His Unexpected Family

Patricia Johns

When a baby is dropped into her life without warning, Emily Shaw is overjoyed.It’s a bit odd that her distant cousin named single Emily as guardian, but she’s thrilled all the same. She never thought she’d get to be a mom. Another unexpected blessing is that baby Cora arrives in the arms of Police Chief Greg Taylor.Despite all three of them instantly bonding, Greg has promised himself he’d never be a father. And now Emily’s smooth-talking relative is challenging her right to raise Cora. Will Emily have to make an impossible decision between the child she already loves and the man who loves her?

Suddenly A Mother

When a baby is dropped into her life without warning, Emily Shaw is overjoyed. It’s a bit odd that her distant cousin named single Emily as guardian, but she’s thrilled all the same. She never thought she’d get to be a mom. Another unexpected blessing is that baby Cora arrives in the arms of police chief Greg Taylor. Despite all three of them instantly bonding, Greg has promised himself he’ll never be a father. And now Emily’s smooth-talking relative is challenging her right to raise Cora. Will Emily have to make an impossible decision between the child she already loves and the man who loves her?

“You’re willing to walk away from this?”

Emily forced the words out, unsure if she really wanted to hear the answer. Her heart hammered in her throat, and she met Greg’s gaze.

“Walk away?” He shook his head and his eyes met hers, snapping in irritation. “Do I look like I’m walking away to you?”

He was angry now, too, and she could feel the tension in the room mounting. She’d rather face him angry than keep butting her head up against his self-controlled calm.

“Then what are you doing?” she demanded.

He dropped his arms and stepped toward her. He pinned her with those fierce blue eyes, emotions battling over his rugged features. “I’m trying really, really hard not to fall head over heels in love with you, Emily. That’s what I’m doing.”

“And how is that working out for you?” she asked, lifting her chin in defiance.

His answer was a last step toward her, his strong arm sliding around her waist and pulling her close to him so that she could feel the steady beat of his heart.

PATRICIA JOHNS

willfully became a starving artist after she finished her BA in English literature. It was all right, because she was single, attractive and had a family to back her up “just in case.” She lived in a tiny room in the downtown core of a city, worked sundry part-time jobs to keep herself fed and wrote the first novel she would have published.

That was over ten years ago, and in the meantime, she’s had another ten novels published. This book is her first for Love Inspired, and her dedication to the written word hasn’t diminished.

She’s married, has a young son and a small bird named Frankie. She couldn’t be happier.

His Unexpected Family

Patricia Johns

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

The Lord your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in His love He will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.

—Zephaniah 3:17

To my mom, who raised a writer

Contents

Chapter One (#u3ebb4b4f-21b7-53b4-823c-11acbe97b751)

Chapter Two (#uc56d86f8-e75e-5430-9828-99c084b9ca4f)

Chapter Three (#u48d4d8b4-fbc4-5f0e-a630-93bc35a11eda)

Chapter Four (#u02567242-7f61-56fb-9594-9ac6c2f2c03b)

Chapter Five (#u21b8a696-5c49-5fe7-9aa1-1fdc6eca0fda)

Chapter Six (#u5c69818b-e561-5981-9a7e-e7f4eeb22fa4)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_