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A Baby to Cherish
Home from the war, army nurse Thea Miller is determined to adopt her late sister’s baby and begin a new life. But someone else has the same intentions—the town sheriff and Thea’s old friend, Mack Worthington. Now, in order to keep her niece in the family, Thea must reach an agreement with him.
Mack isn’t sure Thea—whose actions once hurt him badly—is committed to baby Sarah. And a judge may never approve a single-parent adoption for either of them. But what if they got married? It would be a marriage in name only. Yet the more time Mack spends with Thea, the more he begins to believe their pretend family can become the real one they’ve both been longing for.
“I’m adopting her.”
“What about the baby’s family? Shouldn’t they have a say?”
Mack blinked at the unexpected question. “Sarah’s mother gave her up.”
Thea leveled pleading blue eyes at him. “Maybe she thought she didn’t have a choice.”
Mack straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why have you been nosing around Ms. Aurora’s the last two days?”
“It has to do with my sister—when she came back to Marietta last spring.”
Eileen Miller was in Marietta last spring? Not possible. “The night of the accident was the first time I’d seen her in years.”
“Eileen probably kept out of sight due to her condition.”
Mack turned sharply to stare at her. “She was pregnant? Where’s the baby?”
“That’s just it, Mack. Momma says the baby has been stolen.”
“That’s why you’ve been spying on Aurora’s place.” The pieces began to fall into place. “You think Sarah is Eileen’s baby?”
“Sarah’s the spitting image of Eileen.” Sorrow along with another emotion—determination?—stared back at him. “That child you want to adopt is my niece, Mack. And I want to take her home.”
PATTY SMITH HALL has been making up stories since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Now she’s thrilled to share her love of history and her storytelling skills with everyone, including her hero of thirty-one years, Danny, two beautiful daughters and a wonderful future son-in-law. She resides in northeast Georgia. Patty loves to hear from her readers! You can contact her at pattysmithhall.com.
The Baby Barter
Patty Smith Hall
MILLS & BOON
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And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
—Romans 8:28
To Rose Smith. Your humble spirit and servant heart make you a rare beauty in today’s world,
sweet sister. You are a rare jewel indeed!
Contents
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
Dear Reader
