The Dad Next Door. Stephanie Dees

      

      A Place to Call Home

      Lawman Joe Sheehan is desperate to bond with the daughter he’s just discovered he has. But as a virtual stranger to twelve-year-old Amelia, the task seems impossible. Until Claire Conley moves to town. A social worker renovating a mansion into a foster home, Claire is the first person to get through to Amelia. Falling for the single dad was not on Claire’s to-do list. But with Joe and Amelia around, the house finally starts to feel like home. Claire’s ready to fight to convince Joe that together they’ve done more than fix a house…they’ve built a family.

      A splash and a scream echoed off the main house.

      He ran toward the pond as Claire surfaced, spluttering and laughing.

      “Come on in.”

      He gave her his best “you’ve got to be kidding me” look.

      Laughing, she splashed him. “It’s just a little cold water.”

      Joe took a deep breath and dived in, surfacing beside her.

      “Are you worried about the meeting?” he asked when his breath had regulated.

      “Yes.”

      “Don’t give up. I don’t know if you’re that good with all kids, but if it wasn’t for you, Amelia and I would still be deadlocked in the silent treatment.”

      She smiled. “Thank you. I needed the reminder of why it’s so important.”

      “I have the feeling that you’re too stubborn to give up, anyway.”

      “Oh, you do know how to sweet-talk me, Joe Sheehan.” She clambered out of the pond.

      As he watched her, he realized he really liked her and he hadn’t felt that way about someone in a long time. The doors to his heart had been firmly closed. Seemed now there was just a crack in the door, enough to think…maybe.

      Dear Reader,

      Thanks so much for spending some time in Red Hill Springs, Alabama! The name of my fictional small town is inspired by real-life springs, where the waters have been flowing—and providing respite and relief for weary travelers—for hundreds of years.

      Each of the Sheehan siblings is facing challenges, but through faith and with love, they will learn that sometimes broken dreams lead to family blessings. If you liked The Dad Next Door, please join me back in Red Hill Springs in October for the next book in the Family Blessings series.

      I’d love to hear from you! I can be reached at my website, stephaniedees.com, or via email at [email protected].

      Stephanie Dees

      Award-winning author STEPHANIE DEES lives in small-town Alabama with her pastor husband and two youngest children. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air-conditioning. For further information, please visit her website at stephaniedees.com.

      The Dad Next Door

      Stephanie Dees

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      Yet still I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

      —Lamentations 3:21–23

      For Melissa Endlich and Melissa Jeglinski

      Thanks for keeping the faith.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       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