The Daddy's Promise. Shirley Jump

      “You’re running scared.”

      “I’m not scared.”

      “Oh, yes, you are.” Anita stepped forward, pointing a finger at Luke’s chest. “You are terrified of me. I know you, Luke, better than you think. You retreat into work and you pretend the world doesn’t exist. I’m attracted to you. I’m not going to pretend I’m not, but I’m not foolish enough to have a relationship with you.”

      “I think I liked it better when you were complimenting my body.”

      She smiled, then averted her gaze from his. “So, as long as we’re clear on this now. No romantic relationship. Just friends.”

      “Yeah, just friends.”

      “Good.” She nodded, almost convincing herself that this was exactly what she’d wanted.

      Dear Reader,

      Are you headed to the beach this summer? Don’t forget to take along your sunblock—and this month’s four new heartwarming love stories from Silhouette Romance!

      Make Myrna Mackenzie’s The Black Knight’s Bride (SR #1722) the first book in your tote bag. This is the third story in THE BRIDES OF RED ROSE, a miniseries in which classic legends are retold in the voices of today’s heroes and heroines. For a single mom fleeing her ex-husband, Red Rose seems like the perfect town—no men! But then she meets a brooding ex-soldier with a heart of gold.…

      In Because of Baby (SR #1723), a pixie becomes so enamored with a single dad and his adorable tot that she just might be willing to sacrifice her days of fun and frivolity for a human life of purpose…and love! Visit a world of magic and enchantment in the latest SOULMATES by Donna Clayton.

      Even with the help of family and friends, this widower with a twelve-year-old daughter finds it difficult to think about the future—until a woman from his past moves in down the street. Rest and relaxation wouldn’t be complete without the laughter and love in The Daddy’s Promise (SR #1724) by Shirley Jump.

      And while away the last of your long summer day with Make Me a Match (SR #1725) by Alice Sharpe. A feisty florist, once burned by love, is supposed to be finding a match for her mother and grandmother…not falling for the town’s temporary vet! Matchmaking has never been so much fun.

      What could be better than greeting summer with beach reading? Enjoy!

      Mavis C. Allen

      Associate Senior Editor

      The Daddy’s Promise

      Shirley Jump

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To my dad, whose love and integrity

      taught me that good men do exist. And to my husband, the best daddy our kids could ever have.

      Books by Shirley Jump

      Silhouette Romance

      The Virgin’s Proposal #1641

      The Bachelor’s Dare #1700

      The Daddy’s Promise #1724

      SHIRLEY JUMP

      has been a writer ever since she learned to read. She sold her first article at the age of eleven and from there, became a reporter and finally a freelance writer. However, she always maintained the dream of writing fiction, too. Since then, she has made a full-time career out of writing, dividing her time between articles, non-fiction books and romance. With a husband, two children and a houseful of pets, inspiration abounds in her life, giving her good fodder for writing and a daily workout for her sense of humor.

      Dear Reader,

      I’m thrilled to be returning to the town of Mercy, Indiana, again and revisiting old friends and neighbors! The Misses, and their dogs, are making a return appearance (back by popular request, after so many readers wrote me and told me how much they loved them in my first two Mercy books), and so is Katie from The Virgin’s Proposal.

      This book was also fun for another reason—I was able to relive all the comical moments from my two pregnancies. Having children was the best gift of my life, but it’s also provided me with lots of inspiration for humor, much of which is reflected in The Daddy’s Promise.

      Return to Mercy with me for a few laughs and a few tears.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Epilogue

      Chapter One

      The mouse won—by default.

      If the doorbell hadn’t rung, Anita Ricardo was sure she would have won the staring contest with the scrawny rodent. Then she could have chalked up at least one point for herself on this hot, calamity-prone day.

      Well, maybe a half point.

      The three-note off-key song played again. Not exactly the lyrical melody of the bell back at her apartment in L.A.—the apartment she’d given up to come to Mercy, Indiana, and start a new life.

      Unfortunately, right now a new life meant living in a rickety rental house with a rodent for a roommate.

      Geez, put that way, her life sounded like the plot of a bad sitcom. Anita got to her feet. She reached for the front door, twisted the knob and pulled. The heavy door refused to budge. For the second time that day, the late-August humidity had swollen it tight to the frame. The first time, she’d been able to use a little elbow grease—little being the operative word for a five-foot-three woman who barely topped a hundred pounds—to wrestle it open.

      The doorbell pealed a third time. Anita put both hands on the knob and yanked.

      “Just a minute,” she yelled. Maybe it was the plumber, here to do something about the sputtering rust that passed for water. Or the electrician the landlord had promised to send over to fix the flickering lights. Or even, please Lord, the telephone company, here to connect her with the outside world.

      Anita tugged harder. The door moved a fraction of an inch. She put her weight into it and then—

      The knob jerked out of the locking mechanism and right into her hands. Anita stumbled back several steps. She blinked at the brass sphere in her hands.

      “Hello?” called a quavering female