His Best Friend

His Best Friend
Patricia Kay

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER…From the moment she began her new job, beautiful Claudia Hathaway had bewitched her colleague Philip Larkin. But Claudia's feelings for Phil left her cold. As opposed to the heartstopping romantic connection she'd made with a handsome stranger…even if Claudia's mystery man had seemingly instantly forgotten her existence.John Renzo couldn't believe it when the woman he couldn't get out of his mind reentered his life–on the arm of his best friend, and the man to whom he owed the greatest debt. For John owed Philip his life. So how could he give Claudia his heart?

John couldn’t believe his eyes.

Philip’s date was the blonde! The one John had met in Austin.

She’d recognized him, too. He could see the surprise in her eyes.

Philip proudly drew the blonde forward. “John, this is Claudia Hathaway, the new prof I was telling you about. Claudia, my cousin John Renzo.”

She tilted her head, studying John. “Actually, I believe we’ve met.”

“You’ve met?” Philip looked from one to the other.

John shrugged. “But I didn’t know her name.” He couldn’t stop staring at her. God, she was even more gorgeous than he’d remembered. Tonight, in that black clingy outfit, she looked fantastic. Although she was lean, her body was sexy, with curves in the right places. And she was the wonderful Claudia that Philip had been talking about for weeks?

How was that possible?

Dear Reader,

Well, we hope your New Year’s resolutions included reading some fabulous new books—because we can provide the reading material! We begin with Stranded with the Groom by Christine Rimmer, part of our new MONTANA MAVERICKS: GOLD RUSH GROOMS miniseries. When a staged wedding reenactment turns into the real thing, can the actual honeymoon be far behind? Tune in next month for the next installment in this exciting new continuity.

Victoria Pade concludes her NORTHBRIDGE NUPTIALS miniseries with Having the Bachelor’s Baby, in which a woman trying to push aside memories of her one night of passion with the town’s former bad boy finds herself left with one little reminder of that encounter—she’s pregnant with his child. Judy Duarte begins her new miniseries, BAYSIDE BACHELORS, with Hailey’s Hero, featuring a cautious woman who finds herself losing her heart to a rugged rebel who might break it…. THE HATHAWAYS OF MORGAN CREEK by Patricia Kay continues with His Best Friend, in which a woman is torn between two men—the one she really wants, and the one to whom he owes his life. Mary J. Forbes’s sophomore Special Edition is A Father, Again, featuring a grown-up reunion between a single mother and her teenaged crush. And a disabled child, an exhausted mother and a down-but-not-out rodeo hero all come together in a big way, in Christine Wenger’s debut novel, The Cowboy Way.

So enjoy, and come back next month for six compelling new novels, from Silhouette Special Edition.

Happy New Year!

Gail Chasan

Senior Editor

Silhouette Special Edition

His Best Friend

Patricia Kay

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

This book is dedicated, with thanks, to the

supportive staff at my local CURVES.

You’ve made a big difference in my life!

PATRICIA KAY,

formerly writing as Trisha Alexander, is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more that thirty contemporary romances. She lives in Houston, Texas. To learn more about her, visit her Web site at www.patriciakay.com.

CAST OF CHARACTERS —

The Hathaways of Morgan Creek

Stella Morgan Hathaway (91 years old)—Matriarch of the Hathaway family. Morgan Creek is named after her great-grandfather Jeremiah Morgan. A strong, domineering woman, she is used to controlling her family and their lives.

Jonathan Morgan Hathaway (68 years old)—Her only son.

Kathleen Bryce Hathaway (64 years old)—Jonathan’s wife.

Bryce Hathaway (41 years old)—Jonathan and Kathleen’s only son, he heads the family business and recently married Amy Jordan.

Amy Hathaway (33 years old)—Bryce’s wife, she has brought happiness back into his life.

Calista Hathaway (4 years old)—Amy’s daughter from her first marriage, recently adopted by Bryce.

Chloe Hathaway Standish (37 years old)—The oldest Hathaway daughter.

Lorna Morgan Hathaway (33 years old)—The middle Hathaway daughter.

Claudia Elizabeth Hathaway (29 years old)—The youngest Hathaway daughter.

Greg Standish (39 years old)—Chloe’s husband.

Cameron Kathleen Standish (15 years old)—Chloe and Greg’s daughter.

Stella Ann Hathaway (9 years old)—Bryce’s oldest daughter.

Susan Adele Hathaway (8 years old)—Bryce’s youngest daughter.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven