Karen Smith - A Precious Gift

Carrie grinned at her husband until the reality hit her. “We have to get ready!” The mother’s due date was in three weeks. “There’s so much to do—a nursery, a layette…”

“We’ll get it done,” Brian said soothingly. “In fact, we can probably get lots of things done in one night. Why don’t you start looking into baby furniture, pick out what you want and we’ll go look at it all together.”

Carrie couldn’t believe Brian was going to be home early enough to spend time with her, shopping, discussing their baby’s birth. This child was going to change their lives…for the better.

When Brian bent his head to kiss her, Carrie felt tears coming to her eyes. His lips were gentle on hers at first, then he deepened the kiss. She felt his intensity and hunger and need.

As he broke away, she felt shaken. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”

“So am I,” Carrie said in response. She could only hope that everything would be okay now, and the problems they’d had in the past would disappear once they held their son.

Award-winning and bestselling author Karen Rose Smith has seen more than sixty-five novels published since 1992. She grew up in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley and still lives a stone’s throw away with her husband—who was her college sweetheart—and their two cats. She especially enjoys researching and visiting the West and Southwest, where her latest series of books is set. Readers can receive updates on Karen’s releases and write to her through her Web site at www.karenrosesmith.com or at P.O. Box 1545, Hanover, PA 17331.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Be a part of

Because birthright has its privileges and family ties run deep.

One woman lived with a secret that threatened her marriage. Would she find the courage to face the man she loved?

Carrie Summers: She had a past she couldn’t share with Brian. With the mounting tension over her inability to conceive, Carrie didn’t know how much more their marriage could take. She just hoped that her precious husband would love her no matter what.

Brian Summers: He loved Carrie so much, and they wanted to have a child together. But infertility issues were taking a heavy toll on their relationship. Could he convince her to trust him—that nothing could change his feelings for her?

A teenager in trouble, Lisa Sanders wanted to help the Summers family. But would she be able to help herself?

To Carolyn, Susan and Edie—my supporters and cheerleaders on this book journey. I’m so glad we’re friends.

To my husband, Steve—thank you.

Love, Karen.

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

Epilogue

Carrie Summers paced the blue-and-white tiled general reception area in Children’s Connection. Her husband was fifteen minutes late for their appointment at the agency, and she was afraid that meant Brian had changed his mind about adopting. They’d answered question after question and submitted to a home study that was now finished. This was their last meeting with the caseworker before they were put into the system.

Brian was never late.

He was a man of his word—a man she’d always been able to depend upon. But for the past three years of their five-year marriage, tension had built between them. When they’d married, Carrie had been so in love, so absolutely sure their wedding vows would be everlasting. However, she had a secret, and the repercussions of that secret were pushing them apart.

If only Brian could embrace the idea of an adoption wholeheartedly. If only Brian could accept an adopted child as his own.

“Are you ready?” a deep male voice asked.

She’d been watching the double glass doors leading outside to the unusually sunny January day. Rain always fell on Portland, Oregon, this time of year. Now she swung around and faced the man whose voice always vibrated through her like a heartfelt song.

“Where did you come from?” she asked with a smile, trying to hide her anxiety over his lateness.

“There was something I had to do before this meeting.”

Brian Summers was six foot two, muscular, incredibly fit and more handsome than any man Carrie had ever seen. His thick tawny hair waved over his brow, and he kept it in a clipped style to suit his image—that of a real-estate developer on the go, a millionaire who cared less about his appearance than the powerhouse deals he brokered. When they’d first met, she’d known he’d spoken to her at that cocktail party because she’d looked like the model she’d been. Although her black dress had been demure and classic, his eyes had lingered often on her dark-red hair and the angles of her face, as well as her figure. Their attraction had been mutual, and that night she’d hoped Brian could see beyond her outward appearance. He’d seemed to, and that was why she’d fallen in love with him.

“You’ve had a meeting in the hospital?” Land development deals didn’t usually begin at Portland General.

“No, nothing like that.”

Just then, the door to the inner offices opened and a middle-aged brunette smiled at them. “Are you Carrie and Brian Summers?”

They answered in unison. “Yes.”

“You’ll be meeting with me today.” She extended her hand first to Brian and then to Carrie. “I’m Trina Bentley.”

“We’ve gone through this whole process with Stacy Williams,” Brian said with a frown.

“Yes, I know you have. Stacy’s out with the flu. Since this last meeting is simply a formality, I told her I’d take it for her so we can give you the official okay and find you a baby. Come on back to my office.”

In their first years together, Brian had always been solicitous of Carrie, often showing affection by a touch of his hand on her shoulder, his arm around her waist. They hadn’t touched as much recently, not since the in vitro attempts had failed. Now as they walked side by side, the sleeve of Brian’s suit jacket brushed her arm. She felt the jolt of his close proximity through the sleeve of her cream wool dress.

Everything about Children’s Connection was bright and welcoming, including Trina’s office. It was pale yellow with a bulletin board on one wall covered with pictures of children from infants to teenagers.

The caseworker motioned to the two upholstered chairs in front of her desk. “Have a seat. I promise I’ll make this as painless as possible.”

Carrie stole a glance at Brian. He hadn’t liked discussing the details of his life with a stranger. He was a private man, and he hadn’t appreciated answering questions about his work habits, family history and finances. The poking and prodding into his personal and business life had rankled. Yet today he seemed calmer, more accepting about the whole thing, and Carrie wondered why.

Opening the folder on her desk, Trina glanced over the pages as if she were familiar with them. “I’ve read through everything including the home-study report.” Leaning back in her chair, she focused her hazel eyes on Carrie. “You’ve been through a lot.”

Panicking, Carrie felt her mouth go dry. Could this woman somehow know…?