âJake.â The stern objection sheâd planned to deliver came out sounding like an invitation
One he accepted.
The instant their lips touched, Lilly surrendered to him. This was unquestionably a mistake and something sheâd regret later. But for now, Jakeâs strong fingers kneading her skin through her shirt, his tongue and lips tantalizing her, were exactly the emotional balm she needed, and she took every ounce of comfort he was willing to give.
The blazing intensity of their kiss lasted several moments longer. Their mouths broke apart but not their embrace. He seemed to sense she needed more time before letting go. Sliding her hands to his shoulders, she waited for her breathing to calm.
At his next words, it stopped completely, and her limp hands fell away to land in her lap.
âMarry me, Lilly.â
Dear Reader,
We often hear about books altering the course of peopleâs lives. Perhaps itâs even happened to you. It has me, and I can still remember the moment, though twenty-two years have passed since then. I was visiting a friend, and she lent me one of her many Harlequin books. I spent the next afternoon reading when I should have been working, never guessing at the profound effect this one book would have on me.
Iâd always been an avid reader from the time I was young, but hadnât been drawn to romances. Obviously I didnât know what I was missing. From that day forward, romance books became my staple. I started out devouringâ¦er, I mean, reading Harlequin Superromance novels. Then one day another friend gave me a Harlequin American Romance book sheâd particularly enjoyed. It was to be another defining moment.
When I decided to pursue writing, I didnât pick romancesâthey picked me. Being published by Harlequin, who produced the books I enjoyed reading more than any others, became my dreamâone I realized in 2006.
Harlequin books have changed tremendously since the time my friend lent me that first one, and Iâm so excited and honored to be a tiny part of that revolution. Maybe one day a book of mine will land in someoneâs hands and alter their life. As a writer, I canât think of anything more rewarding.
Warmest wishes,
Cathy McDavid
Waiting for Baby
Cathy McDavid
For the past eleven years Cathy McDavid has been juggling a family, a job and writing, and has been doing pretty well at it except for the cooking and housecleaning part. Mother of boy and girl teenage twins, she manages the near impossible by working every day with her husband of twenty years at their commercial construction company. They survive by not bringing work home and not bringing home to the office. A mutual love of all things Western also helps. Horses and ranch animals have been a part of Cathyâs life since she moved to Arizona as a child and asked her mother for riding lessons. She can hardly remember a time when she couldnât walk outside and pet a soft, velvety nose (or beak, or snout) whenever the mood struck. You can visit her Web site at www.cathymcdavid.com.
To Clay and Caitlin, my own precious babies,
who arenât so little anymore. I love you to pieces.
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
Epilogue
Lilly Russo wasnât looking forward to meeting with the man whoâd so unceremoniously dumped her a mere three weeks ago. Sheâd do it, however, and just about anything else for the clients of Horizon Adult Day Care Center. They were too deserving, too much in need, too dear to her to lose out on a golden opportunity because of her pride.
âMr. Tucker will be with you in a few minutes.â
âThank you.â
If his assistant knew that her boss and Lilly had recently engaged in a brief affair, she gave no indication.
âWould you care for coffee or water while you wait?â
âIâm fine, thank you.â
Lilly attempted a smile and sat on the closest piece of furniture, which happened to be an overstuffed couch, and instantly sank like a stone into its soft cushions. She should have chosen the chair by the window instead. Then she wouldâve been able to stand gracefully when the assistant or, worse, Jake Tucker himself came to collect her for their appointment.
While she waited, she studied the comfortable and charmingly appointed lobby. The rustic, western flavor of the mountain guest resort was as apparent here as everywhere else on the ranch. Green checked curtains framed large picture windows. Heavy pine furniture, much of it antique, sat on polished hardwood floors covered by colorful area rugs. Paintings depicting nature scenes and wild animals indigenous to Arizonaâs southern rim country hung on the walls.
Lilly had been acquainted with Jake Tuckerâmanager of Bear Creek Ranch and landlord of the mini mall where the day-care center was locatedâfor almost two years. Theyâd first met here in his office, when sheâd become the day careâs new administrator and her predecessor had introduced her to Jake. Since then sheâd visited the ranch only a few times. But at the Labor Day cookout nine weeks ago, Jake had suddenly taken notice of her and asked her on a date.