A Mother's Secret

A Mother's Secret
Scarlet Wilson

After a spectacularly public custody battle for her precious daughter, Isla, Dr Gemma Halliday is determined that their new life on the Isle of Arran will be safe, secure and – for Gemma – single! Except sexy island bachelor Dr Logan Scott quickly breaks down all her resolve…But when her deepest secret comes to light, will Logan be the one man to stay by her side?

Dear Reader

As I started writing this book about a surrogate mother who keeps her baby I automatically called it my ‘bad surrogate’ story. Poor Gemma. The last way she should be described is as a bad surrogate.

Needless to say my heroine with a difference has a very genuine and valid reason for keeping her baby. But she’s been labelled that way by the press after a prolonged court case and she comes to the Scottish island of Arran for a fresh start for her and her daughter.

Arran is a beautiful island just off the west coast of Scotland. The places described on the island are factual, as is Crocodile Rock on Millport, the Isle of Cumbrae, but the people, of course, are entirely fictional.

My hero Logan has lived on the island most of his life and has a real connection with and love for the people there. But like in any small community as soon as he’s seen with the new lady doctor rumours start to fly.

Logan turns out to be Gemma’s knight in shining armour—only his white horses are on the sea rather than on dry land!

I love to hear from readers. Feel free to contact me via my website: www.scarlet-wilson.com (http://www.scarlet-wilson.com)

Happy reading!

Love

Scarlet

SCARLET WILSON wrote her first story aged eight and has never stopped. Her family have fond memories of Shirley and the Magic Purse, with its army of mice, all with names beginning with the letter ‘M’. An avid reader, Scarlet started with every Enid Blyton book, moved on to the Chalet School series and many years later found Mills & Boon

.

She trained and worked as a nurse and health visitor, and currently works in public health. For her, finding Mills & Boon

Medical Romance™ is a match made in heaven. She is delighted to find herself among the authors she has read for many years.

Scarlet lives on the West Coast of Scotland with her fiancé and their two sons.

A Mother’s Secret

Scarlet Wilson

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

Recent titles by Scarlet Wilson:

200 HARLEY STREET: GIRL FROM THE RED CARPET† (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29) HER FIREFIGHTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE ABOUT THAT NIGHT …** (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29) THE MAVERICK DOCTOR AND MISS PRIM** (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29) AN INESCAPABLE TEMPTATION HER CHRISTMAS EVE DIAMOND A BOND BETWEEN STRANGERS* (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29) WEST WING TO MATERNITY WING! THE BOY WHO MADE THEM LOVE AGAIN IT STARTED WITH A PREGNANCY * (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29)The Most Precious Bundle of All** (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29)Rebels with a Cause† (#ulink_ff72e49c-35a7-5365-b9f0-138f562c7e29)200 Harley Street

These books are also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my long-suffering work colleagues and partners in crime Kathleen Winter and Sharon Hardie.

Is it Friday yet?

It’s also dedicated to my lovely, shiny new editor Laurie Johnson.

I’m sure I’ll wear you down at some point!

Praise for Scarlet Wilson:

‘HER CHRISTMAS EVE DIAMOND is a fun and interesting read. If you like a sweet romance with just a touch of the holiday season you’ll like this one.’

—harlequinjunkie.com

‘WEST WING TO MATERNITY WING! is a tender, poignant and highly affecting romance that is sure to bring a tear to your eye. With her gift for creating wonderful characters, her ability to handle delicately and compassionately sensitive issues and her talent for writing believable, emotional and spellbinding romance, the talented Scarlet Wilson continues to prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary romantic fiction!’

—cataromance.com

Contents

CHAPTER ONE (#u9b710f03-d6bb-5fc1-8322-032daa91a6e6)

CHAPTER TWO (#u3a47e072-1589-5bcb-a0d4-82e8f5b5ef47)

CHAPTER THREE (#u690d282c-dc96-5388-b7bc-138e038859dc)

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

‘LOOK, MUMMY, THAT’S our island!’

Isla was bouncing up and down and pointing through the ship’s railings. Gemma put her bags at her feet and rested her elbows on the railings. ‘Yes,’ she said quietly, ‘it is.’

The ship gave another shudder as it moved away from Ardrossan Harbour and out into the Firth of Clyde. Arran looked so close she could almost reach out and touch it. But, then, it had looked that way the whole time they had driven along the Ayrshire coast.

Her stomach gave a little flip—and it wasn’t from the choppy waters. Her hand settled on Isla’s shoulder next to her little red curls—the only permanent reminder of her father. This would be better. This would be safer for them both.