Diamond In The Ruff

Diamond In The Ruff
Marie Ferrarella

A FUR-EVER FAMILYBaker Lily Langtry isn't one to commit to anything more than her mouthwatering pastries. So when a puppy appears at her door, she's stunned at her new responsibilities…and how quick she is to fall for the adorable creature. But Lily gets more than she bargains for when she takes the cute canine to visit strikingly handsome town vet Christopher Whitman.Unaware of the Matchmaking Mamas' scheme to bring them together, Lily and Christopher give in to an immediate attraction. The good doctor shows her the ropes–or leash–in pet ownership…among other things, which causes Lily to question her fear of love. Can this shy beauty take a chance on the strong, steadfast man of her dreams?

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to take advantage of you like that,” he told her, still cupping her cheek with the palm of his hand.

Her voice felt as if it was going to crack at any second as she told him, “You didn’t. And there’s nothing to be sorry about, except …”

“Except?” he prodded.

Lily shook her head, not wanting to continue. She was only going to embarrass herself—and him—if she said anything further. “I’ve said too much.”

“No,” he contradicted, “you’ve said too little. “‘Except’ what?” he coaxed.

Lily wavered. Maybe he did deserve to know. So she told him.

“Except maybe it didn’t last long enough,” she said, her voice hardly above a whisper, her cheeks burning and threatening to turn a deep pink.

“Maybe it didn’t,” he agreed. “Let’s see if I get it right this time,” he murmured just before his mouth came down on hers for a second time.

* * *

Matchmaking Mamas: Playing Cupid. Arranging dates. What are mothers for?

Diamond in the Ruff

Marie Ferrarella

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

A USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award-winning author, MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com (http://www.marieferrarella.com).

To

Rocky and Audrey

who made my life so much richer

in their own unique way.

Contents

Cover (#u7f70db06-c368-5ca0-8b71-f682a12cc11e)

Excerpt (#u7c27a900-d3bd-5ff4-a67f-3d71b69fcf0a)

Title Page (#u137d1092-a589-503a-b88e-e8353ad0e1cf)

About the Author (#ufa2ec142-bc40-5379-8f84-b20e1c3a9af8)

Dedication (#u9ee08263-f525-5cab-b8d3-86ec1d70e5b1)

Prologue (#ulink_96e7fbb4-2593-5fab-8304-c33d4c2bc13d)

Chapter One (#ulink_bde45817-e8da-524f-9b40-f7f1903fe107)

Chapter Two (#ulink_b0c161a7-b500-58a5-b918-2a5050d712d6)

Chapter Three (#ulink_0f85a4b8-0cd3-50c0-a598-daf3041e80e7)

Chapter Four (#ulink_2648dd06-66bb-53d6-b70a-186bead4a2b7)

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)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Prologue (#ulink_9233a2e8-8601-55ba-bc85-72b83e1d5bed)

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

Maizie Connors, youthful grandmother, successful Realtor and matchmaker par excellence, looked at the tall, handsome, blond-haired young man standing in the doorway of her real estate office. Mentally, she whizzed through the many faces she had encountered in the past handful of years, both professionally and privately. Try as she might to recall the young man, Maizie came up empty. His smile was familiar, but the rest of him was not.

Ever truthful, Maizie made no attempt to bluff her way through this encounter until she either remembered him or, more to the point, the young man said something that would set off flares in her somewhat overtaxed brain, reminding her who he was.

Instead, Maizie shook her head and admitted, “I’m afraid I don’t.”