Unbreakable Bond. Rita Herron

      

      Slade’s pulse raced. It had been too damn long since he’d held a woman. Since he’d even wanted to…

      But Nina had been trembling and afraid. He’d seen the relief in her eyes that finally someone believed her story, and he hadn’t been able to resist.

      Oh, hell…it was more than that.

      She’d fought against all odds to find out what had happened to her baby girl. How could he not admire her dedication and determination?

      And now…one touch wasn’t enough.

      He traced his hand down her hair, then along her cheek.

      She tensed slightly as if to pull away, and he tilted her chin up with his thumb.

      “I promise you I’ll find out what’s going on,” he said in a deep voice.

      She nodded. He traced his finger over her mouth, and her breath hitched, desire flaring in her eyes. “Slade…”

      Her raspy sigh was his undoing.

      He groaned, then lowered his head, angled his mouth and closed his lips over hers.

      Dear Reader,

      Twenty-four years ago I gave birth to my third child, a beautiful little girl I named Emily. As I wrote Unbreakable Bond she was pregnant with her first baby. Watching the excitement and anticipation as she carried her son brought back precious memories of having my own children and the unbreakable bond between mother and child.

      It also reminded me of another special little girl, the real Rebecca, the daughter of a very close friend of mine. She was due to be born around the same time as my daughter, but was one of triplets who came prematurely. Sadly, the other two babies didn’t make it, but although Rebecca weighed less than a pound and had several health issues, she not only survived, but went on to touch and inspire the lives of everyone around her.

      While one would think she might have complained or been a sad child, Rebecca had (and still has) a glow about her.

      Unlike the little girl in my story, Rebecca was blessed with two wonderful parents who loved her unconditionally and gave her every opportunity available.

      When I see or hear about other challenged children, I often wonder how different it would have been if she hadn’t had those parents. And as most mothers, I’ve thought about how awful it would be for any mother to be separated from her child.

      All those elements came together to inspire me to write this story, one I hope will touch you, as well.

      So hug your children, love them unconditionally and cherish every precious memory you make together. Children are godsends to us all.

      Sincerely,

      Rita Herron

      Unbreakable Bond

      Rita Herron

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      To my beautiful daughter Emily

      and her new son, Bradford

      And to the real Rebecca.

      Thanks for inspiring us all!

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Award-winning author Rita Herron wrote her first book when she was twelve, but didn’t think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded her storytelling to kids for romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. She lives in Georgia with her own romance hero and three kids. She loves to hear from readers, so please write her at P.O. Box 921225, Norcross, GA 30092-1225, or visit her Web site at www.ritaherron.com.

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

       Slade Blackburn —Finding missing children is his job—but he can’t let his heart get involved.

       Nina Nash —Everyone thinks she’s crazy, but she believes her daughter Peyton, who police ruled dead, is still alive.

       Brooks Nash —Nina’s father was upset with her for keeping the baby; does he know more about Peyton’s disappearance/death than he’s telling?

       William Hood —The father of Nina’s baby never wanted the child—could he have had the baby kidnapped?

       Mitzi Hood —William’s wife hated Nina for getting pregnant with his child—would she steal the baby to keep William to herself?

       Eileen Hood —William’s mother was furious about the child. How far would she go to protect her son’s future?

       Diane and Dennis Lucas —William’s sister and brother-in-law have an eight-year-old daughter who was born around the same time as Peyton. Could the child possibly be Nina’s?

       Dr. Don Emery —The ob-gyn who delivered Peyton claims there was no way the child survived or was kidnapped. Is he lying?

       Paula Emery —Dr. Emery’s wife. How far would she go to protect her marriage and money?

       Carrie Poole —A nurse on the neonatal unit. Does she know what happened to Peyton?

       Stanford Mansfield —Does he arrange illegal adoptions?

       Gwen and Roan Waldorp —Gwen gave birth to a stillborn child the night of the fire. Could she have stolen Peyton to replace her own baby?

      Contents

      Prologue

      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

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Chapter Eighteen

      Chapter Nineteen

       Prologue

      A thunderous boom rocked the hospital walls and floor, jarring Nina Nash awake. What had happened? Had she been dreaming, or had there been an explosion?

      Screams and shouts suddenly echoed in the halls, and footsteps of people rushing around outside her room pounded. Somewhere a food cart crashed and glass shattered.