Lindsay Longford - Daddy By Decision

Cover Page

Excerpt

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Happy Valentine’s Day! Silhouette Romance’s Valentine to you is our special lineup this month, starting with Daddy by Decision by bestselling, award-winning author Lindsay Longford. When rugged cowboy Buck Riley sees his estranged ex with a child who looks just like him, he believes the little boy is his son. True or not, that belief in his heart—and his love for mother and child-—is all he needs to be a FABULOUS FATHER. And we’re celebrating love and marriage with I’M YOUR GROOM, a five-book promotion about five irresistible heroes who say “I do” for a lifetime of love. In Carolyn Zane’s It’s Raining Grooms, a preacher’s daughter prays for a husband and suddenly finds herself engaged to her gorgeous childhood nemesis. To Wed Again? by DeAnna Talcott tells the story of a divorced couple who are blessed with a second chance at marriage when they become instant parents. Next, in Judith Janeway’s An Accidental Marriage, the maid of honor and the best man are forced to act like the eloped newly weds when the bride’s parents arrive! Plus, two authors sure to become favorites make their Romance debuts this month. In Husband Next Door by Anne Ha, a very confirmed bachelor is reformed into marriage material, and in Wedding Rings and Baby Things by Teresa Southwick, an anyminute mom-to-be says “I do” to a marriage of convenience that leads to a lifetime of love…. I hope you enjoy all six of these wonderful books. Warm wishes, Melissa Senate, Senior Editor Silhouette Books 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 Daddy by Decision Lindsay Longford www.millsandboon.co.uk

Lindsay Longford LINDSAY LONGFORD, like most writers, is a reader. She even reads toothpaste labels in desperation! A former high school English teacher with an M.A. in literature, she began writing romance novels because she wanted to create stories that touched readers’ emotions by transporting them to a world where good things happened to good people and happily-ever-after is possible with a little work. Her first book, Jake’s Child, was nominated for Best New Series Author, Best Silhouette Romance and received a Special Achievement Award for Best First Series Book from Romantic Times. It was also a finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best First Book. Her Silhouette Romance title Annie and the Wise Men won the RITA for the best Traditional Romance of 1993.

Dear George Dear George—I mean, Gopher, I know you’ve found it a little strange to have me hanging around lately. You’re used to having your momma all to yourself, and all of a sudden, here I am, barging in. I surely do appreciate your concern. Fact is, it makes me feel better that your momma has such a strong and stalwart—that means really brave—guy taking care of her. Your momma seems to think that my hanging around with you both is some form of midlife crisis. That means—oh, to heck with what that means. Here’s what’s important: I would never, ever hurt you or your momma. I solemnly swear it, on fish bones and lizard guts and everything that’s brave and true. Maybe someday, you and your momma will find your castle big enough for three. Until then, I shall remain your loyal subject— Jonas “Buck” Riley a.k.a. “Sir Cowboy”

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Afterword

Preview

Copyright

Gopher said with satisfaction. “Right?”

“Yeah,” Buck said slowly, frowning. He stared into the mirror at the two sets of similar blue eyes. He reached out and scooped off some of the shaving cream along the little boy’s chin. Rounded, not like his own angular chin, but with that haunting sense of familiarity he hadn’t been able to pin down.

Crazy, the thought that had flashed through his mind.

Impossible.

Reason argued that he was letting his imagination run away with him. Reason told him that what he suspected couldn’t possibly be true. He knew Gopher could not be his son. But his heart looked in the mirror and told him something else, told him that the impossible could, sometimes, be possible. And wouldn’t the heart recognize the truth?

Jessie’s son.

His?

Dear Reader,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Silhouette Romance’s Valentine to you is our special lineup this month, starting with Daddy by Decision by bestselling, award-winning author Lindsay Longford. When rugged cowboy Buck Riley sees his estranged ex with a child who looks just like him, he believes the little boy is his son. True or not, that belief in his heart—and his love for mother and child-—is all he needs to be a FABULOUS FATHER.

And we’re celebrating love and marriage with I’M YOUR GROOM, a five-book promotion about five irresistible heroes who say “I do” for a lifetime of love. In Carolyn Zane’s It’s Raining Grooms, a preacher’s daughter prays for a husband and suddenly finds herself engaged to her gorgeous childhood nemesis. To Wed Again? by DeAnna Talcott tells the story of a divorced couple who are blessed with a second chance at marriage when they become instant parents. Next, in Judith Janeway’s An Accidental Marriage, the maid of honor and the best man are forced to act like the eloped newly weds when the bride’s parents arrive!

Plus, two authors sure to become favorites make their Romance debuts this month. In Husband Next Door by Anne Ha, a very confirmed bachelor is reformed into marriage material, and in Wedding Rings and Baby Things by Teresa Southwick, an anyminute mom-to-be says “I do” to a marriage of convenience that leads to a lifetime of love….

I hope you enjoy all six of these wonderful books.

Warm wishes,

Melissa Senate,

Senior Editor

Silhouette Books

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

like most writers, is a reader. She even reads toothpaste labels in desperation! A former high school English teacher with an M.A. in literature, she began writing romance novels because she wanted to create stories that touched readers’ emotions by transporting them to a world where good things happened to good people and happily-ever-after is possible with a little work.

Her first book, Jake’s Child, was nominated for Best New Series Author, Best Silhouette Romance and received a Special Achievement Award for Best First Series Book from Romantic Times. It was also a finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best First Book. Her Silhouette Romance title Annie and the Wise Men won the RITA for the best Traditional Romance of 1993.

Dear George—I mean, Gopher,

I know you’ve found it a little strange to have me hanging around lately. You’re used to having your momma all to yourself, and all of a sudden, here I am, barging in.