Stand-In Mom. Megan Kelly

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       “I would have liked school a lot better if my teachers looked like you.”

      Ginger’s pulse quickened at the sound of Scott’s low Southern drawl at the classroom door.

      “Is this a bad time?” Scott crossed the room and leaned on the edge of her desk. His intense gaze made her blush.

      “Not at all. Why?”

      Scott smirked, brushing Ginger’s cheek with his fingers.

      “You feeling okay? You look flushed.”

      “Yes. No. I’m fine.”

      He grinned. “You’re a lousy liar, but I like that about you.”

      Ginger had more than a few sleepless nights lately, wrestling with her attraction to Scott. But a romance with a student’s father was out of the question, even if he made her skin tingle.

      “Scott, I’m happy to discuss your daughter’s progress in class, but we absolutely cannot talk about anything personal.”

      “That’s fine.” Scott smiled. “Talking wasn’t exactly what I had in mind anyway.”

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      MEGAN KELLY is a mom, a wife, a friend and a writer. As a shy girl, reading swept her away to places she still hopes to visit one day. Writing gives her the opportunity to experience some of those adventures (although she’d make a terrible cabin boy in disguise, couldn’t possibly find clues by hiding under her blankets and never plans on doing anything more frightening than public speaking—which is scary enough). She loves hearing from readers at [email protected].

      Dear Reader,

      Telling Ginger’s story in Stand-In Mom has been a project dear to my heart. She started her existence as a secondary character in The Fake Fiancée, but by the end of the book, I wanted to be her best friend. Readers responded the same way, asking me to find her happiness. Ginger’s husband divorced her when they couldn’t conceive a child. Now she’s determined to forget men and find love by adopting a baby.

      So, of course, she falls for a guy.

      I have to say, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with Scott when he showed up. He’s not what Ginger wants and seems to be in the way of her finding happiness—which made it even more fun for me as a writer. By the second chapter, I was rooting for him. These two have kept me on my toes, and I’ve loved every minute of it. This story made me laugh and cry as it unfolded, and I hope it touches you, too.

      Old friends drop in, which was fun, as well. Dylan Ross from The Marriage Solution reappears as Scott’s boss, as does Ginger’s best friend, Lisa Riley, from The Fake Fiancée. It was nice to visit with them again.

      I’d love to hear what you think of Ginger and Scott’s story. Please visit my website, megankellybooks.com, find me on Facebook or Twitter and visit our Harlequin American Romance authors’ blog at harauthors.

      blogspot.com.

      Best to you all,

      Megan Kelly

       Stand-In Mom

       Megan Kelly

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For Kimberly Killion, whose patience

       and input made this book a reality.

       Thanks for holding me together at a difficult time;

      For my editor, Johanna Raisanen,

       whose advice makes me a stronger writer;

      For my kids, who make my dream of being

       a mother such a joy to live;

      And as always, for my husband. I wouldn’t know

       how to write about Love without you in my life.

       Chapter One

      As Christmas parties went, it didn’t suck, but Ginger Winchester would have given her left eye to be anywhere else. The ballroom in the James Brothers Hotel glittered with decorative touches to put everyone in a holiday mood. A band provided music, and she hadn’t lacked for partners in the two hours since she’d arrived. But she’d rather have been home with a mug of hot chocolate and a book than dragged along by her best friend and forced to celebrate.

      Until she saw him.

      The man didn’t look familiar, although Ginger didn’t know all the employees at Riley & Ross Electronics, her hosts this evening. She sipped her white wine, watching him over the rim of her glass, as the band charged into an energetic version of “I’m a Believer.” Even in a town the size of Howard, Missouri, she could run into a stranger. She smiled to herself. She’d like to do more than run into this guy.

      He looked up then, directly at her, as though he’d heard her thoughts from fifteen feet away. Ginger didn’t blush often and now was no exception. She nodded slightly. He smiled back, raising his beer bottle in a salute. His lack of a wedding ring didn’t guarantee he was single.

      Short brown hair shimmered with bronze highlights under the chandeliers. His dark suit emphasized his tall, lean frame. Light danced on prominent cheekbones and caressed his full lips, much as she’d like to. He looked to be in his early thirties, with lines at the corners of his eyes. Laugh lines? She liked the idea of him being a happy person. She’d been that way not so long ago. Maybe this stranger could bring some joy to her world tonight.

      After the call from the adoption agency earlier that day, she needed some holiday cheer. She hadn’t been approved as a foster parent yet, the first step of many in adopting a baby. She thought she’d have a little visitor for the holidays. Now she’d be alone. Again.

      “Having fun yet?” Lisa Riley asked, appearing at her side.

      “Loads.” Ginger rolled her eyes for her friend’s benefit, not wanting Lisa to pick up on her distress. She wouldn’t ruin Lisa’s holidays, nor did she want her to guess just how entertaining her fantasies of the man had been. He’d be a great distraction for her woes. Maybe she could finagle an introduction without being too obvious. “I don’t know many people here, though.”

      “That hasn’t stopped you from dancing.”

      Ginger forced a grin. “The band’s talented. Good variety of music. There are a couple of nice single guys here.”

      “And a couple with not-so-nice intentions.”

      “Ooh, point them out.” Ginger noticed the frown before Lisa turned away. Lisa and her husband, Joe, had coerced her into coming, and Ginger aimed to have a good time. If that included collecting some phone numbers or spending time with a guy in private afterward, that wasn’t any business of the Rileys’.

      After all, Lisa and Joe had each other, as well as her two children, Abby and Bobby. Ginger was alone now and probably would remain so.

      “Do you want to introduce me to some of the nicer guys?” she asked to placate Lisa. “You’d know who’s unattached with pure intentions.” Not that she wanted anybody too pure of heart. Gesturing toward the mystery man with her now empty glass, she said, “What about him?”

      Lisa followed her gaze. “I don’t recognize him. He might be the new guy in Dylan’s division.”

      Dylan Ross, Joe’s partner, headed up the R&D department, inventing computer programs and troubleshooting existing ones. Mystery Man looked too strong and too vital to be a computer nerd.

      “New guy?” Ginger tried to appear only