LITMIR.BIZ

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      EPILOGUE

      CHAPTER ONE

      THERE was no sign of him.

      Morgan Keenan stared out the bay window of her craft shop at the family Inn, willing the tardy Fortune 500 corporate CEO to appear. Not that she didn’t realize what a long shot it was to get Justin Hilliard to even consider investing in her project.

      She glanced up at the clouds gathering over the San Juan Mountains, knowing the forecast was for snow flurries later tonight. It was still early in the season, but it could be a blessing for the old mining town of Destiny, Colorado. Especially when she was trying to promote the perfect location to build a ski resort.

      Since being elected mayor last year, Morgan had worked hard, pulling together a cost effective package and looking for investors. She’d received a few nibbles over the previous months, but it hadn’t been until she heard from Justin Hilliard of Hilliard Industries, that she thought she just might have a chance to pull off this deal.

      And today, the CEO was coming to see the town…and to meet her. Or was he?

      With one last glance at the empty parking lot, Morgan walked to the back of the craft shop she ran in her parents’ bed-and-breakfast, the Keenan Inn. A wooden quilting frame was set up in the turret-shaped alcove. She took her seat facing the windows so she could keep an eye out for her visitor while relieving tension by working on the wedding quilt.

      Morgan picked up her needle and took a measured stitch, a skill her mother had taught her years ago. It had been her salvation too many times to count. Lately the resort deal had been heavy on her mind, but after today, if Mr. Hilliard decided he wanted to invest in the resort she could breathe easier.

      Busy with her intricate work, it took a while for Morgan to realize she wasn’t alone. She glanced up to see a small dark-haired girl standing in the doorway. Dressed in a pink nylon ski jacket and matching bib overalls, she was too cute.

      Morgan smiled. “Hi.”

      The girl didn’t answer.

      Since the Inn’s guests didn’t usually have children, Morgan decided the girl belonged to a day tourist. She glanced toward the front of the shop but didn’t see anyone around.

      “I’m Morgan,” she said. “What’s your name?”

      “Lauren,” the child answered softly.

      “Pretty name. Do you want to see what I’m making?”

      Her gray-blue eyes widened, then to Morgan’s surprise, the little girl walked to the edge of the stretcher board.

      Morgan ran her hand over the multiblue patterned fabrics already sewn into circles. “It’s called a wedding-ring quilt. See the circles?” She outlined one with her finger. “They look like rings.”

      The girl didn’t speak, but leaned in to look at the half-finished quilt.

      “I like to use blue,” Morgan continued. “It’s my favorite color. What’s yours?”

      Those big eyes rose to hers. Morgan felt a tug at her heart. “Pink…” the girl whispered.

      “You want to see if we can find pink in the quilt?”

      Surprisingly the little girl raised her arms to Morgan. She didn’t hesitate to lift the child. A soft powdery smell emanated from her as she was tucked perfectly onto Morgan’s lap. Morgan took a moment to savor the rare gift, because this would be as close as she would ever get to having a little girl of her own.

      Justin Hilliard stood at the Keenan Inn’s front desk. He hated being late. Punctuality had been a discipline drilled into him throughout his life. Even if it couldn’t be helped because the company jet had a minor mechanical problem, and Lauren had fallen asleep. He’d decided that she needed the rest more than he needed to be on time.

      “Sorry for the delay, Mr. Hilliard.” The middle-aged innkeeper had short gray hair and warm hazel eyes. “We put you in the suite on the second floor. My husband is bringing in a rollaway to accommodate your daughter.”

      “Thank you, Mrs. Keenan. I apologize for not informing you ahead of time.”

      “It’s not a problem at all.” The older woman smiled. “We’ve all been looking forward to your visit but especially, my daughter, Morgan.”

      He checked his watch. He was ninety minutes late. “I was to meet with her today. I’m going to have to reschedule. I want to get Lauren settled.” He looked behind him at the antique love seat, but his daughter wasn’t there. He glanced around the large entry that served as a lobby for the three-story bed-and-breakfast.

      He tried to stay calm. “Lauren?”

      Mrs. Keenan came around the desk. “I’m sure she’s probably close by, probably just wandered into the craft shop.” The older woman led the way along a hallway and into a room that housed the usual touristy things, along with several quilts hanging on the walls. But there was no sign of his daughter.

      Panic rose in his throat. Lauren stayed close by his side, especially since her mother’s death. The innkeeper walked ahead, then she turned and smiled, motioning toward an alcove.

      Justin froze as he spotted his daughter seated on a woman’s lap. A protective hand rested on Lauren’s, guiding her small fingers through the task of pushing the needle through the fabric. His chest tightened at the enchanting scene.

      Then other dormant feelings raced through him as he took in the woman’s long auburn hair brushing her shoulders in soft curls and encircling her heart-shaped face. Her pert nose wrinkled when she smiled. She had a fresh-scrubbed look that he found appealing.

      “It seems your daughter has found a friend,” Mrs. Keenan said, breaking into his thoughts. Then she turned and walked away.

      Just then Lauren became aware of his presence. The joy in her eyes faded as she climbed down and hurried to his side.

      Justin knelt and wrapped his arms around his daughter. “Lauren, you shouldn’t have run off. I was worried.”

      “Sorry,” she whispered.

      “Just tell me the next time. Okay?” He rose and turned to the woman who’d managed to gain his daughter’s trust. “I’m Justin Hilliard.” He held out his hand.

      “Morgan Keenan.” They shook hands. “And I apologize. I had no idea that Lauren was missing, or that she was your daughter.”

      “She usually doesn’t wander off.” Or talk to strangers, he thought.

      “Well, she’s welcome here anytime.” Morgan looked at the child and smiled. “As long as she asks for permission first.”

      Ms. Keenan was even lovelier close up. Her eyes were a deep emerald-green and expressive. Who would have thought the all-business mayor he’d talked with would turn out to look so soft…so feminine? His throat

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