Linda Varner - Corporate Groom

“So a spouse is included in your future plans?” Reo asked her. “So a spouse is included in your future plans?” Reo asked her. “Of course.” Rusty frowned. “Isn’t one included in yours?” “Actually, no.” “Are you serious?” “I don’t have time for that kind of commitment. I’ve got a business to run.” “Oh.” She appeared stunned. “But don’t you want children?” “Can’t say that I do.” Rusty stared at him as though he were some kind of alien. “I love kids myself. I’m going to marry a wonderful man and have at least four.” “Four!” Reo nearly choked. “You’re talking years of childbearing, Rusty. I assume you’ve already scheduled your Mr. Right for an imminent walk down the aisle. Otherwise you are going to run out of time.” “Thanks for the reality check,” Rusty said snappishly, indicating that there was no Mr. Right in sight. But her attitude made one thing clear: she would be a challenge to any man. And Reo liked challenges.... Letter to Reader Dear Reader, Silhouette Romance is celebrating the month of valentines with six very special love stones—and three brand-new miniseries you don’t want to miss. On Baby Patrol, our BUNDLE OF JOY selection, by bestselling author Sharon De Vita, is book one of her wonderful series, LULLABIES AND LOVE, about a legendary cradle that brings love to three brothers who are officers of the law. In Granted: Big Sky Groom, Carol Grace begins her sparkling new series, BEST-KEPT WISHES, in which three high school friends’ prom-night wishes are finally about to be granted. Author Julianna Morris tells the delightful story of a handsome doctor whose life is turned topsy-turvy when he becomes the guardian of his orphaned niece in Dr. Dad. And in Cathleen Galitz’s spirited tole, 100% Pure Cowboy, a woman returns home from a mother-daughter bonding trip with the husband of her dreams. Next is Corporate Groom, which starts Linda Varna’s terrific new miniseries, THREE WEDDINGS AND A FAMILY, about long-lost relatives who find a family. And finally, in With This Child..., Sally Carleen tells the compelling story of a woman whose baby was switched at birth—and the single father who will do anything to keep his child. I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Romance’s love stories this month. And next month, in March, be sure to look for The Princess Bride by bestselling author Diana Palmer, which launches Silhouette Romance’s new monthly promotional ministries, VIRGIN BRIDES. Regards, Joan Marlow Golan Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3 Title Page Corporate Groom Linda Varner www.millsandboon.co.uk Dedication This book is dedicated to Jean Price, the best of agents and a treasured friend. About the Author LINDA VARNER confesses she is a hopeless romantic. Nothing is more thrilling, she believes, than the battle of wits between a man and a woman who are meant for each other but just don’t know it yet! Linda enjoys writing romance fiction and considers herself very lucky to have been both a RITA finalist and a third-place winner in the National Readers’ Choice Awards in 1993. A full-time federal employee, Linda lives in Arkansas with her husband and their two children. She loves to hear from readers. Write to her at 813 Oak St., Suite 10A-277, Conway, AR 72032. Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Epilogue Copyright

“So a spouse is included in your future plans?” Reo asked her.

“Of course.” Rusty frowned. “Isn’t one included in yours?”

“Actually, no.”

“Are you serious?”

“I don’t have time for that kind of commitment. I’ve got a business to run.”

“Oh.” She appeared stunned. “But don’t you want children?”

“Can’t say that I do.”

Rusty stared at him as though he were some kind of alien. “I love kids myself. I’m going to marry a wonderful man and have at least four.”

“Four!” Reo nearly choked. “You’re talking years of childbearing, Rusty. I assume you’ve already scheduled your Mr. Right for an imminent walk down the aisle. Otherwise you are going to run out of time.”

“Thanks for the reality check,” Rusty said snappishly, indicating that there was no Mr. Right in sight. But her attitude made one thing clear: she would be a challenge to any man.

And Reo liked challenges....

Dear Reader,

Silhouette Romance is celebrating the month of valentines with six very special love stones—and three brand-new miniseries you don’t want to miss. On Baby Patrol, our BUNDLE OF JOY selection, by bestselling author Sharon De Vita, is book one of her wonderful series, LULLABIES AND LOVE, about a legendary cradle that brings love to three brothers who are officers of the law.

In Granted: Big Sky Groom, Carol Grace begins her sparkling new series, BEST-KEPT WISHES, in which three high school friends’ prom-night wishes are finally about to be granted. Author Julianna Morris tells the delightful story of a handsome doctor whose life is turned topsy-turvy when he becomes the guardian of his orphaned niece in Dr. Dad. And in Cathleen Galitz’s spirited tole, 100% Pure Cowboy, a woman returns home from a mother-daughter bonding trip with the husband of her dreams.

Next is Corporate Groom, which starts Linda Varna’s terrific new miniseries, THREE WEDDINGS AND A FAMILY, about long-lost relatives who find a family. And finally, in With This Child..., Sally Carleen tells the compelling story of a woman whose baby was switched at birth—and the single father who will do anything to keep his child.

I hope you enjoy all six of Silhouette Romance’s love stories this month. And next month, in March, be sure to look for The Princess Bride by bestselling author Diana Palmer, which launches Silhouette Romance’s new monthly promotional ministries, VIRGIN BRIDES.

Regards, Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This book is dedicated to Jean Price,

the best of agents and a treasured friend.

LINDA VARNER confesses she is a hopeless romantic. Nothing is more thrilling, she believes, than the battle of wits between a man and a woman who are meant for each other but just don’t know it yet! Linda enjoys writing romance fiction and considers herself very lucky to have been both a RITA finalist and a third-place winner in the National Readers’ Choice Awards in 1993.

A full-time federal employee, Linda lives in Arkansas with her husband and their two children. She loves to hear from readers. Write to her at 813 Oak St., Suite 10A-277, Conway, AR 72032.

Chapter One

“Hold that elevator!”

Reo Sampson registered with shock the gossamer attire of the red-haired woman scurrying around the corner, calling out to him. He quickly stuffed into his pocket the ID badge he’d just found on the parking deck of his building, then threw out a hand and caught the doors that had been about to close.

So what if he was running a bit late today? No man could resist an elevator ride with an angel—assuming, of course, that’s what this woman was supposed to be. The white ankle-length gown that swirled about her with every movement could just as easily costume a fairy, now that he thought about it.

The angel-fairy rewarded Reo’s quick action with a smile of thanks so dazzling he wished for his sunglasses. He noted that the color of her long, curly hair exactly matched the coat of an Irish setter who’d once owned him, and for one brief second he was a lonely tenyear-old again with only a dog for a best friend.