A Whole New Man

A Whole New Man
Roxann Delaney

Hank Davis had spent his whole life going from place to place, never putting down roots. So he knew the move to Kansas City was only temporary.Then he met image consultant Lizzie Edwards. In two short weeks she was able to transform his rugged blue-collar appearance into manager material. Still, it was her charming personality and farm-fresh looks, not to mention her precocious four-year-old daughter, that truly captured his heart. Problem was, promising Lizzie a future wasn't something this live-for-the-moment man knew how to do. But when an incredible gift left him with an unexpected legacy, would Hank allow this little family into his life, and finally find a place to call home…?

“We’re just like a family.”

The innocent comment by her four-year-old brought Lizzie to a halt. Could she handle Amanda’s broken heart, and her own, when the time came and Hank left Kansas City? Lizzie prayed she would be able to. A small part of her dared to wish that day would never come. That Hank would stay.

“Come on, Mommy,” Amanda cried, tugging on Lizzie’s hand.

Over the top of her head, Hank gave Lizzie a look she had trouble identifying. A voice inside told her she was getting in too deep. But in fact, it was already too late.

She was falling in love with Hank Davis and there was nothing she could do to stop it.…

Dear Reader,

Spring cleaning wearing you out? Perk up with a heart-thumping romance from Silhouette Romance. This month, your favorite authors return to the line, and a new one makes her debut!

Take a much-deserved break with bestselling author Judy Christenberry’s secret-baby story, Daddy on the Doorstep (#1654). Then plunge into Elizabeth August’s latest, The Rancher’s Hand-Picked Bride (#1656), about a celibate heroine forced to find her rugged neighbor a bride!

You won’t want to miss the first in Raye Morgan’s CATCHING THE CROWN miniseries about three royal siblings raised in America who must return to their kingdom and marry. In Jack and the Princess (#1655), Princess Karina falls for her bodyguard, but what will it take for this gruff commoner to win a place in the royal family? And in Diane Pershing’s The Wish (#1657), the next SOULMATES installment, a pair of magic eyeglasses gives Gerri Conklin the chance to do over the most disastrous week of her life…and find the man of her dreams!

And be sure to keep your eye on these two Romance authors. Roxann Delaney delivers her third fabulous Silhouette Romance novel, A Whole New Man (#1658), about a live-for-the-moment hero transformed into a family man, but will it last? And Cheryl Kushner makes her debut with He’s Still the One (#1659), a fresh, funny, heartwarming tale about a TV show host who returns to her hometown and the man she never stopped loving.

Happy reading!

Mary-Theresa Hussey

Senior Editor

A Whole New Man

Roxann Delaney

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

To Gail, who nudged me back to reading romance and

knows me all too well. Thanks for believing in me more

than I believe in myself and for being my best friend

for more years than we need to count.

Books by Roxann Delaney

Silhouette Romance

Rachel’s Rescuer #1509

A Saddle Made for Two #1533

A Whole New Man #1658

ROXANN DELANEY

is the mother of four daughters. With the two oldest on their own, although a mere twenty yards away, life in her hometown in south-central Kansas is still far from dull. The 1999 Maggie winner enjoys keeping up with the former high school classmates she encounters and the tons of relatives, whose ancestors settled in the area over a century ago. A theater buff, she once helped establish a community theater and both acted and directed in the productions, as well as served on the board of directors. But writing is her first love, and she is thrilled to have followed the yellow brick road to the land of Silhouette Romance. She would love to hear from readers, who can write her at P.O. Box 636, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Contents

Chapter One (#u12ada523-ad7a-5c62-8983-69e332f5c86a)

Chapter Two (#ua420a25b-23f4-5223-bdda-a78041478ec0)

Chapter Three (#u30dab526-5b96-526d-8351-fecb7fb14829)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

“Henry Davis?”

Hank looked up from the magazine he was thumbing through, and his breath lodged in his chest. Contacting this image-consulting place was one of the best ideas he’d ever had, considering the woman standing in front of him.

“I’m Hank.” Disengaging himself from the chair, he rose to his feet.

Her smile was blinding. “Mr. Davis, I’m Elizabeth Edwards. Welcome to Kansas City and Images, Inc.”

When he took the woman’s outstretched hand in his, an unaccustomed warmth climbed up his arm, and he met her gaze head-on. Wide, blue eyes, the color of Navajo turquoise, stared into his. Smooth skin the color of ripe peaches and fresh cream framed a lush, strawberry mouth.

When he continued to stare, she pulled away with her breath-stealing smile intact. “Let’s get comfortable in my office and discuss what it is specifically that I plan to do for you.” She turned to her receptionist, robbing him of his view of her smile. “Perhaps Mr. Davis would like something to drink before we get started, Janine.”

“I’m fine,” Hank managed to say, even though he wasn’t. He could’ve used a stiff drink as he studied her profile. When he’d seen the fancy ad in the Kansas City magazine back in New Mexico, he hadn’t imagined he would encounter someone who looked like her. Not that he minded. He didn’t know how long he would stay with his new foreman’s job at Crown Construction, but he couldn’t deny himself a few simple pleasures. That’s as far as it would go, though. He had never been much of a ladies’ man, and he knew better than to get tangled up with a woman. Most wanted to make things permanent and be a family—something he didn’t know much about.

“We have a lot of things to accomplish, Mr. Davis,” his new consultant said and motioned for him to follow her.