Cathy Thacker - Wanted - Texas Daddy

A SECRET BABY BARGAIN?

Small Texas towns always have their secrets. Fortunately, no one in Laramie knows about Sage Lockhart’s friends-with-benefits arrangement with hunky cowboy Nick Monroe. And now Sage wants something more from Nick—something that could change the very nature of their relationship. She wants to have his baby.

Nick’s always wanted to take things with Sage to the next level. Maybe this wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, but having a child with Sage is an adventure Nick can’t refuse. Of course, neither of them knew just how complicated things could get. With a baby on the way and all their careful plans unraveling, Sage and Nick must face the one secret they’ve been hiding from themselves...and from each other.

“You have a hankering for my DNA?”

Nick paused, undecipherable emotion in his eyes. “You’re serious.”

More than Sage wanted to admit. She’d been trying to work up the nerve to approach him since the first time they’d hit the sheets. And it was no wonder. It wasn’t just his mesmerizing sky blue eyes, thick, dark hair or masculine good looks. But intelligence and kindness, practicality and innovation, compassion and heart...

And that something special that was all his own. But she couldn’t tell him that. Not without sounding like she’d really gone round the bend.

“You are everything I’d ever want in a baby daddy.”

His sexy grin encouraged her to go on.

“Big. Strong. Handsome.”

He tilted his head, edges of his lips curving seductively. “And here I thought you liked me for my brain.”

“I do.” She batted her lashes flirtatiously. “Your sense of humor, too.”

He grinned. “We do know how to make each other laugh.”

Which was the way they both liked it. Nice. Easy. Uncomplicated.

This could be, too. If only she could make him see...

Wanted: Texas Daddy

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CATHY GILLEN THACKER is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com, for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A SECRET BABY BARGAIN? Small Texas towns always have their secrets. Fortunately, no one in Laramie knows about Sage Lockhart’s friends-with-benefits arrangement with hunky cowboy Nick Monroe. And now Sage wants something more from Nick—something that could change the very nature of their relationship. She wants to have his baby. Nick’s always wanted to take things with Sage to the next level. Maybe this wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, but having a child with Sage is an adventure Nick can’t refuse. Of course, neither of them knew just how complicated things could get. With a baby on the way and all their careful plans unraveling, Sage and Nick must face the one secret they’ve been hiding from themselves...and from each other.

Introduction “You have a hankering for my DNA?” Nick paused, undecipherable emotion in his eyes. “You’re serious.” More than Sage wanted to admit. She’d been trying to work up the nerve to approach him since the first time they’d hit the sheets. And it was no wonder. It wasn’t just his mesmerizing sky blue eyes, thick, dark hair or masculine good looks. But intelligence and kindness, practicality and innovation, compassion and heart... And that something special that was all his own. But she couldn’t tell him that. Not without sounding like she’d really gone round the bend. “You are everything I’d ever want in a baby daddy.” His sexy grin encouraged her to go on. “Big. Strong. Handsome.” He tilted his head, edges of his lips curving seductively. “And here I thought you liked me for my brain.” “I do.” She batted her lashes flirtatiously. “Your sense of humor, too.” He grinned. “We do know how to make each other laugh.” Which was the way they both liked it. Nice. Easy. Uncomplicated. This could be, too. If only she could make him see...

Title Page Wanted: Texas Daddy Cathy Gillen Thacker www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CATHY GILLEN THACKER is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com , for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“You want to have my baby,” Nick Monroe repeated slowly, leading the two horses out of the stables.

Sage Lockhart slid a booted foot into the stirrup and swung herself up into the saddle. She’d figured the Monroe Ranch was the perfect place to have this discussion. Not only was it Nick’s ancestral home, but with Nick the only one living there now, it was completely private.

She drew her flat-brimmed hat straight across her brow. “An unexpected request, I know.”

Yet, she realized as she studied him, noting that the color of his eyes was the same deep blue as the big Texas sky above, he didn’t look all that shocked.

For he better than anyone knew how much she wanted a child. They’d grown quite close ever since she returned to Texas, to claim her inheritance from her late father and help her mother weather a scandal that had rocked the Lockhart family to the core.

So close, in fact, the two of them had been “friends with benefits” for several months now.

Nick’s gaze drifted over her, creating small wildfires in its wake.

With a click of his reins, he turned his horse in the direction of the wide-open pastures behind the Triple Canyon ranch house. He slowed his mount slightly, while waiting for Sage to catch up. “You’re still having second thoughts about using an anonymous donor from the fertility clinic?”

She nodded, enjoying the warm autumn breeze blowing over them. It was a perfect Indian summer afternoon.

Swallowing around the knot of emotion in her throat, Sage admitted, “On the one hand, picking out a potential daddy for my baby via a set of statistics and characteristics seems easy enough.”

Squinting at her, he settled his hat on his head. “Kind of like reading a menu of options.”

“Right.” If only it were that simple, she thought wistfully. Because her mom had been right. Having a baby was an emotional—not a scientific—proposition.