The Bachelor's Twins

Two Little Matchmakers

Anna Leighton’s eight-year-old twin daughters think they’ve given their hardworking single mom the perfect birthday gift. But the family canoe trip with outdoorsman Liam Kane is far from relaxing. Their rocky shared past—and the secret Anna’s been keeping—means she’s given Liam a wide berth for ten years…until now. Liam may be bowled over by his former high school crush’s beauty, but these days he’s a die-hard bachelor who’s building a cabin for one. But the rugged Liam underestimates the power of an unstoppable force: two little girls who want a daddy.

He wasn’t what she expected.

For a bachelor who’d grown up with brothers, Liam had endless patience with her two little girls who chattered nonstop on the canoe ride. And now he was surprising her again.

“What’s that?” she asked him as he approached her with a white box.

“Happy birthday, Anna.” He opened it and took out a cake with one candle.

She couldn’t stop her smile. “I can’t remember the last time I had a birthday cake.”

She reached for the knife, but the girls stopped her. “You have to blow out your candle first, Mom!”

Liam lit the candle. “Make a wish,” he murmured.

Inexplicably, tears stung her eyes as she struggled to think of something. She closed them.

I wish…I wish I still believed wishes came true.

She blew out the candle and opened her eyes. Liam stood there huddled over the cake with her two little girls at his side, and she couldn’t help her next thought.

Maybe her wish had already come true.

Dear Reader,

It was so much fun to return to Castle Falls! When I introduced Cassie and Chloe Leighton in The Bachelor Next Door, I didn’t realize their mother would be the heroine of my next book. That’s the fun of the writing journey!

As a single mom with a secret, Anna placed a heavy burden on herself. I think we can be guilty of that, too, sometimes. We don’t want to ask for help because we’re afraid people will think we’re weak. But guess what? We are! God offers us His strength and He brings people into our lives who will share our burdens.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Castle Falls! And if you’re curious about Aiden’s quest for their missing sister, watch for the next book in the series! I love to hear from my readers, so visit my website at www.kathrynspringer.com, and while you’re there, be sure to sign up for my free newsletter. It will keep you posted on upcoming releases and special giveaways!

Walk in Joy,

USA TODAY bestselling author KATHRYN SPRINGER grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent many hours at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories that her older brother “published” (he had the stapler!) for a nominal fee. When Kathryn isn’t at the computer, she enjoys reading other people’s books and spending time with her family and friends.

The Bachelor’s Twins

Kathryn Springer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

—Galatians 6:2

To Stacey Orr, librarian extraordinaire,

who somehow knows the promise of coffee and chocolate will get an introverted writer to leave her office! But more than that, your gracious hospitality makes public speaking (something that ordinarily strikes fear in the heart of said introverted writer!) feel more like spending an afternoon with friends. Thank you for bringing books and people together!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

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

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Hold still, Liam! Remember, this is for a good cause.”

Liam Kane smothered a sigh while his mom fussed with the silk square sprouting from the pocket of his vest.

“I’m holding.”

Even though it was the third time she’d fussed with it.

Even though the needle on the outdoor thermometer was inching toward seventy-five degrees. A comfortable temperature for the middle of June in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—unless, of course, you happened to be wearing a tuxedo. Then, not so much.

A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Liam’s face, only to be absorbed by the lime-green noose—okay, technically it was a bow tie—clipped to the front of his shirt. “Tell me again why Aiden isn’t the one wearing this getup?”

Everyone knew Liam’s fun-loving, extroverted kid brother never minded being the center of attention. Tourist or local, whenever someone booked a day trip with Castle Falls Outfitters, they invariably requested Aiden to be their guide. Not that Liam cared. He preferred to spend his days in the shop, designing and building canoes for the family business instead of paddling them down the river.