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Excerpt
Zoe stood beside a crib. From across the room, he could see her leaning over. Attending to the
baby? She looked at him, the fierce love etched on her face stopping him from moving. He’d
always thought Zoe was pretty, but now, she took his breath away. Becoming a mother had
transformed her. She was no longer just his high school sweetheart. Before him stood a
full-grown woman, a mother, who had become more beautiful in the time he’d been away.
“Come see your son.”
Leaning on the cane, he made his legs move forward. When he came to the side of the crib, he
gazed down at the sleeping boy, who had one thumb brushed up against his lips. Mitch’s breath
caught and completely left him for a moment.
Zoe moved to give him better access. He stepped closer. Leo’s chest rose as he inhaled and
exhaled. Mitch stared, then began taking inventory, like he imagined a father would upon the
delivery of his child. Ten fingers and toes. Light colored hair, standing on end. Chunky little
legs. Rosy skin. Spiky eyelashes caressing his cheek.
A longing, unlike any he’d ever experienced before in his life, pummeled him. This was his
son. His flesh and blood. A miracle.
“He’s so small.”
Mitch tilted his head to get a different view. “What color are his eyes?”
“Blue.”
He swallowed against the sudden thickness in his throat.
With halting fingers, he reached out. He barely touched his son’s arm, so soft and plump, then
moved to Leo’s face where the tips of his fingers brushed his cheek. When Leo shifted in his
sleep, Mitch jerked his hand back to his side.
“He’s okay,” Zoe said in a low tone. “Just resettling.”
Right. People moved in their sleep. Even babies.
She gently pushed Leo’s thumb from the proximity of his mouth. “He never took to a pacifier,
so I have to keep his thumb away from his mouth.”
Mitch didn’t know what to say. Taking care of a baby was completely foreign to him.
“I’ll give you a few minutes.” She pointed to a white radio-looking thing on the dresser.
“The monitor is on. Call if you need anything.”
As she walked away, Mitch gazed down at his son. His chest swelled. Was this what pride
felt like?
“Hey, buddy,” he whispered.
Other Books in the Series
USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn't come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.
