more than she would have imagined or was comfortable with.

When she remained silent, he stared at her a moment as if trying to place her. “Heather?”

His smooth baritone caused her nerves to tingle and her heart to speed up, reminding her that a little over a year ago all it had taken was the rich sound of that voice to make her lose every ounce of sense she ever possessed. Now it only made her want to smack him for being the biggest jerk to ever draw a breath.

“Jake.” She barely managed a short nod of acknowledgement.

Standing with her forearms resting on the white board rail surrounding the practice track, she concentrated on the stopwatch in her hand as Dancer passed the quarter-mile post and headed down the backstretch. The top contender for the prestigious Southern Oaks Cup Classic, the thoroughbred was on pace to break his own record.

“Come on, Dancer. You can do it.” She glanced from the watch to the horse. “Just keep it up.”

“I remember you mentioning that you worked at a thoroughbred farm, but I wasn’t aware that it was Hickory Hills,” he said, sounding a lot happier to see her than she was to be seeing him.

“For the record, I’m the manager here.” As Dancer headed for the homestretch, she added, “The name of the farm and where it was located never came up. Besides, you weren’t that interested in hearing personal details, were you?” She glanced his way, and it was apparent her hostility didn’t set well with him.

“Heather, I don’t know what you think I’ve done, but—”

“It doesn’t matter now,” she interrupted. She didn’t care to be reminded of how foolish she’d been.

He was silent for a moment. “At the risk of pissing you off further, how have you been?” he asked tightly.

Like you really want to know. If you had, you wouldn’t have refused to take my phone calls.

She shrugged. “I’ve been all right.” She didn’t bothering asking how he’d been because she had a fair idea of what he’d been doing since they parted ways and didn’t particularly care to hear the specifics.

“Is that our contender for the big race?” he asked, pointing toward Dancer.

Doing her best to ignore the man beside her, she urged the jockey, “Let him have his head, Miguel. Turn him loose.” She glanced at the silver stopwatch again, and clicked the button on the side as the big bay sprinted past them. “Fantastic.”

“I take it that was a good run?”

When Jake leaned close to see the time, his arm brushed hers and a tiny jolt of electricity shot straight through her. “It was excellent,” she said, gritting her teeth and backing away. Turning to make her escape, she added, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” She barely suppressed the urge to run when he fell into step beside her.

“I’d like for you to give me a tour of the farm if you have the time.”

“I’m sure you need to unpack first,” she said. Thanks to the mansion’s housekeeper, Clara Buchanan, Heather had received a phone call the moment he passed through the security gates at the end of the half-mile-long driveway leading up to the mansion.

She desperately tried not to notice how his outstretched arms caused his snug hunter green T-shirt to outline the muscles of his broad chest and emphasize his well-developed biceps when he stretched. “I’ve been cooped up in the car for the past four days on the drive from Los Angeles and it feels good to be out in the fresh air again.”

“Mornings around here are pretty busy—we have our daily workouts and grooming,” she hedged.

When they reached the stables, she grabbed a lead rope by one of the stalls, slid the half-door back, then eased inside to attach it to Silver Bullet’s halter in an effort to escape Jake’s disturbing presence.