A Mother In The Making

Matchmaking with a Mission

Practical, steady, levelheaded: all qualities single father Dr. John Orton expects in both a governess and a wife. But his children’s temporary governess Miss Marjorie Maren seems set on finding him an impractical woman to love...despite his plans of marrying solely for convenience. Nothing could be more exasperating to the handsome widower—except his increasing interest in Marjorie.

Vivacious and fun-loving: that’s the kind of bride the reserved doctor needs. Before Marjorie leaves to pursue her acting dreams, she intends to match him with a suitable wife candidate. Yet growing affection for her four charges and their dashing father has awakened a new hope—that she might be his perfect bride. But can she convince her employer to take a chance on love and claim real happiness before it slips away?

“Miss Baker came to supper tonight.”

Marjorie wrapped her arms around her waist. “That’s nice.”

“That’s nice?” John wished he could concentrate on reprimanding her. Instead, he could only think about her curls and her beautiful voice as she sang to Laura. “You had no right to invite a guest to my home to dine with me.”

She was quiet for a moment and then she spoke softly. “I have a confession to make. She’s not the only woman coming to supper this week. Miss Addams and Miss Fletcher will also be coming.”

“But—why?”

She took a step toward him, and he pulled back. He could smell the lilac scent she wore and it made his mind a jumbled mess. Why was he responding to her this way? She was the governess. He must keep that in mind.

“You said you’re looking for a wife,” she said. “I thought each of them would be a good candidate.”

“What gives you the right to do that?”

“I care about your children—and you.”

She cared about him? He swallowed the rush of surprise that surfaced at her statement.

He couldn’t allow himself to dwell on Marjorie Maren, or his growing attraction to her.

The sooner he found a wife, the better.

GABRIELLE MEYER lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four young children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events. Gabrielle can be found at www.gabriellemeyer.com, where she writes about her passion for history, Minnesota and her faith.

A Mother in the Making

Gabrielle Meyer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A man’s heart deviseth his way:

but the Lord directeth his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

To my children, Ellis, Maryn, Judah and Asher.

Thank you for being my biggest fans. I love you with all my heart.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Little Falls, Minnesota, November 1918

John Orton stared at Anna’s portrait, his grief nothing compared to his pulsing guilt. How could a physician let his own wife die?

“Papa?” Charlie entered the office, his heavy gaze lifting to John’s face.

John put the photo in his desk drawer, wanting to spare his son the reminder of his pain. “Yes?”

“The new governess has arrived—”

A young woman stepped over the threshold without an invitation, her blond hair in a mass of curls under a wide-brimmed hat. She glanced around the neat interior before she dropped her bag on the floor and proceeded to take off her gloves in quick succession. Her bright green eyes found John and a smile lit her pretty face. “Where shall I begin?”

John stood, grappling for a foothold of familiarity. This was not the sensible woman he had expected his mother to send from Chicago. Standing before him, in layers of lace, and a cloud of flowery perfume, was a woman far too attractive and impractical to raise his children.

“Are you—?”

“Marjorie Maren.” She grasped his limp fingers in her right hand and lifted her left hand above her head in a great flourish, her gloves flapping in the air. “A governess by day—and an actress by night.”

John glanced at Charlie, whose eyes grew wide with interest.

It would be impossible to replace Anna, but surely there was a more suitable governess to take care of his children—one with the same gentleness and competence Anna had demonstrated.

This lady would not do—would not do, at all.

“You must be Charles.” Miss Maren dropped John’s hand and turned to the ten-year-old boy. “My, but you look like your mother.”

“You knew my mama?” Charlie asked.

Miss Maren offered a kind smile, and dimples graced her cheeks. “Your grandmother showed me her picture.”

“You know my grandmother?” Charlie looked even more impressed with Miss Maren.