Dad by Default

Dad by Default
Jacqueline Diamond

Anyone Can–And Will–Make A MistakeDr. Connor Hardison's dislike of single mothers has every upstanding citizen in Downhome on his side. The person who isn't impressed–for a little while–by the town's newest bachelor is his nurse, but then, his disapproval is nothing compared with what she's already endured.An unexpected pregnancy may have ruined Yvonne Johnson's reputation, but she won't be the sole object of wagging tongues and pointing fingers once the gossips discover that the clinic's new physician doesn't exactly walk on water. Not only has he fallen for Yvonne, but Downhome's "fallen woman" isn't the only single parent in town.Just how welcome in Downhome can this dad by default and his nurse hope to be?

If she wasn’t careful, she might fall in love

Had already fallen.

Oh, damn.

Until now she hadn’t dared picture a future with Connor, but now her imagination drifted there. Morning after morning, awakening in his arms…the small rituals of eating breakfast, going to work, reading to the children as a couple…

Was she a complete fool? That kind of security didn’t come to women like her. Not in a world full of Harmon Hardisons and Luther Allens—righteous, judgmental people who mattered to Connor.

There wasn’t going to be a happy ending. No Just Married sign on the back of his cool red sedan. No baby with Connor’s thick hair and her violet eyes.

Abruptly Yvonne sat up.

What had she done?

Dear Reader,

When I first met Yvonne while telling the story of Jenni and Ethan, I knew that someday she’d insist on taking center stage. But I had no idea she was going to do so with such spirit.

As for Connor, I didn’t realize that the seemingly staid physician guarded a secret, and had a big surprise in store, as well. Writing this book was as much a voyage of discovery for me as for him.

Even after more than seventy novels, I still don’t know how characters spring to life. I’m just grateful that they do. Take Biker Mike. Until I met the little guy in a motel room, I was clueless about the strength of his personality.

Characters change, too. If you’ve read the previous DOWNHOME DOCTORS books, you’ll recall Beau as a real pain in the neck. When it came to dealing with his own family, however, he revealed unexpected facets.

If this is your first visit to Downhome, the book stands by itself, so don’t worry. And I hope you’re intrigued enough to want to find out what happens to Sonja Vega, the ob-gyn who’s going to arrive next. In fact, she’s already had a prickly encounter with the man who’s going to be her hero, but she doesn’t know it yet.

I’d better get back to work. I can hear my characters demanding attention.

Happy reading!

P.S. Please e-mail me at jdiamondfriends@aol.com and visit my Web site at www.jacquelinediamond.com.

Dad by Default

Jacqueline Diamond

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

For my cousin Suzanne, who shares my memories of Granny

Books by Jacqueline Diamond

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

913—THE IMPROPERLY PREGNANT PRINCESS

962—DIAGNOSIS: EXPECTING BOSS’S BABY

971—PRESCRIPTION: MARRY HER IMMEDIATELY

978—PROGNOSIS: A BABY? MAYBE

1046—THE BABY’S BODYGUARD

1075—THE BABY SCHEME

1094—THE POLICE CHIEF’S LADY * (#litres_trial_promo)

1101—NINE-MONTH SURPRISE * (#litres_trial_promo)

1109—A FAMILY AT LAST * (#litres_trial_promo)

Contents

Chapter One (#u9e2f1b74-45fb-521c-909c-0d66cf650e98)

Chapter Two (#u7000b859-750b-5944-8466-3134eeee4830)

Chapter Three (#ued4fd6fd-5a07-5bef-8d0f-8c2a320e5120)

Chapter Four (#u9fc38f7e-b7c5-5b59-a1a2-908d8edabda4)

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)