THE SINGLE MUM DIARIES First comes baby, then comes happily-ever-after
The Darling sisters, both single mums, have always supported each other through the ups and downs of life and love. But theyâll need each otherâs advice more than ever when the possibility of true love comes knocking!
Playboy Connor McNair thinks life behind a picket fence isnât his speedâuntil Jill Darling, the girl he secretly loves, traps him with kisses and Bundt cake. How can he turn away from the woman heâs always wanted and her twin baby boys?
A DADDY FOR HER SONS
Sara Darlingâs joy at adopting her deceased half-sisterâs baby turns into a bad dream when she realizes that the rough, handsome man sheâs just met has come to claim that same child. Could a marriage of convenience with Sara be exactly the medicine that tortured Jake Martin needs?
Find out in
MARRIAGE FOR HER BABY
SARA DARLING WAS collecting donations for the Childrenâs Sunshine Fund throughout her bayside neighborhood, and it wasnât easy over the last weeks of summer when everyone was gone on vacation. The beach was unusually warm today and the stairs to each cottage seemed higher and higher as she moved down the beachfront area. To make that climb and then come up with no answer to her knock was demoralizing. The only people who opened the doors were vacation renters, and they werenât interested in donating to a local fund.
âCollecting,â she muttered sarcastically as fat beads of sweat began a race down her spine. âBegging would be a better name for it.â
Somehow she let her sister Jill talk her into doing this every year, and every year, she swore it would be the last time. She walked past her own little house and smiled. She hadnât been living in it for the last few weeks. Renovations were underway. She could hardly wait to go in and see it all changed. Just a few more days and work should be over. She could pack up her baby and move back home.
The last house on her schedule was the one next to hers. The neighbors were in Europe on their annual trek, but they did rent out to short-term vacationers. She looked at the red door and sighed, wishing she could head back to her baby right now. One last climb.
She made it and gave a short knock on the door. No response. Oh, well. She started to turn away, but a sound from inside turned her back again. What was that? A siren? An alarm? Or was the tenant playing some sort of weird music?
What the heck, it was none of her business. She started to turn away again, but the door suddenly swung open as though someone had yanked it from behind. Sara found herself staring into a pair of icy-blue eyes beneath dark, intimidating brows.
âYes?â the man asked shortly, as though she was already late answering him.
Unaccountably she was flustered and for a moment, she couldnât remember why sheâd come. âI ⦠uh â¦â
Maybe it was because he was so darn handsome. Or maybe it was because he was looking so fierce. Possibly also in the brew was the fact that his naked torso was muscular and manly and altogether breathtaking, and the way his jeans hung on his hips was enough to give a girl ideas. That might have been a contributing factor. But whatever the cause, her mind was completely blank.
âHey, youâre a woman,â he announced gruffly, as though it was something of a revelation to him.
She tried to smile. âSo Iâve been told,â she said, attempting light humor that crumbled and died before the words even left her lips.
His frown grew fiercer. âI need a woman. Maybe you can help me. Come on.â Reaching out, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the house, letting the door slam behind her.
âWait a minute!â
âNo time. All hell is breaking loose. Come on. Quickly.â
Truth be told, she was pretty sure she would have resisted with a bit more spunk if it hadnât been for the oddly disturbing noises coming from the very room they were dashing toward. Curiosity was strong here, and it was rewarded. He threw open the double doors and ushered her into a little piece of madness.
The noise was overwhelming. Something was rotating and banging against the wall. Some form of food sizzled and spit on the stove, and thick waves of suds poured out of the dishwasher. A cat had climbed halfway up the inside of the screen door and was howling for escape. The refrigerator door stood open, creating an annoying electronic warning buzz. Meanwhile cans of soda were slowly rolling out and hitting the floor. Now and then, one burst open and shot carbonated beverage across the walls. A cloud of black smoke was emanating from the toaster and the smell of burning bread was in the air.