The Man She Should Have Married. Patricia Kay

      

      Testing Those Family Ties

      Marrying into the elite Britton family had been hard for Olivia. Becoming a widow and raising her daughter alone had been tougher. Or so she thought. Her mother-in-law wanted custody of little Thea, and Olivia was desperate for help. But her best option was another Britton, the devastatingly charming Matt...the man she should have married.

      Matt had vowed to look after Olivia and be a father figure to Thea while remaining loyal to the brother he’d lost. With Olivia needing him more than ever he knew the time had come to tell her exactly how he felt. Admitting his true feelings for Olivia could tear his family apart...yet it might also be the start of a new family for them both.

      “Maybe I should invite myself to dinner,” Matt said lightly.

      Olivia looked at him. “Seriously?”

      “Seriously.” He grinned. “Single guys don’t get many home-cooked meals.”

      Once again, she hesitated before answering, “Well, I know Thea will be thrilled if you stay to dinner.”

      “Only Thea? What about you?”

      “Are you digging for a compliment?”

      “Everyone likes compliments.”

      “Okay. I’m glad you want to have dinner with us. There. Are you satisfied?”

      Now that the tone of their conversation had changed, he decided to make one more attempt to burrow through her defenses. “I was hoping you’d say you liked me, too.”

      “Of course I like you, Matt. You’re part of the family.”

      Because they were now approaching her mother’s house, he let the comment go without answering.

      * * *

      The Crandell Lake Chronicles: Small town, big hearts

      The Man She Should Have Married

      Patricia Kay

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Having formerly written as Trisha Alexander, PATRICIA KAY is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than forty-eight novels of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She lives in Houston, Texas. To learn more about her, visit her website at www.patriciakay.com.

      MILLS & BOON

       Before you start reading, why not sign up?

      Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

       SIGN ME UP!

      Or simply visit

      signup.millsandboon.co.uk

      Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

      This book is dedicated to all the amazing women in my life. I don’t know how any woman survives without girlfriends. Your friendship and support has meant the world to me. I love you all!

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Crandall Lake, Texas

      Mid-October...

      Olivia Britton grinned at her cousin, the newly married Eve Crenshaw. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

      Eve laughed. “You’ve already said that at least ten times.”

      “I know. But I am. I’ve missed you.” In fact, Olivia couldn’t believe how much she’d missed Eve.

      “Oh, come on, Liv. I’ve only been gone six weeks. And we’ve texted and talked on the phone almost every day.”

      “It’s not the same,” Olivia insisted. “You’re not here. We can’t meet for lunch or have dinner together or just sit and talk for hours. And Thea misses you, too!” Thea, short for Dorothea, was Olivia’s