Lauryn Chandler - The Drifter's Gift

Cover Page

Excerpt “Sam Mclean, I could kiss you for what you did for my son tonight,” Dani began. Sam went absolutely still. The air between them whispered madly with electricity. Dani flushed. “I mean, it was…I was…” Sam’s eyes glowed. “I like the way you put it the first time.” Moving slowly, he came to her side. His powerful shoulders gave the impression of strength and command, but the hand that reached out to touch her cheek was infinitely gentle. As she stood in the living room, with the house redolent of the aroma of dinner and echoing with the sound of a child’s bedtime prayers, Dani looked into this mystery man’s eyes—the same man who poured ketchup on her roast beef hash and dried her dishes and made her heart race every time she looked at him—and realized something. This must be what it’s like to be married.

Dear Reader Dear Reader, The holiday season is a time for family, love…and miracles! We have all this—and more!—for you this month in Silhouette Romance. So in the gift-giving spirit, we offer you these wonderful books by some of the genre’s finest A workaholic executive finds a baby in his in-box and enlists the help of the sexy single mom next door in this month’s BUNDLES OF JOY, The Baby Came C.O.D., by RITA Award-winner Marie Ferrarella. Both hero and heroine are twins, and Marie tells their identical siblings’ stories in Desperately Seeking Twin, out this month in our Yours Truly line. Favorite author Elizabeth August continues our MEN! promotion with Paternal Instincts. This latest installment in her SMYTHESHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS series features an irresistible lone wolf turned doting dad! As a special treat, Carolyn Zane’s sizzling family drama, THE BRUBAKER BRIDES, continues with His Brother’s Intended Bride —the title says it all! Completing the month are three classic holiday romances. A world-weary hunk becomes The Dad Who Saved Christmas in this magical tale by Karen Rose Smith. Discover The Drifter’s Gift in RITA Award-winning author Lauryn Chandler’s emotional story. Finally, debut author Zena Valentine weaves a tale of transformation—and miracles—in From Humbug to Holiday Bride. So treat yourself this month—and every month!—to Silhouette Romance! Happy holidays, 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 The Drifter’s Gift Lauryn Chandler www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication With deep gratitude to Lynda Curnyn, editor, for her kindness and care in helping me finish this book. Dedicated to Tim Blough—old friend, new husband!—whose arms are the warmest place I know. And to Laura Lea Seidenberg Warren, 1930-1997. You gave me life and, with the courage of a lion, the gentleness of a lamb, showed me how to live it. How I miss you. L’chaim, Little Lady. To life.

About the Author LAURYN CHANDLER Originally from California, Lauryn now lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she can look out her window and see deer walking down the street. She holds a B.A. in Drama, and when not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and husband, going for long hikes with her dogs and finding new ways to cheat at Crazy Eights. Lauryn is the recipient of the 1995 Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Traditional Romance.

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

Copyright

Sam went absolutely still. The air between them whispered madly with electricity.

Dani flushed. “I mean, it was…I was…”

Sam’s eyes glowed. “I like the way you put it the first time.”

Moving slowly, he came to her side. His powerful shoulders gave the impression of strength and command, but the hand that reached out to touch her cheek was infinitely gentle.

As she stood in the living room, with the house redolent of the aroma of dinner and echoing with the sound of a child’s bedtime prayers, Dani looked into this mystery man’s eyes—the same man who poured ketchup on her roast beef hash and dried her dishes and made her heart race every time she looked at him—and realized something.

This must be what it’s like to be married.

Dear Reader,

The holiday season is a time for family, love…and miracles! We have all this—and more!—for you this month in Silhouette Romance. So in the gift-giving spirit, we offer you these wonderful books by some of the genre’s finest

A workaholic executive finds a baby in his in-box and enlists the help of the sexy single mom next door in this month’s BUNDLES OF JOY, The Baby Came C.O.D., by RITA Award-winner Marie Ferrarella. Both hero and heroine are twins, and Marie tells their identical siblings’ stories in Desperately Seeking Twin, out this month in our Yours Truly line.

Favorite author Elizabeth August continues our MEN! promotion with Paternal Instincts. This latest installment in her SMYTHESHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS series features an irresistible lone wolf turned doting dad! As a special treat, Carolyn Zane’s sizzling family drama, THE BRUBAKER BRIDES, continues with His Brother’s Intended Bride —the title says it all!

Completing the month are three classic holiday romances. A world-weary hunk becomes The Dad Who Saved Christmas in this magical tale by Karen Rose Smith. Discover The Drifter’s Gift in RITA Award-winning author Lauryn Chandler’s emotional story. Finally, debut author Zena Valentine weaves a tale of transformation—and miracles—in From Humbug to Holiday Bride.

So treat yourself this month—and every month!—to Silhouette Romance!

Happy holidays,

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

With deep gratitude to Lynda Curnyn, editor, for her kindness and

care in helping me finish this book.

Dedicated to Tim Blough—old friend, new husband!—whose arms

are the warmest place I know.

And to Laura Lea Seidenberg Warren, 1930-1997. You gave me

life and, with the courage of a lion, the gentleness of a lamb, showed me how to live it. How I miss you. L’chaim, Little Lady. To life.

Originally from California, Lauryn now lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where she can look out her window and see deer walking down the street. She holds a B.A. in Drama, and when not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and husband, going for long hikes with her dogs and finding new ways to cheat at Crazy Eights.

Lauryn is the recipient of the 1995 Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Traditional Romance.

“Look, Daddy, Teacher says every time a bell rings another angel gets his wings.”

“That’s right. That’s right! Atta boy, Clarence.”

The last lines of It’s a Wonderful Life competed with the phlegmy hiss of a decrepit heating unit in the corner of Sam Mclean’s motel room.