The Twins' Family Wish

Bachelor Father

Working at a day care center, teacher Penny Stern knew she’d bond with the children—but she never expected to fall for adorable four-year-old twins or their handsome uncle. Her heart is in danger when Rick Granger asks for a helping hand. Named guardian to the twins after his sister’s death, the confirmed bachelor is in way over his head. And when his construction company is in danger of falling behind on a job at Wranglers Ranch, the single dad realizes he needs a full-time mom for the twins. Penny wants happily-ever-after, but Rick is offering a marriage in name only. Could two wily twins and one heartfelt wish help make them a real family?

“Do you need love, Uncle Rick?”

“Huh?” He focused on the road as he tried to decipher what his niece meant. “We all need love, sweetie.” He gulped. If this was parenting, he was about to flunk. “Why do you ask?”

“’Cause I heard Penny talking to Miss Miranda an’ Penny said you needed love so you’d stop hurting. I love you real lots and Kyle does, too.”

“I don’t think I have any special hurt today, sweetheart, but if I did, for sure your hug would fix it,” he said. Penny had said he needed love? What in the world? Suddenly a lightbulb clicked on inside his head.

Could Penny be matchmaking?

Had she misunderstood their last conversation and decided that he needed a woman in his life?

Once they were home and the kids were tucked in, the idea came to him. Maybe it was Penny who needed a matchmaker.

He sat down to make a list of male friends who might fit her bill. Only thing was, he ended up deleting most of them because imagining Penny with any of his buddies gave Rick an unsettled feeling in his stomach.

Must have been the fast food. Certainly couldn’t be because he was interested in Penny’s personal life.

LOIS RICHER loves traveling, swimming and quilting, but mostly she loves writing stories that show God’s boundless love for His precious children. As she says, “His love never changes or gives up. It’s always waiting for me. My stories feature imperfect characters learning that love doesn’t mean attaining perfection. Love is about keeping on keeping on.” You can contact Lois via email, [email protected], or on Facebook (loisricherauthor).

The Twins’ Family Wish

Lois Richer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

The Lord will work out His plan for your life.

—Psalms 138:8

To all the moms, would-be moms

and those who have a heart for mothering.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

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

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Are you buying that for your little girl?”

Startled from her reverie about children and the lack of them in her life, Penelope Stern dropped the stuffed pig onto the display and wheeled around. A child with lopsided pigtails and thoughtful brown eyes studied her for a moment before picking up the animal herself to study it more closely.

“Moms always like pink,” she proclaimed, her head tilted to one side. “Mine did, too.” Her face got a soft, weepy look. “But I don’t gots a mom no more.”

“Oh?” Moved by her woeful expression and the sorrowful sound of loss in her voice, it took a minute before Penny’s brain clicked in. “But I’m not a mo—”

“Katie?” The word emerged from behind Penny, a low male growl that held both reproof and resignation. “I asked you and Kyle to stay with me, remember?” The man held up a hand when Katie’s bow lips parted. “And no, we can’t buy that toy because you already have a zoo full of stuffed animals at home.”

Penny watched as the tall, lean dad gently lifted the pig from the child’s hand and returned it to the shelf. Handsome yet disheveled in battered cowboy boots, jeans that had seen a lot of wear and a red-and-white-checked shirt that was missing two buttons, he shoved back his Stetson, tenderly brushed his hand over the child’s head then looked up at Penny.

“I hope Katie wasn’t bothering you.”

“Oh, no, she wasn’t bother—” Only the strictest control kept Penny from gasping when she glimpsed the angrily crumpled skin that scarred the left side of his very handsome face. She met his gaze and mentally winced at his expression—as if he was resigned to people staring at him, as if he was waiting for her to turn away in disgust, as if that had happened before. “Katie wasn’t bothering me at all.” She hoped her smile would cover her disconcerted reaction.

“She’s buyin’ that pig for her little girl, Uncle Rick.” Katie grabbed the pig and returned it to Penny. “She’ll like it,” the sprite promised, pigtails bobbing. Then she leaned on Uncle Rick’s arm and yawned. “Is it time to go home now? I’m tired.”

“Well, darlin’, I’ve almost finished my list but now Kyle’s wandered off.” The man heaved a sigh that said better than any words could that he, too, was weary and more than ready to leave. “Let’s go find your brother.”