Their Instant Baby

Their Instant Baby
Cathy Gillen Thacker

Amy Deveraux's biological clock was tick…tick…ticking!To make matters even worse, she had agreed to look after her three-month-old godson while his mother was out of the country. Except, sharing the baby-sitting responsibilities with Nick Everton - the baby's handsome uncle - wasn't part of the bargain! She and Nick were as different as night and day.But seeing Nick in the role of temporary daddy and spending long days - and nights - playing house with him made Amy yearn to turn their situation into something more permanent. Could Amy and their instant baby convince Nick that his bachelor days were numbered…?

Dear Amy,

Thank you again for baby-sitting baby Dexter while I am away. I can’t tell you what a comfort it is to me to know that little Dexter will be in good hands. Plus just think, this will be great practice for you when you have your own family….

Also, I know that sharing such intimate quarters with my brother might prove difficult, but it is important to me that baby Dexter remain in familiar surroundings. By the way, while you are playing house with Nick—make sure you don’t fall for him. He isn’t the marrying kind. On second thought, maybe you are the one woman who can convince the confirmed bachelor to finally take the marriage plunge…!

XOXO Lola

Dear Reader,

Things get off to a great start this month with another wonderful installment in Cathy Gillen Thacker’s series THE DEVERAUX LEGACY. In Their Instant Baby, a couple comes together to take care of an adorable infant—and must fight their instant attraction. Be sure to look for a brand-new Deveraux story from Cathy when The Heiress, a Harlequin single title, is released next March.

Judy Christenberry is also up this month with a story readers have been anxiously awaiting. Yes, Russ Randall does finally get his happy ending in Randall Wedding, part of the BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series. We also have Sassy Cinderella from Kara Lennox, the concluding story in her memorable series HOW TO MARRY A HARDISON. And rounding out things is Montana Miracle, a stranded story with a twist from perennial favorite Mary Anne Wilson.

Next month begins a yearlong celebration as Harlequin American Romance commemorates its twentieth anniversary! We’ll have tons of your favorite authors with more of their dynamic stories. And we’re also launching a brand-new continuity called MILLIONAIRE, MONTANA that is guaranteed to please. Plus, be on the lookout for details of our fabulous and exciting contest!

Enjoy all we have to offer and come back next month to help us celebrate twenty years of home, heart and happiness!

Sincerely,

Melissa Jeglinski

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin American Romance

Cathy Gillen Thacker

Their Instant Baby

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathy Gillen Thacker married her high school sweetheart and hasn’t had a dull moment since. Why, you ask? Well, there were three kids, various pets, any number of automobiles, several moves across the country, his and her careers, and sundry other experiences. But mostly, there was love and friendship and laughter, and lots of experiences she wouldn’t trade for the world.

You can find out more about Cathy and her books at www.cathygillenthacker.com, and you can write her c/o Harlequin Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.

Who’s Who in the Deveraux Family

Tom Deveraux—The head of the family and CEO of the Deveraux shipping empire that has been handed down through the generations.

Grace Deveraux—Estranged from Tom for years, but back in town—after a personal tragedy—for some much-needed family support.

Chase Deveraux—The eldest son, and the biggest playboy in the greater Charleston area.

Mitch Deveraux—A chip off the old block and about to double the size of the family business via a business/marriage arrangement.

Dr. Gabe Deveraux—The “Goodest” Samaritan around. Any damsels in distress in need of the good doctor’s assistance…?

Amy Deveraux—The baby sister. She’s determined to reunite her parents.

Winnifred Deveraux Smith—Tom’s widowed sister. The social doyenne of Charleston, she’s determined never to marry. That’s not what she has in mind for her niece and nephews, though.

Herry Bowles—The butler. Distinguished, indispensable and devoted to his boss, Winnifred.

Eleanor—The Deveraux ancestor with whom the legacy of ill-fated love began.

Contents

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 One

“Look, I don’t want to upset your sister—obviously she has enough on her plate right now—but I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t think this is going to work,” Amy Deveraux told Nick Everton the moment she came face-to-face with him on his sister Lola’s doorstep. “Not on any twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week basis, anyway.”

For once in her life, Amy was going to be practical—instead of emotional. She was going to let her actions be ruled by her head, not her heart. And there was simply no way Amy could share such intimate quarters with this man and the adorable three month old baby Nick cradled awkwardly in his arms.

Forget that Nick Everton was the most drop-dead gorgeous, thirty-six-year-old guy Amy had ever seen. Forget that he was successful, smart, funny—according to Lola, anyway—and genuinely dependable and chivalrous. Or that he was kin to one of her best friends. Nick Everton was just too darn big and physically imposing. Amy guessed he was at least two-hundred and twenty pounds of solid muscle on a six-foot-five frame. His shoulders were broad, his waist trim. And he looked great in his dark-blue suit and slate-blue shirt and tie.