Jean Gordon - Reuniting His Family

A Father’s Promise

Rhys Maddox wants nothing more than custody of his two sons. Released from prison after a wrongful charge, the widowed dad will do anything to bring his boys home where they belong. But that doesn’t include falling for their former social worker. Now leading an outreach program for families in transition, Renee Delacroix can’t escape the tall, dark and intriguing single dad...or his adorable little boys. But Rhys is determined to go it alone. Until one incident that may cost him what he wants the most. Now it’s up to Renee to save him...if she can make him see she’s just what he needs to complete their forever family.

“Look, Dad, it’s her!”

What was Renee doing here? Filling in for another volunteer, she told him when she entered the amusement park.

So he wasn’t the only one she helped in her job.

Seeing the way Renee smiled down at his sons told him he wanted to be more than part of her job.

“Hey, Dad, can I go with my friends and our teacher?” Owen asked.

Rhys bit back the no that sprang to his lips and stifled his disappointment. His son would have more fun with his friends, and that was what this day was about.

“How about you, Dylan?” he asked his other boy. “Do you want to go with your friend?”

“No. I like being with Miss Renee. It’s kind of like being with Mommy.”

Rhys swallowed hard. In some ways, it was how things might have been for Dylan in their family if he hadn’t messed up. In other ways, it wasn’t at all the same. He and Renee... He didn’t know what their relationship was. But one thing was certain. He wanted to find out.

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Thank you for choosing to read Reuniting His Family. I hope you enjoyed Rhys and Renee’s story and, if you’ve read my other Love Inspired books, returning to Paradox Lake and catching up with other residents.

We’re all shaped by our pasts. In Renee’s case, it’s having grown up the youngest in her large, loving, extended family, and her experience doing mission work in Haiti. For Rhys, it’s having been shuffled from foster family to foster family and his brushes with the law. Too often, we let preconceived notions generated by our pasts hinder the happiness our Lord wants for us. But, as Renee and Rhys show, with His help we can move beyond those notions.

To keep in touch with me, please sign up for my author newsletter at JeanCGordon.com. And feel free to email me at JeanCGordon@gmail.com or snail mail me at PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158. You can also visit me at Facebook.com/JeanCGordon.authoror Tweet me @JeanCGordon.

Blessings,

Jean C. Gordon

JEAN C. GORDON’s writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word the, she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. Jean and her college-sweetheart husband share a 175-year-old farmhouse in Upstate New York with their daughter and her family. Their son lives nearby. Contact Jean at Facebook.com/jeancgordon.authoror PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158.

Reuniting His Family

Jean C. Gordon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Lord takes care of those

who are as helpless as children.

When I was in great need, He saved me.

—Psalms 116:6

To my critique partners, Chris and Bonnie,

for aiding my research for this book with

their invaluable knowledge of the New York State

foster care, family court and social services system.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Father’s Promise Rhys Maddox wants nothing more than custody of his two sons. Released from prison after a wrongful charge, the widowed dad will do anything to bring his boys home where they belong. But that doesn’t include falling for their former social worker. Now leading an outreach program for families in transition, Renee Delacroix can’t escape the tall, dark and intriguing single dad...or his adorable little boys. But Rhys is determined to go it alone. Until one incident that may cost him what he wants the most. Now it’s up to Renee to save him...if she can make him see she’s just what he needs to complete their forever family.

Introduction “Look, Dad, it’s her!” What was Renee doing here? Filling in for another volunteer, she told him when she entered the amusement park. So he wasn’t the only one she helped in her job. Seeing the way Renee smiled down at his sons told him he wanted to be more than part of her job. “Hey, Dad, can I go with my friends and our teacher?” Owen asked. Rhys bit back the no that sprang to his lips and stifled his disappointment. His son would have more fun with his friends, and that was what this day was about. “How about you, Dylan?” he asked his other boy. “Do you want to go with your friend?” “No. I like being with Miss Renee. It’s kind of like being with Mommy.” Rhys swallowed hard. In some ways, it was how things might have been for Dylan in their family if he hadn’t messed up. In other ways, it wasn’t at all the same. He and Renee... He didn’t know what their relationship was. But one thing was certain. He wanted to find out.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright , Thank you for choosing to read Reuniting His Family. I hope you enjoyed Rhys and Renee’s story and, if you’ve read my other Love Inspired books, returning to Paradox Lake and catching up with other residents. We’re all shaped by our pasts. In Renee’s case, it’s having grown up the youngest in her large, loving, extended family, and her experience doing mission work in Haiti. For Rhys, it’s having been shuffled from foster family to foster family and his brushes with the law. Too often, we let preconceived notions generated by our pasts hinder the happiness our Lord wants for us. But, as Renee and Rhys show, with His help we can move beyond those notions. To keep in touch with me, please sign up for my author newsletter at JeanCGordon.com . And feel free to email me at JeanCGordon@gmail.com or snail mail me at PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158. You can also visit me at Facebook.com/JeanCGordon.author or Tweet me @JeanCGordon . Blessings, Jean C. Gordon

About the Author JEAN C. GORDON’s writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word the, she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. Jean and her college-sweetheart husband share a 175-year-old farmhouse in Upstate New York with their daughter and her family. Their son lives nearby. Contact Jean at Facebook.com/jeancgordon.author or PO Box 113, Selkirk, NY 12158.

Title Page Reuniting His Family Jean C. Gordon www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse The Lord takes care of those who are as helpless as children. When I was in great need, He saved me. —Psalms 116:6

Dedication To my critique partners, Chris and Bonnie, for aiding my research for this book with their invaluable knowledge of the New York State foster care, family court and social services system.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three