Allison stiffened at the whisper-light brush of fingers against her nape.
Startled, she spun to confront whomever had touched her, but found no one. She stood at the edge of the group and though the room was crowded, no one was within arm’s reach.
How odd. Puzzled, she turned back to the lecturer.
Within moments, she felt the same brush against her nape. Frowning, she glanced over her shoulder. But again, no one stood close enough to have touched her.
Her gaze swept the crowd and she went perfectly still.
Across the packed ballroom, a man leaned against a marble pillar, watching her.
Allison felt his intent black gaze as surely as if he’d reached out, slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his.
He is what I felt, she thought, dazed.
Dear Reader,
As you take a break from raking those autumn leaves, you’ll want to check out our latest Silhouette Special Edition novels! This month, we’re thrilled to feature Stella Bagwell’s Should Have Been Her Child (#1570), the first book in her new miniseries, MEN OF THE WEST. Stella writes that this series is full of “rough, tough cowboys, the strong bond of sibling love and the wide-open skies of the west. Mix those elements with a dash of intrigue, mayhem and a whole lot of romance and you get the Ketchum family!” And we can’t wait to read their stories!
Next, Christine Rimmer brings us The Marriage Medallion (#1567), the third book in her VIKING BRIDES series, which is all about matrimonial destiny and solving secrets of the past. In Jodi O’Donnell’s The Rancher’s Daughter (#1568), part of popular series MONTANA MAVERICKS: THE KINGSLEYS, two unlikely soul mates are trapped in a cave…and find a way to stay warm. Practice Makes Pregnant (#1569) by Lois Faye Dyer, the fourth book in the MANHATTAN MULTIPLES series, tells the story of a night of passion and a very unexpected development between a handsome attorney and a bashful assistant. Will their marriage of convenience turn to everlasting love?
Patricia Kay will hook readers into an intricate family dynamic and heart-thumping romance in Secrets of a Small Town (#1571). And Karen Sandler’s Counting on a Cowboy (#1572) is an engaging tale about a good-hearted teacher who finds love with a rancher and his young daughter. You won’t want to miss this touching story!
Stay warm in this crisp weather with six complex and satisfying romances. And be sure to return next month for more emotional storytelling from Silhouette Special Edition!
Happy reading!
Gail Chasan
Senior Editor
Practice Makes Pregnant
Lois Faye Dyer
For Rose Marie Lunny-Harris,
in memory of her mother, Hazel Lunny.
LOIS FAYE DYER
lives on Washington State’s beautiful Puget Sound with her husband, their yellow Lab, Maggie Mae, and two eccentric cats. She loves to hear from readers and you can write to her c/o Paperbacks Plus, 1618 Bay Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
MANHATTAN MULTIPLES
So much excitement happening at once!
The doors of Manhattan Multiples might shut down. The mayor and Eloise Vale once had a thing. Someone on the staff is pregnant and is keeping it a secret. Romance and drama—and so many babies in the big city!
Jorge Perez —Manhattan’s hottest assistant district attorney, determined to fight for justice, too busy for love. At a social function, Jorge sees a shy beauty and knows he has to talk to her. He crosses the room and one thing leads to another….
Allison Baker —Assistant to Eloise Vale and part-time law student, this bashful woman decides to wear a slinky dress to her first party in ages. One look at the gorgeous man across the ballroom, and Allison’s heart starts to hammer.
Eloise Vale —As Manhattan Multiples’ director and a mother of triplet boys she finds enough to keep her busy. But her stomach is in knots because of continuous threats from a former flame, who is only the most powerful man in the city!
Bill Harper —With an empire to rule, the mayor of New York City has enough on his mind without memories of Eloise Vale, the only woman he's ever loved. And now she’s the enemy. Can he find a way to bridge the gap between them? Find out next month in PRINCE OF THE CITY, by Nikki Benjamin (SE #1575).
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter One
“You’re going to this party with us tonight.”
Allison Baker didn’t respond to Zoe’s announcement. Instead she took a sip of iced tea, stretched out her legs, propped her bare feet on the yellow cushioned seat of the kitchen chair opposite her and smiled fondly at her friend.
Zoe Armbruster stopped pacing the floor and planted her hands on her hips, fixing Allison with a militant look. “Don’t give me that sweet smile. I know you’re thinking up a thousand excuses not to go. And I’m not buying any of them.”
Allison gestured at the stacks of law books, legal tablets, pens and loose papers scattered over the small kitchen table. “Zoe, I’d love to go out with you and Jack, but I have to finish researching a legal brief for class next week.”
Zoe held up a hand as if she were stopping traffic on a busy Manhattan street. “Nope. No excuses accepted. None. Zero. Zip. Nada.” She caught Allison’s hand and tugged her upright, spun her around and determinedly nudged her toward the bedroom. “You live the life of a nun—all work and no play. Tonight we’re going to forget our daytime jobs and concentrate on having fun.”
Laughing, Allison let Zoe urge her into the bedroom. The petite brunette was difficult to resist in this mood. Allison knew she should be looking for a case law to buttress the arguments in State v. Cunningham, but the prospect of a night away from law books and class assignments was tantalizing.
“I have absolutely nothing to wear to a society fund-raiser, Zoe.” She sat on the end of the bed, her gaze following Zoe’s curvy, shorts-clad figure as she slid back the closet door and began to push aside hangers. She glanced down at her own slim, five-foot, six-inch frame, then back at her friend’s hourglass, five feet two inches of lush curves. “And there’s no way I can wear anything of yours.”
Zoe frowned at a tailored black business suit and pushed the padded hanger aside. “We’ll find something. If we have to, we can always take in one of my dresses for you.”
Allison laughed out loud. “That would take all night. We’d never make it to the party.”
Zoe half disappeared into the back of the closet, her voice muffled. “You’re going to this party if I have to steal a dress for you from Saks!”
“Oh, great,” Allison said wryly, shaking her head and brushing back a lock of auburn hair that clung to her cheek. “You’re willing to become a felon so I can attend a party?”
“Yes.” Zoe’s emphatic response was followed