The Sweetest Gift (The McKaslin Clan: Series 1 Book 2) Read online

  “Hey, sis.” Karen was sitting at the kitchen table, nursing newborn Allison. “If you’re looking for your husband, he went out front with the dogs.”

  “Thanks.” Kirby hurried through the living room around the two recliners Sam had moved in just this morning, and onto the front porch.

  Sam. Her heart rose when she saw him. As it always did. As it always would.

  As if he could feel her presence, he turned. “Hey, beautiful. Who’s the lucky guy?”

  “Just some man I settled for.” She lifted the lace skirt and tapped down the steps in her satin ballet slippers. “I figure the marriage will last two weeks, tops. But you know how desperate we women of a certain age are.”

  “Boy, do I. It’s shocking how you threw yourself at me.” Sam hurled the orange bone along the length of the front yard, and both Leo and Jessie took off in a mad dash after it. “That will keep them busy. Come here, Mrs. Gardner. I have something for you. My everlasting love, and this is just the start.”

  He wrapped her in his arms, and his kiss was long and sweet.

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-1160-8

  THE SWEETEST GIFT

  Copyright © 2004 by Jill Strickler

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

  www.steeplehill.com