The Lawman's Secret Son

The Lawman's Secret Son
Lorraine Beatty

THE LAWMAN'S SECRET SONPolice officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbour Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardise the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found…or risk losing everything.

Suddenly a Father

Police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found...or risk losing everything.

“It’s Jack’s birth certificate. This is good news, isn’t it?”

“Look at the line for parents’ names.”

She read from the document. “Mother, Paula Ann Schulman. Father, unknown. Oh, Seth...”

The look of sympathy in her eyes wrapped around him, chasing away the sharp edges of his disappointment. When she reached out and grasped his forearm with her small hand, the warmth of her touch spread through him like a warm summer breeze.

“I’m sorry. I was hoping this would be the answer you needed.”

He took her hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers. “Me, too. Now I’ll have to wait on the DNA results.”

“When is that due?”

“Not for a few more weeks.” He looked into her sky blue eyes and realized he didn’t want to break the contact. Carrie abruptly looked away and tugged her hand from his.

He shifted his position slightly, though it did nothing to diminish his acute awareness of her softness or her beauty.

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, as well as 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.

The Lawman’s Secret Son

Lorraine Beatty

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

But you, Lord, do not be far from me.

You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

—Psalms 22:19

To my grandchildren, Drew, Anna, Addie, Casie and Chey. You are my most precious treasure.

Acknowledgments

Chaz McClain, director of children and

family ministries at Lakeside Presbyterian

EPC Church in Brandon, Mississippi, for

his help in steering me in the right direction

with my heroine’s job. Your help made

all the difference and is greatly appreciated.

Contents

Cover (#u24248049-605e-5ddb-9cc1-60c32204cbc6)

Back Cover Text (#ucf09b21a-4792-5e13-86a1-6ae947187982)

Introduction (#uf64293e6-a7cb-58df-8697-0940aa47740f)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author (#u7ed3b3f4-55b1-5f1f-9a20-8ed11f317929)

Title Page (#uedd70d1c-8472-500d-83ba-a0d5682d1ce2)

Bible Verse (#u68d3cbe6-9ccb-51f9-892a-b8c69ea835e6)

Dedication (#u549c1f8e-72c7-59c8-a03a-68848ac9f3d7)

Acknowledgments (#ue3c848b4-428d-5a22-ae59-c81059f9d11b)

Chapter One (#ua2d4e2c2-68ab-5dd6-9429-edc688222977)

Chapter Two (#ud45f0925-0d20-538f-a596-7c5730d493fd)

Chapter Three (#ue6adba34-aa4d-5efd-8342-0a1c8e854b19)

Chapter Four (#u52dffd0e-d912-5370-8393-688defbf370b)

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)