Her Secret Daughter

Her Secret Daughter
Ruth Logan Herne

Her Secret ChildJosie Gallagher has plenty of reason to be wary of Jacob Weatherly—considering he’s working for the hotel chain that’s forcing her restaurant to close. But when he shows up at her work with a little girl by his side—her little girl—she’s dismayed. How has this bachelor wound up with custody of the baby Josie placed with a married couple six years ago? The handsome hotel executive has no idea that Addie is Josie's biological child, and Josie can't afford to tell him. As he helps save her business, Josie and Jacob unexpectedly grow closer. But will her secret stand in the way of their happily-ever-after?Grace Haven: A town full of heart, happiness, and home

Her Secret Child

Josie Gallagher has plenty of reasons to be wary of Jacob Weatherly—considering he’s working for the hotel chain that’s forcing her restaurant to close. But when he shows up there with a little girl by his side—her little girl—she’s dismayed. How has this bachelor wound up with custody of the baby Josie placed with a married couple six years ago? The handsome hotel executive has no idea that Addie is Josie’s biological child, and Josie can’t afford to tell him. As he helps save her business, Josie and Jacob unexpectedly grow closer. But will her secret stand in the way of their happily-ever-after?

Multipublished bestselling author RUTH LOGAN HERNE loves God, her country, her family, dogs, chocolate and coffee! Married to a very patient man, she lives in an old farmhouse in upstate New York and thinks possums should leave the cat food alone and snakes should always live outside. There are no exceptions to either rule! Visit Ruth at ruthloganherne.com (http://www.ruthloganherne.com).

Also By Ruth Logan Herne (#uc7a916cb-5310-5d58-a7b3-0445ac28b00a)

Grace Haven

An Unexpected Groom

Her Unexpected Family

Their Surprise Daddy

The Lawman’s Yuletide Baby

Her Secret Daughter

Kirkwood Lake

The Lawman’s Second Chance

Falling for the Lawman

The Lawman’s Holiday Wish

Loving the Lawman

Her Holiday Family

Men of Allegany County

Mended Hearts

Yuletide Hearts

His Mistletoe Family

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Her Secret Daughter

Ruth Logan Herne

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

ISBN: 978-1-474-08031-6

HER SECRET DAUGHTER

© 2018 Ruth M. Blodgett

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“I’m ready. This is ready.”

He indicated the beautiful resort with a thrust of his head.

“But I’m not ready for what comes later. The leaving part. And I’m not sure what to do about that, Josie.”

“Resign yourself, because time has a way of marching on.” She kept it light on purpose, he was sure, but not before he spotted that now-familiar flash of regret. She moved back slightly.

“You’re right. And for now I’ve got to get Addie home to bed. Tomorrow’s going to come early. Mom and Dad are taking over with Addie for the next two weeks while we get things ironed out here. And then—”

“Another chapter unfolds.” Josie leaned down and waved to Addie in the back seat. “See you later, sweet thing! Thanks for letting me tag along today!”

“Bye, Josie!”

She didn’t turn back his way. She didn’t pause to flirt. True to her word, Josie kept a distance he wished he could broach, but unless he was willing to take a whole new turn in life, she was right to walk away.

Dear Reader (#uc7a916cb-5310-5d58-a7b3-0445ac28b00a),

Life isn’t always fair. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, and we could spend a lot of time questioning God’s will and arguing why, but in the end we still have choices. To put bad and evil behind us and move on with our lives...or to wallow in anger.

Josie Gallagher doesn’t wallow. She took charge of a bad situation, trying to act in the best interests of her daughter, but when she realizes her intentions were thwarted by another’s deceit, she has no choice but to check things out. In the end, she stays true to her King Solomon beliefs: A true mother will never pull her child apart.

Jacob Weatherly became a father by default, but he’s a good, God-fearing man, determined to tip his daughter’s life in happy, normal directions. His fear at losing her is palpable and understandable, and it isn’t until Josie and Jacob embrace the sacrificial nature of being a true parent that they realize God’s timing.

Have you ever faced cruel decisions, only to find out later things worked out for the best? God’s timing isn’t always clear to us...but as long as it’s clear to Him, we’re okay!

I love to hear from readers! Email me at loganherne@gmail.com or visit my website ruthloganherne.com (http://www.ruthloganherne.com), friend me on Facebook/Ruth Logan Herne (https://www.facebook.com/RuthLoganHerne/) or find me cooking at the Yankee Belle Café (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com (http://www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com)) with several other Love Inspired authors who love to share their joy of cooking, baking, God and romance with readers!