Expecting a Scandal Read online

  “I’m all about seeing things through different eyes.” Abigail had a career in art that she loved because of it. “And I’m so happy you think of this baby that way. As your child.”

  He was signing on for much more than being her partner.

  “I can’t wait to have you both in my life every day. To grow a family and find happiness together.”

  “What are we waiting for, exactly?” she asked. “I’m ready to start now.”

  His smile warmed her to her toes. She wanted to see it each day, even for a little while.

  “Well, first, I need for my shift to end.” He stood, drawing her to her feet with him. “I’m hoping no one noticed I went AWOL to flirt with the hot artist working in the children’s ward.”

  “I won’t tell,” she promised, thinking about all she wanted to share with this man.

  All she still wanted to find out about him.

  “But I could pick you up on my way home tonight. Maybe bring you to the ranch for the night? Or forever?”

  The question brought tears to her eyes on a day that had already brought her so much hope and promise.

  “I would like that.” She couldn’t wait to be alone with him. To celebrate in private.

  “Then I’ll pick you up at eight thirty.” He kissed her forehead, swiping a finger along her cheek to catch a happy tear. “And start the rest of our lives together.”

  She brushed her lips to his, standing on her toes. “It’s a date.”

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss a single installment of

  TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB:

  THE IMPOSTOR.

  Will the scandal of the century

  lead to love for these rich ranchers?

  THE RANCHER’S BABY

  by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates.

  RICH RANCHER’S REDEMPTION

  by USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child.

  A CONVENIENT TEXAS WEDDING

  by Sheri WhiteFeather.

  EXPECTING A SCANDAL

  by Joanne Rock.

  REUNITED...WITH BABY

  by USA TODAY bestselling author Sara Orwig.

  THE NANNY PROPOSAL

  by Joss Wood.

  SECRET TWINS FOR THE TEXAN

  by Karen Booth.

  LONE STAR SECRETS

  by Cat Schield.

  * * *

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  Upstairs Downstairs Baby

  by Cat Schield

  Prologue

  Everly Briggs made sure she gave every appearance of listening sympathetically as London McCaffrey imparted her romantic woes. They were attending the “Beautiful Women Taking Charge” networking event, featuring a keynote from Poppy Hart, a motivational speaker and owner of Hart Success Counseling.

  “And he gave you no reason for breaking off your engagement?” Everly sounded aghast, though in truth, she already knew all about London’s failed romance with professional baseball player Linc Thurston. It was the reason she’d contrived to meet her tonight.

  London pressed her coral-tinted lips into a thin line as she shook her head. “He claims he isn’t ready to get married, but we’ve been engaged for two years.”

  Everly tried not to wince at London’s affected Southern accent. The beautiful woman, with her silky straight blond hair and expensive clothes, was originally from Connecticut and that made her an outsider here in Charleston.

  “Do you think he was cheating on you?” Zoe Crosby asked, her light brown eyes blazing with outrage from inside their frame of dark, lush lashes.

  “Linc...cheat?” London toyed with her string of Mikimoto pearls as she considered this. “Yes, I suppose that’s a possibility. He travels more than half the year with the team and lives in Texas during the season.”

  “And you know how women love professional sports players,” Zoe added. “My former brother-in-law is a race car driver and has women after him all the time.”

  “These men have no right to treat us so badly,” Everly said. Each of the three women had shared a tale of being wronged by a wealthy, powerful man. “We need to get back at all of them. Linc, Tristan and Ryan. They all need to be taught a lesson.”

  “As much as the idea appeals to me,” London said, “I can’t imagine taking revenge on Linc without it blowing up in my face.”

  “What good would it do any of us? Anything we try would only end up making us look bad,” Zoe said, echoing London.

  “Not if we go after each other’s men.” Everly restrained a smug smile as she took in her companions’ curious expressions. “Think about it. We’re strangers at a cocktail party. Who would ever connect us? I go after Linc. London goes after Tristan. And, Zoe, you go after Ryan.”

  “When you say ‘go after,’” Zoe said, sounding hesitant even as her head bobbed eagerly, “what do you have in mind?”

  “We’re not going to do them bodily harm,” Everly said with a silvery laugh. “But there’s no reason why we couldn’t ruin a business deal or mess with their current relationship. We’ve each been the victim of a ruthless man. And yet we’re strong, empowered women. Don’t you think it’s time we acted like it?”

  London started nodding right along with Zoe. “I like the idea of striking back at Linc. He deserves to feel a little of the pain and humiliation I’ve endured since our engagement ended.”

  Zoe leaned forward. “Count me in, too.”

  “Marvelous. Now, here’s what I think we should do...”

  Copyright © 2018 by Catherine Schield

  Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Joanne Rock for her contribution to the Texas Cattleman’s Club: The Impostor miniseries.

  ISBN-13: 9781488091926

  Expecting a Scandal

  Copyright © 2018 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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