A Mother to Love

by Gail Gaymer Martin

  An Unexpected Family

  Angie Bursten wants to find love on her own timeline. Tired of her family’s interference, coworker Rick Jameson comes to the rescue—as her pretend boyfriend. Angie starts to spend time with Rick and his adorable daughter, Carly, and what began as a hoax soon feels all too real. Betrayed by the woman he’d married, single dad Rick is slow to trust. But seeing Angie with Carly, he can’t ignore the way he feels for his beautiful coworker. And when Angie helps Rick with the toughest battle of his life—gaining full custody of his child—there’ll be no more pretending. If they can open their hearts, Rick and Angie have a real shot at happily-ever-after.

  Two days with Angie felt like a gift for him and Carly.

  She made life fun and meaningful. And yet a flicker of concern tightened his chest. He had to be careful. He’d already feared her hesitation to plant today was because of something he’d said.

  “If we’re finishing the planting tomorrow…” She paused and looked at Carly. “We might have time to go the park today.”

  “The park? Really?” A gleeful giggle escaped Carly. “Can we, Daddy?”

  “If we have time, why not?”

  Carly jumped in place. “Why not?”

  Angie gave him a wink, pleasure filling her face. She hurried down the row, selecting a few more perennials, and after he loaded her choices in the cart, he pushed it toward the cashier.

  Many times, things he longed to know flew into his head, but those kinds of questions needed time. Instead he treaded lightly. A lifetime didn’t happen in a day. Angie clung to a private past she seemed unwilling to share. He could learn a lesson from her silence.

  Already he’d revealed too much.

  Gail Gaymer Martin is a multi-award-winning novelist, writer of contemporary Christian fiction with fifty-five published novels and four million books sold. CBS News listed her among the four best writers in the Detroit area. Gail is a cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers, is a keynote speaker at women’s events and presents workshops at writers’ conferences. She lives in Michigan. Visit her at gailgaymermartin.com. Write to her online or at PO Box 760063, Lathrup Village, MI, 48076.

  Books by Gail Gaymer Martin

  Love Inspired

  Loving

  Loving Treasures

  Loving Hearts

  Loving Ways

  Loving Care

  Loving Promises

  Loving Feelings

  Loving Tenderness

  Dreams Come True

  A Dad of His Own

  A Family of Their Own

  A Dream of His Own

  Her Valentine Hero

  The Firefighter’s New Family

  Rescued by the Firefighter

  A Mother to Love

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  A MOTHER

  TO LOVE

  Gail Gaymer Martin

  May the God of hope fill you with all joy

  and peace as you trust in Him,

  so that you may overflow with hope

  by the power of the Holy Spirit.

  —Romans 15:13

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to my friend Brenda Evans who made contact for me with Kimberly Springsdorf in Owosso, Michigan, the executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Kimberly gave us a tour of the city and showed us the highlights of the town as well as parks and residential areas so I could find the perfect street on which to set my story. She answered a volume of questions and was a valuable resource for my research for the Lilac Circle Series. Thank you so much, Kimberly. My thanks, too, to the lovely sales staff at Owosso Books, Janet O’Shea and Carla Bates, who spent time with us and answered my questions. Thanks also to numerous members of my Facebook group, Readers of Gail Gaymer Martin’s Books, for their support, ideas and wonderful reviews. A huge thank-you to my agent, Chip MacGregor. And as always my deepest thanks and love to my husband, Bob. Without his support and patience (especially that), I wouldn’t be the writer I am today.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Angie’s Crock-Pot Fiesta Chicken

  Dear Reader

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Angie tripped over another box and suppressed a groan. Moving was the pits. She rubbed her shin and noticed another nick to her already bruised and scraped body. She couldn’t forget she’d still be looking at her piled-high boxes without the help of her coworker’s toting and lugging.

  Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and she pulled away from her newest wound and planted a pleasant look on her face. “How are you doing?”

  “I think that’s the last one.” Rick Jameson came through the archway, a faint grin on his lips, nice lips she’d noticed recently. If they weren’t such good friends, she could easily fall for him.

  “You’re the greatest.” She opened her arms and headed toward him.

  He stepped in and joined the friendly hug.

  The flex of his strong arms beneath his T-shirt made her sigh just a little. She drew in a breath, bedazzled by the exotic scent of his aftershave. “What are you wearing?”

  He drew back. “A T-shirt and jeans?”

  His questioning look and response made her laugh. “I meant your aftershave.”

  His expression melted into a grin. He shrugged. “Jungle something. Why?”

  “I love it. Flowers and foliage after rain.” She arched her brow. “Good choice.”

  She didn’t care what it was named. It smelled better than her cucumber melon moisturizer. She studied Rick’s expression, wrapped in his scent, and winced. She knew she looked horrible, dressed in rags with only a swipe of lipstick and a comb run through her hair. “I’m grateful for your help, Rick.”

  “Anytime, Angie.” He tweaked her cheek and tucked his hands into his pockets. “Anything else?”

  She eyed the stacks of boxes along with another million things she needed to do, but she couldn’t ask Rick for more help. She motioned to a stack. “I need to tackle these boxes myself. Most of it’s for—”

  Her leg vibrated before her cell phone’s ringtone sounded. She drew it from her pocket and eyed the caller. “It’s my sister. I’ll call her back.”

  He shook his head. “Answer. I can let myself out.”

  She lifted a finger to stop him, wanting to enjoy his company just a little longer without using the time to work. She tapped the answer button and stepped into the kitchen. “Connie. Sorry, I’m busy. I have a man here helping me at the new house, and—”

  “A man? What’s he like?” her sister asked.

  Angie cringed, realizing her mistake. “A friend. That’s all.” She rolled her eyes. One more offer to fix her up on a blind date and she would scream.

  “Nothing serious?”

  “Connie, no.”

  “Good, because I’ve found the perfect man. He’s single, good-looking, a bit quiet, but—”

  Her internal scream took flight. “But I’m not interested. I’ve told you a hundred times. Two hundred times.” Before her sister said another word, she darted back to the living room doorway, her gaze on Rick. “Anyway,
I’m seeing someone right now.” Her eyes locked with his.

  “You are.” The decibels ripped through her eardrum. “What’s he like? Is he good-looking? You can’t leave me hanging.”

  The thought of hanging sounded good at the moment—preferably Connie. “I have to go, sis. Talk later.” She hit the end-call button before her sister resisted further.

  She exhaled. As she gazed at Rick, her imagination soared. She wished they were... Impossible. They were friends. “Sorry.” She looked at his inquisitive face, and her heart skipped. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee or something before you go?” She glanced over her shoulder at the boxes piled in her kitchen. “If I can locate the coffeemaker.”

  He chuckled, a sound she loved to hear. His smile and laugh always made her happy. She waited, hoping he would stay.

  Rick eyed the boxes and grinned at her. “How many hours will it take?”

  She managed a feeble smile, her mind still clinging to her sort-of lie. “I need the distraction.” She beckoned him into the kitchen and headed for the boxes.

  “Let me help.” His voice came through the doorway before he did.

  Rick’s gaze followed her as she dug deep in a carton and, before she had a moment, he slipped the box from her hand while his eyes searched hers. She sensed he wanted to say something, yet couldn’t, and it left her confused.

  Without direction from her, Rick located the pot and the individual brewing cups and popped them into the machine and added water. “Mugs?”

  She waved her hand at the boxes. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  He shrugged and in a moment gave her a victorious look. “Voilà!” He held the mugs in his hand, then placed a cup on the coffeemaker and hit the brew button.

  She loved seeing him appear comfortable making coffee and being domestic. “You surprise me.”

  “Why?” He glanced over his shoulder, then grasped the mug and brought it to her.

  The scent of coffee eased her tension. “You look experienced in the kitchen.”

  “It’s that or starve.” He popped in another cup and turned back to her. “It’s one of those things single men with a child have to do.” He looked at her again before smiling and turning back to the coffeemaker.

  His daughter hadn’t entered her mind. Though he’d mentioned Carly on occasion, Angie sensed he would rather not talk about his situation for some reason. “Coffee tastes good.”

  He slipped onto a chair and set his drink on the table. “I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but the phone call seemed to upset you.” He glanced away. “Sorry. It’s none of my business.”

  She flinched, facing the exaggeration she’d told her sister. “You’re perceptive.”

  His brow arched, and he waited.

  “To be honest...” And this time she would be. “I’m tired of my mother and sister trying to fix me up with blind dates. I want to scream when they come to me with some trumped-up idea of this wonderful single man who’s a bit quiet but he is very nice. Usually the guy’s main fun is bird-watching or reading. Nothing wrong with either hobby, but it doesn’t make dating them sound particularly enjoyable.”

  Rick averted his eyes until a laugh burst from his chest. He gave her a one-shoulder shrug. “Are you telling me you’re not into the nice quiet bird-watcher type?” His words splintered through his chuckle.

  Finally, Rick seemed like the man she knew at the office, and she needed the usual. She’d been thrown by the unexpected emotion that had arisen earlier. “Laugh all you want.” She found the image funny, until the crux of the issue struck her. “Today, to stop her, I sort of lied.”

  “How does one sort of lie?” He gave her a crooked grin.

  “You can’t. I’m not much of a churchgoer, but I know right from wrong, and I feel awful.” She pondered her comment.

  “Explain. Now I’m curious.”

  His expression took the edge off her guilt. “I told her I was seeing someone.”

  “Seeing someone?” His face blanched and confused her. “Are you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Then it’s not a sort-of lie.”

  “But I was seeing someone.” She motioned to the doorway. “I stood right there and looked at you. Get it? I was seeing—”

  “Right.” He blinked before he added a disbelieving grin. “Got it...more than once actually.”

  She gave him a poke. “You know the old saying about web of lies, right?”

  Questions still hung in his eyes.

  “Now my sister wants details. What he looks like, his interests, everything. Next she’ll want to meet him.” Her head spun with her concoction. “I have to tell her what I did.”

  “But now she’ll give you a little peace. No more blind dates.”

  A blast of air shot from her lungs. “You’re right. It was worth the exaggeration. That’s what it was, right? Not a lie.”

  “Whatever you want to call it.” He arched a brow again and took a long swig of his coffee. “I should get going.” He stood. “But don’t forget, Ang. If you need help, I’m willing.” He gave her arm a shake. “I only have Carly on weekends. I hate the limited time with her, but that’s our agreement, and I avoid tension with her mother. It doesn’t help our relationship. For now I’m stuck with short visits.” He tilted his head with a half grin, but she noted sadness beneath it. “Guess that gives you a look into my life.”

  “At least you’ve been married. Not me.” Her comment drew her back to unwanted places. “And you have your little girl. I know you love her more than anything. It shows.”

  He responded with that proud-daddy nod. “You’re right. I cherish her. And you saw how it was when my marriage ended.”

  “Three years ago. That’s how long we worked together.” She thought back. “Or was it more?”

  “Four, I think. You came to the office when Carly was almost one. She’s turned five and goes to kindergarten.”

  “Really?” The years had flown past since they’d first met.

  Rick stepped toward the doorway and waved. “I need to be on my way, but remember what I said.”

  “I will.” She followed him through the living room.

  When she stepped onto the porch behind him, he turned and gave her a hug. “I hope the rest of your unpacking goes well.” He added another squeeze, stepped down to the sidewalk and headed to his SUV in the driveway without looking back.

  Her chest pressed against her lungs as she watched the SUV back out to the street. She still felt his strong arms around her. After she gave a final wave, she drew her gaze from his car and stepped toward the door feeling as if she’d lost something precious.

  Pulling her mind back to her empty reality, she noticed a woman heading toward her from across the street.

  Her curiosity rose as the neighbor stepped onto the sidewalk and strode up her driveway toward her with a grin. Angie smiled back, guessing the woman wanted to be the first to meet the new neighbor.

  “Hi.” A container in one hand, the woman extended the other. “I’m your neighbor Rema.”

  She grasped the woman’s hand. “Angela Bursten. It’s nice to meet you.” Her greeting stretched the truth again.

  “Welcome to Lilac Circle.” Rema released her hand and motioned toward the driveway. “Sorry I missed your husband. I look forward to meeting him.”

  “Husband?” Heat rose up her chest as she understood Rema’s reference.

  “I noticed him pulling away as I started across the street.” Rema eyed her and grimaced. “I assumed he was your husband.”

  Angie drew back, managing a chuckle. “No. He’s a coworker who volunteered to tote some boxes for me. No husband here.” The admission left an unwelcome reminder, yet Rick’s smile hung in her thoughts.

  A questioning look flashed across Rema
’s face, and Angie recalled Rick’s hug on the porch. A sigh slipped from her. She didn’t owe her an explanation and didn’t have one. Warmth spread through her, and she recalled the wonderful sensation.

  Rema gave her a sympathetic look.

  “Speaking of boxes, I have them stacked all over inside, otherwise I’d...” Her discomfort grew as she sought an amiable goodbye. “But I appreciate your welcome, and—”

  “I understand.” Rema extended the container. “I brought you a little welcome gift. Homemade.”

  Angie’s heart sank. Now she was on the spot. “That was very thoughtful.” As she pulled the container closer, a sweet scent wrapped around her. “And it smells delicious.” She glanced over her shoulder at the mess. “Rema, if you don’t mind falling over boxes, you’re welcome to come in.” She opened the screen door, motioning the other woman inside.

  Without hesitation, Rema slipped past and stood inside the doorway.

  “Have a seat, Rema.” She motioned to the living room.

  Rema moved into the living room, and Angie placed the housewarming gift on a lamp table before also taking a seat, knowing what she should do but unable to deal with it today. Angie eyed the woman, trying to think of something to say, but Rema saved her from worry.

  “Did you notice the house for sale on the corner?” Rema gestured to the head of the street. “We’ll be having another new neighbor soon.”

  “No. Sorry, I hadn’t noticed.”

  “A number of people have looked at the house. Spring seems a good time to sell.” Rema gazed into space as if she had something on her mind, and though uneasy, Angie waited before trying to end their conversation and the visit.

  As if awakening, Rema patted her lips with a napkin while curiosity grew in her eyes. “So why aren’t you married?” Her brow fluttered to an arch before lowering. “Divorced? Or are you widowed?”

  Startled, Angie organized her thoughts. She could have said she was never asked, but that wasn’t something to share with a stranger. No matter, she still had hopes. Serious hopes but... She dropped the thought and shrugged. “I never got around to it, I guess.”