A second-chance love

Back in college, Garland Warner developed feelings for her older brother’s best friend, Ryker Dugrandpre. But she soon learned the attraction wasn’t mutual when he left school and married someone else. In time, Garland moved on and even had a baby of her own. She and little Amya now have a great life together, just the two of them. Yet that may be about to change when a guilt-ridden nurse reveals that Amya might have been switched at birth with another infant girl—Ryker’s.

His wife died the same day she delivered little Kai, so Kai is all Ryker has left. Both Garland and Ryker want what is best—both for their biological child and the daughter of their hearts. The solution is as obvious as it is crazy—move in with each other and raise the girls as sisters. Ryker still thinks of the sensational beauty as his friend’s kid sister, but the passionate glances and smoldering kisses they now share heat up the distance between them. Will they be able to let go of the past in order to finally build a bright future and family together?

Garland glanced up at the sky. “It’s really beautiful out here. I love nights like this when the moon is full.”

Ryker just sat there absorbing what she’d said.

Garland gave him a sidelong glance. “This is such a perfect night.”

He pulled her to her feet. “You’re right,” he murmured. “Everything about this night is perfect.”

Ryker backed her up until her legs hit the poolside table and she stood pressed up against the hard surface. There was no escape.

Garland’s breath quickened, making her breasts rise and fall faster as they brushed against his chest. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were swollen from his kisses.

It was clear that Garland wanted him, but she was fighting herself as much as she was fighting him.

Ryker did not just want her. He needed her.

He felt a low growl rumble in his throat, and then he crushed his lips against hers. Grabbing her neck to pull her closer, he pushed his tongue against her lips, demanding entrance.

Dear Reader,

“The hospital mixes up babies” are the words every parent dreads. Garland Warner and Ryker Dugrandpre are no different. In the first book of my new series, The Dugrandpres of Charleston, the deathbed confession of a nurse brings Ryker back into Garland’s life. Though the circumstances are less than happy...

Ryker’s very reason for living is his daughter, Kai. And Garland loves every minute of her life with her daughter, Amya.

Their worlds are turned upside down after a phone call from the hospital where both children were born. They are stunned when they discover that the little girls they have been raising may not be their biological daughters.

I was inspired to write this story after reading an article about a young couple who lost their lives in a car accident. After their deaths, it was discovered that the baby girl, the lone survivor in the accident, was not their biological daughter. There was a mix-up at the hospital where she was born and her grandparents and the other set of parents involved decided not to switch the babies.

What would you do in this situation? I’d love to hear from you!

Best Regards,

Jacquelin

Forever

My Baby

Jacquelin Thomas

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JACQUELIN THOMAS has published over fifty-seven books in the romance, women’s fiction and young-adult genres. When she is not writing, Jacquelin enjoys spending time with her family, decorating and shopping. Jacquelin can be reached at jacquelinthomas@yahoo.com. She is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jacquelinthomas) and Twitter (@jacquelinthomas).

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter 1

“A dying nurse confessed to a possible baby swap just hours before her death. Martha Belle Hayes called for hospital administrators and revealed that she may have mistakenly switched baby girls who were born two years ago on September 8. According to family members, at the beginning of October two years ago, Hayes had abruptly quit her job at the hospital to find work in a clinic.

“Former coworkers say that she’d seemed troubled by something but never confided in anyone. Her mother said Hayes was unwilling to take this secret to her grave and this is why she finally unburdened herself. The state of South Carolina, in cooperation with the hospital, is investigating into how a switch could have taken place.”

Ryker DuGrandpre turned off the small, flat-screen television in the kitchen. The story of the baby switch had first broken last night and was the top story on all the news channels. Grateful that it had nothing to do with his family, Ryker glanced over at his two-year-old daughter, his heart filled with love. She sat at the table in a booster seat, patiently waiting for her breakfast.

Kai’s presence gave him such joy. She made him feel a bottomless peace and contentment whenever she was around. Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding her birth, his daughter was all that was good in his life.

“Daayee...” she said. “Eat...”

“I hear you. Would you like some applesauce, Kai?”

Her features became more animated as she answered, “Yessh.”

“Okay, little lady, but you have to eat your eggs,” Ryker said, placing a small plate in front of her.

She glanced down at the plate and then shook her head. “Nooo.”

“I thought you like scrambled eggs, princess. You eat them when Jordin makes them.”

Scrunching up her nose and pointing to the eggs, Kai responded, “Me no like it.”

Ryker chuckled. “Oh, is that your way of saying that you don’t like my cooking?”

She grinned at him, her infectious smile echoing through his veins, making his heart sing with delight.

“How about some toast then?” he suggested. “You can’t just eat applesauce.”

“Yessh.”

“I guess I’m going to have to get Jordin to show me how she makes scrambled eggs,” he muttered to himself.

Ryker smiled as he heard Kai singing to herself. She loved to sing. He stole a peek at her. Her tiny head was bobbing as she sang softly, and the warm brown spiral curls danced around her cinnamon-tinted face.

He took a piece of toast lathered in apple jelly over to her. “Here you go, sweetie.”

“Tank you,” Kai murmured.

Ryker planted a kiss on her forehead. “Eat up, Kai.”

After they finished breakfast, he cleaned her up and helped her slip on a sundress.

He checked his watch and then said, “It’s time to take you to day care. Hurry up and put on your shoes.”

Kai rushed off and returned a few minutes later with a pair of pink sandals.

“Don’t you want to wear the black ones?”

She shook her head no.

He decided it was better to let her win this round than to risk a tantrum at this point. He had to be in court this morning so he needed to get to his office early.

* * *

After dropping Kai off, Ryker drove the short distance to his office. He parked his SUV in his assigned space and hopped out. The May weather was already warming up; the sun was bright and the sky a calming hue of blue. He wanted to be anywhere but inside the law firm founded by his grandparents.

The DuGrandpres had been a solid fixture in Charleston since the 1960s, when his grandparents had relocated from New Orleans with their twin sons and opened the doors of the DuGrandpre Law Offices in the downtown business district.

His uncle, Etienne, and father, Jacques, had taken over the business after their parents retired. Etienne’s twin daughters, Jadin and Jordin, were attorneys, as were Ryker and his mother, Rochelle DuGrandpre. Ryker’s sister, Aubry, had chosen not to join the family business. A world-renowned chef in her own right, she owned a restaurant near the Charleston waterfront.

“Jordin, what are you doing here so early?” he asked his twenty-six-year-old cousin as he walked into the office’s kitchen. She normally did not come into the office until nine or ten.

“I needed to take care of some paperwork,” she responded while surveying the selections of coffees, teas and hot chocolate packets for the Keurig brewer. “Why are you here at this hour?”

“I have court this morning.”

“How’s my sweet pea?” Jordin asked as she selected a coffee pod and placed it in the machine. “Want one?”

“I’ll pass on the coffee, but Kai is great,” he said with a smile. “This morning she decided to wear pink sandals with the orange and yellow dress I picked out for her.”

Jordin laughed. “It’s fine for her to express herself, Ryker. She is her own kind of beautiful. I like that.”

“Oh, I need your recipe for making scrambled eggs. Kai doesn’t seem to like the way I cook them.”

“Cheese,” she responded. “Kai likes shredded cheese in her eggs. She won’t eat them if they’re plain.”

“I had no idea.” Ryker released a short sigh. “I feel like a terrible father when it comes to things like this. I should know my daughter’s likes and dislikes.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Jordin retrieved her coffee and added sugar. “I only discovered it by accident. I eat mine with cheese and the weekend Kai stayed with me she had some and loved them.”

“I was surprised that she wanted scrambled eggs in the first place,” he said. “She saw me making some and asked me to share.”

“That seems to be her new word,” Jordin responded with a chuckle.

Ryker agreed. “I’m always reminding her that she has to share.”

Jordin took a sip of her coffee. “She’s growing up so fast.”

“I’m not ready for it,” he uttered. “That little girl is my life. I hate that her mother isn’t here to see our daughter.” Angela should be there to help him raise Kai. It had never been in the plans for him to be a single father.

Jordin gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “I know that this isn’t easy for you, but I want you to know that you’re doing a great job, Ryker.”

He awarded her with a smile. “Thanks, cousin.” They were words he wanted to hear but he wasn’t sure he deserved them. He was still a newbie when it came to fathering skills.

“You know I’m here if you ever need me. I love Kai like she’s my own.”

“That’s why I love you,” Ryker told her as he checked his watch. “I better get to work. Talk to you later.”

The only two ways Ryker had been able to deal with the death of his wife were lavishing all of his attention on his young daughter and staying busy as a managing partner in his family-owned law firm.

He strode with purpose into his corner office, anxious to start his day. It was going to be a long one.

Ryker sat down at his desk, turned on the computer and was soon engrossed in the notes for his upcoming court case. He studied the declarations of the witnesses, committing them to memory.

When he looked up at the wall clock, an hour had passed. Ryker had about another hour before he had to show up in court, so he relaxed.

* * *

Three hours later, he bumped into his other cousin at the courthouse. “What’s up, Jadin?”

“Nothing much,” she responded with a smile identical to her twin. “I’m waiting to meet with my client. He’s not here yet.”

“I’m on my way back to the office,” Ryker announced. “I’ll be glad when this day is over.”

“Right now I’ll just settle for some lunch,” Jadin said. “I didn’t have breakfast this morning and I’m starving.”

Ryker pulled a Slim Jim out of his attaché case and handed it to Jadin. “Maybe this will tide you over. It works for me.”

She embraced him. “Thanks, cousin. See you at some point this afternoon.”

When Ryker arrived back at the firm, Jacques DuGrandpre met him outside his office. “Dad, do you need to see me?” he was inclined to ask.

Tall and solid in stature, his father was a well-respected member of the legal community.

“I just stopped by to see if you wanted to have lunch with me and your mother.”

“I’m going to order something from the deli across the street,” Ryker responded. “I have a lot of paperwork on my desk and I need to stay on top of it. Why don’t we plan something later in the week? Maybe Aubry can join us, too.”

Jacques nodded. “That’s fine.”

Ryker quickly walked into his office and closed the door behind him. He could have taken time to have lunch with his parents, but he was definitely not in the mood to be interrogated by his mother. He already knew the questions she would ask: Have you met anyone special? Don’t you think it’s time you developed a social life? His mother was on a campaign for him to find a wife so that Kai would have the love of two parents. Rochelle Harper DuGrandpre did not believe that a child could thrive without a mother and a father.

He was determined to prove her wrong. Ryker was not looking for a wife—he was still grieving the loss of Angela, although it would be three years in September since she’d been gone.

Ryker released a sigh of relief when the workday ended at five o’clock. He was looking forward to spending the rest of the evening with Kai. She made life bearable for him. She was truly his reason for living.

* * *

Garland Warner laughed in delight as she watched her two-year-old daughter dipping her tiny toes in the surf. They’d been walking hand in hand along the beach, enjoying the cool island breeze swirling around them.

“Mommy...”

“Yes, baby,” she prompted.

Pointing, she murmured, “Wadda...”

“Very good, Amya,” Garland said with pride. “There’s a lot of water out there. It’s called the ocean.”

“Osen,” Amya said, encouraging a grin from Garland.

Garland truly loved her life on Edisto Island. The beaches, saltwater marshes and low-country oaks draped in Spanish moss were a picturesque combination. Historical landmarks were prevalent on the island, providing the backdrop to a rich cultural heritage. The awesome beauty and rich history were why Garland elected to open her high-end children’s boutique there.

Garland and Amya usually came to the beach for a stroll before heading home. She found the daily routine a welcome break from the rush of everyday life. And she relished this quality time spent with her daughter.

Garland had desperately wanted to have a child before she turned thirty, so after her last relationship failed she’d decided to take fate into her own hands by using an anonymous sperm donor to get pregnant. Although she’d suffered complications in her pregnancy and during delivery, Garland had delivered a healthy and beautiful little girl.

She glanced down at her daughter and smiled. “C’mon, sweetie. I’m afraid it’s time to go home.”

Amya did not protest, provoking a soft sigh of relief from Garland. Her daughter loved the ocean as much as she did and often resisted leaving, but this evening was different. Perhaps she was tired, too.

Ten minutes later, they were in the car and on the way home, driving on streets lined with prime beachfront real estate, shops and boutique hotels. Edisto Island was a favorite tourist destination. Garland’s shop was only one block over from the main street.

The Fairy Kisses Boutique featured exclusive designer children’s dress-up clothes and accessories. Garland had always dreamed of being able to provide kids with outfits for creative, free play all year, along with formal attire for weddings, parties and other affairs. Her store, stocked full of everything from gorgeous and detailed princess and fairy gowns to wizard robes, capes and Native American headdresses, was very popular with the locals and tourists alike.

Garland had grown up in a home where money was tight, but her foster mother had encouraged open, creative play. She had kept a trunk filled with feather boas, hats, dresses, pants and all sorts of accessories to keep her two children occupied.

Having studied psychology and theater in college, Garland believed that pretend play through dressing up enhanced a child’s social, emotional, language and thinking skills.

After they got home and had dinner, she gave Amya a bath and dressed her for bed.

“TV,” her daughter mumbled, pointing toward the flat screen above the fireplace.

“Just for a little while.”

Amya nodded and then turned her attention to the little bear in her arms.

“How is Boo feeling today?” Garland inquired.

“Fine. Her not sick no more.”

Whenever Amya was sick, her little bear Boo got sick, too—Amya believed so anyway.

While her daughter watched television, Garland cleaned up the kitchen.

She had to drive to Charleston the next morning for a meeting. For the fourth year in a row, Garland had volunteered to be the chair for a children’s festival. Tomorrow they would be discussing potential vendors for the upcoming event.

After getting Amya settled in bed, she strode into her bedroom and walked straight to the closet. She wanted to find the perfect comfortable outfit to wear. Garland pulled out three options, tossed them on the bed and then grabbed two more.

She chuckled at her actions. What did it matter what she wore? It was not as if she were meeting a man. Garland was just going to a meeting and then back to her shop to finish taking inventory.

* * *

Garland dropped off Amya at preschool on the island before heading straight to the French Quarter Restaurant located on Bay Street in the historic district of Charleston.

An hour later, she parked her car and climbed out. Horse-drawn carriages and people alike roamed the charming cobblestone streets. The architecture, colorful gardens, historic alleys and courtyards dated back to the colonial era.

She entered the restaurant and walked over to a table near the window, where three people were engaged in conversation. “Good morning,” Garland greeted as she pulled out a chair and sat down. “I brought the photographs from the last two festivals. I thought you’d like to see them.”

Garland always enjoyed the planning of the annual French Quarter Children’s Festival. The other three lunch guests at her table were members of the planning committee, as well.

Two hours later, the meeting concluded. As Garland walked out to her car, she noticed a new children’s shop on the next block. I wonder how long it has been here, she thought.

Garland walked down to the store and went inside. She navigated slowly through the aisles of clothing for girls and boys. “Quaint,” she whispered. It’s a nice store.

She found a couple of cute dresses for Amya and purchased them.

Her next stop was the bookstore. Garland had not intended to spend this much time in Charleston, but she could never resist an opportunity to buy books.

She walked out twenty minutes later with a bag of books and magazines.

Garland slowed her pace, her eyes widening in surprise as she stared at the man walking toward her in a black suit with faint pinstripes running through the fabric, a classic pale blue shirt and a perfectly knotted black tie.

Ryker DuGrandpre looked as if he’d walked straight out of a magazine. He was a gorgeous, smart but arrogant man who used to tap on her nerves every time she ran into him. He was her brother Parker’s best friend and had been his college roommate at the University of South Carolina. Before he had convinced some woman to marry him a few years back, he had had women fall at his feet.

A year behind Parker and Ryker, Garland had managed to withstand the urge to hurl herself at him and had focused on her studies instead. Though it had not been an easy task, considering the huge crush she had had on Ryker.

Then, eight months after graduating from college, her brother had died in a car accident. Ryker had been in law school at the time but had been sure to attend Parker’s funeral. That was the last time she had seen him.

He did not seem to know who she was at first, but recognition dawned and he broke into a huge grin. He crossed the distance between them in quick strides.

Ryker embraced her warmly. “Garland, how are you? It’s been a long time.”

“I’m fine,” she responded, his presence giving her joy. “It has been a while. How are you?”

“Life is good. I can’t complain.”

She smiled. “That’s great.”

Garland could tell that Ryker was tentative—she knew why and she felt the same way.

“How’s your mom doing?” he inquired.

“She’s doing the best she can, but I know that she misses Parker. We all do.”

“So do I,” Ryker confessed. “I wish I had more time to talk to you, but I’m due back in court soon. I was just about to pick up something to eat.”

“It’s okay,” Garland responded. “I need to get back to work, as well. It’s good seeing you again.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see his eyes tracing her silhouette.

“Here’s my card,” Ryker said, his lips curling into a delicious smile. “Call me. I’d really like to catch up soon.”

For some reason, her body reacted to Ryker. She nodded and reached for his card, but Garland did not intend to make contact with Ryker. Seeing him now brought back the pain of losing her brother. Almost frozen in place, she watched him as he walked in the opposite direction.

She and Parker had been close, despite the fact that his mother and father were her foster parents. Although they initially talked of adopting her, her foster father’s untimely death had put an end to that discussion.

Garland had not been disappointed because she knew that she was loved. Her biological mother had died when she was five and her father had been in no condition to raise a child, though she did have a relationship with him, albeit a distant one. He’d remarried when she was ten and his new wife had wanted nothing to do with Garland, leaving her feeling as if she had no real family.

She unlocked her car and got inside. It had been nice seeing Ryker again after all this time. He still possessed those beautiful lips and handsome DuGrandpre features. He was married now, Garland reminded herself. And as far as she was concerned, that ship had sailed. Her one chance with Ryker had come and gone a long time ago.

Chapter 2

When Ryker had first spotted Garland, he’d experienced the weirdest sensation—a strange combination of calm and excitement roiling through his bloodstream like a virus on a mission. The chemistry between them from the first moment Parker had introduced them had blindsided him.

Today, as they had walked toward one another, their gazes locked, Ryker noted a brief reaction of shock and pleasure in her hazel eyes before it faded away into a welcoming stare. Her short haircut was a tumble of soft, light brown curls, tempting him to run his fingers through its silkiness. She was beautiful and still possessed that same youthful glow she’d had in college.

A shred of guilt snaked down his spine because he had not sought out the family after Parker’s death. The loss of his best friend had left such an empty hole in his own heart. Then losing his wife shortly after she had given birth to Kai had been almost too much to bear. Kai was all Ryker had left of Angela and he vowed to keep her close always.

He was thankful for his family and the way they’d surrounded him with love and support during each tragedy.

Ryker smiled as he pulled into his parking spot at the law firm and got out of his SUV. He checked his watch as he walked briskly across the lot and into the building.

His mother was in with the office manager. She spotted him and gestured for him to wait for her.

“How is my beautiful granddaughter?” his mother asked as she joined him on the walk to his office.

Rochelle DuGrandpre, hailed as one of the top family law attorneys in the state, was passionate when it came to children. He knew that she often worried about him raising Kai alone.

“She is great,” Ryker responded with a smile. “Kai recognizes most of the primary colors and some of her numbers.”

“That’s wonderful,” Rochelle exclaimed. “I’m not surprised, though. She’s a DuGrandpre.”

Ryker nodded. “That she is.”

Rochelle settled down in one of the visitor chairs in front of his desk and studied his face. “Son, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” he responded in earnest. “I stay busy here at work and when I’m home, my focus is my daughter.”

“Why don’t you and Kai move in with us?” Rochelle suggested. “It’s just your father and me in that huge house. We would love to have you both there.”

He shook his head. “Mom, stop worrying about me. I would think you’d be enjoying your empty nest.”

“It’s nice, but I have always felt that a house comes alive with children.”

“Mom, Kai and I are doing fine.”

“It’s not that I’m worried,” Rochelle confessed. “I really miss having young ones at home. With all of you gone, the house seems too quiet.”

“Maybe you and Dad should try for a baby,” Ryker teased.

“Don’t let your father hear you say that,” she warned with a chuckle. “He’d have a heart attack.”

“You are always talking about how much foster care is needed. Maybe you should consider becoming a foster parent.”

Rochelle seemed to consider the idea. “Maybe I’ll discuss it with your father, although I already know what he will say.”

He laughed. “Dad just wants to enjoy his grandchild. He’s not looking to raise more kids.”

“Maybe I can change his mind,” she said with a smile. “You think?”

He shook his head again. “I seriously doubt it.”

Rochelle rose to her feet. “I have a teleconference coming up. Don’t forget we’re going to the beach this weekend. We’re counting on you and Aubry to join us.”

“Kai and I will be there,” he responded. “She’s so excited.”

“I can’t wait to see my little darling. Maybe I can get her completely potty trained over the weekend. You were out of diapers by the time you turned two years old.”

Ryker loved his mother dearly, but there were days when she frustrated him to no end. She did not seem to know when to let go when it came to him and Aubry.

Although she had never said it, Ryker believed that his mother had little faith in his parenting abilities. It was in the way that she commented on certain things. For example, whenever Kai had an accident, his mother harped on the fact that he should have let her conduct the potty training.

Ryker did not want to fail Kai, but his mother often made him feel inadequate as a single parent. He tried not to let her words get to him but failed. The truth was that Angela would have been a great mother. She would have done all the right things and would’ve known what to do in every situation. But Angela was no longer there. She was gone and he was left to carry on without her.

He’d vowed to be the best father possible to their daughter. Ryker was determined that he would not let Angela down. He had made that promise to her before giving her a final kiss good-bye.

Ryker had never broken any promise he had ever made to Angela. This would be no different.

* * *

After two sun-filled days on the beach at Edisto Island, Ryker was ready to return to Charleston. He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially with Kai, but the stacks of cases on his desk awaiting his return Monday morning occupied his mind.

They had just finished having lunch two doors down with his family and were on their way to the car. “Look it...” Kai pointed at the dress in a boutique window. “Pretty.”

He glanced up at the name: Fairy Kisses Boutique. “I guess you want to go shopping.”

Bobbing her head, she responded, “Yessh.”

“You are definitely your mother’s daughter,” he said with a grin. “She loved to shop.”

Kai pulled his arm, leading him toward the door.

“I’m coming, honey.”

Once inside, Ryker felt like he had been transported to a land filled with fairies and princesses. The atmosphere was magical. Kai, her expression one of pure joy, immediately walked over to a bear on display dressed in a lavender dress with wings.

His gaze landed on a young woman in a navy and white dress with matching flats.

He approached her. “Hey, you...” No matter how subtle her scent was, Ryker was sure he could find her, even in a room filled with a bunch of over-perfumed women.

She turned around to face him. “Ryker...what are you doing here?”

“My little one saw the dresses in the window, so here we are.”

Her eyes traveled to his side. “Your daughter is such a cutie.”

“Thank you,” he responded proudly.

“What brings you to Edisto Island, Ryker DuGrandpre?”

Ryker looked down to see Kai steal another peek at the bear.

“My family and I came here for the weekend,” he explained. “We had just had lunch and were heading to the car when Kai discovered this shop.” Ryker glanced around. “Are you the manager?”

“I’m the owner, actually.”

Ryker did not miss the subtle lifting of her chin as she spoke. “You really have a beautiful store.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m very proud of it.”

“I thought chain stores had taken over, but it’s good to see smaller boutiques are still holding strong in the area.”

Garland smiled. “This neighborhood happens to be a haven of small and wonderful shops on the island. I love that they are all within walking distance from one another.”

She glanced down at Kai again. “She looks like a little fairy princess. I believe I have the perfect outfit for her. It matches the dress that the bear is wearing and comes complete with wings.”

“I can already tell that I’m not leaving the store without that bear, so I’ll take the outfit, too.” Just then, Kai raced from his side and grabbed the bear off the shelf. She quickly returned to his side and tugged at his hand.

The sound of a tinkling bell caught his attention and he heard familiar voices.

“Sorry, Mom, but not this time. I’m really not interested in being hooked up with the nephew of one of your friends.”

“And why not?” The woman glanced over at them and said, “We’ll discuss this later.” She then made her way toward where he, Kai and Garland stood.

“Honey, I thought that I saw you come in here,” she said, approaching them.

“My mother,” he said by way of introductions.

“Hello. I’m Garland Warner,” Garland said cheerfully.

“This is Parker’s sister, Mom. She owns this boutique.”

“Parker was a wonderful young man. We all miss him.” Rochelle’s eyes traveled the length of the store. “Your shop is lovely and very original. This is the perfect place for children to explore their fantasies.”

“That’s exactly what I had in mind when I opened it,” Garland said.

Rochelle took Kai by the hand and said to the group, “We’re going over here to look at some dresses.”

Ryker met Garland’s gaze. “I can’t believe I’ve run into you twice in a week after all of these years. It must be fate.”

Garland let out a small laugh.

“It really is good to see you again,” he told her.

“Ryker, it’s nice seeing you, too.”

“I still go out to the cemetery to visit Parker.”

Garland seemed surprised by his words. “Really?”

He nodded. “He was...is still my best friend.”

“I miss him terribly,” she admitted. “Losing both Dad and Parker has taken a toll on Mama. She has good days and bad days.” After a brief pause, she added, “She’s not the same woman you remember, Ryker.”

“He took a part of all of us when he left,” Ryker stated.

Garland nodded.

“It’s good to see that you’re doing so well. You have always been such a creative spirit.”

“Business is great,” she told him. “In fact, I’m thinking of adding a second store in Charleston.”

“I think it’s a good idea.”

Then Garland gave Ryker a sneak peek at a new collection that was not yet on the sales floor. Ryker could feel the heat of his mother’s gaze on them as they moved around the store. Her eyes seemed to follow Garland’s every movement.

Ryker settled on purchasing several items for Kai, which seemed to thrill Garland.

As she assisted an employee with bagging up his purchases, Ryker peered at her intently.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take another look at the Laurent Princess collection in the back?” Garland inquired.

“No, thank you,” he said with a grin. “I think that I need to get my daughter out of here right now before she finds something else she wants.”

Garland laughed. “I understand. I have to keep my own daughter out of the shop. She thinks she should personally own everything here.”

“You have children?” he asked, his eyes straying to her left hand.

“One,” she responded. “I have a daughter.”

Ryker stepped closer to embrace Garland. “I meant what I said,” he told her. “Let’s get together soon.”

“It was very nice meeting you, Miss Warner,” Rochelle interjected. “You have a lovely store.”

“Thank you.”

“Son, we’d better get Kai home. She’s sleepy and you know how she gets when she’s tired.”

He glanced over at Garland and said, “I hope to hear from you soon.”

Ryker gave her one final smile before quickly escorting his daughter out the door. Kai had just spotted another stuffed animal. He needed to get her out of the store before she begged him to buy it.

* * *

“Do you know that man?” her employee asked in a low whisper after Ryker and his family had exited the shop.

“He’s a DuGrandpre, Robyn,” Garland responded with a tiny smile. “Ryker DuGrandpre.”

“I knew he looked familiar. There was a huge feature about their law firm in one of the magazines I read recently.” Robyn broke into a grin before adding, “He’s handsome, don’t you think?”

“And very married,” Garland stated. “Or didn’t you notice the wedding ring on his finger?” However, she noted that he had not mentioned his wife in their conversation at all. But still Ryker was very good-looking with firm muscles. It was obvious that he spent a lot of time at the gym working out and taking great care of his body. And his aftershave was as delicious as his appearance.

“I never moved past his face,” Robyn responded with a shake of her head.

She laughed. “You’re bad.”

“There’s no harm in looking, Garland.”

“Well, I make it a habit to never pay attention to married men.”

“When it comes to a married man, I just look at them every now and then,” Robyn admitted. “I wouldn’t deal with one—that’s for sure.”

“I know that.” Garland knew Robyn well. She had been with her from the inception of the boutique. She was the assistant manager, and Garland loved working with her and having her on the team.

“He may be married, but I couldn’t help but notice that he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off you.” Robyn straightened a dress that hung lopsided on a hanger.

Garland shrugged in nonchalance. “It’s not what you think. He was best friends with my brother. They were college roommates and frat brothers.”

“Oh, I had no idea.”

“Parker and Ryker had been inseparable,” Garland said. “He really took it hard when Parker passed away. I never saw him again after the funeral.”

“So this is the first time you two are reconnecting?”

“I actually ran into him in Charleston on Wednesday,” she said. “That was almost a week ago.”

“So what’s up with his mother?” Robyn inquired. “She could barely focus on shopping because she was eyeballing you so hard.”

Garland shrugged. “This is the first time I’ve ever met her. Parker had known her pretty well from spending a lot of time at their house when we were all in college. She was probably making sure I wasn’t flirting with her married son.”

Garland decided to change the conversation back to work.

“I just ordered the cutest little flower girl dresses,” Garland announced. “Wait until you see them, Robyn. The entire collection is stunning.”

“I’m glad we’re adding more dresses for weddings. They sell very well.”

“Go on and say it, Robyn. You were right.”

“I was, wasn’t I?” she responded with a chuckle. “Garland, I appreciate you so much. You actually listen to your employees.”

“So I will be expecting my world’s greatest boss mug.”

They both laughed.

Garland went to her office a few minutes later to go over sales orders. Her smile broadened over the memory of seeing Ryker again.

But an odd twinge of disappointment interrupted as she reminded herself that he was married with a family.

Chapter 3

“The State of South Carolina released the results of an investigation into how the switch took place. The report concluded that the cause of the mishap remains a mystery. No evidence was uncovered to suggest foul play and the medical center has heightened its security in order to prevent another inadvertent baby switch...”

Garland turned off the television as soon as the story of the nurse’s deathbed confession came on yet again. It was all everyone had been talking about these past weeks. It made her feel uneasy. But she knew that Amya was her daughter, despite being born on September 8 at that same hospital during the time the nurse was believed to have mistakenly switched the babies.

She sat down on the sofa beside her napping daughter, her thin fingers tensed in her lap. Biting her lip, Garland glanced over at Amya. She refused to believe that the baby switch had anything to do with them. Garland knew without a doubt that Amya was her little girl.

She caught herself glancing uneasily at the blank television screen, her thoughts dark and disquieting. Garland tried to ignore the warning voice in her head. “I’m thinking too much,” she whispered. “That story has nothing to do with me. Besides, I would’ve heard from the hospital by now if this involved Amya.”

She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

Garland leaned over and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “I love you so much,” she whispered.

“Mom...my,” Amya murmured sleepily.

She rubbed her back. “Go back to sleep, sweetie.”

The doorbell rang.

As she opened the door, she said, “Hey, what are you doing here?” to her best friend, Trina, who stood in the doorway. “I thought you were in Arizona visiting your family. C’mon in here.”

“I flew back this morning, so I thought I’d come by to see my bestie and my goddaughter.”

“I’m so glad you did,” Garland said. “I really missed you and so did Amya. She is napping in the family room. Let’s talk in here.”

They settled down in the living room.

“Have you heard about the hospital situation?” Trina inquired as she picked up one of the small decorative pillows and held it close to her chest.

Garland nodded. “Can’t help but hear about it. It’s on the news all of the time.”

“Have you been contacted by anyone from the hospital?” Trina asked.

“No,” she responded as casually as she could manage. “I don’t expect to be contacted because I know that Amya is my child.” Biting her lip, Garland looked away.

“Maybe you should have a DNA test completed anyway,” Trina suggested. “This way there will never be any doubt in your mind.”

Garland awkwardly cleared her throat. “I don’t have any doubt, Trina.”

Trina eyed her in bewilderment. “How could you not? Any parent who gave birth to a daughter on that day should be worried.”

Garland stirred uneasily in her chair. “They’re sure it was a girl?”

Trina nodded. “Yeah. There were six girls born that day within a four-hour period.”

“I feel sorry for those parents,” Garland said. “I really do, but I don’t need a DNA test to tell me what I already know. I have the child I gave birth to—she is a part of me.”

“For the record, I believe Amya is yours, as well.”

“Then let’s change the subject, please.”

“Sure,” Trina responded hesitantly.

Garland silently struggled with the uncertainty that had been aroused by their conversation.

“While I was in Arizona, I reconnected with an old boyfriend.”

“Really? How did that go?”

Trina broke into a grin. “It actually went very well.”

Garland smiled. “Is this the one from college you were telling me about?”

Her friend nodded. “Yeah. He works for a pharmaceutical company, but get this...he’s been thinking about relocating to Charleston. He has a frat brother in the area who’s offered him a nice position.”

“Wow...that’s wonderful.”

“He did mention the guy is single, Garland.”

She quickly shook her head. “I have no time for men right now. I want to focus on Amya and my shop.”

“Garland, I know that you’ve been through a lot, but you can’t lock your heart away forever.”

“I’m not,” she responded. “I just don’t have any more time for lies and games. Maybe in a few years I’ll consider dating again, but right now Amya needs me most.”

“What do you need, Garland?” Trina inquired. “You can’t live your life just for your daughter or your business.”

“I’m human, Trina,” she uttered. “Of course, I would like to spend time with someone special. But right now that’s something I can live without. Besides, I have extremely bad taste in men. Remember Noah?”

Trina burst into laughter. “I do.”

“He was supposed to steal my heart, not my flat-screen TV and my laptop.”

“Noah had a serious drug addiction.”

“I had no idea, though.”

“Well, he did apologize to you,” Trina stated. “That’s more than you got from Calvin.”

“I had no expectations of Calvin being sorry for anything. He was a dog and he expected me to be okay with it.”

“He was a screwup for sure.” Trina shook her head. “Hey, I’ve had my share of nightmare relationships, as well.”

“Our lives have been filled with so much more glamour and romance since we got rid of those deadbeat dates,” Garland said with a chuckle.

“So far, this guy I’m seeing again is good,” Trina stated. “He’s still on my mandatory trial period, though.”

Garland shook her head at her friend’s usual antics. “When am I going to meet Mr. Wonderful?”

“I said he was good. He’s not wonderful yet—if he survives probation, then he might graduate to wonderful.”

Garland laughed. “He might as well be dating someone of the highest social class in society the way you’re vetting him.”

“Honey, he is dating royalty,” Trina interjected. “I am a queen.”

“I hear you,” Garland said.

“Enough about me. Now I’m serious—it’s time for you to get back into the dating pool. Amya can’t be your whole life, sweetie.”

“For now, she’s enough,” Garland insisted. “Speaking of your godchild, it’s time we woke her up.”

* * *

“Thanks for taking care of Kai for me,” Ryker told Jordin when he arrived home shortly after 6 p.m. “Her teacher was sick and I didn’t want to expose Kai to whatever may be going around. The administrator said it is some type of stomach virus.”

“It’s my pleasure. You know how much I love that little girl.” She rose to her feet and began putting away a stack of papers.

He gestured toward her laptop. “Were you able to get any work done?”

Jordin nodded. “Quite a bit, actually. Kai watched television and played with her toys until lunch. After we ate, I took her to the park. She took a nap as soon as we got back.”

Her eyes traveled to the television in the family room. A news reporter was going over the dead nurse’s confession.

“Can you believe that?” Jordin asked. “I just don’t understand why that nurse didn’t come forward sooner, especially if she even suspected she may have switched the babies. This could have been corrected much sooner. It must have haunted her all this time, from what I’m hearing.”

“I suppose she was worried more about her job,” Ryker responded. “It was selfish for her to keep this secret. She’s not even sure she gave the babies to the wrong parents. It may create upset for no reason at all.”

“This is true, Ryker, but we have no idea what her life was like,” Jordin pointed out. “Maybe all she had was her work as a nurse. At least she left the hospital and found other work so that she couldn’t make the same mistake again.”

He shrugged in nonchalance. “It was still wrong.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I just feel bad for her.”

Jordin followed Ryker into his office. “Kai was born at that very same hospital on the same day,” she said. “Yet you don’t seem worried about this at all.”

He met her gaze. “I’m not worried, Jordin. I know that she is my daughter. I’m sure I would know if she wasn’t my child.”

“Would you really?” She sat down in the plush leather chair across from Ryker.

“What are you trying to say?”

“We all love her, Ryker, but wouldn’t you want to know if there’s a chance that you were given the wrong baby? It would mean that your biological child is still out there in the world somewhere.” Jordin studied his face. “You mean, with everything that’s going on, you haven’t considered this possibility at all?”

“No, I haven’t. Kai is my daughter, Jordin,” Ryker stated in a tone that brooked no argument. “I feel bad for the people involved. If it happened to me, I would sue the hospital for everything it’s worth and I hope they will, too. In fact, I may offer my services pro bono to the parents. This is something awful to have to deal with. I don’t know what I’d do if someone came to me saying that Kai may not be my child.”

Jordin’s expression was solemn. “I don’t know what we’d do either, quite honestly. But I know we’d find a way if that were ever the case. We’re a strong family. Ryker, we’d figure it out.”

Jordin then collected her belongings before moving toward the door. “Remember, anytime you need me, I’m a phone call away.”

Ryker offered her a slight smile and watched from the doorway as she walked to her car, which was parked directly out front.

After Jordin pulled off, Ryker walked back inside, secured the door, and spent time with his daughter until it was time for her to go to bed.

Kai now settled and sleeping, Ryker sat down in the family room to watch television. During a commercial, Ryker checked his voice mail messages. Only one in particular caught and held his attention—the one from the hospital.

Why are they calling me? he wondered. It was probably just to assure him that his daughter was not affected by the current uproar. With that in mind, Ryker did not dwell on the message. He made a mental note to call the chief of staff tomorrow, then filed it away for the rest of the night.

* * *

The next day, Ryker scanned through the stack of messages his secretary had handed him when he arrived in the office. His gaze paused on one note in particular—a second message from the hospital. He immediately asked his secretary to hold his calls, then he walked back to his office. He had no idea how long he sat there, trying to figure out what all this could mean. Ryker was so focused on that one note that he did not notice his father’s arrival.

“Son...”

He looked up to find his father standing in the doorway. “Is everything okay? You look like you’ve received some troubling news.”

“I have a message from the chief administrator at the hospital.” Ryker ripped out the words in annoyance. “They left one at the house, too.”

“What is this about?” Jacques inquired. “Does this have anything to do with my granddaughter?”

“I don’t know,” he responded, sounding curt. “But I assure you, Kai is my daughter. There were other girls born on that day. This has nothing to do with us.”

Jacques nodded. “I suppose they could be contacting everyone born on that day.”

“That’s what I figured,” he said. “I don’t like them involving my daughter in this mess-up.”

“Go talk to them, son. This way we can get everything straight.”

Ryker clenched his mouth tighter, his vexation evident. “I’ll give the chief hospital administrator a call. Maybe we can settle this over the phone.”

Jacques shook his head. “I think you should meet with them face-to-face.”

Ryker mulled it over before responding. “You might be right. I’m going to set up an appointment with the chief to find out why he’s been trying to reach me. The sooner I get this over with, the better.”

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