Their Secret Son

Their Secret Son
Judy Duarte

THE SECRET WAS OUTThe towheaded son of stunning socialite Kristin Reynolds had to be his child. Because once upon a time fireman Joe Davenport and Kristin had been lovers, pulled apart by her prestigious family. He hadn't wanted to give her up then, and he refused to give up his son now. Of course, this time, he and Kristin were both adults. They could handle the intimacies of parenthood, without wanting more. And though the heat of her gaze, of her touch, was almost more than he could bear, he'd be damned if he'd reignite their old flame–even if Kristin was the one woman who tempted him to want the family, and the wife, he could never have.

“Am I Bobby’s father?”

The tears slipped down her cheeks, revealing the words her mouth couldn’t form. She nodded.

Joe had suspected Bobby was his son. Kristin’s affirmation only validated what he already sensed.

A part of him wanted to lash out and be angry that she’d kept their child a secret from him. But guilt came flying back in his court. After all, he’d been the one to end things that day at the ball field.

As long as he was placing blame, he’d throw some out at their fathers—hers for being so obstinate about wanting what was best for his daughter, and his for being a lowlife jerk.

But that didn’t change the current fact.

Joe Davenport had a son.

Dear Reader,

Spring might be just around the corner, but it’s not too late to curl up by the fire with this month’s lineup of six heartwarming stories. Start off with Three Down the Aisle, the first book in bestselling author Sherryl Woods’s new miniseries, THE ROSE COTTAGE SISTERS. When a woman returns to her childhood haven, the last thing she expects is to fall in love! And make sure to come back in April for the next book in this delightful new series.

Will a sexy single dad find All He Ever Wanted in a search-and-rescue worker who saves his son? Find out in Allison Leigh’s latest book in our MONTANA MAVERICKS: GOLD RUSH GROOMS miniseries. The Fortunes of Texas are back, and you can read the first three stories in the brand-new miniseries THE FORTUNES OF TEXAS: REUNION, only in Silhouette Special Edition. The continuity launches with Her Good Fortune by Marie Ferrarella. Can a straitlaced CEO make it work with a feisty country girl who’s taken the big city by storm? Next, don’t miss the latest book in Susan Mallery’s DESERT ROGUES ongoing miniseries, The Sheik & the Bride Who Said No. When two former lovers reunite, passion flares again. But can they forgive each other for past mistakes? Be sure to read the next book in Judy Duarte’s miniseries, BAYSIDE BACHELORS. A fireman discovers his ex-lover’s child is Their Secret Son, but can they be a family once again? And pick up Crystal Green’s The Millionaire’s Secret Baby. When a ranch chef lands her childhood crush—and tycoon—can she keep her identity hidden, or will he discover her secrets?

Enjoy, and be sure to come back next month for six compelling new novels, from Silhouette Special Edition.

All the best,

Gail Chasan

Senior Editor

Their Secret Son

Judy Duarte

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

To my little brother, Bobby Astleford, who over the

years has grown from a pest to a friend.

I forgive you for all those annoying things you used to do, including the

times you chased me with a baseball bat. And I won’t mention that night you

were arrested for speeding down East Valley Parkway while

I was supposed to be watching out for you.

But setting that field on fire with a box of matches and your model

car might make you famous.

I love you, Bobby.

Books by Judy Duarte

Silhouette Special Edition

Cowboy Courage #1458

Family Practice #1511

Almost Perfect #1540

Big Sky Baby #1563

The Virgin’s Makeover #1593

Bluegrass Baby #1598

The Rich Man’s Son #1634

Hailey’s Hero #1659

Their Secret Son #1667

Silhouette Books

Double Destiny

“Second Chance”

JUDY DUARTE

An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy Duarte always wanted to write books of her own. One day, she decided to make that dream come true. Five years and six manuscripts later, she sold her first book to Silhouette Special Edition.

Her unpublished stories have won the Emily and the Orange Rose, and in 2001, she became a double Golden Heart finalist. Judy credits her success to Romance Writers of America and two wonderful critique partners, Sheri WhiteFeather and Crystal Green, both of whom write for Silhouette.

At times, when a stubborn hero and a headstrong heroine claim her undivided attention, she and her family are thankful for fast food, pizza delivery and video games. When she’s not at the keyboard or in a Walter Mitty–type world, she enjoys traveling, spending romantic evenings with her personal hero and playing board games with her kids.

Judy lives in Southern California and loves to hear from her readers. You may write to her at: P.O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068-0498. You can also visit her Web site at www.judyduarte.com.

From the Bayside Banner:

Wealthy property owner Thomas Reynolds made a surprise visit to juvenile court today, where he argued against the release of the fourteen-year-old who was charged with setting last week’s fire that destroyed one of his warehouses on Industrial Way.

When asked by a reporter about his interest in the case, Reynolds said, “Bayside doesn’t need another juvenile delinquent on the streets.”