Tail of Two Hearts

Tail of Two Hearts
Charlotte Carter

Chase Rollins has much to be grateful for. A new home, a new career running the Fluff & Stuff pet store, and new friends.But he could have so much more. Lovely bookstore clerk Vivian Duncan might just be the perfect wife. But when Viv becomes a foster mother to four-month-old Theo, Chase knows he has a problem. A life with Vivian will mean a life with children–and that's one challenge he's not sure he'd ready to tackle. Can Viv and Theo convince him that a family is the biggest blessing of all?

Family Blessings

Chase Rollins has much to be grateful for. A new home, a new career running the Fluff & Stuff pet store and new friends. But he could have so much more. Lovely bookstore clerk Vivian Duncan just might be the perfect wife. But when Viv becomes a foster mother to four-month-old Theo, Chase knows he has a problem. A life with Vivian will mean a life with children—and that’s one challenge he’s not sure he’d ready to tackle. Can Viv and Theo convince him that a family is the biggest blessing of all?

The Heart of Main Street: They’re rebuilding the town one step—and heart—at a time

Viv glanced at her baby and then at Chase.

“He’s getting fussy. Would you mind picking him up and holding him for a minute?”

“Me?” Chase’s eyes widened. He went very still.

“Hold him close to you, up against your chest,” Viv prompted. “He’ll feel more secure that way.”

But would Chase feel secure?

He pulled Theo to him. Immediately, the baby dropped his head to Chase’s shoulder and heaved a sigh.

Chase felt something stir inside him.

How in the world would he ever make Viv understand that he couldn’t be the man she wanted him to be?

The Heart of Main Street: They’re rebuilding

the town one step—and heart—at a time.

CHARLOTTE CARTER

A multipublished author of more than fifty romances, cozy mysteries and inspirational titles, Charlotte Carter lives in Southern California with her husband of forty-nine years and their cat, Mittens. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren. When she’s not writing, Charlotte does a little stand-up comedy, “G-Rated Humor for Grown-ups,” and teaches workshops on the craft of writing.

Tail of Two Hearts

Charlotte Carter

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

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

—1 Corinthians 13:13

I’d like to thank my fellow authors

of the Heart of Main Street continuity series. With such a complicated story with recurring characters and overarching story lines, it takes exceptional communication and cooperation among the authors. Arlene James, Carolyne Aarsen, Brenda Minton, Lissa Manley and Valerie Hansen, you made my work easy. And thanks to Emily Rodmell, our editor, who kept us all going in the right direction.

Thanks to Gina H. and Laura W.

from the Harlequin Forums for the

lovely Thanksgiving table decorations.

Special thanks to Charlie; you know why.

Contents

Chapter One (#u961c461e-b828-5b30-a738-8ff55eaae8f5)

Chapter Two (#u218c8bd0-ae06-5a75-9f89-fb3612097205)

Chapter Three (#u44895147-3cf0-5c52-a648-7960fa2ce39d)

Chapter Four (#u221542c2-d046-5bd6-b76f-2e800461fa7f)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Vivian Duncan stepped out of Happy Endings Bookstore onto the sidewalk in the small Kansas town of Bygones. Watching leaves and bits of paper racing down the street blown by a brisk breeze, she inhaled the crisp November air. Only a few weeks until Thanksgiving, one of her favorite times of the year.

Her mother made the best turkey and stuffing, and her older siblings who had moved away from home always made it a point to come back for the holiday.