His Surprise Son

by Allie Pleiter

  Jean swallowed a laugh. Josh made the art of fly-fishing—something men enjoyed a lifetime of effort to master—sound easy. And maybe it was. If Jonah could catch a fish at age five, couldn’t a middle-aged man of high intellect do the same in an afternoon? After all, he didn’t need to catch a fish for this to work—although it helped. Braddon just needed to understand why Josh needed to be here. And Jonah was as much a part of that evidence as the natural beauty around them and the allure of the sport.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Ten and two and ten and two and...” Hal Braddon tipped his rod overhead back and forth before sending the line out over the creek in an impressive curl. “Ha! Will you look at that. Right where I planned to land it.”

  “A natural, just like I said,” Josh complimented. “Don’t wait for me to admit that you caught on faster than I did, because I won’t.”

  “Well,” said Braddon as he pulled in his line for another cast, “that boy of yours is a fine teacher. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I was born in Montana. We do a bit of fishing out there, you know.”

  Matt turned around from where he was standing a little downstream. “What?”

  Josh pushed his hat back on his head. “You already knew how.”

  Braddon grinned. “I thought it was more fun if you didn’t know. Besides, I wanted to see how you were going to play all this out.” He leaned his pole against his shoulder. “So now you’ve set your hook. How about you reel this one in and tell me why I’m here.”

  Josh reeled in his line and stood next to Braddon. “I wanted you to see this, to see why I’m ready to sell you SymphoCync. But only on one condition.”

  Josh could practically hear Matt’s gulp from the few yards downstream where he stood.

  Josh walked over and stood next to Matt. “I’m promoting Matt to co-CEO. You can own the place, free and clear, but Matt and I will run it.” He made a point of catching Jean’s eye as she stood nearby on the riverbank. “I’ll just be running my half mostly from here.”

  Jean’s eyes went wide. He nodded slowly, meeting her startled stare, wanting to be sure she understood what he’d just declared. “I needed you to see why this place is just as important to me as SymphoCync. I’ll sell you the company, but those are my terms. Matt’s there, and he has as much authority as I do, but I’m here at least eighty percent of the time.”

  Braddon and Matt started talking both at once, but Josh didn’t hear them. He just heard the splashes of Jean walking right into the water, shoes and all, and the exquisite sound of her breath as he took her into his arms and kissed her. At some point he was pretty sure his expensive pole fell into the water, but it didn’t matter. Braddon could say yes or no to the deal, and it wouldn’t change the decision he’d made. He’d arrange whatever setup it took to replant his life here, with Jean and with Jonah.

  A splash of cold water droplets broke the kiss, and he pulled back to see Matt and Hal staring at him.

  “What was I just saying about a flair for drama?” Braddon said, an amused look on his face. He turned to Matt. “What are we going to do with him?”

  It was as close to a yes as Josh needed. He walked over and extended a hand to Hal while keeping the other hand firmly around Jean’s. Yes, it made her wade a little farther into the water, but he doubted she minded at the moment.

  “So it’s a deal?” Josh asked, although it felt a bit more like he was gulping the words out.

  “It’s the most unusual deal I think I’ve ever done,” Hal said, shaking Josh’s hand. “But then again, I’ve always found you a most unusual man.”

  “I’ve always been the normal one,” Matt joked, still looking a little shocked.

  “Says who?” Josh teased. “Matt, the paperwork’s all in that envelope I put on your hotel room desk this morning.” He pulled Jean close. “Why don’t you two head on back and go over it. I’ve got a few things to do here.”

  “I can just imagine. You know, I used to use ‘going fishing’ as an excuse to sneak away to a pretty girl, too. Mrs. Braddon ties a mean fly. You don’t think I married her just for her good looks, do you?”

  “I think I’m going to write in a ‘no company fishing retreats’ clause into that paperwork.” Matt shook his head. “I can’t understand what you both see in this. No offense, but it’s boring.”

  “Peaceful,” Josh and Hal both corrected at the same time.

  “Get on over to that son of yours,” Hal said, pointing to where Jonah sat playing with a truck on the bank a few feet away. “Tell him he’s the best fly-fishing teacher I’ve ever had.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  As he moved toward the bank, Hal stopped and turned. “Tyler, what would you have done if I said no?”

  “Come here anyway.”

  Hal’s grin returned. “Good call. The smart fisherman knows which fish are worth keeping, and which to let go for another day.”

  All four of them waded to the bank, where Hal and Matt gathered their gear and headed back to the inn and the awaiting paperwork. “Matt will be a great CEO,” Josh said, meaning it. “I’d trust him with my life, even more so with my company. Hal’s company,” he corrected. “Wow, that’s going to take some getting used to.”

  “You’re sure?” Jean asked, a much larger question in her eyes.

  In answer, Josh squatted down in front of Jonah and signed “How...say...” and then put his fingers together in the shape of a heart, nodding toward Jean.

  Jonah crossed his forearms in front of his chest, then pointed at Josh.

  “I love you,” Josh said, repeating the sign and pointing to his son. “I love your mom, too,” he said, making the same sign and pointing at her, adding the sign for “again.” He looked deep into Jean’s eyes, now brimming with tears, and simply said, “Still. I never stopped.”

  “Me, neither,” she said, and then it became a tumble of arms and legs until Jonah popped up from the exuberant group hug and signed “family” with a huge smile on his face.

  “Yep,” Josh agreed with both hands and all his heart. “Family.”

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this story,

  check out Allie Pleiter’s BLUE THORN RANCH

  stories for more sweet, satisfying romances:

  THE TEXAS RANCHER’S RETURN

  COMING HOME TO TEXAS

  THE TEXAN’S SECOND CHANCE

  THE BULL RIDER’S HOMECOMING

  THE TEXAS RANCHER’S NEW FAMILY

  Find these and other great reads

  at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from HER FRESH START FAMILY by Lorraine Beatty.

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  Dear Reader,

  I love restoration stories. It warms my heart to read of wrongs put right, gaps closed, hurts healed and broken hearts mended. There’s not enough of that in our world, is there? That’s where the power of story wields its greatest strength—reminding us of what could be.

  I love reinvention stories, too. Second chances, new purposes and discovered gifts all make a powerful difference to my heart. Josh, Jean, Jonah and the whole town of Matrimony Valley inspire me to remember how nothing is ever truly lost from God’s view. Our Lord knows no lost causes—what better message could we hear?

  I hope you’ll come back to Matrimony Valley to watch Kelly Nelson, the straight-talking town florist and Lulu’s devoted mother, get her own happy ending in the next Matrimony Valley series book coming soon.

  Until then, remember that I’d love to hear from you at allie@alliepleiter.com, on social media (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) and good old-fashioned mail at PO Box 7026, Villa Park, IL 60181.

>   Blessings,

  Allie Pleiter

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

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  Her Fresh Start Family

  by Lorraine Beatty

  Chapter One

  A warm morning breeze blew a strand of Nina Johnson’s hair across her eyes. She pulled it away, her gaze riveted on the building in front of her. The two-story brick structure had an abundance of windows and a recessed entry that allowed for shade to cover the entrance. It looked fairly new. Had the cabdriver made a mistake and left her at the wrong place? She pulled her phone from her purse and brought up the address. It read 557 E. Warren Avenue. Her spirits sagged. She should never have agreed to come here. But then, where else would she have gone? Kathryn Harvey was her closest friend. She’d been there for her since college, through the marriage and the dark days afterward. When she’d asked her to come down to Hastings, Mississippi, and take over her psychology practice while she and her husband took advantage of a job in Spain for the next few months, she hadn’t been able to refuse. Her position as a corporate psychologist at Duncan and Stone had been eliminated. The call from her friend had been a blessing. Until now.

  “Can I help you?”

  Nina started at the sound of the deep voice close beside her. She stepped away, glancing at the man. Her gaze lifted until she found his startling green eyes lit with a smile. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

  “You looked lost.”

  The man was inquisitive for a stranger. She moved away a little more. “No, just surprised. The building is so small.” He frowned, and she realized she might have insulted him, so she hastened to explain. “My previous job was in a high-rise. Twentieth floor.”

  “Ah. Not too many high-rises around here. But I assure you, this building is big enough to house seven thriving businesses. I should know. One of them is mine.” He held out his hand. “I’m Bret Sinclair.”

  With her hands full of her purse, briefcase and a satchel filled with books she thought she might need, she could only stare back at him. She wasn’t used to strange men boldly introducing themselves—and shaking hands was even pushier. He didn’t seem to be the least bit put off by her nonresponse.

  “Sorry. Let me help you.”

  He took the briefcase from her grasp before she could react.

  She had little choice but to introduce herself. “I’m Nina Johnson.” His large hand swallowed hers, wrapping around it with a solid strength that gave her an uneasy feeling, yet she was strangely reluctant to pull her hand away. The stress of the trip down here to Hastings must be getting to her.

  A big smile spread across the man’s olive-toned skin, revealing a row of straight white teeth and an angled jawline that was very attractive.

  “Kitty’s friend. She told us you’d be filling in for her. Nice to meet you. Let me show you to your office.”

  She retrieved her briefcase from the man. “Kitty?”

  “Yeah, we all call her that. Kathryn didn’t suit her personality.”

  Nina mulled that over as she entered through the door the man held open. When had her friend taken the nickname? But then, she’d allowed their friendship to fade over the last few years, and she’d admittedly been surprised when Kathryn had asked her to take over her practice for a few months. Nina had closed her private practice years ago and gone into corporate psychology. She’d loved it. The job allowed her to help others, while not getting personally involved with patients or becoming emotionally attached. Things she’d vowed to avoid.

  The man, Mr. Sinclair, walked briskly toward the end of the hall, and she had a hard time keeping up with him in her four-inch heels. The floor was slippery, too. He was chattering about something, but all she could think of was getting to Kathryn’s office and closing the door.

  “Anita owns the Tranquility Spa. She does it all from hair and nails to facials and those crazy body wraps. You’ll have a full-service business when you want to get dolled up.”

  Was he suggesting she needed a makeover? She gritted her teeth and tried to keep up. Was he deliberately trying to be offensive? She’d been to a spa once and found it anything but relaxing. She glanced at her host and found him still smiling. His unusual green eyes held a twinkle as he looked down at her. She averted her gaze. Something about the man made her uncomfortable. No doubt his overly solicitous attitude was the source. This Sinclair guy was far too friendly for her liking.

  He pushed the button beside the elevator door and waited while she entered first.

  “Your office is on the second floor.”

  He continued his diatribe, throwing out names and businesses as if she were interested in the other occupants of the building. Stealing a glance at her host, she sorted through her people cubbies to find a good slot in which to file him away. On the surface, he seemed nice enough, but he was trying too hard to be helpful, and that usually meant he’d attempt to insert himself into her life. That was the last thing she wanted. When the elevator opened, she stepped out briskly, hoping he’d point out the right door and then go away.

  “I’m right across the hall.”

  Nina pulled her attention back to the man. “Excuse me?”

  His grin deepened, exposing a dimple on the right side of his mouth that she’d failed to notice before. It was a nice dimple.

  “At the moment, the only businesses on the second floor are yours, mine and David Ellis’s, the photographer. The last office is empty, and back there is the break room.” He pointed to the door to his right. “That’s my company. Phase II. We help veterans with training and job placement, and whatever else they might need when they’re ready to reenter the workforce.”

  Nina’s heart lurched. “Soldiers?”

  “As a matter of fact, we’re organizing our annual Military Appreciation Day event, and we’re always looking for volunteers. We’d welcome your help.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “You have something against soldiers?”

  He asked the question with a teasing tone in his voice. She cast a stern look in his direction. “Only when they fail to do their job and people die.” Clearly caught off guard, he frowned and rubbed his forehead. The smile left his face, calling attention to the sharp angle of his jaw and his high cheekbones. The clear green eyes had darkened to a dull forest color.

  “Aren’t there dozens of organizations already helping veterans?”

  “There are, but most of them are located two hours away, up in the state capital, and the waiting lists for those organizations are long. The vets need services here, where they live.”

  His sincerity and passion caught her off guard, leaving her without a comeback. Thankfully she spotted the plaque on the wall beside the door on the left. Kathryn Harvey Psychologist. Nina fished out the key Kathryn had sent, but before she could use it, Bret ope
ned the door and smiled down at her. “You have a key to this office?”

  “To all of them. I own the building. Which makes me the landlord. But don’t worry. I don’t enter anyone’s business unless it’s an emergency.”

  “Is that what this is?”

  He chuckled as if she’d said something funny. The rich, throaty sound sent a quick ping along her nerves.

  “No. I’m the welcome committee. I promised Kitty I’d help you settle in. When you get a free moment, I’ll introduce you to the others. We all try and look out for one another.”

  Nina shrank in on herself. She needed to escape his overly helpful greeting right now. “That’s very kind, but I don’t need any help, and I doubt I’ll have much time for socializing.”

  She squared her shoulders and marched into the small reception area, striving for an air of supreme confidence that would deter any further help. Instead she caught her heel in the overly plush carpet and tripped, quickly regaining her balance. Pulse racing, she placed her belongings on the desk and turned to face him. “Thank you for your help. I can take it from here.”

  His hand was outstretched as if he’d intended to steady her, which he could easily have done, given his broad, well-developed shoulders and forearms. The black polo shirt with the Phase II logo on the breast pocket, and the faded jeans he wore, made it obvious that he enjoyed working out.

  “Those shoes are dangerous. You could hurt yourself.”

  Incredible. First a makeover, and now her shoes? Criticism was the last thing she needed at this moment. Her nerves were frayed. She attempted a firm expression. “Mr. Sinclair, I have a lot of studying to do before I see my first patient. I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t have time to visit.”

  He stared at her for a moment, his green eyes probing, making her regret her retort. She reminded herself she was here to fill in for Kathryn and reacquaint herself with working one-on-one with private patients. Not to get chummy with the natives.