His Answered Prayer

His Answered Prayer
Lois Richer

Blair Delaney thought she had found the love of her lifetime in Gabriel Sloan. When he called things quits just before their wedding, it was as if he had walked away with her soul. But a part of Gabe had stayed with her…in the baby he didn't know she was carrying.Had it really been six years? Suddenly Gabriel stood once again on her doorstep, as if he had somehow heard her little boy's fervent prayers. The dark-haired tycoon was offering Blair family, stability, security–everything but what all three of them needed most. Could a little child lead them to a lasting love?

“I want us to be a family,” Gabe said.

“Why?” Blair pressed him for an answer, knowing he wouldn’t have one. Gabriel Sloan had never wanted any encumbrances in his solitary life. Things couldn’t have changed that much.

“Because he’s my son, and I owe it to him,” he exploded. “And because you’re his mother and I owe you, too. I should never have…”

So he felt guilty for that one night of indiscretion? Blair smiled bitterly. Well, it was as good a reason as any to suggest marriage, she supposed. It just wasn’t her reason, not the one she’d dreamed of, anyway.

He might be willing to marry her, but in the end she would turn him down cold. Daniel was her son, and she intended him to feel the love in his life. Gabe didn’t believe in love.

And Blair couldn’t settle for anything else.

LOIS RICHER

lives in a small Canadian prairie town with her husband, who, she says, is a “wanna-be farmer.” She began writing in self-defense, as a way to escape. She says, “Come spring, tomato plants take over my flower beds, no matter how many I ‘accidentally’ pull up or ‘prune.’ By summer I’m fielding phone calls from neighbors who don’t need tomatoes this fall. Come September, no one visits us, and anyone who gallantly offers to take a box invariably ends up with six. I have more recipes with tomatoes than with chocolate. Thank goodness for writing! Imaginary people with imaginary gardens are much easier to deal with!”

Lois is pleased to present this latest book in her new series IF WISHES WERE WEDDINGS for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired line. Please feel free to contact Lois at: Box 639, Nipawin, Saskatchewan, S0E 1E0, Canada.

His Answered Prayer

Lois Richer

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

This is my commandment, that you love one

another, as I have loved you.

—John 15:12

This book is for kids everywhere, big or little,

who hurt because Mommy or Daddy isn’t there.

Your Father above is waiting with open arms.

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

Letter to Reader

Chapter One

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Daniel.”

“Where is my daddy?”

“Uh…”

“I’m gonna pray really hard, so God will send me a daddy.”

Blair Delaney sighed, her son’s earnest question from last night still ringing in her ears. Daniel hadn’t waited for the answer she didn’t have—or at least, one he’d understand—but had bluntly petitioned heaven with his heartfelt demand.

She shoved her hair behind her ear and deliberately pushed the problem of Daniel’s absent father out of her mind. It was procrastination of the worst sort, but she couldn’t deal with it now. She had to focus on the tasks at hand. Her family depended on her. They needed her to be strong, to keep things on track, to take care of them.

She picked up the shortwave radio and pressed the button.

“I’m heading for the hives in the west field, Mac. If I’m lucky and things are as good as they seem out here, I won’t have to feed the bees sugar for much longer now.”

“That’s good, Busy Bee.”

The old nickname drew a grin. Trust Grandpa to put a smile into her day. She wasn’t going to let him down. Somehow she’d manage Daniel and all the other little problems that kept creeping up, demanding her attention.

“It’ll be nice for you to stop making these runs every day.” Mac’s voice came strong and clear, proof positive that he was once more feeling up to snuff.