Marie Ferrarella - A Second Chance For The Single Dad

A LITTLE HELP—AND A LOT OF LOVE

Ever since her mother died, nurse practitioner Kayley Quartermain has been searching for somewhere to belong. She wants that somewhere to be her hometown of Bedford, but first she needs a job. Thankfully, her matchmaking godmother offers a solution: a career match—and hopefully a romantic one, too—assisting recently widowed Dr. Luke Dolan at his clinic.

Still adjusting to life as a single dad, Luke is reluctant to accept Kayley’s help. Sure, she’s great at her job, and five-year-old Lily adores her, but Luke’s developing strong feelings for Kayley, too. For Lily’s sake, he needs to be careful about whom he lets in. But with Kayley fitting in so perfectly as they rebuild their lives, could she be the one piece they’ve been missing?

Just as she was about to turn toward her vehicle, which was parked in his driveway, Kayley glanced down.

And that was when she saw it. There was a bright, shiny new penny right in her path.

Without giving it a second thought, Kayley quickly bent down to pick it up. She’d stopped abruptly without giving Luke any warning, making him walk right into her as she stooped over the coin.

The unexpected contact almost caused her to pitch forward, and she would have done just that had Luke not grabbed for her, pulling her to her feet and throwing her off balance. Her body hit his. Air whooshed out of her and she found herself looking right up at him with less than half an inch between them.

Temptation, fast and furious, appeared out of nowhere, taking control while his brain went on temporary hiatus for about ten seconds.

Before he realized what he was doing—and the consequences that would come with it—Luke found himself kissing Kayley.

* * *

Matchmaking Mamas:

Playing Cupid. Arranging dates.

What are mothers for?

A Second Chance for the Single Dad

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLAhas written more than two hundred and seventy-five books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

To

Dr. Johnson,

Dr. Younger,

Dr. Kang

And all the others who

Worked hard to put me back together

This year

Thank you

I now know what Humpty Dumpty

Felt like

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A LITTLE HELP—AND A LOT OF LOVE Ever since her mother died, nurse practitioner Kayley Quartermain has been searching for somewhere to belong. She wants that somewhere to be her hometown of Bedford, but first she needs a job. Thankfully, her matchmaking godmother offers a solution: a career match—and hopefully a romantic one, too—assisting recently widowed Dr. Luke Dolan at his clinic. Still adjusting to life as a single dad, Luke is reluctant to accept Kayley’s help. Sure, she’s great at her job, and five-year-old Lily adores her, but Luke’s developing strong feelings for Kayley, too. For Lily’s sake, he needs to be careful about whom he lets in. But with Kayley fitting in so perfectly as they rebuild their lives, could she be the one piece they’ve been missing?

Introduction Just as she was about to turn toward her vehicle, which was parked in his driveway, Kayley glanced down. And that was when she saw it. There was a bright, shiny new penny right in her path. Without giving it a second thought, Kayley quickly bent down to pick it up. She’d stopped abruptly without giving Luke any warning, making him walk right into her as she stooped over the coin. The unexpected contact almost caused her to pitch forward, and she would have done just that had Luke not grabbed for her, pulling her to her feet and throwing her off balance. Her body hit his. Air whooshed out of her and she found herself looking right up at him with less than half an inch between them. Temptation, fast and furious, appeared out of nowhere, taking control while his brain went on temporary hiatus for about ten seconds. Before he realized what he was doing—and the consequences that would come with it—Luke found himself kissing Kayley. * * * Matchmaking Mamas: Playing Cupid. Arranging dates. What are mothers for?

Title Page A Second Chance for the Single Dad Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and seventy-five books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Dr. Johnson, Dr. Younger, Dr. Kang And all the others who Worked hard to put me back together This year Thank you I now know what Humpty Dumpty Felt like

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

One moment the blond-haired, attractive woman with the kind blue eyes wasn’t there; the next moment, she was. Her very presence seemed to dominate the real estate office, an office devoted to a business that Maizie Sommers had taken such pride in building up over the years.

The only business that Maizie took even more pride in was the one that she and her two lifelong best friends, Theresa Manetti and Cecilia Parnell, conducted unofficially. A business that yielded no monetary rewards. However, the rewards that it did yield were far richer than any dollar amount.

And it was as if the woman standing before her now sensed that fact despite that they had never really talked about it.

“Maizie,” the woman said in a soft voice, “you need to help Kayley find someone. I don’t want her spending the rest of her life alone. It’s not right. She has so much love to give and no one to give it to. I’d find her someone myself, but I can’t do that now. And she is your goddaughter,” Karen Quartermain added pointedly. “Help her, Maizie. Please.”

The woman’s quietly worded request seemed to fill up every single space within the room.

Gasping, Maizie bolted upright. She wasn’t in her office—she was in her bed.

Her bedroom was dark, except for the ray of moonlight intruding like a laser through the window. It was shining on something on the rug. Something small and round.

Blowing out a long breath, Maizie ran her hand along her forehead.

A dream. It was only a dream.

Her brain should have realized that even though every detail had seemed so incredibly vivid and real. Her office had looked just like her office. And her friend had looked just like her friend. Except that Karen had looked the way she had a year ago, before she became ill.

Why in heaven’s name was she dreaming about Karen Quartermain, Maizie silently asked herself. She’d never dreamed about Karen, even when she was alive. Why now, two months after her friend had died?

With a sigh, Maizie lay back down. It was still very early. Turning on her side, she faced the window. She inhaled deeply and willed herself to get back to sleep.

Vivid or not, it was just a dream, nothing more. Nothing—

What was that on her rug?

The moonlight made her light gray rug appear pale even as it highlighted something on it.