Fossen Delores - Undercover Daddy

I suppose youre here to arrest me for the illegal adoption?

That all depends.

On what? Finally, there was a slip in her resolve. Her voice cracked.

You. Luke came to a stop in front of the house, turned off the engine and stared at her.

This is my babysitters house. What are we doing here?

He turned towards Elaina so he could see every nuance of her reaction. He ignored how beautiful, how vulnerable she looked. Why do you think Im here?

Oh, no. I cant let you do this. You cant arrest me. You dont understand hes my son. Im the only mother hes ever known.

Believe me, I know that.

I wont let you take him from me, she insisted.

You have no choice.

Then I need to talk to his father, make him understand how much Christopher means to me.

Youre already talking to him. Christopher is my son.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Imagine a family tree that includes Texas cowboys, Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, a Louisiana pirate and a Scottish rebel who battled side by side with William Wallace. With ancestors like that, its easy to understand why Texas author and former air force captain Delores Fossen feels as if she was genetically predisposed to writing romances. Along the way to fulfilling her DNA destiny, Delores married an air force top gun who just happens to be of Viking descent. With all those romantic bases covered she doesnt have to look too far for inspiration.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Elaina McLemore When someone tries to kill her, she moves with her adopted son to a small Texas town, changing her name and inventing a missing husband. Then Luke Buchanan shows up, claiming to be her long lost husband and her babys father.

Special Agent Luke Buchanan Robbed of the chance to raise his son when Elaina unknowingly participated in an illegal adoption, nothing will stop him from getting to know his child. But when an elusive criminal comes after them, Luke vows to protect his baby and the only mother his son has ever known.

Christopher Lukes one-year-old son. Hes too young to understand the danger. He only knows that he loves having his daddy around.

George Devereux Once a successful businessman, now behind bars. Just how far would he go to get back at Luke for arresting him?

Carrie Saunders Elainas shop assistant and friend. Carrie has been acting very odd, but she claims she has no idea whos trying to kill Elaina and Luke.

Brenda McQueen A newcomer to the sleepy Texas town where Elainas been hiding with Christopher.

Collena Drake The troubled former cop who now devotes her life to finding illegally adopted babies.

Gary Simpson Elainas potentially mentally unstable neighbour. Gary is also jealous of Luke.

Undercover Daddy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Daphne Betterton. Youre the best.

Chapter One

Crystal Creek, Texas

Elaina, your husband isalive.

The eight-by-ten piece of amber glass that Elaina Allen had been examining slipped from her hand and crashed onto her desk. It didnt break but smashed right into a paper plate containing a half eaten slice of cherry pie. The red sugary filling spattered in every direction.

Excuse me? Elaina asked her assistant, Carrie. What did you say?

Your husband is alive, Carrie repeated, nodding frantically. She bobbled up and down on her tiptoes and gave an excited squeal. Hes in Crystal Creek and on the way to the shop. He should be here any minute.

Elainas heart dropped to her knees.

There must be some mistake. Daniels missing in action in the Middle East, Elaina lied. If hed been found, the air force would have told me.

Carrie grinned. Well, they obviously didnt. A snafu maybe, or Daniel probably just wanted to surprise you. Anyway, he stopped by the gas station, and when he got ready to pay, the attendant, Jay, saw your picture in Daniels wallet. Thats when Jay figured out who he was. Jay said after Daniel filled up, he headed in this direction. Carries crystal blue eyes widened. Oh, God. I blew the surprise by telling you, didnt I?

Elaina couldnt answer. She could only

shake her head. No. This couldnt be happening. It just couldnt be.

Are you all right? Carrie asked. You look like youre about to be sick.

There was a reason for that. Elaina knew that the comfortable, safe life shed created was over. Her house and her stained-glass shop were as good as gone. Shed have to go on the run again.

Youre happy about this, right? Carrie asked. I mean, this is what you wantedfor Daniel to come home to Christopher and you. Youre always saying how much you miss him.

She stared at her shop assistant. They were more than employer and employee. The eternally optimistic Carrie had become her friend. Well, as much of a friend as Elaina could have considering shed lied to Carrie from day one.

Elaina wasnt immune to the guilt she felt about that, either. Shed never quite come to terms with the pretense.

But she had a more pressing problem.

Daniel Allen was on the way to her shop.

Because that took her to the brink of panic, Elaina almost came clean about everything to Carrie. She almost explained all the lies. And, sweet heaven, there was a mound of lies. But she stopped her near confession and tried to make some sense of all of this.