From Megan Maitland’s Diary
Dear Diary,
Tonight I’m feeling particularly emotional. My life is filled with family and close friends who love me, and I love them. They help sustain me, especially during my trials. But I have to admit that right now, Chase’s disappearance has brought me to a very low ebb. To add to my pain, I just heard that Max Jamison and Chelsea Markum, of all people, are trying to rescue a toddler who crawled into a pipe and can’t get out. Two innocent, precious babies in danger!
All I can do is pray that they are still alive, that one day soon I’ll hold Chase in my arms again. I have to have more faith. Why does it seem so hard tonight?
Dear Reader,
There’s never a dull moment at Maitland Maternity! This unique and now world-renowned clinic was founded twenty-five years ago by Megan Maitland, widow of William Maitland, of the prominent Austin, Texas, Maitlands. Megan is also matriarch of an impressive family of seven children, many of whom are active participants in the everyday miracles that bring children into the world.
When our series began, the family was stunned by the unexpected arrival of an unidentified baby at the clinic—unidentified, except for the claim that the child is a Maitland. Who are the parents of this child? Is the claim legitimate? Will the media’s tenacious grip on this news damage the clinic’s reputation? Suddenly, rumors and counterclaims abound. Women claiming to be the child’s mother materialize out of the woodwork! How will Megan get at the truth? And how will the media circus affect the lives and loves of the Maitland children—Abby, the head of gynecology, Ellie, the hospital administrator, her twin sister, Beth, who runs the day care center, Mitchell, the fertility specialist, R.J., the vice president of operations—even Anna, who has nothing to do with the clinic, and Jake, the black sheep of the family?
We’re thrilled to bring you yet another exciting, dramatic installment of the Maitland Maternity saga, The Toddler’s Tale, by popular author Rebecca Winters.
Marsha Zinberg,
Senior Editor and Editorial Co-ordinator, Special Projects
The Toddler’s Tale
Rebecca Winters
MILLS & BOON
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Rebecca Winters loves a great many things: her children, her extended family and her friends. Besides teaching young people at her church, she travels to Laguna Beach, her favorite spot in California, and makes frequent visits to Denver, Colorado, to visit one of her married sons and his wife. An active genealogist, she’s always busy tracing her family lines. Creating an ambience of French country in her home is an ongoing project. An avid fan of her hometown basketball team, the Utah Jazz, she has now discovered another sport—golf. At least when Tiger Woods is playing. Around 10 p.m. she turns on the TV to watch her favorite British comedies. When all is said and done, she leads a very rich, full life. But she does concede that writing novels adds the extra spice that makes every moment exciting.
This book is dedicated to my one and only grandson
Billy B., the joy of his nana’s life, and the inspiration
for the adorable little toddler in my story.
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 ONE
“DAMN YOU, Max Jamison! Enough is enough!” Chelsea Markum cried furiously as the dark-haired male at her side drove them deeper into the hill country outside Austin, Texas.
She’d come up against the audacious ex-cop many times before while covering important news events. But he’d gone too far this time. He’d smashed her camcorder, then, to add insult to injury, he’d thrown her inside his blue half-ton pickup, dashing any hope of her getting a breaking story that included pictures.
Thanks to Captain Dangerous here, she didn’t have her cell phone because she’d left it in her car. Now another television station would get the plum story of the month! Damn, damn, damn.
“Your manhandling techniques seem to have worsened since you resigned from the police department,” Chelsea accused. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you were advised to quit before they had to fire you.”
For a response, he gunned the accelerator, making her more livid than ever.
“Keep this up and I’m warning you that your days as a PI are going to be numbered.”
“But I’ve got you now, so it will have been worth it.” The rejoinder was mocking.
Her cheeks filled with heat. “Turn the truck around this instant! Do you hear me?”
“Not on your life!” The wicked smile on Max Jamison’s rugged face made him more attractive than ever. It was the last straw.
Taking a deep breath, Chelsea reached for the front passenger door handle, ready to jump out and hitchhike to Garrett Lord’s ranch. But an arm of steel shot past her, blocking her effort with almost superhuman strength.
“You brute!”
In retaliation
