Her Lakeside Family
A Home for the Single DadLanding a renovation job for a wealthy Millbrook Lake client is a coup for contractor Davina “Dani” Connell—one that could give her business a much needed boost. But Santo Alvanetti could be trouble in more ways than one. Dark, brooding and distractingly handsome, this recently widowed father of three is surrounded by sadness and shadows, much like his home.All good reasons not to become emotionally involved. They may be complete opposites, but there’s something irresistible about Santo. Dani’s determined to give him and his children the new home and future they deserve. But could she also be the wife and mom they need?
Читать Her Lakeside Family онлайн беплатно
A Home for the Single Dad
Landing a renovation job for a wealthy Millbrook Lake client is a coup for contractor Davina âDaniâ Connellâone that could give her business a much-needed boost. But Santo Alvanetti could be trouble in more ways than one. Dark, brooding and distractingly handsome, this recently widowed father of three is surrounded by sadness and shadows, much like his home. All good reasons not to become emotionally involved. They may be complete opposites, but thereâs something irresistible about Santo. Daniâs determined to give him and his children the new home and future they deserve. But could she also be the wife and mom they need?
âWhat do you want to do at the new house?â
She laughed and tugged at her haphazard bun. âSo much. A complete overhaul.â When she looked up, he was staring at her with a look akin to awe.
âSanto? Are you okay?â
He nodded. âUh...yes.â His gaze moved over her face and then settled on her hair. âIâve just never known a contractor with such beautiful hair.â
A blush moved down Davinaâs neck. Great. Now sheâd get the blotchies, as her sister Tilly always called them. A flush that only showed off her freckles. Maybe he wouldnât notice.
He kept staring at her.
âSanto, the house?â
âOh, yes, the house,â he said with a wry smile. âI need to focus on the house.â
Frantic now, she searched her notes. What was happening to her anyway? She never acted like a ninny with clients.
With over seventy books published and millions in print, LENORA WORTH writes award-winning romance and romantic suspense. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and her Love Inspired Suspense novel Body of Evidence became a New York Times bestseller. Her novella in Mistletoe Kisses made her a USA TODAY bestselling author. Lenora goes on adventures with her retired husband, Don, and enjoys reading, baking and shopping...especially shoe shopping.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water
out of the wells of salvation.
âIsaiah 12:3
To my family, always.
Contents
âLucia, stop aggravating your sister! Adriana, hurry and get your backpack. Daddyâs late for work. And where did your brother go?â
A screaming cyclone whizzed by, all dark curls and giggles.
Nate.
Santo Alvanetti grabbed his two-year-old son and tried for the third time to get his shoes on. But Nate wasnât in the mood to get dressed so he kept running away, taking off an article of clothing each time. Now he was down to his little blue jeans and one shoe.
âDaddy, the school bus is coming,â Luciaâthe oldest, whoâd just turned nineâscreamed from the floor-to-ceiling front windows. âIâm gonna miss it again.â
Santo sent her a pleading glance. âItâs okay, honey. Iâll drop you off at school.â
The school was in town, near Millbrook Lake. Completely out of his way but he was already late. Thirty more minutes wouldnât hurt. His cell rang, indicating his being late had already cost him money. Alvanetti Imports moved at a fast pace. He needed to do the same, but these days every morning had become a challenge and a race against time.
Adriana stomped a booted foot. âI canât find my purse, Daddy.â
âShe has a purse?â he asked Lucia. His middle child was only seven. But then, her late mother had loved expensive purses.
Luciaâs dark eyes opened wide. âDuh. We both do. Mom bought them for us a long time ago, before...â Her eyes went dull. âWe need Mom back here. She knows how to find purses.â
Santo wasnât sure how to answer that. His wife Althea was dead. Sheâd died a horrible death about a year ago, in a showdown with his sister Rikki and a police detective. While Santo both mourned her and resented her for betraying him, her children still missed her. Althea had tried to be a good mother but something had gone so wrong in their marriage.
Raising three children and trying to run a business made Santo too tired and stressed to try to figure out what had happened to bring his life crashing down around him. He thought of happier times with Althea, when they were younger and she still loved him. Heâd pushed away his anger and pain for a while now, but his children had been acting out. They all needed help.
Nate started crying.
Santo wanted to cry right along with him but he couldnât do that. He had to be strong. He had to get to work. He needed every ounce of strength just to make it through each day. The import business the Alvanetti family had been running for decades was legitimate now and finally back in the black.
