Missy Tippens - The Doctor's Second Chance

The Bachelor’s Baby

Jake West’s troubled cousin leaves him with a most unusual parting gift—her newborn baby girl! And now the small-town contractor is forced to seek help from the very woman he resents—the new big-city pediatrician who practically stole his uncle’s practice, Violet Crenshaw. Violet knows she shouldn’t be consorting with the enemy. But she can’t resist the adorable baby and her handsome new caretaker. Violet traded her chance at motherhood for her career years ago. But raising a family with Jake could be everything she’s ever wanted.

The three of you make a beautiful family.

A knot formed in her throat. Ever since that stranger’s comment, she’d had to battle the thrill it brought.

The baby whimpered.

Time to forget her silly emotions and take care of Abigail. And make dinner for Jake.

Pressing her cheek to Abigail’s head, she inhaled her sweet smell. Longing tugged at her insides, and she had to tamp it back into the safe prison it had been in for years.

She’d just finished cooking and changed clothes when the front door opened.

“I’m home,” Jake called, his deep voice sending her stomach flying as if she’d reached the highest point of a Ferris wheel.

Jake stepped into the kitchen…and whistled.

“I’m glad you appreciate a home-cooked meal.”

His eyes swept her from head to toe. “I meant you, Violet. You look beautiful.”

Born and raised in Kentucky, MISSY TIPPENS met her very own hero when she headed to grad school in Atlanta, Georgia. She promptly fell in love and has lived in Georgia ever since. She and her pastor husband have been married for over twenty-five years and have been blessed with three children. After ten years of pursuing her publishing dream, Missy made her first sale to Love Inspired in 2007.

The Doctor’s

Second Chance

Missy Tippens

www.millsandboon.co.uk

And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God, to them

who are the called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

To the talented and dedicated physicians who’ve cared for my children through the years.

To God, who is loving, patient and good.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright

Many thanks to my amazing

and generous Seekerville blog sisters

for helping me brainstorm this story!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Bachelor’s Baby Jake West’s troubled cousin leaves him with a most unusual parting gift—her newborn baby girl! And now the small-town contractor is forced to seek help from the very woman he resents—the new big-city pediatrician who practically stole his uncle’s practice, Violet Crenshaw. Violet knows she shouldn’t be consorting with the enemy. But she can’t resist the adorable baby and her handsome new caretaker. Violet traded her chance at motherhood for her career years ago. But raising a family with Jake could be everything she’s ever wanted.

Introduction The three of you make a beautiful family. A knot formed in her throat. Ever since that stranger’s comment, she’d had to battle the thrill it brought. The baby whimpered. Time to forget her silly emotions and take care of Abigail. And make dinner for Jake. Pressing her cheek to Abigail’s head, she inhaled her sweet smell. Longing tugged at her insides, and she had to tamp it back into the safe prison it had been in for years. She’d just finished cooking and changed clothes when the front door opened. “I’m home,” Jake called, his deep voice sending her stomach flying as if she’d reached the highest point of a Ferris wheel. Jake stepped into the kitchen…and whistled. “I’m glad you appreciate a home-cooked meal.” His eyes swept her from head to toe. “I meant you, Violet. You look beautiful.”

About the Author Born and raised in Kentucky, MISSY TIPPENS met her very own hero when she headed to grad school in Atlanta, Georgia. She promptly fell in love and has lived in Georgia ever since. She and her pastor husband have been married for over twenty-five years and have been blessed with three children. After ten years of pursuing her publishing dream, Missy made her first sale to Love Inspired in 2007.

Title Page The Doctor’s Second Chance Missy Tippens www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. —Romans 8:28

Dedication To the talented and dedicated physicians who’ve cared for my children through the years. To God, who is loving, patient and good.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright Many thanks to my amazing and generous Seekerville blog sisters for helping me brainstorm this story!

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

S urely this isn’t happening.

A baby, its tiny lips puckered, slept in a car seat at Jake West’s feet. The child suddenly whimpered and jerked as if startled.

Jake’s insides jerked in response.

He dragged his gaze back to his cousin with her hair in a messy ponytail and no makeup. His heart banged against his ribs. “You can’t do this, Remy.”

With red-rimmed eyes, she stared at the baby.

Had she been crying or— “Are you high?”

She sighed. “No, I’ve been clean for a year.”

“Then come on, don’t be talking crazy.”

“You owe me, Jake.”

He’d heard those words the last time she’d popped into town—long enough to steal his wallet. “I don’t owe you anything.” His conscience pricked. Maybe he did. Maybe he was the whole reason for her problems.

A freebie diaper bag plastered with hospital and baby product logos slid down her shoulder. She plunked it on the floor, the gesture so final he flinched.

“You’re not leaving that baby here with me,” Jake said. “Take her to your parents.”

“No, I want you to raise her, and I put a letter in her bag saying so.”

A quick glance at Remy’s stomach showed her as thin as ever. “You are her mother...aren’t you?”

She nodded.

“And the father?”

“He died. No family.” She drew in a stuttering breath. “All her papers are in the bag, including a medical consent form.”

“Come on. Let’s sit down and talk this out. You have other options.”

One tear slid down her cheek, and she slapped it away, her expression remaining stony. “Don’t you dare let her down.” She glared at Jake, her eyes full of agony. “You’re the responsible one, the good kid, remember?”

Words his aunt and uncle, who’d raised him, had always said about him as they’d measured their rebellious daughter against his be-good-so-they’ll-keep-me behavior.

Remy reached out as if she wanted to touch her daughter but shoved her hands into the pockets of her wrinkled jeans instead, her gaze so full of longing it made Jake’s chest hurt.

“Come on, let me fix you some dinner,” he said, trying to sound friendly, upbeat. “I’ll make your favorite. We’ll talk.”