Kristen Ethridge - Second Chance Sweethearts

A Stormy Reunion

Nurse-midwife Gloria Rodriguez prides herself on her independence—but right now she needs help. There’s a hurricane approaching and she has one very pregnant patient on her hands. With so many people already evacuated, the only one Gloria can turn to is Rigo Vasquez, chief of the beach patrol in Port Provident. The man she holds responsible for the death of her husband. Rigo needs to make amends for his past mistakes, and Gloria’s desperate phone call opens the door to make things right with his first love. Rigo is honor-bound to keep her and her patient safe, but once the storm passes, will Gloria still need him?

“Vasquez.”

Although she hadn’t spoken to Rodrigo Vasquez in longer than she cared to remember, his short salutation made time stand still, and Gloria realized she knew his voice almost as well as she knew her own.

“Rigo, it’s Gloria. I need your help.” There was no time to catch up, which thankfully meant they wouldn’t have to discuss the night her husband died or why Rigo shut himself out of her life shortly thereafter.

“Gloria.” Rigo paused. “Wow, it’s been a while. What do you need?”

He didn’t hang up on her, so that was a start. Even though merely rediscovering his number in her contacts list made her shake with fear and memories, Gloria knew calling Rigo was the right move. She had to do whatever it took for the health and safety of her patient—even if it affected the safety of her heart.

Quickly, in her mind, she prayed he wouldn’t leave her all alone again, not at this moment when she needed official help so badly.

The writing bug bit KRISTEN ETHRIDGE around the time she first held a pencil. She especially enjoys crafting stories of happily-ever-after combined with God’s love—the greatest happily-ever-after. A Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award finalist, she lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. She would love for you to visit her online at kristenethridge.comor on Facebook at KristenEthridgeBooks.

Second Chance

Sweethearts

Kristen Ethridge

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you.

—Isaiah 43:1–2

I couldn’t have written a story about an above-and-beyond midwife if I hadn’t been blessed to have known four of the best. To Melanie Dossey, CNM, Katherine Grimes Read, CNM, Kathleen Mayorga, CNM, and Lisa Black, LM, CPM, thank you for being a part of the days my girls were born. I have nothing but wonderful memories of each of their births and it’s due in large part to your kindness, skill and trust in the process. I wish every mama could be in such caring, compassionate and knowledgeable hands during pregnancy and birth.

And to the first responders of Galveston, Texas, during Hurricane Ike, and my fellow residents who lived through Ike and then rebuilt our island even better than before, this book is for you. Thank you for being the greatest community of caring, generous people who discovered their own strength through adversity. Even though life’s path has taken me off the island now, I’ll always be proud to be B.O.I.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Stormy Reunion Nurse-midwife Gloria Rodriguez prides herself on her independence—but right now she needs help. There’s a hurricane approaching and she has one very pregnant patient on her hands. With so many people already evacuated, the only one Gloria can turn to is Rigo Vasquez, chief of the beach patrol in Port Provident. The man she holds responsible for the death of her husband. Rigo needs to make amends for his past mistakes, and Gloria’s desperate phone call opens the door to make things right with his first love. Rigo is honor-bound to keep her and her patient safe, but once the storm passes, will Gloria still need him?

Introduction “Vasquez.” Although she hadn’t spoken to Rodrigo Vasquez in longer than she cared to remember, his short salutation made time stand still, and Gloria realized she knew his voice almost as well as she knew her own. “Rigo, it’s Gloria. I need your help.” There was no time to catch up, which thankfully meant they wouldn’t have to discuss the night her husband died or why Rigo shut himself out of her life shortly thereafter. “Gloria.” Rigo paused. “Wow, it’s been a while. What do you need?” He didn’t hang up on her, so that was a start. Even though merely rediscovering his number in her contacts list made her shake with fear and memories, Gloria knew calling Rigo was the right move. She had to do whatever it took for the health and safety of her patient—even if it affected the safety of her heart. Quickly, in her mind, she prayed he wouldn’t leave her all alone again, not at this moment when she needed official help so badly.

About the Author The writing bug bit KRISTEN ETHRIDGE around the time she first held a pencil. She especially enjoys crafting stories of happily-ever-after combined with God’s love—the greatest happily-ever-after. A Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award finalist, she lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. She would love for you to visit her online at kristenethridge.com or on Facebook at KristenEthridgeBooks .

Title Page Second Chance Sweethearts Kristen Ethridge www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. —Isaiah 43:1–2

Dedication I couldn’t have written a story about an above-and-beyond midwife if I hadn’t been blessed to have known four of the best. To Melanie Dossey, CNM, Katherine Grimes Read, CNM, Kathleen Mayorga, CNM, and Lisa Black, LM, CPM, thank you for being a part of the days my girls were born. I have nothing but wonderful memories of each of their births and it’s due in large part to your kindness, skill and trust in the process. I wish every mama could be in such caring, compassionate and knowledgeable hands during pregnancy and birth. And to the first responders of Galveston, Texas, during Hurricane Ike, and my fellow residents who lived through Ike and then rebuilt our island even better than before, this book is for you. Thank you for being the greatest community of caring, generous people who discovered their own strength through adversity. Even though life’s path has taken me off the island now, I’ll always be proud to be B.O.I.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

As a midwife, Gloria Garcia Rodriguez knew all too well how life could change in twenty-four hours, and today was no exception. By tomorrow, Hurricane Hope would be too close for comfort to Gloria’s island home.

On Monday, the Texas Gulf Coast looked in the clear.

On Tuesday, forecasters said the mass of clouds churning in the Gulf of Mexico had wobbled to the west.

And now, on Wednesday, the red line of the hurricane tracker drew a bull’s-eye for Port Provident, Texas. If everything stayed on track, it would be here soon. The swirl of violent weather was too close and moving too fast.

Gloria had tried by phone to reach Tanna DeLong, a midwifery client due to give birth any day now, but there’d been no answer.