His Secret Daughter. Lisa Carter

      

      He just found out he’s a father...

      But is he ready to be a dad?

      When veteran Jake McAbee learns he has a daughter, he’s determined to raise the adorable toddler. But Maisie’s foster mom, Callie Jackson, insists Jake stay at her orchard until he’s prepared for fatherhood. While Jake and Maisie bond, the trio begins to feel like family. Could the best home for Maisie be the one Jake and Callie create together?

      LISA CARTER and her family make their home in North Carolina. In addition to her Love Inspired novels, she writes romantic suspense for Abingdon Press. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales, teaching writing workshops and researching her next exotic adventure. She has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. She loves to hear from readers. Connect with Lisa at lisacarterauthor.com.

       Also by Lisa Carter

      Coast Guard Courtship

      Coast Guard Sweetheart

      Falling for the Single Dad

      The Deputy’s Perfect Match

      The Bachelor’s Unexpected Family

      The Christmas Baby

      Hometown Reunion

      His Secret Daughter

      Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

      His Secret Daughter

      Lisa Carter

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ISBN: 978-1-474-09485-6

      HIS SECRET DAUGHTER

      © 2019 Linda Lael Miller

      Published in Great Britain 2019

       by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 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

      Version: 2020-03-02

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      “Maybe it’s better that I go.” Jake’s blue eyes clouded.

      Callie’s heart twisted. Jake wasn’t only talking about a few days. He was also thinking about leaving for good. What she’d wanted from the beginning. Only now she wasn’t sure she wanted him to go.

      For Maisie’s sake, of course.

      He crouched beside his daughter on the rug. “Goodbye, Maisie.” He cleared his throat. “Goodbye, BooWoo.”

      Maisie’s lashes flickered, but she said nothing.

      Slowly, he rose. “This is goodbye, then.” He slung the strap of the duffel bag over his shoulder.

      Callie followed him into the hall.

      “I’ll be back.” He paused at the front door. “A day...” He shrugged. “No more than two.”

      She touched his arm. “Take care of yourself.”

      Jake’s gaze flitted toward the living room. “Maisie won’t miss me.”

      Callie ached to make things right between father and daughter, but she didn’t know how.

      “I’ll miss you, Jake.” She flushed. “I—I mean, the orchard won’t be the same without you, Jake.”

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome to Truelove, North Carolina—Where True Love Awaits. This new romantic series is set in the breathtakingly lovely Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

      Though the course of true love doesn’t always run smooth, never fear. The Truelove matchmakers are there to make sure everyone finds their true happily-ever-after.

      The heart of this story is about a man searching for someplace to belong. He’s seeking love and purpose. He’s searching for home. This story is also about trusting God. With the good. With the bad. With everything.

      Home. What images does that word create in your mind? For some, the memories are good. For others, memories of home are extremely painful.

      But I believe the longing for home is at the core of who we are as humans.

      As Jake discovers at Apple Valley Farm, no matter how tragic the past or present, God has a place of belonging for each of us. And I believe no matter where you’ve been, no matter where you are right now, no matter what you’ve done—that God can take what is broken and make it into something beautiful. In fact, I think He delights in bringing beauty out of brokenness.

      Why did I write this story? Because it is my prayer that no matter where you’ve been, no matter where you are right now, no matter what you’ve done—that you will ultimately find in Him your home. The happily-ever-after for which you were truly made.

      I hope