The Marriage Bargain

The Marriage Bargain
Stephanie Dees

Falling for her convenient groomFamily Blessings lead to new beginningsJules Sheehan will do anything to keep custody of the two orphaned girls in her care—including a marriage of convenience with their uncle. Cam Quinn spans the globe as a travel writer, but he’s ready to settle down. Now tough, tender Jules is offering the home he’s secretly longed for. Can this marriage in name only become a family of the heart?

Falling for her convenient groom

Family Blessings lead to new beginnings

Jules Sheehan will do anything to keep custody of the two orphaned girls in her care—including a marriage of convenience with their uncle. Cam Quinn crosses the globe as a travel writer, but he’s ready to settle down. Now tough, tender Jules is offering the home he’s secretly longed for. Can this marriage in name only become a family of the heart?

Award-winning author STEPHANIE DEES lives in small-town Alabama with her pastor husband and two youngest children. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air-conditioning. For further information, please visit her website at stephaniedees.com (http://www.stephaniedees.com).

Also By Stephanie Dees (#uc9161e85-c785-54eb-8e6a-ddb5d3aac218)

Family Blessings

The Dad Next Door

A Baby for the Doctor

Their Secret Baby Bond

The Marriage Bargain

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

The Marriage Bargain

Stephanie Dees

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

ISBN: 978-1-474-09480-1

THE MARRIAGE BARGAIN

© 2019 Stephanie Newton

Published in Great Britain 2019

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

“Whatever it takes, we’ll keep them safe. I promise.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and she closed her eyes, praying for guidance, praying that she wasn’t about to make a terrible mistake that would end in hurt for everyone.

When she opened her eyes, they were directly on his. She took a deep breath. “I need a husband.”

He laughed but sobered when he realized she wasn’t joking. “Okay, you’re serious. I’m just not sure I’m following you.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I don’t need just any husband. I need you. The judge we pulled for this case is all about biological family. And he prefers married couples over singles. If we get married…we would be both.”

“Do you know how crazy this sounds?”

“I do. I know.” She raked her fingers through her hair. “I’m not taking any chances with the safety of the girls. I can’t, Cam. I promised Glory.”

Dear Reader (#uc9161e85-c785-54eb-8e6a-ddb5d3aac218),

Thanks so much for joining me in Red Hill Springs in The Marriage Bargain! When Jules appeared in her siblings’ stories, I noticed that she always appeared to be perfect and calm, never a hair out of place. She just seemed to know where she was going and how to get there. In order for Jules to grow, I knew she was going to have to learn to deal with chaos, which came by way of two precious baby girls and their handsome uncle (who brought his own version of chaos to the party).

Over the course of the story, though Jules and Cameron struggle with different things, they both learn that their identities don’t come from perfection or family or success or any of the other things we try to replace God with in our empty hearts.

Just like Cam and Jules, you have a Father who says that you were wonderfully made, who knew you before you were even born. I pray that you can rest in the knowledge that His opinion is the only one that matters and He loves you far beyond anything you can imagine.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your time with the Sheehan siblings in the Family Blessings series. For more information about upcoming books, please visit www.stephaniedees.com (http://www.stephaniedees.com), or find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/authorstephaniedees (http://www.Facebook.com/authorstephaniedees).

Warmly,

Stephanie

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

—Psalms 139:14

For lovely, grace-filled Gaynelle. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and loving me like your own.

Contents

Cover (#u2f094744-f8f4-543d-9461-4fd25a4fa041)

Back Cover Text (#u1bb6f962-4487-5a3e-ad8c-1cf484a39a82)

About the Author (#uaa65e598-3540-55f2-8cc3-569de560da80)

Booklist (#u4469df58-a2dc-556a-80cb-2171d9569a1e)

Title Page (#u05557953-15e6-5b2f-9a63-13af670c068f)

Copyright (#u6416024c-7be0-5297-9ec3-14624485d09e)