Jennifer Mikels - The Fertility Factor

Derek’s deep-set, hazel eyes narrowed with concern. They were filled with immeasurable warmth as he asked, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” The world is spinning, and I’m getting older. And all I can think about is how sexy you look.

“Do you need anything?”

She shook her head, thinking she might tell him how she ached to hold her own baby someday. “Are you here with your son?” she asked, straining for a smile. He’d make beautiful babies, she decided.

“Joey and I came to the park to play catch. And for his favorite, hot dogs.”

“That’s a favorite of mine, too.” Lara stood up to leave. “Well, I’ll see you back at the office.” She swung away, smiling. With excruciating honesty, she admitted how difficult it was to ignore the emotions he stirred within her.

“Lara?”

In midstride, she paused and shot a look over her shoulder at him.

His long, hard look nearly melted her bones. “You look terrific.”

Breathe, Lara, breathe. “Thank you.”

Dear Reader,

We’re delighted to feature Jennifer Mikels, who penned the second story in our multiple-baby-focused series, MANHATTAN MULTIPLES. Jennifer writes, “To me, there’s something wonderfully romantic about a doctor-nurse story and about a crush developing into a forever love. In The Fertility Factor (#1559), a woman’s love touches a man’s heart and teaches him that what he thought was impossible is within his reach if he’ll trust her enough.”

Sherryl Woods continues to captivate us with Daniel’s Desire (#1555), the conclusion of her celebrated miniseries THE DEVANEYS. When a runaway girl crosses their paths, a hero and heroine reunite despite their tragic past. And don’t miss Prince and Future…Dad? (#1556), the second book in Christine Rimmer’s exciting miniseries VIKING BRIDES, in which a princess experiences a night of passion and gets the surprise of a lifetime! Quinn’s Woman (#1557), by Susan Mallery is the next in her longtime-favorite HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKERS miniseries. Here, a self-defense expert never expects to find hand-to-heart combat with her rugged instructor….

Return to the latest branch of popular miniseries MONTANA MAVERICKS: THE KINGSLEYS with Marry Me…Again (#1558) by Cheryl St. John. This dramatic tale shows a married couple experiencing some emotional bumps—namely that their marriage is invalid! Will they break all ties or rediscover a love that’s always been there? Then, Found in Lost Valley (#1560) by Laurie Paige, the fourth title in her SEVEN DEVILS miniseries, is about two people with secrets in their pasts, but who can’t deny the rising tensions between them!

As you can see, we have a lively batch of stories, delivering diversity and emotion in each romance.

Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Karen Taylor Richman

Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

is from Chicago, Illinois, but resides now in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, two sons and a shepherd-collie. She enjoys reading, sports, antiques, yard sales and long walks. Though she’s done technical writing in public relations, she loves writing romances and happy endings.

MANHATTAN MULTIPLES

So much excitement happening at once!

The doors of Manhattan Multiples might close.

The mayor and Eloise Vale once had a thing.

Someone on the staff is pregnant

and is keeping it a secret.

Romance and drama—and so many babies in the big city!

Dr. Derek Cross—Best-looking single-dad doctor in the city, or at least that’s what Lara Mancini thinks. But with a painful divorce under his belt and his busy life, will Derek surrender to secret fantasies about his nurse?

Lara Mancini—Dr Cross’s nurse is in love with her boss. And while Lara loves taking care of people, her biological clock is ticking. Will she and Derek find a way to stop time in its tracks?

Allison Baker—Assistant to Manhattan Multiples’ director, this shy beauty is about to let loose for the first time in her life. And when she does, one Prince Charming will find her irresistible and will go to the ends of the earth to find his runaway princess.

A man walks into a bar…and meets the woman of his dreams. Can a firefighting hero and a vivacious free-spirit pull off the performance of a lifetime without falling in love? Find out in next month’s HIS PRETEND FIANCÉE, by Victoria Pade (SE #1564).

Prologue

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

“D addy, I’m talking about a girlfriend.”

Derek Cross set a hand on his five-year-old son’s shoulder and slowed their pace to weave a path around pigeons pecking at the cement. “You have a girlfriend?” he asked while he urged his son into Central Park.

Head back, Joey squinched his nose. “Not me.”

He’d thought his son was still in his I-don’t-like-girls stage. “So who has one?”

“No one does.”

Where was this conversation going? Derek wondered. Through sunglasses, he squinted up at the clear blue sky and bright summer sun. Usually he had no trouble following his son’s disorganized conversations. “Joey, let’s start over.”

“Can I have an ice cream?” Joey asked, pointing in the direction of a vendor.

Derek ran a hand over the top of Joey’s shiny, dark-brown hair, then plopped the baseball cap back on the boy’s head. “After lunch.”

“If we have lunch, will we get home in time?”

“In time for what?” What was his concern this time? At five, Joey fretted with the expertise of a forty-year-old. “Mommy doesn’t come for you today,” Derek reminded him.

“The ball game, Daddy. You said you’d have time to watch it with me.”

“Some of it. Joey, about what you were saying. Who has a girlfriend?”

Imitating a professional ballplayer’s actions, Joey slapped the baseball into his mitt. “You need one.”

“I—” The last time he’d been speechless had been the day Joey was born. “I…need one?”

“Uh-huh. Someone special.”

Derek managed not to laugh. “Why do I?”

“Because you’re lonely.”

That was news to him. Busy described his life better. Between his medical practice and his son, he hadn’t had time to bother with more than casual dating. But even if he had more time, after his marriage had failed, he’d vowed never again. Love was the last thing he wanted. “Who said I am?” Derek asked, certain someone had put the idea in Joey’s head.

“Mommy says so.”

He should have known. Leave it to Rose. Despite the divorce three years ago—because he and Rose had parted amicably, she never hesitated to voice her opinion about his love life or, in her words, “lack of it.”

“Mommy’s going on a date,” Joey added.

Derek had heard, wished her well. But he understood now what was happening. Rose figured if she was dating, it was time for him, too. They needed to talk. “What else did Mommy say?”

“She said she’s going on a vacation before she clapses.”

Derek chuckled. “Before she clapses.”

“That’s what she said.”

“I believe you, Joey.” He checked his watch, promised himself he wouldn’t do that again while with Joey, but mentally he calculated time. With luck, before he had to leave for appointments, he’d manage to watch two innings of the ball game with his son.