Duty-bound Dad
Former soldier Vito D’Angelo has come home with a foster son—and a secret that could devastate his comrade’s lovely widow. Lacey McPherson is Vito’s childhood friend and the last person he wants to hurt. But as their friendship turns to more, the truth grows harder to reveal. Lacey’s trying to renovate her guesthouse and build a peaceful single life. Yet letting ruggedly handsome Vito and young Charlie stay on her property awakens a longing for the family she’s sure she’ll never have. But it may open the door to a loving future...if the onetime boy next door proves to be just the man she needs...
“Tongues are wagging. It is Rescue River.”
“Gossip central,” he agreed.
“And speaking of wagging tongues,” she said, “imagine what people will assume if you come and live in the guesthouse. They’ll think we’re a couple. I’m not comfortable with that.”
“I understand.” He looked down at his hands, traced a scar that peeked out from his shirt cuff. “I’m not exactly a blue-ribbon bronco.”
“Vito!” She sounded exasperated. “You haven’t changed a bit since you had to try on six different shirts for the homecoming dance.”
“That was a long time ago. And the truth is, I have changed.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re still good-looking, okay? Women don’t mind scars.” Then she pressed her lips together as her cheeks grew pink.
His heart rate accelerated just a little. Why was she blushing? Did she think he was good-looking?
But of course, she hadn’t seen the worst of his scars.
And even if there was a little spark between them, it couldn’t go anywhere. Because he was living with a secret he couldn’t let her discover.
Thank you for coming with me on another visit to Rescue River! Lacey has been a part of the Rescue River community from the beginning. Most recently, she was part of Buck and Gina’s story, when she reluctantly provided shelter to the struggling single mom. Once everyone else found happiness, it was only fair that Lacey should find love, too...and Vito, the romantic Italian, seemed like just the right man to bring out Lacey’s tender side.
Both Vito and Lacey carry scars and baggage from the past. Don’t we all? Fortunately, our heavenly father forgives our mistakes and leads us to be new creations in Christ. He can even soften a heart of stone.
Visit my website, www.leetobinmcclain.com, and sign up for my newsletter to keep track of all the news from Rescue River.
Wishing you a happy summer filled with many books!
Lee
LEE TOBIN McCLAIN read Gone with the Wind in the third grade and has been a hopeless romantic ever since. When she’s not writing angst-filled love stories with happy endings, she’s getting inspiration from her church singles group, her gymnastics-obsessed teenage daughter and her rescue dog and cat. In her day job, Lee gets to encourage aspiring romance writers in Seton Hill University’s low-residency MFA program. Visit her at leetobinmcclain.com.
The Soldier’s Secret Child
Lee Tobin McClain
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
—Ezekiel 36:26
To my daughter, Grace, who shows me
every day that families aren’t about bloodlines;
they’re about heart.
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