Expecting his holiday su.., p.1
Expecting His Holiday Surprise, page 1
“You’re having my baby.” He didn’t say it as a question, even though his mind was spinning with them.
Jade nodded. “Very good. Yes, I am.”
“What are we going to do?”
She straightened, coolness chilling her eyes. “You’re not going to do anything. I’m going to have a baby in January.” She must have seen the confusion in his eyes. “What I’m saying is you’re off the hook. I don’t need or expect your help with anything. I’ll raise her myself.”
“The hell you will.” Trent ground the words out through his clenched teeth. “If it’s my child—wait. Did you say her?” A baby girl. Visions of pink satin and lace filled his head. He was going to be the father of a little girl. Maybe.
Jade’s eyes narrowed on him. “Well, that was fast. You went from not believing me to threatening me.”
“I didn’t threaten you. But if this is my child, then I’m sure as hell going to be involved in raising her.” He paused. “You know for sure it’s a girl?”
She nodded, her eyes still guarded. “It’s a girl. How exactly do you think you’re going to be...” she made air quotes with her fingers “...involved in raising her? You live in Denver. I live in Gallant Lake. You’re a sperm donor, Trent, not a father.”
Dear Reader,
This is my seventeenth romance with Harlequin, and book seven of my Gallant Lake Stories series. But it’s my very first surprise baby romance! The trope is so popular with romance readers, and I was honestly nervous about doing it justice.
I ended up having so much fun with this holiday story. Twice-divorced Trent has major trust issues, particularly after his last ex shook his self-confidence to the core. He doesn’t trust his own judgment—he can’t help wondering if this baby is really his. But he has no doubts about his growing feelings toward Jade.
When Jade opens a Greek bakery in Gallant Lake, she never planned on doing it while pregnant after a passionate no-names-exchanged one-night stand months earlier. Then the guy shows up at her bakery, staring at her baby bump, full of questions. Sure, she can do this alone, but the more time she spends with Trent, the more she realizes she doesn’t want to. The one place in her life where she feels she truly belongs is in Trent’s arms. But she needs to know he’s all in before they can truly become a family.
No book happens in a vacuum. A sincere thank-you to my readers, and to my supportive family and friends. Thank you also to my wonderful Harlequin editor, Gail Chasan, and to my agent, Jill Marsal. And most of all, thanks to my husband—I always know I belong in his arms.
Jo McNally
Expecting His Holiday Surprise
Jo McNally
Jo McNally lives in upstate New York with one hundred pounds of dog and two hundred pounds of husband—her slice of the bed is very small. When she’s not writing or reading romance novels (or clinging to the edge of the bed), she can often be found on the back porch sipping wine with friends while listening to great music. If the weather is absolutely perfect, Jo might join her husband on the golf course, where she tends to feel far more competitive than her actual skill level would suggest.
You can follow Jo pretty much anywhere on social media—and she’d love it if you did—but you can start at her website, jomcnallyromance.com.
Books by Jo McNally
Harlequin Special Edition
Gallant Lake Stories
A Man You Can Trust
It Started at Christmas...
Her Homecoming Wish
Changing His Plans
Her Mountainside Haven
Second-Chance Summer
HQN
Rendezvous Falls
Slow Dancing at Sunrise
Stealing Kisses in the Snow
Sweet Nothings by Moonlight
Barefoot on a Starlit Night
Love Blooms
When Sparks Fly
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
This book is dedicated to romance readers everywhere, who love their tropes and demand their happily-ever-afters. In a stress-filled world, we want to dive into a story and be secure in the knowledge that love will win. It’s our daily dose of hope.
Thank you for choosing to read my HEAs!
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
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Excerpt from Counterfeit Courtship by Synithia Williams
Chapter One
Late April...
Jade Malone didn’t normally drink blue alcohol. She preferred her vodka on ice and crystal clear, thank you very much. But as she walked into the ballroom of the Gallant Lake Resort for her half sister’s wedding reception, the champagne flutes were filled with bright blue liquid.
But hey, it was alcohol, so she gave it a go...and nearly spit the blue stuff on the poor, white-jacketed server holding the tray.
“What on earth...?”
The server’s mouth twitched sympathetically. “The bride told us to call it ‘Sapphire Seduction,’ ma’am.”
There was a gravelly chuckle behind her as the server moved away. “Seduction is an odd word to use for a wedding cocktail, don’t you think? I mean, she’s already seduced him, right? Isn’t that why we’re here?”
Jade looked over her shoulder at the stranger, who smiled and lifted a tumbler of amber liquid in a mock toast before he spoke again. “I take my seduction exclusively from a whiskey bottle.”
He was a good-looking guy, but not in a pretty, Hollywood sort of way—despite the dark blond hair that fell across his forehead. His face was all sharp angles, with craggy lines around his eyes, as if he’d spent a lot of time outdoors. His build was tall and lean. Jade was six feet tall herself, without the expensive three-inch heels she wore. She refused to slump around in flats just to avoid intimidating shorter men. Also, it annoyed her stepmother when Jade towered over her. She found herself looking straight into this man’s eyes, which were the same color as the whiskey he was drinking. He nodded toward the glass in her hand. “I took a sip earlier, and I’m pretty sure the bride hijacked a cocktail normally known as a Deep Blue Sea—vodka, bitters and blue curacao.”
That was such a typical Ashley move, to take something someone else had and claim it as her own. Including Ashley’s new husband, who used to be engaged to Ashley’s former best friend.
She drained her glass—only because it was right there in her hand—and watched the stranger’s mouth slowly curve into a smile. Whiskey Guy had a great smile—confident, amused, with just a hint of sensuality. She’d bet that when he wanted to turn it up, he could melt hearts with that heat. Not to mention melting panties.
He gestured toward the blue satin gown that swept around her ankles. “At least it matches your dress.”
She tipped the empty glass in his direction. “It definitely matches my mood.”
He arched one brow. “Sweet, but dangerous?”
“More like nobody here wants it, but it’s doing its job, anyway.”
He nodded sympathetically. “I get it. I’m here under duress myself. I don’t even know the happy couple.”
She wasn’t sure if he was referring to Ashley’s parents or Kyle’s. She also wasn’t sure why he’d be at a wedding if he didn’t know the bridal couple.
“I’m family,” she pointed out, as much to herself as to him, “but sometimes I barely know them either.” A waiter walked by with a tray of blue cocktails. She grabbed one and took a sip. The taste was growing on her, as was the burn that followed.
Whiskey Guy studied her for a moment, and she wondered if he might be just the thing to help make this evening bearable. If only her stepmom hadn’t invited Jade’s ex to “complete the party” at her table, this guy could be the one to complete her party, instead.
“I don’t get it.” He looked around the room. “It’s a bunch of strangers all dressed up and pretending to be happy for people they probably couldn’t pick out of a lineup if they weren’t wearing the obvious costumes. Are Kyle and Ashley gonna be happy? Who the hell knows?” He shook his head. “This one night isn’t going to make or break them, either way. But everyone acts like the wedding day is the ultimate relationship launcher.”
“Relationship launcher? I like that.” Jade grinned. “Weapons-grade romance.”
This guy was even more cynical about weddings than she was. The ballroom was beginning to fill with people. She could easily vanish after the cake was cut, and no one would notice. Except perhaps her stepmother, Marla Malone, who was headed her way right that moment, marching across the ballroom with Jade’s father in tow.
Here we go. Whiskey Guy would have to remain an enigma.
She flashed him a quick smile and set her glass on a table. “Duty calls. Excuse me.”
As she w
She looked over her shoulder. “A dance? Aren’t you afraid of friendly fire?”
He didn’t answer, just lifted his glass in another toast before draining it. The casual conversation with a total stranger had helped calm her nerves. She felt more grounded as she greeted her father and stepmother with quick air kisses. Dad looked great in his tux. His reddish-brown hair was just beginning to show some gray around his temples, and it made him look more handsome than ever. He held Jade’s hands for an extra moment, giving them a sympathetic squeeze. Ashley’s elaborate wedding preparations had taken a toll on all of them, and Marla had been a textbook Monster of the Bride.
Marla had been nice enough when she’d married Phil Malone. Jade was ten at the time, still grieving her mother’s death and coping with the move from Chicago to St. Louis. Jade felt like an outsider, with her dark Mediterranean complexion compared to Marla’s bright blond hair and alabaster skin. Golden-haired Ashley was born two years later. As the girls grew up, Marla made it very clear where her love and loyalty resided. And it wasn’t with her tall, athletic, outspoken stepdaughter.
“There you are, darling!” Marla looked her up and down like she was looking for something to criticize. “You disappeared so quickly from the photo shoot that I thought perhaps you were ill. And yet, here you are, perfectly fine.”
“The photographer said he was finished with the family photos, Marla. So I left. It’s not like I was in the bridal party.” Even though the bride was her half sister, she hadn’t been asked. With a twelve-year age difference, they’d never been very close. “I’m sure Ashley won’t miss me.”
Marla glanced around furtively. “Don’t use my first name. I told you, tonight I’m Mom.”
Jade started to say something sarcastic, but her father’s warning look made her press her lips together in silence. He loved his wife. Despite the constant microaggressions Marla either knowingly or subconsciously aimed her way, Jade had to admit that the woman seemed to genuinely care for her father.
“Sure... Mom. Excuse me, but I think I’ll get another of those delicious blue drinks.” She leaned forward and gave a conspiratorial wink. “Such a clever idea to have the drinks match the bridal party.” And Jade, but only because Marla had insisted she wear blue to “blend in” in the family photos. Translation: buy your own dress, but make sure it’s still an unflattering shade of turquoise.
Marla preened at the compliment. “Wasn’t it, though? You know how much your sister adores blue!” Right now everyone knew how much Ashley liked blue, since every conceivable surface was bathed in the color. “You and Brant make such a stunning couple, sweetie. Both so...statuesque.” Brant was six-nine. He was also a jerk. Jade barely kept herself from rolling her eyes. Marla had an odd obsession with pointing out how tall Jade was. Even now, she pursed her lips and looked down at the stilettos Jade wore. “Were those heels really necessary?”
“Brant and I are not a couple,” Jade replied as civilly as possible. “And thanks for noticing my new shoes. They’re my favorite part of the outfit.”
Marla ignored the subtext. “We needed a plus-one for you, to balance the family table. It’s just one night—it won’t kill you to smile and have a little fun together. Who knows? Maybe you’ll reconnect. After all, love is in the air tonight!” Marla turned to her husband. “Speaking of which, we need to get the happy bride and groom in here and on their thrones.”
Unfortunately, Marla wasn’t exaggerating. They’d actually brought in thrones for Kyle and Ashley to sit on at the head table. Jade’s dad took her hand and tugged her close for a quick hug, whispering in her ear as he did.
“Try to enjoy yourself, Jadie, and stow that sharp tongue of yours. After tonight, we can all get back to our normal lives.” She nodded and gave him a quick peck on the cheek to let him know she’d do her part. Dad was right—just a few more hours to go. The only problem? Getting back to normal life wasn’t all that appealing either.
Normal life meant job hunting in St. Louis while struggling to hang on to her downtown apartment. After the five-star restaurant where she’d been pastry chef was sold and converted to a sports bar four months ago, she’d been forced to burn through a chunk of the small inheritance she’d received from her grandmother. She’d been saving that money to open her own bakery someday. Dad kept telling her she could move back into her old room at the house, but that thought made her toes curl inside these designer slingbacks she’d splurged on for this damn wedding—right before losing her job. She headed for her table. One problem at a time.
Dinner was an adventure in avoiding Brant’s grabby hands and his annoying comments about how exotic she looked. God, she hated that word. Brant and Jade had been together for a nanosecond two years ago. But he was a friend of the groom, and tall, so naturally Marla decided they were perfect. There was nothing perfect about the way Brant’s hand kept drifting to her thigh, or the comments he made under his breath. He thought it was hot that she still had “muscles instead of curves.” He was up for a “walk down memory lane” with her tonight, if she was willing.
She wasn’t willing. Not even close.
She held it together long enough to watch the happy couple cut the seven-tiered cake and do a choreographed dance to an Ed Sheeran song that Ashley was hoping would go viral. By the time the dance party really started to get rolling, Jade was done. Done smiling so everyone would think she was an adoring big sister. Done laughing at the unfunny and borderline offensive jokes Brant kept telling. Just...done.
She was headed for the French doors leading to the veranda when Ashley caught her by the arm and held on with a surprisingly aggressive grip.
“Oh no, you don’t! You can’t leave yet.” Ashley was smiling, but there was a hint of desperation to it. “Brant looks like a lost puppy over there. Besides, the videographer wants to see us all dancing to that Bruno Mars song. He’s going to make a montage, and he thinks it will get a ton of views.”
Ashley had a paltry few thousand followers on Insta, but insisted on telling everyone she was a “lifestyle influencer.” Jade had warned her more than once that she was going to end up breaking her neck in some stupid selfie photo stunt gone wrong.
The happy couple discovered not enough people were willing to fly to some exotic locale for a trendy destination wedding, which was why they’d ended up in the Catskills, near where the groom had grown up. Marla had been in a snit about it at first, until she read some article that called the upscale Gallant Lake Resort a “well-kept secret” for elegant weddings, and that some famous people had been married here. Jade had to admit the place was beautiful. The resort was elegant, but the town itself was low-key and relaxing, all nestled on a pretty lake surrounded by mountains.
“Jade? You can’t go yet.” Ashley still wore her steely smile.
Jade had six inches on her half sister, so it didn’t take a lot of effort to pull away from her grip. “I just need some fresh air.” And a whole lot of space between herself and her family. She took a steadying breath. “Ashley, today is supposed to be about starting a new life with the man you love, not getting likes from random strangers online.”
Ashley’s lower lip extended in a pout. That had stopped being cute when she was eight. “Come on, Jade. One more dance. Please?”
Jade relented, and regretted it instantly. While she had been sipping soda water in between blue cocktails in an attempt to keep her wits, Brant had been doing the opposite. He was weaving dangerously and leaned on Jade as they danced. He trod on her feet and mumbled something that sounded like an apology before doing it again. Then his hand dropped down and cupped her butt, squeezing so tightly Jade let out a curse. He repeated the move, then brushed his wet lips along her neck in some sort of drunken kiss move.
Okay, that’s it, that’s the line.
She shoved hard at Brant’s shoulders, sending him staggering backward on the dance floor. He bumped into Ashley and Kyle. The groom stepped on the edge of Ashley’s gown as he tried to keep his balance, causing it to tear under her arm. Ashley called her new husband a very bad word. Loudly. And all of it played out in front of the videographer. Who also caught the moment when Brant went careening into a waiter and his tray, sending champagne flutes of Sapphire Seduction all over a table of senior citizens. By the time someone caught Brant and held him still and upright—was that Whiskey Man?—the room had erupted in chaos. People were holding their phones up to record the moment. Ashley was sobbing. Marla was fuming.
