Plain Jane and Doctor Dad

Plain Jane and Doctor Dad
Kate Little

Maura Chambers needed help with her unborn baby. Doug Connelly wanted to make up for a friend's bad judgment. Not the best reasons for marriage, but enough to make Maura and Doug say "I do."It was to be a marriage of convenience, to get Maura through a difficult time. But how, then, could she explain the hungry look in Doug's amber eyes, the longing she felt during their nights together? The handsome doctor's hands made her feel nothing like a plain Jane nurse but rather like a wanton, wanted woman. Everything was within reach–a husband, a family. Until she discovered Doug's little secret…

AROUND CHI-TOWN

May: It’s wedding bells once again for the Connellys. This time, they’re ringing for the newest member of Chicago’s “royal family”—Dr. Doug Connelly. In a private ceremony downtown, he wed nurse Maura Chambers. Kudos to her for landing Chicago’s best-looking pediatrician since George Clooney’s Dr. Ross.

It was just a short while ago that patriarch Grant Connelly was reunited with his long-lost illegitimate sons, twins Doug and Chance Barnett. The latter, a Navy SEAL, is reported to be off on yet another secret mission.

Not even the presence of two more powerful Connelly men could prevent a near-disaster at Connelly Corporation last night when a computer crash nearly wiped out the giant’s software. A company spokesman said they’re not ruling out sabotage.

With his meteoric rise to the top of the American business scene and his beautiful, former-princess wife, Grant must surely be the target of the green-eyed monster. But exactly who has it in for the well-respected Chicago icon?

Dear Reader,

Looking for romances with a healthy dose of passion? Don’t miss Silhouette Desire’s red-hot May lineup of passionate, powerful and provocative love stories!

Start with our MAN OF THE MONTH, His Majesty, M.D., by bestselling author Leanne Banks. This latest title in the ROYAL DUMONTS miniseries features an explosive engagement of convenience between a reluctant royal and a determined heiress. Then, in Kate Little’s Plain Jane & Doctor Dad, the new installment of Desire’s continuity series DYNASTIES: THE CONNELLYS, a rugged Connelly sweeps a pregnant heroine off her feet.

A brooding cowboy learns about love and family in Taming Blackhawk, a SECRETS! title by Barbara McCauley. Reader favorite Sara Orwig offers a brand-new title in the exciting TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: THE LAST BACHELOR series. In The Playboy Meets His Match, enemies become lovers and then some.

A sexy single mom is partnered with a lonesome rancher in Kathie DeNosky’s Cassie’s Cowboy Daddy. And in Anne Marie Winston’s Billionaire Bachelors: Garrett, sparks fly when a tycoon shares a cabin with the woman he believes was his stepfather’s mistress.

Bring passion into your life this month by indulging in all six of these sensual sizzlers.

Enjoy!

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

Plain Jane & Doctor Dad

Kate Little

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

KATE LITTLE

claims to have lots of experience with romance—“the fictional kind, that is,” she is quick to clarify. She has been both an author and an editor of romance fiction for over fifteen years. She believes that a good romance will make the reader experience all the tension, thrills and agony of falling madly, deeply and wildly in love. She enjoys watching the characters in her books go crazy for each other, but hates to see the blissful couple disappear when it’s time for them to live happily ever after. In addition to writing romance novels, Kate also writes fiction and nonfiction for young adults. She lives on Long Island, New York, with her husband and daughter.

MEET THE CONNELLYS

Meet the Connellys of Chicago—wealthy, powerful and rocked by scandal, betrayal…and passion!

Who’s Who in PLAIN JANE & DOCTOR DAD

Dr. Doug Connelly—Within months, he found his long-lost father, Grant Connelly, and a family-to-be with pregnant Maura. But can the divorced doctor let them into his barricaded heart?

Maura Chambers—Though pregnant and alone, she vowed to give her baby everything—everything but a father. Then Doug offered his name…. Dare Maura hope for more?

Angie Donahue—Years ago she loved Grant Connelly and gave him a child…. Now she’s back—not for a reunion, but for revenge.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

One

As Nurse Maura Chambers left Scott’s office, she knew she’d never see him again. But he didn’t say “Good luck” or even “Good-bye.” He merely shuffled papers around on his desk as she slipped through the doorway, ignoring her, as if she had already vanished from his sight.

She stepped from the quiet chamber into the busy hospital corridor, resisting the urge to give his door one last, resounding slam. What good would that do her now? It would only give the major-league gossips on staff more to talk about. Hadn’t they already gotten enough mileage out of her failed romance? Anyway, in a matter of days Scott would be gone for good, starting a new job and a new life hundreds of miles away. And she’d be free of him. Almost.

Maura took a deep breath and started down the crowded hallway, willing herself to look as busy as everyone around her. She kept her gaze downcast, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might stop her to ask why she looked so upset. She didn’t feel like talking about her problems now. Not to anyone.

As much as she’d dreaded facing Scott Walker again, she’d been obligated to disclose her secret. After all, he bore his fair share of responsibility. But it only took a moment for Maura to realize Scott didn’t see the matter that way. Not at all. His reaction had been more than disappointing. More than cold or unsympathetic. His attitude and succinct advice had made her sick to her stomach.

Well, what did you really expect? she asked herself. Haven’t you known for weeks now what kind of man he is? It had been clear to her ever since the night Scott had announced, out of the blue, that he was leaving Chicago General. Leaving the city entirely for a new job as a hospital administrator in Minneapolis. Why would he be any different now?

Looking back, she felt angry all over again to see his calculated tactics so clearly. How he had chosen a fancy restaurant for their talk, a place so exclusive and formal he could almost be assured she wouldn’t make a scene. As the maître d’ had led them to their secluded, candle-lit table, Maura had thought Scott might even be planning to propose.

He had a little speech planned for her, all right, but it wasn’t about marriage. Quite the opposite. Getting to know her the past six months had been great. Really fun, he’d said in a sympathetic tone. But the problem was, he’d be moving to Minnesota in a few weeks. He’d found a great job. Just what he’d been hoping for. She wouldn’t want to hold him back, would she? Besides, they both knew this was a casual relationship. No strings. No expectations.

Then, ignoring her stunned expression, he’d patted her hand. Long-distance things never seemed to work out, he’d added, so it was best for both of them to end it now. To make a clean break. In a few weeks, he was sure, she’d thank him for making it so easy. She’d be happy she was free to meet someone new.

He hadn’t waited for her answer. She was far too shocked at the time to make any reply at all.

It was right at that moment that she suddenly saw Scott differently, saw his true nature clearly. How had she been so blind? Was he that adept at misleading people? While she thought they were involved in a serious relationship—one that could lead to marriage—he’d merely been using her.

Maura felt a bitter taste at the memory. She touched her fingers to her eyes. She was crying. It seemed impossible that she had any tears left after the way she’d cried that night. She stopped walking and leaned against the wall of the corridor. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she reached into her pocket for a tissue.

“Maura?” She felt a touch on her shoulder and turned to see Doug Connelly’s tall, commanding form beside her. “Are you all right?” he asked kindly.

“Uh…sure. I’ve just got something in my eye. A bit of dust or something,” Maura mumbled. She pressed the tissue to her eye. “It will go away in a second.”