Who can resist a neighbor in need?
Nathan Forester doesnât know the first thing about kids. So when the daughter he never knew existed arrives on his doorstep, he needs help, fast! His unlikely ally is next-door neighbor and single mother Cheryl Henshaw. Nathan and Cheryl donât exactly see eye to eye, but neither can say no to a helping hand.
Renovating Fitzgerald House is Nathanâs chance to finally prove heâs no longer the unreliable twinâand it seems possible with Cheryl by his side. Suddenly their practical arrangement has become something much more. Trust isnât easy, but theyâre stronger when they work together.
Nathan nodded, rubbing at the ache in his chest.
âI canât screw up,â he said.
âYouâll figure everything out.â Pop slapped him on the back. âJust like we did.â
He couldnât do this alone. He wasnât prepared.
There had to be someone else he could tap to take care of Isabella.
He thought back to the women heâd dated in Savannah. There was Tracie, but she could barely take care of herself. Gabbyâaptly named since she talked everyoneâs ear offâwas kind of an airhead. A nice airhead, but still not right.
Heâd never been attracted to the motherly types.
The only mother he knew was...Cheryl. And they lived next door to each other.
He released a deep breath. Cheryl.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Fitzgerald House. Cheryl is finally getting her happily-ever-after.
I found the perfect man for Cheryl, but she didnât agree. Nathanâs too big, too nonchalant and drinks too much. Heâs a terrible role model for Josh, her six-year-old son.
Dyslexic Nathan believes heâs flawed. Whatâs worse, his twin brother is perfect. Nathan doesnât let people get close, because then they will find out heâs stupid (heâs not). Nathan avoids kids, because second graders can read better than he can. So when he finds out heâs the father of four-year-old Isabella, he begs Cheryl for help.
On a flight last January, I sat next to a man who discovered he was dyslexic in sixth grade. Before that, he felt stupid. He willingly answered my questions. Do you forget names of lifetime friends? Yes. Do you have trouble with driving directions? Absolutely. He also told me his brain visualizes in 3-D. Amazing. I hope I captured what life as a dyslexic person is like.
I love hearing from readers. Contact me through my website, www.nandixon.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter. You can find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nandixonauthor. If youâd like to see the pictures that inspire me, check out my Pinterest page, www.Pinterest.com/nandixonauthor. The princess castle Nathan paints for his daughter is there.
Enjoy Savannah!
Nan Dixon
NAN DIXON spent her formative years as an actress, singer, dancer and competitive golfer. But the need to eat had her studying accounting in college. Unfortunately, being a successful financial executive didnât feed her passion to perform. When the pharmaceutical company she worked for was purchased, Nan got the chance of a lifetimeâthe opportunity to pursue a writing career. Sheâs a five-time Golden Heart® finalist, lives in the Midwest and is active in her local RWA chapter and on the board of a dance company. She has five children, three sons-in-law, two grandchildren, one grandchild on the way and one neurotic cat.
To Mom and Dad always.
To my wonderful, fabulous family, thank you for supporting my writing. Iâm dedicating this one to my guys: Nicholas, Matthew and my three incredible sons-in-law, Dan, Joe and John. I know you make my daughters happy. And of course the bright lightsâLily and Harper and grandchild #3!
Thank you to my Harlequin team: Megan Long, Victoria Curran, Piya Campana, Deirdre McCluskey and the wonderful group who help bring my books into reality. And of course, my fabulous agent, Laura Bradford. I appreciate your guidance, wisdom, humor and tweets!
My critique group challenges me to dig deeper. Thank you, Ann Hinnenkamp, Leanne Farella, Neroli Lacey and Kathryn Kohorst. And my Golden Heart sisters keep me saneâDreamcatchers, Lucky 13s, Starcatchers and the Unsinkables. And my writing communityâMFW, youâre the best.
And lastâthis book is for the group that started it allâmy sisters. Mo, Sue and Trish.
CHAPTER ONE
âWE LIVE IN an apartment,â Cheryl said. âWe canât have a puppy.â
âMom, Iâd take care of it.â Joshâs pleading brown eyes were hard to deny. âI promise.â
She shook her head. âNo.â
âWe can move.â He tugged on her shorts. âAll my friends live in houses. They all have dogs.â
âNot all your friends have dogs.â
Dogs were expensive. Where would she find the money to feed one?