Taking On Twins

Doctor Daddy

Jake Hadley expects challenges when he returns to his frontier hometown to establish a medical practice—but caring for orphaned toddler twins wasn’t part of the equation. The new doctor would be out of his depth without Coralee Evans’s help. Once his sweetheart, now his best friend’s widow, Coralee has a tender way with the children that makes him long for a second chance. Until Jake is faced with a choice: Coralee or his career...

When Jake left Spring Hill for medical school, Coralee believed he’d abandoned her. And though a reunion might be possible, he’s working for the man trying to ruin her apothecary business. Could caring for these sweet children bridge the gulf between them and provide a prescription for rekindled love?

“You and the children are having a good time.”

His eyes twinkled. He was more lighthearted than Coralee had seen him since he moved back to Spring Hill. Was it the influence of the twins? Or was he as pleased to be back on good footing in their friendship as she was?

“As you can see, we’re having an elegant high tea,” she declared, sipping pretend liquid. To Coralee’s surprise, Jake lowered himself right down next to Louisa on the tablecloth they had spread over the floorboards.

“Could you spare a cup of tea for a guest?” He spoke to Louisa in complete earnestness, watching while the little girl pretended to pour from a teakettle into a cup.

“Yes. For you.” Her little face was serious, the tip of her tiny tongue peeking out as she focused on handing him the cup with great care.

He brought it to his lips and slurped loudly. “Ah, that was very good. Thank you, Miss Louisa.”

Both children giggled at his antics. Coralee couldn’t suppress the ache that hit her.

Dear Reader,

I’m so honored that you chose to read my first book! Writing this story was a giant leap of faith for me. But God led me through every step of it and I pray it will bless you.

My inspiration for this story started with Coralee. I imagined her as a woman with a driving mission and research revealed the perfect project: an alternative to the addictive, dangerous pain medications common at the time. Later in the 1800s, that willow bark extract would be used to create aspirin.

The twins would have to be my favorite part. The way those kids make Jake and Coralee grow and change is so true to my life. It doesn’t hurt that I modeled them after my own mischievous, energetic two-year-old!

I would love to connect with you! You can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/molliecampbellauthor and on Twitter as @MollieACampbell.

Blessings,

Mollie Campbell

After earning a degree in business and jumping from job to job, MOLLIE CAMPBELL was more than a little surprised—and pleased—to find that writing was the perfect fit. A lifelong Midwestern girl, she currently lives in Indiana with her husband, two young kids and a rather energetic beagle. When she’s not writing or reading, she loves watching superhero shows with her husband and collecting antiques.

Taking on Twins

Mollie Campbell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

—Romans 8:18

To Brian, who will forever be my favorite and the perfect hero for my love story.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

May 1859

Spring Hill, Nebraska Territory

“Not again!”

Murky green liquid fizzled in a glass beaker as Coralee Evans pushed a strand of hair out of her face and slumped back in a wooden chair. She let out a deep breath, ruffling the bits of herbs and papers that littered the table in front of her. Unfortunately, Papa’s extensive notes weren’t getting her anywhere today. How would she ever discover the right formula when every herb burned or turned into a bubbling mess?

“How is this one going?” Her youngest sister, Cat, peeked into the room from her post at the apothecary shop’s counter. Cat’s face grew skeptical when she caught sight of the mess on the worktable. “I suppose it’s no better than yesterday’s experiment.”

Coralee pushed away from the table with more force than necessary. “I’m going out to clear my head for a bit. You’ll be all right here alone?”

“Sure. And I’ll try to get rid of that mess while you’re out.” Cat eyed the chaotic table, her mouth turned up in a wry smirk.

Coralee arranged a silk-lined bonnet over her hair and stepped out onto the uneven boardwalk. She ambled past the row of neat wooden storefronts, trying to calm the worries that swirled relentlessly. Pausing, she examined the wares displayed in the window of another new shop, the third one that had opened that week. A sudden light touch on her elbow and a familiar masculine voice startled her out of her reverie.

“Imagine running into you on my first day home, Coralee Evans.”