Her Surprise Engagement
A football star and a single mom...
Teach each other to trust again
To impress the executives buying her app, Nichole Moore enlists the help of old friend and pro quarterback Chase Jacobs. A pretend marriage is the perfect ruse: Chase’s celebrity status will impress the executives, while likable, hardworking Nichole could fix his fading career. But as their fake relationship plays out under the glare of the public eye, Nichole realizes her feelings might be the real deal...
He held out his hand. “So, are we fake married or not?”
Nichole placed her hand in his. Her voice firm and determined. “We’re in a business arrangement.”
“We’ve been friends too long to ink our marriage with a handshake.” And because he’d never quite learned to heed his chances, he stood and tugged her toward him. “Let’s seal the deal correctly.”
His arms wrapped around her waist, he leaned forward, almost catching that hint of an adrenaline rush. Her eyes closed, her long eyelashes fanned across her tinted cheeks, her face softened. And that chance tripped Chase up. He completed a successful hook route, shifting at the last second, and pressed his lips against her forehead.
A reminder to himself their marriage was only a sham. Hearts were not included in any deal. And all adrenaline rushes were best avoided.
Dear Reader,
As a child, our family moved quite often. I was always envious of my cousins who remained in the same small town within bike-riding distance to my grandparents’ houses. Fortunately, we took many family vacations to my parents’ hometown in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My grandparents were such a big part of my life and share an even larger space in my memories.
Her Surprise Engagement celebrates grandparents and the joy, wisdom and love only they can bring to families. Nichole Moore and Chase Jacobs have special relationships with their grandparents. And with guidance from their families, Nichole and Chase discover that opposites can attract and build an even stronger foundation together.
If you live close to your grandparents, give them an extra hug and even more of your time. To those who’ve been promoted to grandparents, we cherish you.
I love to connect with readers. Check out my website at carilynnwebb.com to learn more about my upcoming books and sign up for email book announcements, or chat with me on Facebook (carilynnwebb) or Twitter (@carilynnwebb).
Happy reading!
Cari Lynn
Her Surprise Engagement
Cari Lynn Webb
Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparents’ seventy-year marriage and her parents’ marriage of over fifty years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect—it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.
Books by Cari Lynn Webb
Harlequin Heartwarming
City by the Bay Stories
The Charm Offensive
The Doctor’s Recovery
Ava’s Prize
Single Dad to the Rescue
In Love by Christmas
A Heartwarming Thanksgiving
“Wedding of His Dreams”
Make Me a Match
“The Matchmaker Wore Skates”
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
To my grandparents for teaching me the power of love and the strength of family. I miss you every day.
Special thanks to my writing tribe. To my family for understanding that I’m really not listening to you when I’m on deadline and that my head is in my story is actually a real condition. I love you guys more than you can know!
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
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT FROM THE COWBOY’S SECRET BABY BY LEIGH RIKER
CHAPTER ONE
SUNDAYS WERE RESERVED for church. Family brunch. And football. Always football.
Only this Sunday was anything but typical. Prayers were too late. Family brunch had been rescheduled for next weekend. And Chase Jacobs’s football season had ended three weeks ago in overtime to Oklahoma City.
One field goal kick—three simple points—had broken the Bay Area Pioneers’ eight-game winning streak, ending their playoff run. Chase and his teammates had returned home to clear out their lockers, contemplate where exactly they’d gone wrong and watch their longtime rivals step onto the field for the most important game of the season: the Super Bowl.
Chase climbed out of his SUV in the empty parking lot of San Francisco College of Medicine. He locked the car doors, headed toward the entrance of the five-story office building and pulled his baseball cap lower on his head.
The tinted double doors swung open. A woman stood in the entrance, her brunette hair contained in her usual practical, sleek bun. She lacked Chase’s height, barely reached his shoulders, yet her perceptive hazel eyes and fearless posture commanded his full attention. That trait she’d inherited from their mother. He shortened his greeting to a simple: “Mallory.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d come this morning.” His oldest sister tilted her head as if assessing him.
Chase stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Certain his baseball cap shadowed his face and his guilt. He’d considered skipping their appointment, but his mother and two sisters hadn’t raised him to be a quitter. Besides, Mallory would’ve tracked him down like a defensive lineman sacking the quarterback. “As if that was an option.”
“Glad you saw things my way.” Mallory nodded and locked the doors behind him.
The medical offices were closed. Normal business hours resumed tomorrow. Chase shouldn’t be here either. If not for his persistent sister.
“Does this mean you’re finally ready to listen to all my very valuable life advice?” Mallory asked.
Chase shrugged. “If I start listening to you, I’ll have to listen to the others too.”
“It wouldn’t hurt you.” Mallory shook her head. “Your family knows best.”
“But it might not be as entertaining as listening to myself,” Chase teased and followed his sister around a wide reception desk, down a long hallway.
“Perhaps if you