The Secret Wife

The Secret Wife
Carrie Weaver

How did this nice girl end up as the other woman? Even worse, how did she end up the other wife?Until she met Eric, Maggie McGuire had been above reproach. Now she's been forced to drive cross-country to ask for help–for her child, not for her–from Eric's family. And there, to her horror, she discovers that Eric is already married.J. D. McGuire is used to cleaning up his brother's messes, but this is the worst one yet. Before he can even start, Eric is killed and Maggie is under suspicion. Even though he'd like to walk away, he finds he wants to help her. But how can he believe Maggie is innocent when he knows she's lying about his brother being the father of her child?

“There are already two Mrs. McGuires. One is my grandmother. The other is Nancy, Eric’s wife.”

Wife?

The word bounced around Maggie’s head, slid down her throat and swirled in her stomach before dropping to the bottom, like one of those penny wishing wells at Wal-Mart.

“Th-that’s impossible, I’m his wife.”

“Look. My brother’s done some pretty crummy things in his life, but he wouldn’t stoop to bigamy.”

“At least we agree on something.”

Eric had been a jerk occasionally. But he’d been a charming, loving jerk. She couldn’t believe he would do something to hurt her so badly. To hurt his son so badly.

But doubts tiptoed through her mind. He’d never really believed David was his child. And when she told him he was listed as David’s father on the birth certificate, he'd just smiled a sad little smile and kissed her gently.

No. He wouldn’t be that cruel.

“Maybe she’s mistaken? This Nancy woman.”

“Nope. I was their best man. And if there had been a divorce, I would have heard about it.”

That’s when the second shock seeped in. Everything she’d believed to be true was in jeopardy. J.D. was lying. He had to be lying.

Dear Reader,

You may find The Secret Wife a slight departure from my previous books. Like many of my stories, the family theme and a journey of discovery are still present. But The Secret Wife also contains an element of suspense.

Maggie McGuire’s arrival in her estranged husband’s hometown sparks a chain reaction of conflict and intrigue, with her nine-month-old son at the center.

As in real life, the opportunity for greatest personal growth sometimes arises from difficulty and heartbreak. Maggie and her new champion, J.D., certainly find this to be true as they search for meaning in a senseless tragedy.

I hope you enjoy my foray into romantic suspense. I found it both challenging and rewarding to write—so much so that I gave one of the characters an important role in my next book.

I love hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me by mail in care of Harlequin Enterprises, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, M3B 3K9, Canada. Or I can be reached via www.SuperAuthors.com.

Happy reading,

Carrie Weaver

The Secret Wife

Carrie Weaver

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is dedicated to the real Tinker brothers, Jack and Alex (aka Dad and Uncle Alex), along with their wives, Mary Ellen and Patty (Mom and Aunt Patty). Thanks for all your love and support.

P.S. I promise the ladies will receive top billing next time.

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

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE