Triple The Trouble
When fertility counselor Melissa Everhart decided to have a baby on her own, she didnât anticipate tripletsâ¦or her ex-husbandâs return to Safe Harbor. Three years ago, Edmondâs reluctance to have children tore them apart. But now that heâs been made guardian of his niece, Melissa witnesses how tenderly he cares for the little girl.
Though Edmond doesnât believe heâs father material, his sudden custody of Dawn leaves him little choice. He turns to Melissa, the warmest, kindest person he knows, for help. They begin to rediscover the love they once shared, but the betrayals of the past trouble them both. Can they find the forgiveness they both need to come together as a family?
âAfter youâre in the house, Iâm sure thereâll be additional shopping,â Melissa advised.
âFor what?â Edmond asked.
âCurtains, for one thing. As I recall, the blinds in that house provide privacy but they arenât decorative.â
âOh, right.â While heâd considered the cost of child care, he hadnât factored in yard care. âAnd a cleaning service, too. Any recommendations?â
âWe clean our own house, so Iâm not sure. Just ask at work. Youâll be inundated with suggestions.â She was grinning widely.
âWhatâs so funny?â
âYouâre usually on top of every situation.â She slipped her pad into a pocket. âItâs refreshing to see you out of your element.â
âRefreshing?â That wasnât the word Edmond would have chosen. âAwkward, maybe. Embarrassing.â
âNo, itâs cute.â Sheâd never called him that before. âHuman.â
âAs opposed to my usual robotic self?â he asked.
âIn a sense,â she teased. âItâs fun to watch the ice melt.â
He traced her temple with his thumb. âOnly with you.â Her radiance drew him in, drew him close. He tilted his head, longing for her, but holding back.
And then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she looped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him....
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Safe Harbor, and please donât worry if you havenât read allâor anyâof the previous books, because each stands alone. Each also presents unique challenges to me as a writer.
When I sketched the storyline for this book, I had no idea how much research the writing would entail. Some of it was already in my files, such as background on embryo transfers and multiple pregnancies. And I had some experience in court matters, having helped cover several trials for the Associated Press and having served on a jury.
However, I soon realized I needed to understand the special needs of children whose parents are sent to prison; how to arrange for such a childâs guardianship so she doesnât end up in the foster care system, and how the sentencing would unfold in a courtroom.
Iâm grateful for the internet, a gold mine of information. When the internet doesnât suffice, however, I seek out experts to interview. Luckily, I have a friend whoâs a Superior Court judge and who explained to me what goes on when a sentence is handed down, as in the case of Edmondâs sister.
My goal is to weave in the background so smoothly that it supports rather than interferes with the emotions of the story. I hope Iâve succeeded. Happy reading!
Best,
Jacqueline Diamond
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Medical themes feature prominently among JACQUELINE DIAMONDâS more than 95 published novels, especially her Safe Harbor Medical miniseries for Mills & Boon American Romance. Delivered at home by her physician fatherâthe only doctor in their small Texas townâJackie moved with her parents and brother to Louisville, Kentucky, and later Nashville, Tennessee. She developed an interest in fertility issues after successfully undergoing treatment to have her two sons, now in their twenties. Her books include Regency romances, romantic intrigues, romantic comedies and mysteries. A former Associated Press reporter and columnist, she lives with her husband of thirty-five years in Orange County, California, where sheâs active in Romance Writers of America. You can see an overview of the Safe Harbor Medical miniseries at www.jacquelinediamond.com and say hello to Jackie at her Facebook page, JacquelineDiamondAuthor.
For Kevin and Renée Brown, two very special friends
Chapter One
The man and woman sitting in front of Melissa Everhartâs desk held hands as if about to jump off a cliff together. In a sense, that was what they were doing.
Be careful what you wish for, she wanted to caution them. But in her role as Safe Harbor Medical Centerâs in vitro fertilization and egg donor coordinator, she was already providing them with full information. Any further warning would be an unprofessional insertion of her personal concerns.