Heidi McCahan - The Firefighter's Twins

One single dad plus twin toddlers

A formula for her new family?

Since his wife left, fireman Shay Campbell has focused on work and his twin toddlers. But the lovely Natalie McDowell is making him rethink that decision. She’s great with his boys, and they adore her. But he can’t go through losing someone again. Will a dream job offer win Natalie’s heart, or does it belong to Shay and the twins?

HEIDI McCAHAN is a Pacific Northwest girl at heart, but now resides in North Carolina with her husband and three boys. When she isn’t writing inspirational romance novels, Heidi can usually be found reading a book, enjoying a cup of coffee and avoiding the laundry pile. She’s also a huge fan of dark chocolate and her adorable goldendoodle, Finn. She enjoys connecting with readers, so please visit her website, heidimccahan.com.

Also By Heidi McCahan

Love Inspired

The Firefighter’s Twins

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

The Firefighter’s Twins

Heidi McCahan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08432-1

THE FIREFIGHTER’S TWINS

© 2018 Heidi Blankenship

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

“Maybe our duck could race your dad and brother’s duck?”

Shay’s small son studied Natalie as if he couldn’t quite decide what to make of her offer. Then he took her hand and walked with her.

“Oh, good. I’m so glad you’re here to help me.” Natalie gave Shay a smile that made his insides do crazy things.

“Are you guys ready?”

“Oh, right.” Shay forced himself to focus on the duck and not Natalie’s playful smile.

“Okay, on my count. One, two, three. Go!” she yelled.

At the last second, Natalie and Liam’s duck surged ahead and toppled off the trough and into the bin at the other end.

“Great job, buddy.” She scooped Liam up and twirled him around. “We did it.”

Liam tipped his face to the sky, giggling as he clutched the sleeves of her sweater.

Shay’s heart expanded at the sheer joy on Liam’s face and Natalie’s willingness to jump in and play.

Didn’t she know how much she meant to them already?

How much she meant to him?

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading The Firefighter’s Twins . It was inspired by a field trip I took with my kids to a former tobacco farm that was transformed into an outdoor playground and pumpkin patch. When we drove past a beautiful restored livery that had become a wedding venue, goose bumps shot down my arms, and suddenly a new plot was germinating. Little did I know all the ways God would challenge me and help me grow as a writer through the creative process. I spontaneously entered this story in Harlequin’s Blurb to Book contest, and while I didn’t win, the decision to boldly submit my work ultimately led me to becoming a Harlequin Love Inspired author, which is a dream come true.

I think my experience writing this novel is reflected in Natalie’s journey as a character. She longs to chase her dreams, yet struggles to trust God’s sovereign plan for her life, especially when obstacles arise. I hope Shay and Natalie’s story inspires you to step out in faith and chase those big dreams God has planted in your heawrt, as well as cling to the knowledge that God is good and He is always for us.

I love hearing from readers, and you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and at HeidiMcCahan.com. All subscribers to my e-newsletter receive a free novella that isn’t available anywhere else. By the way, if you enjoyed The Firefighter’s Twins and would post an honest review online, I’d be grateful.

Blessings,

Heidi McCahan

To Davis, Leland, Jonah, Micah, Eli and Luke, who inspired the twin boys in this novel. Thank you. May you continue to spread joy and laughter wherever you go.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Bible Verse

Dear Reader

Dedication

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

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Natalie McDowell paced the courtyard in front of the white clapboard barn, her stomach twisted in knots. As the silver BMW convertible turned down the magnolia-lined drive, she swiped her clammy palms against the skirt of her navy blue sundress. You’ve got this . Treat her like any other potential client. Only that was the problem. This wasn’t just any client. Karen Thomas owned Forever Love, North Carolina’s premier event planning firm. She’d asked to schedule a consultation and a walk-through. What did she want with Magnolia Lane?

Determined to be prepared for any possible scenario, Natalie had stayed up well past midnight, ensuring every inch of the restored livery was fit for royalty.

Easing to a stop, the woman behind the wheel flashed a bright smile and offered a casual wave. Natalie waved back, silently praying her legs would stop quaking before Karen stepped out of her car.

“Hello,” the petite blonde called as she emerged, tanned and flawless in her white slacks and silky red blouse. She thrust out a French-manicured hand. “Karen Thomas, from Forever Love. You must be Natalie.”