Tara Quinn - Mother by Fate

To trust a stranger…

Sara Havens helps others. Mothers. Children. Those who seek to escape from violence. Her work with The Lemonade Stand—a unique women’s shelter—also lets her forget the loss of the child who should have been hers. And when a handsome stranger strikes up a poolside conversation, it’s no coincidence.

Bounty hunter Michael Edison is tracking a former resident of the shelter. Fearing for the missing woman’s safety, Sara joins the pursuit. But nothing is what it appears to be—including Michael. As they grow closer, Sara risks losing her carefully constructed control…

He had been putting off the inevitable…

Michael couldn’t remember ever wanting to have sex with a woman as badly as he wanted to with Sara Havens.

But they had a job to do now. Shaking out the blanket, he put both his arms around Sara, pulling her head so that her cheek touched his, and wrapped the blanket around them up to their ears. Her hand reached up to hold her side of the blanket in place.

She smelled like flowers.

The padding beneath her dress pushed at his collarbone. Their thighs touched. But that was all.

He could do this.

Thank God for baggy pants.

“You might want to get some rest,” he suggested.

He had to focus on the task at hand. Get Nicole, turn her in against the warrant he held and get home.

And do it all without anyone getting hurt…

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction 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 CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE CHAPTER THIRTY Extract Copyright ,

Welcome back to The Lemonade Stand, Where Secrets are Safe!

We’re actually not at the Stand right now. We’re out on the beach, briefly in a kennel for rescue animals, in a neighboring city and generally around town. But the Stand is there, and people are looking out for us and keeping our secrets safe.

I love all of the Where Secrets are Safe books. I created a shelter that I wish was real. One that, if I ever have the means, I will open. I particularly love this book in that it looks at an issue that is close to my heart—the idea of loving someone as your own who, technically, isn’t yours.

In today’s world relationships are a lot more fluid than they used to be. They aren’t always forever. And yet when we give our hearts, we give them forever. So what happens to all of the peripheral family relationships when a couple breaks up? In particular, what happens when you love a child as your own who does not biologically belong to you?

I had a friend for many years who struggled emotionally. I took on her daughter as my own. I loved that little girl, took her into my home, my family. And when the friend moved on, when she determined that she no longer needed my help, I was left with an emptiness in my heart that I couldn’t do anything about.

That emptiness is the basis of Mother by Fate. I don’t have the answers. But I understand the pain. And believe that love really can heal whatever wounds we carry inside us.

I love to hear from readers! You can reach me at staff@tarataylorquinn.com. Or find me on Facebook or Twitter!

Tara Taylor Quinn

Mother by Fate

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Tara Taylor Quinn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The author of more than seventy original novels, in twenty languages, TARA TAYLOR QUINN is a USA TODAY bestselling author with over seven million copies sold. She is known for delivering deeply emotional and psychologically astute novels of suspense and romance. Tara is a recipient of the Readers’ Choice Award, a four-time finalist for the RWA RITA® Award, and a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award and the Booksellers’ Best Award. She has had multiple #1 bestseller rankings on Amazon. Tara is the past president of Romance Writers of America and served eight years on that board of directors. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning, and is a frequent guest speaker. In her spare time Tara likes to travel and enjoys crafting and in-line skating. She is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

For my mother, Penny Gumser.

You taught me how to love—and mother—unconditionally. My child, and others. I think that is the best part of me. I love you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text To trust a stranger… Sara Havens helps others. Mothers. Children. Those who seek to escape from violence. Her work with The Lemonade Stand—a unique women’s shelter—also lets her forget the loss of the child who should have been hers. And when a handsome stranger strikes up a poolside conversation, it’s no coincidence. Bounty hunter Michael Edison is tracking a former resident of the shelter. Fearing for the missing woman’s safety, Sara joins the pursuit. But nothing is what it appears to be—including Michael. As they grow closer, Sara risks losing her carefully constructed control…

Introduction He had been putting off the inevitable… Michael couldn’t remember ever wanting to have sex with a woman as badly as he wanted to with Sara Havens. But they had a job to do now. Shaking out the blanket, he put both his arms around Sara, pulling her head so that her cheek touched his, and wrapped the blanket around them up to their ears. Her hand reached up to hold her side of the blanket in place. She smelled like flowers. The padding beneath her dress pushed at his collarbone. Their thighs touched. But that was all. He could do this. Thank God for baggy pants. “You might want to get some rest,” he suggested. He had to focus on the task at hand. Get Nicole, turn her in against the warrant he held and get home. And do it all without anyone getting hurt…

Dear Reader

Title Page Mother by Fate USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tara Taylor Quinn www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author The author of more than seventy original novels, in twenty languages, TARA TAYLOR QUINN is a USA TODAY bestselling author with over seven million copies sold. She is known for delivering deeply emotional and psychologically astute novels of suspense and romance. Tara is a recipient of the Readers’ Choice Award, a four-time finalist for the RWA RITA® Award, and a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award and the Booksellers’ Best Award. She has had multiple #1 bestseller rankings on Amazon. Tara is the past president of Romance Writers of America and served eight years on that board of directors. She has appeared on national and local TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning, and is a frequent guest speaker. In her spare time Tara likes to travel and enjoys crafting and in-line skating. She is a supporter of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

Dedication For my mother, Penny Gumser. You taught me how to love—and mother—unconditionally. My child, and others. I think that is the best part of me. I love you.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT