Emilie Richards - The Swallow's Nest

Three women fight for the chance to raise the child they’ve all come to love

When Lilia Swallow’s husband, Graham, goes into remission after a challenging year of treatment for lymphoma, the home and lifestyle blogger throws a party. Their best friends and colleagues attend to celebrate his recovery, but just as the party is in full swing, a new guest arrives. She presents Lilia with a beautiful baby boy, and vanishes.

Toby is Graham’s darkest secret—his son, conceived in a moment of despair. Lilia is utterly unprepared for the betrayal the baby represents, and perhaps more so for the love she begins to feel once her shock subsides. Now this unasked-for precious gift becomes a life changer for three women: Lilia, who takes him into her home and heart; Marina, who bore and abandoned him until circumstance and grief changed her mind; and Ellen, who sees in him a chance to correct the mistakes she made with her own son, Toby’s father.

A custody battle begins, and each would-be mother must examine her heart, confront her choices and weigh her dreams against the fate of one vulnerable little boy. Each woman will redefine family, belonging and love—and the results will alter the course of not only their lives, but also the lives of everyone they care for.

Praise for the novels of Emilie Richards

“I emerged at the last page as a better and more thoughtful person.”

—Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author, on When We Were Sisters

“Straightforward, honest, and uplifting.”

—New York Journal of Books on When We Were Sisters

“Emilie Richards is at the top of her game in this richly rewarding tale of love and family and the ties that bind us all. One Mountain Away is everything I want in a novel and more. A must-buy!”

—Barbara Bretton, New York Times bestselling author

“Richards creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere that slowly builds to the final pages, and continues to echo after the book is finished.”

—Publishers Weekly on One Mountain Away

“This is emotional, suspenseful drama filled with hope and love.”

—Library Journal on No River Too Wide

“Portraying the uncomfortable subject of domestic abuse with unflinching thoroughness and tender understanding...offers important insights into a far too prevalent social problem.”

—Booklist on No River Too Wide

“A juicy, sprawling beach read with a suspenseful twist.”

—Publishers Weekly on Fortunate Harbor

“A multi-layered plot, vivid descriptions and a keen sense of place and time.”

—Library Journal on Rising Tides

“Richards’s ability to portray compelling characters who grapple with challenging family issues is laudable, and this well-crafted tale should score well with fans of Luanne Rice and Kristin Hannah.”

—Publishers Weekly on Fox River, starred review

The Swallow’s Nest

Emilie Richards

To Jessie, my daughter, who has been and always will be a great joy in my life. Thanks for insisting I watch Maleficent.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Three women fight for the chance to raise the child they’ve all come to love When Lilia Swallow’s husband, Graham, goes into remission after a challenging year of treatment for lymphoma, the home and lifestyle blogger throws a party. Their best friends and colleagues attend to celebrate his recovery, but just as the party is in full swing, a new guest arrives. She presents Lilia with a beautiful baby boy, and vanishes. Toby is Graham’s darkest secret—his son, conceived in a moment of despair. Lilia is utterly unprepared for the betrayal the baby represents, and perhaps more so for the love she begins to feel once her shock subsides. Now this unasked-for precious gift becomes a life changer for three women: Lilia, who takes him into her home and heart; Marina, who bore and abandoned him until circumstance and grief changed her mind; and Ellen, who sees in him a chance to correct the mistakes she made with her own son, Toby’s father. A custody battle begins, and each would-be mother must examine her heart, confront her choices and weigh her dreams against the fate of one vulnerable little boy. Each woman will redefine family, belonging and love—and the results will alter the course of not only their lives, but also the lives of everyone they care for.

Praise Praise for the novels of Emilie Richards “I emerged at the last page as a better and more thoughtful person.” —Catherine Anderson, New York Times bestselling author, on When We Were Sisters “Straightforward, honest, and uplifting.” —New York Journal of Books on When We Were Sisters “Emilie Richards is at the top of her game in this richly rewarding tale of love and family and the ties that bind us all. One Mountain Away is everything I want in a novel and more. A must-buy!” —Barbara Bretton, New York Times bestselling author “Richards creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere that slowly builds to the final pages, and continues to echo after the book is finished.” —Publishers Weekly on One Mountain Away “This is emotional, suspenseful drama filled with hope and love.” —Library Journal on No River Too Wide “Portraying the uncomfortable subject of domestic abuse with unflinching thoroughness and tender understanding...offers important insights into a far too prevalent social problem.” —Booklist on No River Too Wide “A juicy, sprawling beach read with a suspenseful twist.” —Publishers Weekly on Fortunate Harbor “A multi-layered plot, vivid descriptions and a keen sense of place and time.” —Library Journal on Rising Tides “Richards’s ability to portray compelling characters who grapple with challenging family issues is laudable, and this well-crafted tale should score well with fans of Luanne Rice and Kristin Hannah.” —Publishers Weekly on Fox River, starred review

Title Page The Swallow’s Nest Emilie Richards

Dedication To Jessie, my daughter, who has been and always will be a great joy in my life. Thanks for insisting I watch Maleficent.

PART I PART I Choosing the right colony is the first of many tasks for Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, the cliff Swallow. As primary homemaker the female investigates existing colonies before she decides where she and her mate should reside. Male and female build a nest and raise their young together, but sometimes both mate with others, too. “Our Songbirds, Ourselves: A Tale of Two Species,” from the editors of Ornithology Today.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

PART II

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

PART III

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

PART IV

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

PART V

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Acknowledgments

The Swallow’s Nest Reader’s Guide

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

PART I

Choosing the right colony is the first of many tasks for Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, the cliff Swallow. As primary homemaker the female investigates existing colonies before she decides where she and her mate should reside.