Paternity Unknown
WHO'S THE FATHER?Gossips in Lauren McCrea's small town speculated about the identity of her baby's father. But not even the daddy knew. And if her daughter hadn't been kidnapped, he never would have….Coming face-to-face with Lauren was like a sucker punch to the gut for Ethan Brand. Yet that was nothing compared to the bomb she dropped in his lap–their night of passion had resulted in a child! Now uncovering the secrets of his past was on hold as he rushed to save his little girl. But was his fragile new family in danger because she was his child?
Читать Paternity Unknown онлайн беплатно
âWhat are you hiding, Lauren?â
âNothing. Please, just go.â
She was protecting something inside that bedroom. Or someone. He was certain of it. She was no longer living here alone. Another man? He was gripped by a sudden spasm of jealousy.
When he strode purposefully toward the bedroom door, Lauren tried to cut him off. âYou have no right!â she cried in panic.
He opened the door, walked into the room. There was no other man. Nothing out of the ordinary. Except for a crib located near the window.
Ethan was only dimly aware of Lauren behind him, plucking at his sleeve in a futile effort to stop him. He reached the crib, the breath sticking in his throat as he looked down into its shallow depth.
A pair of blue-green eyesâhis eyesâgazed back at him innocently.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
This month youâll want to have all six of our books to keep you company as you brave those April showers!
Debra Webb kicks off THE ENFORCERS, her exciting new trilogy, with John Doe on Her Doorstep. And for all of you who have been waiting with bated breath for the newest installment in Kelsey Robertsâs THE LANDRY BROTHERS series, we have Chasing Secrets.
Rebecca York, Ann Voss Peterson and Patricia Rosemoor join together in Desert Sons. You wonât want to miss this unique three-in-one collection!
Two of your favorite promotions are back. You wonât be able to resist Leona Karrâs ECLIPSE title, Shadows on the Lake. And youâll be on the edge of your seat while reading Jean Barrettâs Paternity Unknown, the latest installment in TOP SECRET BABIES.
Meet another of THE PRECINCTâs rugged lawmen in Julie Millerâs Police Business.
Every month you can depend on Harlequin Intrigue to deliver an array of thrilling romantic suspense and mystery. Be sure you read each one!
Sincerely,
Denise OâSullivan
Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
To my readers
I never forget that you make it all possible
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
If setting has anything to do with it, Jean Barrett claims she has no reason not to be inspired. She and her husband live on Wisconsinâs scenic Door Peninsula in an antique-filled country cottage overlooking Lake Michigan. A teacher for many years, she left the classroom to write full-time. She is the author of a number of romance novels.
Write to Jean at P.O. Box 623, Sister Bay, WI 54234. SASE appreciated.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Lauren McCreaâThe frantic mother has no choice but to join forces with the one man she is unable to trust.
Ethan BrandâHe has sworn to find his little Saraâ¦and prove his innocence to the woman he never forgot.
SaraâThe innocent baby is a pawn in a desperate game.
Hilary JohnsonâWhat terrible secret is the housekeeper concealing?
Sheriff HowellâHe resents any interference in his cases.
Marjorie LandryâThe FBI agent ends up being a disappointment.
Anthony JohnsonâHe is the key to everything.
Buddy FoleyâThe Seattle cop is a friend from the past.
Charlie HeathâThe pompous lawyer isnât all that he seems.
Contents
Prologue
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
Prologue
He was in the wilderness, he was lost, and it was snowing.
Okay, so there was still some question about the first two, but there was no mistaking the snow. The skies had been a clear, brittle blue when heâd left the airport near Kalispell. Somewhere along his route, though, a cloud cover had sneaked in over the mountains, obscuring the sun.
He hadnât been worried when the first white flakes swirled through the air. Hell, it was November, and this was Montana. It was supposed to snow, wasnât it? The car rental agency hadnât mentioned anything about the possibility of a storm on the way.
But the snow had thickened and for the better part of an hour now, the stuff had been falling at a serious rate. No weather report on the radio. All he could seem to find was music.
The wilderness part was a matter of definition. He knew there were rugged mountains out thereâthe Flathead Range, according to the map heâd found in the glove compartment. He just couldnât see them through this curtain of white.
For that matter, he could barely make out the ranks of evergreens pressing in on him. They crowded both sides of the winding road, a forest unbroken by any clearing or a sign of a building. For a man who had spent most of his life in a large city, that translated into his version of a wilderness.
As for being lostâ¦yeah, it felt like it.
He couldnât remember when he had last met another vehicle. There was just him and this narrow ribbon climbing through the hills. It seemed more like a back road than a highway. Had he missed a sign, taken a wrong turn? The map was of no use; it wasnât specific enough.
Nor could his cell phone help him. Heâd tried to raise the state highway department to learn about the weather conditions and to ask directions, only he was unable to get a signal. The weather was probably to blameâmaybe a tower was down.
