The Lawman's Secret Son. Lorraine Beatty

      

      Suddenly a Father

      Police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found...or risk losing everything.

      “It’s Jack’s birth certificate. This is good news, isn’t it?”

      “Look at the line for parents’ names.”

      She read from the document. “Mother, Paula Ann Schulman. Father, unknown. Oh, Seth...”

      The look of sympathy in her eyes wrapped around him, chasing away the sharp edges of his disappointment. When she reached out and grasped his forearm with her small hand, the warmth of her touch spread through him like a warm summer breeze.

      “I’m sorry. I was hoping this would be the answer you needed.”

      He took her hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers. “Me, too. Now I’ll have to wait on the DNA results.”

      “When is that due?”

      “Not for a few more weeks.” He looked into her sky blue eyes and realized he didn’t want to break the contact. Carrie abruptly looked away and tugged her hand from his.

      He shifted his position slightly, though it did nothing to diminish his acute awareness of her softness or her beauty.

      LORRAINE BEATTY was raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and is a member of RWA and ACFW, as well as a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

      The Lawman’s Secret Son

      Lorraine Beatty

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      But you, Lord, do not be far from me.

      You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

      —Psalms 22:19

      To my grandchildren, Drew, Anna, Addie, Casie and Chey. You are my most precious treasure.

      Acknowledgments

      Chaz McClain, director of children and

      family ministries at Lakeside Presbyterian

      EPC Church in Brandon, Mississippi, for

      his help in steering me in the right direction

      with my heroine’s job. Your help made

      all the difference and is greatly appreciated.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

       Acknowledgments

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Carrie Fletcher quickened her steps across the walkway from the carport to the back door of her little cottage, inserted the key and stepped into her warmly lit kitchen. She never tired of coming home to this sweet little 1920s house. The soft glow from the lights under the cabinets kept the