Baby Under The Christmas Tree. Teresa Carpenter

tion>

      

      Gift-wrapped family

      San Diego hockey team’s PR director Elle Austin goes beyond the call of duty to keep their rebel captain in check—even playing nanny to his son!

      Max Beasley knows nothing about looking after a baby, so he enlists Elle’s help after little Troy is left on his doorstep by his irresponsible ex.

      Maybe it’s the spirit of Christmas, or seeing Max’s softer side, but Elle wishes he saw her as more than just an employee, and that they could give Troy the best gift of all—a family!

      “I’m going to bring Troy to live with me. Ray said you’d help me.”

      Elle stopped and spun around. “Are you serious?” She didn’t know whether to applaud his decision or be worried for Troy’s welfare.

      “Dead serious.” He glanced around to where Troy squirmed under the covers. “Will you help?”

      Elle bit her lip and reluctantly nodded. For Troy’s sake, she’d help Max. She really had no choice if Ray had already committed her.

      “I’ll talk to Ray. We’ll put together a plan. But first I need to go home to shower and change.”

      “You can do that here,” he insisted. “I’m sure I can find something for you to wear.”

      “No, thank you.” She continued on her journey toward freedom.

      His hand wrapped around hers, derailing her escape.

      “Max! Stop it.” She pushed at his shoulders. “Are you insane?”

      “I was hoping to change your mind about leaving.”

      “Well, you haven’t.” She tried to step back, but his arms tightened as he stared into her eyes.

      “Come on, Elle, we both know the animosity between us is a defense against an inconvenient attraction.”

      “I know nothing of the kind.”

      She refused to accept that the sizzle between them held any depth. Even if she agreed with him, there were too many complications for them ever to consider acting on a mutual attraction.

      Praise for Teresa Carpenter

      “Teresa Carpenter’s Her Baby, His Proposal makes an oft-used premise work brilliantly through skilled plotting, deft characterization and just the right amount of humor.”

      —RT Book Reviews

      “This is a fun read with lovable characters whose situation is emotionally compelling and believable.”

      —RT Book Reviews on The Boss’s Surprise Son

      “The writing brings to life a lot of heart, emotion and feelings that make this contemporary romance shine and readers should find what they’re looking for when they want a quality romance.”

      —Long and Short Reviews Romance on The Sheriff’s Doorstep Baby

      Baby Under the Christmas Tree

      Teresa Carpenter

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Teresa Carpenter believes in the power of unconditional love, and that there’s no better place to find it than between the pages of a romance novel. Reading is a passion for Teresa—a passion that led to a calling. She began writing more than twenty years ago, and marks the sale of her first book as one of her happiest memories. Teresa gives back to her craft by volunteering her time to Romance Writers of America on a local and national level.

      A fifth-generation Californian, she lives in San Diego, within miles of her extensive family, and knows that with their help she can accomplish anything. She takes particular joy and pride in her nieces and nephews, who are all bright, fit, shining stars of the future. If she’s not at a family event, you’ll usually find her at home—reading, writing or playing with her adopted Chihuahua, Jefe.

      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.

      For RWA San Diego, the best RWA chapter in the world.

      Now 30 years strong.

      For all the members past and present who have helped me to get where I am today.

      Thank you for being my friends, my colleagues, my fans. The journey isn’t over yet.

      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

       Excerpt

      PROLOGUE

      ELLE AUSTINSAT very still in the corner of her bunk, knees tucked up to her chest under the yellow satin of her Belle princess dress. Retreating from the chaos reigning in the room, she smoothed her hand over the soft material. She loved her Belle dress.

      Mama had made the gown just for her and she liked it better than the costume that came with her admission to Princess Camp. Mostly because Mama didn’t do anything girlie, but when her parents had agreed to let Elle come to camp, Mama took a class and made the dress. Elle figured Mama got a lot of help from the teacher, but she didn’t care. Her Belle dress shimmered and flowed and was the most beautiful in camp. Everyone said so.

      “What’s wrong, Elle?”