A Precious Gift

Carrie grinned at her husband until the reality hit her. “We have to get ready!” The mother’s due date was in three weeks. “There’s so much to do—a nursery, a layette…”

“We’ll get it done,” Brian said soothingly. “In fact, we can probably get lots of things done in one night. Why don’t you start looking into baby furniture, pick out what you want and we’ll go look at it all together.”

Carrie couldn’t believe Brian was going to be home early enough to spend time with her, shopping, discussing their baby’s birth. This child was going to change their lives…for the better.

When Brian bent his head to kiss her, Carrie felt tears coming to her eyes. His lips were gentle on hers at first, then he deepened the kiss. She felt his intensity and hunger and need.

As he broke away, she felt shaken. “I’m looking forward to tonight.”

“So am I,” Carrie said in response. She could only hope that everything would be okay now, and the problems they’d had in the past would disappear once they held their son.

Award-winning and bestselling author Karen Rose Smith has seen more than sixty-five novels published since 1992. She grew up in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley and still lives a stone’s throw away with her husband—who was her college sweetheart—and their two cats. She especially enjoys researching and visiting the West and Southwest, where her latest series of books is set. Readers can receive updates on Karen’s releases and write to her through her Web site at www.karenrosesmith.com or at P.O. Box 1545, Hanover, PA 17331.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Be a part of

Because birthright has its privileges and family ties run deep.

One woman lived with a secret that threatened her marriage. Would she find the courage to face the man she loved?

Carrie Summers: She had a past she couldn’t share with Brian. With the mounting tension over her inability to conceive, Carrie didn’t know how much more their marriage could take. She just hoped that her precious husband would love her no matter what.

Brian Summers: He loved Carrie so much, and they wanted to have a child together. But infertility issues were taking a heavy toll on their relationship. Could he convince her to trust him—that nothing could change his feelings for her?

A teenager in trouble, Lisa Sanders wanted to help the Summers family. But would she be able to help herself?

To Carolyn, Susan and Edie—my supporters and cheerleaders on this book journey. I’m so glad we’re friends.

To my husband, Steve—thank you.

Love, Karen.

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

Carrie Summers paced the blue-and-white tiled general reception area in Children’s Connection. Her husband was fifteen minutes late for their appointment at the agency, and she was afraid that meant Brian had changed his mind about adopting. They’d answered question after question and submitted to a home study that was now finished. This was their last meeting with the caseworker before they were put into the system.

Brian was never late.

He was a man of his word—a man she’d always been able to depend upon. But for the past three years of their five-year marriage, tension had built between them. When they’d married, Carrie had been so in love, so absolutely sure their wedding vows would be everlasting. However, she had a secret, and the repercussions of that secret were pushing them apart.

If only Brian could embrace the idea of an adoption wholeheartedly. If only Brian could accept an adopted child as his own.

“Are you ready?” a deep male voice asked.

She’d been watching the double glass doors leading outside to the unusually sunny January day. Rain always fell on Portland, Oregon, this time of year. Now she swung around and faced the man whose voice always vibrated through her like a heartfelt song.

“Where did you come from?” she asked with a smile, trying to hide her anxiety over his lateness.

“There was something I had to do before this meeting.”

Brian Summers was six foot two, muscular, incredibly fit and more handsome than any man Carrie had ever seen. His thick tawny hair waved over his brow, and he kept it in a clipped style to suit his image—that of a real-estate developer on the go, a millionaire who cared less about his appearance than the powerhouse deals he brokered. When they’d first met, she’d known he’d spoken to her at that cocktail party because she’d looked like the model she’d been. Although her black dress had been demure and classic, his eyes had lingered often on her dark-red hair and the angles of her face, as well as her figure. Their attraction had been mutual, and that night she’d hoped Brian could see beyond her outward appearance. He’d seemed to, and that was why she’d fallen in love with him.