Jackson closed his eyes for an instant, trying to shut out the sensation of the baby in his arms, as well as the bittersweet memories the feeling evoked.

      “You did it. You got him to sleep again.” Phoebe smiled as she bent over to retrieve the baby, the rounded neckline of her dress falling forward to give Jackson an innocent peek at two perfectly fine breasts in a white lacy bra.

      He bit back a groan, and looked away as she scooped the baby out of his arms.

      At last. It was over. Phoebe was finally leaving, and there’d be no more contact between them, he promised.

      At the door, though, she spun around, the beginnings of a smile brightening her face. He wanted to shut his eyes again.

      “Gee,” she said. “I just gotta ask. What are you doing at 6:30 a.m. for the rest of your life?”

      Dear Reader,

      With spring in the air, there’s no better way to herald the season and continue to celebrate Silhouette’s 20th Anniversary year than with an exhilarating month of romance from Special Edition!

      Kicking off a great lineup is Beginning with Baby, a heartwarming THAT’S MY BABY! story by rising star Christie Ridgway. Longtime Special Edition favorite Susan Mallery turns up the heat in The Sheik’s Kidnapped Bride, the first book in her new DESERT ROGUES series. And popular author Laurie Paige wraps up the SO MANY BABIES miniseries with Make Way for Babies!, a poignant reunion romance in which a set of newborn twins unwittingly plays Cupid!

      Beloved author Gina Wilkins weaves a sensuous modern love story about two career-minded people who are unexpectedly swept away by desire in Surprise Partners. In Her Wildest Wedding Dreams from veteran author Celeste Hamilton, a sheltered woman finds the passion of a lifetime in a rugged rancher’s arms. And finally, Carol Finch brings every woman’s fantasy to life with an irresistible millionaire hero in her compelling novel Soul Mates.

      It’s a gripping month of reading in Special Edition. Enjoy!

      All the best,

      Karen Taylor Richman

      Senior Editor

      Beginning with Baby

      Christie Ridgway

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      With love for my friend Maureen Caudill, who so generously shares her expertise and so unfailingly offers her support.

      Books by Christie Ridgway

      Silhouette Special Edition

      Beginning with Baby #1315

      Yours Truly

      The Wedding Date

      Follow That Groom!

      Have Baby, Will Marry

      Ready, Set…Baby!

      Big Bad Dad

      The Millionaire and the Pregnant Pauper

      CHRISTIE RIDGWAY

      considered herself a writer from that first haiku (about the sound of footsteps in the rain) she wrote in second grade. She became a romance writer in the sixth grade, when she penned a series of love stories starring herself and the teen idol of the time. She turned published author after marrying the love of her life and having two sons.

      Now she lives in Southern California, where she writes, wifes and mothers. She prefers not to say which one comes first, but they are all vitally important to her. When she isn’t concocting a new story or concocting some way to sneak vegetables into fish sticks and applesauce, she makes time to volunteer in her boys’ school. Finally, for her sanity, she always finds a way to curl up with a good book.

      You may contact her at P.O. Box 3803, La Mesa, CA 91944.

      Dear Reader,

      Last night I held a friend’s baby daughter. I snuggled her warmth and sniffed her baby-shampooed hair and pressed kisses against her cheeks. When she fussed—the buzz of a gnat compared to the elephant-trumpet hollering of my seven-year-old son—I automatically shifted into a rocking motion as natural as breathing.

      She’s a preemie—a miracle on top of a miracle—and each time I look at her it’s like Christmas and rainbows and cotton candy all rolled into one. Call it maternal instinct, call me a sucker for the scent of baby powder, but babies have a way of taking my heart hostage.

      In Beginning with Baby, babies appeal to heroine Phoebe Finley as much as they do to me. So when one who needs her love enters her life, Phoebe doesn’t hesitate to do what’s necessary—including accepting help from sexy Jackson Abbott. He’s a hard man with a daddy’s touch, and the closer she gets to him, the more Phoebe realizes how easy it would be to love Jackson, too.

      Enjoy Beginning with Baby! May it capture for you a little of the unique magic that only babies bring into the world.

      Happy reading!