Keeping Christmas

Keeping Christmas
Marisa Carroll

Mills & Boon M&B

A reason to celebrate

When Katie “Smith” and her baby boy, Kyle, appear at the Owens family home one night during a snowstorm just weeks before Christmas, it seems a cruel twist of fate. Katie looks exactly like Jacob Owens’s dead wife—and Kyle could be his son!

At first Jacob wants nothing to do with the mysterious woman. But before long, Katie accomplishes what no one had thought possible—she breaks through Jacob’s grief, giving him back his joy for life.

But how long will she stay? Katie is obviously running away from someone, though she won’t say who. Whatever happens, Jacob vows to keep her and Kyle safe with him—at least until Christmas.

“Tell me who you are, Katie.”

The request was compelling. She shook her head, fighting back tears.

“You can trust me,” Jacob said gruffly. “Let me help.”

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I’ve put my son in jeopardy by staying as long as I have. I’ve tricked myself into thinking we were safe these past weeks. It was a mistake. I can’t make it worse by telling you everything about us. If I do let you know who I am—let you help—I won’t be able to leave.”

“You don’t have to leave. Not now. Not ever.” His hands tightened on her shoulders. “We’ll fight this thing together.”

“No.” She lifted her fingers to his lips to stop his words. “Kyle and I have to leave. Soon.”

“Then all I can ask is this. Stay with us...until Christmas.”

“I will,” she said against her better judgment, because she wanted so desperately to do as he asked. “If I can.”

Keeping Christmas

Marisa Carroll

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

MARISA CARROLL

is the pen name of sisters Carol Wagner and Marian Franz. The team has been writing bestselling books for almost twenty-five years. During that time they have published more than forty titles, many for the Harlequin Superromance line. They are the recipients of several industry awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and a RITA® Award nomination from Romance Writers of America, and their books have been featured on the USA TODAY, Waldenbooks and B. Dalton bestseller lists. The sisters live near each other in northwestern Ohio, surrounded by children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and old and dear friends.

For our aunts whose names we borrowed without their permission

Almeda

Hazel

Janet

Faye

Lois

And in memory of Marlene and Darlene

And what the heck, for our uncles, too

John August

Robert

Dale

Earl

Contents

Prologue (#u52ce6f31-7e8a-5e51-aa04-baaf083bc0b7)

Chapter 1 (#u86667156-6b8c-56f3-a22e-ea7d584b4d93)

Chapter 2 (#u05252cad-3579-5225-9e51-024193ecc926)

Chapter 3 (#u7dc7d156-df6f-5baf-902f-27cd4883bd57)

Chapter 4 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Prologue