Her Fresh Start Family

Her Fresh Start Family
Lorraine Beatty

A new life. A new love.But will secrets tear them apart?Struggling with a tragic loss, widow Nina Johnson seeks a fresh start in a Southern small town. Then she meets handsome veteran Bret Sinclair and his sweet daughters. Bret's no stranger to loss, and his companionship is the solace Nina’s been searching for. Until a dark secret from Bret’s past is exposed, threatening to break these Mississippi Hearts.

A new life. A new love.

But will secrets tear them apart?

Struggling with a tragic loss, widow Nina Johnson seeks a fresh start in a Southern small town. Then she meets handsome veteran Bret Sinclair and his sweet daughters. Bret’s no stranger to loss, and his companionship is the solace Nina’s been searching for. Until a dark secret from Bret’s past is exposed, threatening to break these Mississippi Hearts.

LORRAINE BEATTY was raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and is a member of RWA and ACFW, and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

Also By Lorraine Beatty (#u48386583-7ad6-518c-ad07-56cacedcb93a)

Love Inspired

Mississippi Hearts

Her Fresh Start Family

Home to Dover

Protecting the Widow’s Heart

His Small-Town Family

Bachelor to the Rescue

Her Christmas Hero

The Nanny’s Secret Child

A Mom for Christmas

The Lawman’s Secret Son

Her Handyman Hero

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Her Fresh Start Family

Lorraine Beatty

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

ISBN: 978-1-474-08431-4

HER FRESH START FAMILY

© 2018 Lorraine Beatty

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“I have some people I’d like you to meet.”

The sight of Bret’s two girls… The memories Nina kept locked away came surging back. She gritted her teeth and tried to look pleasant.

The girls said hello, big smiles on their sweet faces.

Bret’s expression faded from that of a proud parent to deep concern. She should explain, but her heart was being shredded.

“Girls, why don’t you go back to my office? I’ll be there in a minute.”

The minute the girls were gone, she wrapped her arms around her waist.

“Are you all right? I never considered that you might not like children.”

“I like children.”

“Really? You went pale as a ghost.”

“I was surprised, that’s all.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Nina. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.” The sob escaped her throat.

Bret steered her toward the sofa and sat beside her. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s wrong.”

She stared into Bret’s eyes. He was safe. Trustworthy. Why was it so hard to say the words?

“I had a daughter. She died. Five years ago today.”

This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.