Claiming the Doctor's Heart. Renee Ryan
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Unexpected Love
After losing her high-powered job, Olivia Scott finds herself back home in Colorado. She never imagined she’d be taking care of kids, let alone being the nanny to longtime crush Dr. Connor Mitchell’s adorable twin girls. But what began as a favor to the handsome widower is growing into something more. Connor’s confused by his growing feelings for his best friend’s little sister. She’s become a beautiful woman with a caring soul, but he can’t risk his—or his girls’—heart. Olivia’s planning to head back to her city life. Unless this small-town doctor can convince her to stay…forever.
Village Green: Offering love, faith and a place to call home in Colorado
“You’re good with the girls.”
The compliment sent heat crawling toward her cheeks.
She hadn’t forgotten Connor was still in the room with her. She just hadn’t realized he’d turned around and was now watching her closely. Intently.
What did he see on her face? Longing? Regret? Her wish to do things differently this time around?
Olivia glanced up, hearing the gratitude in his voice. Their eyes met across the short distance between them.
At this close range she could see every nuance of color in his golden eyes, and every unfiltered emotion, a few she didn’t recognize or understand. “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than watch your girls this summer.”
“I can’t think of anyone I’d rather watch them.”
He didn’t smile as he said the words, yet something pleasant shifted between them, something that went beyond words, something Olivia couldn’t quite define.
Maybe she wasn’t supposed to try. At least not right now.
RENEE RYAN
grew up in a small Florida beach town. To entertain herself during countless hours of “lying out,” she read all the classics. It wasn’t until the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Florida State University that she read her first romance novel. Hooked from page one, she spent hours consuming one book after another while working on the best (and last!) tan of her life.
Two years later, armed with a degree in economics and religion, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and a cosmetics conglomerate. She moved on to teach high school while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. Several years later, with an eclectic cast of characters swimming around in her head, she began seriously pursuing a writing career. Renee lives in Nebraska with her husband and an ornery cat. Visit her online at www.reneeryan.com.
Claiming the Doctor’s Heart
Renee Ryan
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.
—Proverbs 16:9
To my fabulous husband, Mark.
Not only for inspiring Connor,
both in character and looks, but for being with me
every step of the way this time around.
I seriously couldn’t have finished this book without you. I love you with all my heart.
Contents
Chapter One
Make a plan. Work the plan. Adjust when necessary.
Olivia Scott had rescued countless companies from financial ruin with that particular strategy. Why not use the same winning formula in her own life?
No more excuses. No more waiting for the perfect moment to come along. With only six months before she turned the Big 3-0, and nothing tying her to her old life, this was her chance to strike out on her own.
“If not now, when?”
Her bold words echoed in the empty kitchen of her childhood home, disappearing beneath the hum of the refrigerator.
Olivia squared her shoulders, refusing to allow any more darkness in her heart this morning. Losing her job didn’t have to be a bad thing. Nor did she have to regret finding out her ex-boyfriend only thought of her as a convenience. Better to know before she agreed to marry him, instead of after.
Olivia dropped her forehead to the kitchen table, squeezed her eyes shut and drew in several long, calming breaths.
Moving back to Colorado from Jacksonville, Florida, could be a blessing in disguise. The very nudge she needed to stop dreaming about opening her own tearoom and start making it happen.
Step one: make a plan.
Olivia lifted her head, turned on her laptop and looked around the kitchen while the machine booted up. Nothing had changed. The white enameled sink still had the long crack in the middle. The golden handles on the