Falling For The Single Dad
Finding Her Way HomeAfter fifteen years away, Dr. Caroline Duer is nervous about returning to her hometown. The veterinarian might be able to save stranded sea turtles, but she can’t convince her dad of her good intentions. And when Caroline meets darling Izzie Clark, she encounters similar suspicion from the young girl’s father. Former Coast Guard commander Weston Clark had his life upended by Izzie’s mother. He won’t go through the same pain again. But Izzie isn’t the only one tumbling head over heels for the enigmatic Caroline. And if she can release the pain of the past, she just might be the missing piece he and his daughter have been searching for.
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Finding Her Way Home
After fifteen years away, Dr. Caroline Duer is nervous about returning to her hometown. The veterinarian might be able to save stranded sea turtles, but she can’t convince her dad of her good intentions. And when Caroline meets darling Izzie Clark, she encounters similar suspicion from the young girl’s father. Former coast guard commander Weston Clark had his life upended by Izzie’s mother. He won’t go through the same pain again. But Izzie isn’t the only one tumbling head over heels for the enigmatic Caroline. And if she can release the pain of the past, she just might be the missing piece Weston and his daughter have been searching for.
“Caroline could take me shopping.”
He reddened. “Izzie, I’m sure the lady vet is busy. She probably has much more—”
“I’d love to take Izzie shopping.” Caroline gave him a defiant look. “Why don’t you bring her to the animal rescue center later this week—say Thursday—about four o’clock?”
Izzie bounced on the balls of her feet. “Yay!”
“You don’t need to—”
“And you’re welcome.” Caroline slipped behind the wheel.
His lips quirked. “Like you said yesterday, I’m sure I would’ve managed somehow, but...” He rolled his tongue in his cheek.
“Is that your idea of a thank-you?” She laughed. “Not much of a people person, are you?”
Weston leaned his elbows against the car window. “Will you allow me to fix dinner after you and Izzie return from your shopping expedition? I could give you a tour of our home-slash-work-in-progress.”
She smiled at him. “I’d like that. Till then?”
Till then. His mouth went dry. Had he lost what little mind he still possessed? What had he done?
LISA CARTER and her family make their home in North Carolina. In addition to her Love Inspired novels, she writes romantic suspense for Abingdon Press. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales, teaching writing workshops and researching her next exotic adventure. She has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. She loves to hear from readers. Connect with Lisa at lisacarterauthor.com.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
—Hebrews 10:23
Dedicated to David and Peggy Riley
You advised me long ago to read a psalm a day, and you were right. Thanks for your friendship and support. You two make a great team. Yours is a special gift, a noble legacy—to shine the Light. Your example of godly leadership has been a beacon of light and truth to me throughout the years.
Thanks to Kathy Davis for her quick, on-the-scene guidance regarding the exact layout of the bridge, the tunnels and the pier at the Chesapeake Grill at the exact minute I was trying to write that scene. Any errors are, of course, my own.
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is real. Its three-part mission is “to conduct interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and citizens, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public.” I’ve taken a few liberties with the actual facility layout. And currently, no marine rescue/rehabilitation/conservation center exists on the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula. But wouldn’t it be fun if such a place did?
Contents
“Excuse me? Excuse...meeee...?”
Startled, Caroline Duer gazed to the left, then right, before coming to rest on the heart-shaped face of a little girl tugging on her sleeve. “Were you talking to me?”
The child’s shoulder-length tangle of red hair bobbed as she nodded. “Would you help me find a book?”
Her enormous blue eyes inspected Caroline for a second. And as if an afterthought, she added, “Please.”
Caroline’s eyes skittered around the Kiptohanock Library. “Um...”
Moments before, a librarian had been reading to a cluster of children on the big green rug. Obviously, one of her charges had wandered.
“I don’t see her right now, but...”
Where was a librarian when you needed one?
“Uh...” Caroline wasn’t good with children. Sea creatures, yes. Little girls, no.
This was what happened when you put off what needed to be done. You got roped into over-your-head situations.
“I’m not—”
“But I said the special word.” The little girl cocked her head and waited.
Special word? What in the name of fried flounder was a special word? A secret children’s language to which Caroline wasn’t privy? “I’m sorry, dear...”
The little girl scowled.
“Dear” must not be a special word. Where was the librarian? Caroline cut her eyes over to the child.
The little redhead planted her fist on her hip. And jutted it. “I need you.”
Just Caroline’s luck. A tyke with attitude.
