The Single Dad's Patchwork Family. Claire Baxter

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      Like many authors, Claire Baxter tried several careers before finding the one she really wanted. She’s worked as a PA, a translator (French), a public relations consultant and a corporate communications manager. She took a break from corporate communications to complete a degree in journalism and, more importantly, to find out whether she could write a romance novel—a childhood dream. Now she can’t stop writing romance. Nor does she plan to give up her fabulous lifestyle for anything. While Claire grew up in Warwickshire, England, she now lives in the beautiful city of Adelaide in South Australia, with her husband, two sons and two dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s either reading or swimming in her backyard pool—another childhood dream—or even reading in the pool. She hasn’t tried writing in the pool yet, but it could happen. Claire loves to hear from readers. If you’d like to contact her, please visit www.clairebaxter.com.

      In memory of my dad (1924–2002)

      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

      EPILOGUE

      CHAPTER ONE

      REGAN JANTZ took a flute of champagne from a circulating waiter, then made her way to an alcove from where she scanned the mix of Japanese businessmen and local industry representatives.

      ‘You look like you don’t want to be here.’

      Startled, she swung towards the deep male voice. Its owner smiled down at her. Being smiled down on wasn’t exactly a first but it was unusual enough to make Regan give him more than a cursory glance. She hadn’t realised there was someone already occupying the vantage point she’d chosen.

      She pasted a professional smile on her face and at the same time took in the expensive suit, confident stance and clean-cut lines of the man’s face. ‘I’m sorry?’

      He leaned forward and spoke softly. ‘You don’t look as if you’re enjoying yourself.’

      ‘Oh.’ Regan stepped back. He might be tall and good-looking and have a nice gentle voice, but she didn’t know who he was.

      She saw understanding in his face and, for an instant, wished she could undo the automatic reflex. He was only trying to be friendly after all.

      ‘I’ve only just got here,’ she said in answer to his remark. ‘I was running late.’

      Glancing at her watch, she said, ‘I’m hoping it won’t go on too long.’ She had to get home before her sons went to bed. ‘But I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,’ she finished with a smile, just in case the handsome stranger had an involvement in the event’s planning.

      He took a sip from his glass and surveyed the guests filing into the function room. After a brief silence, he said, ‘Do you think it’s a good idea—the tourist trail?’

      ‘Oh, yes, I do.’ The enthusiasm in her tone was genuine.

      The purpose of the cocktail party was to launch a new initiative of the state government’s tourism department—packaging South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula into an activity-filled holiday experience aimed specifically at Japanese tourists and marketed to the Japanese travel industry.

      ‘I think it’s a great idea,’ she said and not just because he might have been instrumental in developing the concept.

      She paused, tempted to leave it at that, but something about the keen interest in his face made her go on. Most people at these events made polite small talk and avoided showing real interest in anything.

      ‘I’m not completely convinced that I should be getting involved with it, though.’

      ‘Why not? What’s your business?’

      ‘I run a tuna farm.’ She sipped her champagne, studying his eyes as she spoke. He had kind brown ones—not as dark as her Italian ex-husband’s eyes, which both her children had inherited, but a warm reddish brown. Like the rich red-gum honey that her son Cory loved on his toast fingers.

      ‘I СКАЧАТЬ