Her Surprise Family. Patricia Thayer

      “Looks like we’re in for a wicked night.” Letter to Reader Title Page Dedication About the Author Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Epilogue: THE HAVEN SPRINGS WEEKLY NEWS Copyright

      “Looks like we’re in for a wicked night.”

      Startled, Shelby spun around to see Rafe standing in her doorway.

      

      Lightning flashed. Without warning, Rafe lifted her into his arms.

      

      “Put me down!”

      

      “Hush, green eyes,” he murmured. “I’m taking you to safety.”

      

      Shelby was pulled against his solid chest, her hands gripping his muscular arms. His strength and the sound of his voice soothed her.

      

      But she knew she couldn’t continue leaning on him. She wanted a home, a husband, children...but experience had taught her that the only person she could depend on was herself. She pushed against his massive chest, trying to break his hold, but his grip tightened.

      

      She melted against him. Maybe she could linger in Rafe’s arms, for just a little longer....

      

      

      WITH THESE RINGS

      

      The Secret Millionaire (SE #1252)

      Her Surprise Family (SR #1394) The Man, The Ring, the Wedding (SR #1412)

      Dear Reader,

      

      September’s stellar selections beautifully exemplify Silhouette Romance’s commitment to publish strong, emotional love stories that touch every woman’s heart. In The Baby Bond, Lilian Darcy pens the poignant tale of a surrogate mom who discovers the father knew nothing of his impending daddyhood! His demand: a marriage of convenience to protect their BUNDLES OF JOY.... Carol Grace pairs a sheik with his plain-Jane secretary in a marriage meant to satisfy family requirements. But the oil tycoon’s shocked to learn that being Married to the Sheik is his VIRGIN BRIDE’s secret desire.... FOR THE CHILDREN, Diana Whitney’s miniseries that launched in Special Edition in August 1999—and returns to that series in October 1999—crosses into Silhouette Romance with A Dad of His Own, the touching story of a man, mistaken for a boy’s father, who ultimately realizes that mother and child are exactly what he needs.

      

      Laura Anthony explores the lighter side of love in The Twenty-Four-Hour Groom, in which a pretend marriage between a lawman and his neighbor kindles some very real feelings. WITH THESE RINGS, Patricia Thayer’s Special Edition/Romance cross-line miniseries, moves into Romance with Her Surprise Family, with a woman who longs for a husband and home and unexpectedly finds both. And in A Man Worth Marrying, beloved author Phyllis Halldorson shows the touching Romance between a virginal schoolteacher and a much older single dad.

      

      Treasure this month’s offerings—and keep coming back to Romance for more compelling love stories!

      

      Enjoy,

      Mary-Theresa Hussey

      Senior Editor

      Please address questions and book requests to:

      Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

      Her Surprise Family

      Patricia Thayer

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To the special guys in my life, Jeff, Brett and Tom.

       You all have turned into wonderful young men, definitely hero material.

      And to my rescuer, Steve, who set the example

       for our boys.

      I love you.

      PATRICIA THAYER

      has been writing for fourteen years and has published ten books with Silhouette. Her books have been nominated for the National Readers’ Choice Award, Virginia Romance Writers of America’s Holt Medallion and a prestigious RITA Award. In 1997, Nothing Short of a Miracle won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Special Edition.

      

      Thanks to the understanding men in her life—her husband of twenty-eight years, Steve, and her three sons—Pat has been able to fulfill her dream of writing romance. Another dream is to own a cabin in Colorado, where she can spend her days writing and her evenings with her favorite hero, Steve. She loves to hear from readers. You can write her at P.O. Box 6251, Anaheim, CA 92816-0251.

      Prologue

      “Rafaele Mario Covelli, you come out of the water adesso, now,” Vittoria called to her ten-year-old grandson from the back porch.

      “You just ate your lunch.”

      The thin, lanky boy climbed out of the large swimming pool his father had assembled in the backyard for the long, hot summer months.

      “But I feel fine, Nonna. I want to swim with my friends.”

      “You can swim a little later. You must let your food digest first.”

      “But I’m bored,” he protested as he slumped down on the step.

      “Then play with your baby sister.” Nonna looked over at the precious black-haired three-year-old digging happily in her sandbox.

      “No way,” Rafe said. “I’m not playing with any girl.”

      Vittoria folded her arms and looked sternly at the boy. She knew for a fact that both Rafe and his younger