It Takes Three

Teresa Southwick

Scott Matthews had been a single dad since he was just a kid himself. Now, with an empty nest, the last thing he wanted was a new relationship to tie him down. But with one sassy smile from the sexy caterer in his kitchen, he was tempted to savor every moment with her.After her husband's death, mom to-be Thea Bell had given up on passion–until she met Scott. But her craving for the hunky contractor was one she had to resist, for her baby's sake. Because she wouldn't let a carefree bachelor disrupt her dreams of a happy home–even if he was the family man she'd always wanted.

Women would fall at his feet, yet he’d channeled his energy into his children. How cool was that?

He wanted this party for his daughter, and Thea had catered events for both women and men. This man was no different from any other client.

And that was when she recognized the lie.

She liked Scott and that made him different. Which was why she wanted to turn him down flat.

Then she looked head-on into the intensity of his gaze and her stomach did that whole stop, drop and roll thing that had nothing to do with being pregnant.

From another lifetime she remembered falling in love with her husband. The ache inside when they were apart. The sheer giddiness when she saw him. The heart-pounding excitement. The anticipation to be together. Her heart stuttered and her stomach fluttered as it occurred to her that this was very much like what she’d felt long ago.

But that was impossible. She was the caterer, he was the client. And their relationship was—had to be—strictly business.

No matter what sizzled between them.

It Takes Three

Teresa Southwick

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

I dedicate this book to Valerie Florence Pascale and Emma Maria Pasqualino—two IVF miracles and the inspiration for this story. Thank you, ladies.

TERESA SOUTHWICK

lives in Southern California with her hero husband who is more than happy to share with her the male point of view. An avid fan of romance novels, she is delighted to be living out her dream of writing for Silhouette Books.

THEA BELL’S FAVORITE FAMILY RECIPE

1 egg—liberally laced with hope

1 sperm—bountiful with unfulfilled promise

Simmer with hormones and put in a warm place

Add 1 seasoned father of two

Sprinkle generously with attraction

(Keep hot, but do not permit to boil)

Combine two cups of conflict

A dollop of determination

Then fold in a liter of love

After nine months, remove promptly. Baby makes three for a happy family.

Contents

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

Epilogue

Chapter One

“Someone’s been cooking in my kitchen.”

Staring at the beautiful stranger in front of his stove, Scott Matthews figured he’d hit a low point even for him. His life was reduced to a culinary caper of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Except the woman wasn’t a blonde. She had hair like brown silk, eyes warm as hot cocoa and was not sleeping in his bed.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” he asked, annoyed that the sleeping-in-his-bed thought sent a shaft of heat through him.

She wielded a spatula like a conductor’s baton. “Who are you?” she demanded.

“I live here.”

“You’re Kendra’s father?”

“Scott Matthews,” he introduced himself.

“But you don’t look old enough to have an eighteen-year-old daughter,” she said, obviously surprised.

“Trust me, I am.”

It’s what happened when a guy thought with the brain south of his belt and had the first of two daughters when he was barely out of his teens.

“So you started your family when you were what? Ten?”

“Not quite.” The compliment about his youthful appearance almost made him miss the fact that she hadn’t yet told him who she was. This was his kitchen and he’d be the one asking the questions.

“Who are you?”

“Thea Bell.”

“Why are you here?”

“Kendra didn’t tell you?” Her confidence slipped and sh