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  Dear Amy,

  Thank you again for baby-sitting baby Dexter while I am away. I can’t tell you what a comfort it is to me to know that little Dexter will be in good hands. Plus just think, this will be great practice for you when you have your own family….

  Also, I know that sharing such intimate quarters with my brother might prove difficult, but it is important to me that baby Dexter remain in familiar surroundings. By the way, while you are playing house with Nick—make sure you don’t fall for him. He isn’t the marrying kind. On second thought, maybe you are the one woman who can convince the confirmed bachelor to finally take the marriage plunge…!

  XOXO Lola

  Dear Reader,

  Things get off to a great start this month with another wonderful installment in Cathy Gillen Thacker’s series THE DEVERAUX LEGACY. In Their Instant Baby, a couple comes together to take care of an adorable infant—and must fight their instant attraction. Be sure to look for a brand-new Deveraux story from Cathy when The Heiress, a Harlequin single title, is released next March.

  Judy Christenberry is also up this month with a story readers have been anxiously awaiting. Yes, Russ Randall does finally get his happy ending in Randall Wedding, part of the BRIDES FOR BROTHERS series. We also have Sassy Cinderella from Kara Lennox, the concluding story in her memorable series HOW TO MARRY A HARDISON. And rounding out things is Montana Miracle, a stranded story with a twist from perennial favorite Mary Anne Wilson.

  Next month begins a yearlong celebration as Harlequin American Romance commemorates its twentieth anniversary! We’ll have tons of your favorite authors with more of their dynamic stories. And we’re also launching a brand-new continuity called MILLIONAIRE, MONTANA that is guaranteed to please. Plus, be on the lookout for details of our fabulous and exciting contest!

  Enjoy all we have to offer and come back next month to help us celebrate twenty years of home, heart and happiness!

  Sincerely,

  Melissa Jeglinski

  Associate Senior Editor

  Harlequin American Romance

  Cathy Gillen Thacker

  THEIR INSTANT BABY

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Cathy Gillen Thacker married her high school sweetheart and hasn’t had a dull moment since. Why, you ask? Well, there were three kids, various pets, any number of automobiles, several moves across the country, his and her careers, and sundry other experiences. But mostly, there was love and friendship and laughter, and lots of experiences she wouldn’t trade for the world.

  You can find out more about Cathy and her books at www.cathygillenthacker.com, and you can write her c/o Harlequin Books, 300 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.

  Books by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

  37—TOUCH OF FIRE

  75—PROMISE ME TODAY

  102—HEART’S JOURNEY

  134—REACH FOR THE STARS

  143—A FAMILY TO CHERISH

  156—HEAVEN SHARED

  166—THE DEVLIN DARE

  187—ROGUE’S BARGAIN

  233—GUARDIAN ANGEL

  247—FAMILY AFFAIR

  262—NATURAL TOUCH

  277—PERFECT MATCH

  307—ONE MAN’S FOLLY

  318—LIFETIME GUARANTEE

  334—MEANT TO BE

  367—IT’S ONLY TEMPORARY

  388—FATHER OF THE BRIDE

  407—AN UNEXPECTED FAMILY

  423—TANGLED WEB

  445—HOME FREE

  452—ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE

  456—THE COWBOY’S MISTRESS

  472—HONEYMOON FOR HIRE

  483—BEGUILED AGAIN

  494—FIANCÉ FOR SALE

  506—KIDNAPPING NICK

  521—BABY ON THE DOORSTEP◊

  526—DADDY TO THE RESCUE◊

  529—TOO MANY MOMS◊

  540—JENNY AND THE FORTUNE TELLER

  556—LOVE POTION #5

  568—MISS CHARLOTTE SURRENDERS

  587—A SHOTGUN WEDDING

  607—DADDY CHRISTMAS

  613—MATCHMAKING BABY

  625—THE COWBOY’S BRIDEΔ

  629—THE RANCH STUDΔ

  633—THE MAVERICK MARRIAGEΔ

  673—ONE HOT COWBOY

  697—SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT MARRIAGEΔ

  713—SNOWBOUND BRIDE††

  717—HOT CHOCOLATE HONEYMOON††

  721—SNOW BABY††

  747—MAKE ROOM FOR BABY

  754—BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS

  789—DR. COWBOY*

  793—WILDCAT COWBOY*

  797—A COWBOY’S WOMAN*

  801—A COWBOY KIND OF DADDY*

  837—THE BRIDE SAID, “I DID?”†

  841—THE BRIDE SAID, “FINALLY!”†

  862—THE BRIDE SAID, “SURPRISE!”†

  870—THE VIRGIN BRIDE SAID, “WOW!”†

  937—HER BACHELOR CHALLENGE**

  941—HIS MARRIAGE BONUS**

  945—MY SECRET WIFE**

  949—THEIR INSTANT BABY**

  HARLEQUIN BOOKS

  TEXAS VOWS: A MCCABE FAMILY SAGA*

  Who’s Who in the Deveraux Family

  Tom Deveraux—The head of the family and CEO of the Deveraux shipping empire that has been handed down through the generations.

  Grace Deveraux—Estranged from Tom for years, but back in town—after a personal tragedy—for some much-needed family support.

  Chase Deveraux—The eldest son, and the biggest playboy in the greater Charleston area.

  Mitch Deveraux—A chip off the old block and about to double the size of the family business via a business/marriage arrangement.

  Dr. Gabe Deveraux—The “Goodest” Samaritan around. Any damsels in distress in need of the good doctor’s assistance…?

  Amy Deveraux—The baby sister. She’s determined to reunite her parents.

  Winnifred Deveraux Smith—Tom’s widowed sister. The social doyenne of Charleston, she’s determined never to marry. That’s not what she has in mind for her niece and nephews, though.

  Herry Bowles—The butler. Distinguished, indispensable and devoted to his boss, Winnifred.

  Eleanor—The Deveraux ancestor with whom the legacy of ill-fated love began.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter One

  “Look, I don’t want to upset your sister—obviously she has enough on her plate right now—but I’ve got to be honest with you. I don’t think this is going to work,” Amy Deveraux told Nick Everton the moment she came face-to-face with him on his sister Lola’s doorstep. “Not on any twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week basis, anyway.”

  For once in her life, Amy was going to be practical—instead of emotional. She was going to let her actions be ruled by her head, not her heart. And there was simply no way Amy could share such intimate quarters with this man and the adorable three month old baby Nick cradled awkwardly in his arms.

  Forget that Nick Everton was the most drop-dead gorgeous, thirty-six-year-old guy Amy had ever seen. Forget that he was successful, smart, funny—according to Lola, anyway—and genuinely dependable and chivalrous. Or that he was kin to one of her best friends. Nick Everton was just too darn big and physically imposing. Amy guessed he was at least two-hundred and twenty pounds of solid muscle on a six-foo
t-five frame. His shoulders were broad, his waist trim. And he looked great in his dark-blue suit and slate-blue shirt and tie.

  “I thought I was supposed to be the one heading for the hills,” Nick said, as he propped a hiccuping Dexter against his shoulder and patted his nephew clumsily on the back. Nick’s light-gray eyes gleamed as he took Amy in with the same steady-but-curious appraisal Amy was giving him. “Me, being a guy and all…”

  Amy forced her glance away from the wind-tossed strands of Nick’s ash-blond hair and ruggedly handsome face. “So maybe we could just split the baby-sitting duties, fifty-fifty,” Amy continued, determined to work this out rationally, in a way that was acceptable to all three of the adults involved.

  Nick shrugged. “Sounds good to me,” he said, the corners of his masculine lips lifting in an enticing smile.

  “There’s only one problem with that,” Lola interrupted as she came out to join them on the raised porch of her South Carolina low-country cottage. She shot an affectionate look at her brother before taking Dexter from him and ushering Nick and Amy inside. “Nick’s never baby-sat for Dexter, Amy. You have.”

  Only once, Amy thought, when Lola’d had a doctor’s appointment. Dexter had been asleep the entire time. Amy hadn’t had to do a thing except watch over the little angel. “Nick and Dexter seem to be getting along now,” Amy pointed out as she tried to avoid the tantalizing sandalwood cologne clinging to his skin. Nick might not know much about how to hold a baby, as had been evidenced by his awkwardness with his nephew, but Dexter had cuddled against Nick’s powerful shoulders and chest willingly and instinctively.

  “Nick also knows nothing about taking care of babies. In fact, it’s my guess my brother has never so much as changed a diaper,” Lola continued, stating her case matter-of-factly.

  Nick shrugged and shoved both hands into the pockets of his trousers. A devilish look on his face, he braced a shoulder against the wall and smiled confidently at both Amy and his younger sister. “How hard can it be?”

  Lola merely rolled her eyes. “And Dexter can get really fussy sometimes,” Lola continued firmly to Amy. “Nick would definitely have a hard time dealing with that.”

  Nick grinned at Amy, not about to dispute the veracity of that particular observation. “So maybe it could be your turn then,” Nick said to Amy with a wink.

  “I’m not kidding around here, Nick,” Lola told him sternly, commanding his attention once again. “It’s going to be traumatic enough for Dexter to be separated from me indefinitely. He needs both a ‘mother’ and a ‘father’ here with him while I’m gone.”

  Abruptly Nick straightened and moved away from the wall. His expression was suddenly every bit as serious as his thirty-four-year-old sister’s. “Dexter has a mother and a father, Lola,” Nick reminded her quietly. He spoke as if carefully underscoring every word. “He has you and Chuck.”

  Lola swallowed, her face suddenly becoming pinched and pale, as the upsetting events of the day—which had started by a visit from military personnel—caught up with her. She began to tremble. “What if something happens to one or both of us?” she whispered as she sank onto the nearest chair. “What happens to Dexter then?” she asked plaintively.

  “Nothing will happen,” Nick promised her firmly. The tension between the two Evertons climbed.

  Lola looked unconvinced as she bounced her baby boy on her thigh. “You more than anyone ought to know how unpredictable life can be,” Lola began nervously. “Sometimes things just happen.”

  Like Lola’s husband’s unexpected injury in the line of duty, Amy thought sympathetically. But Lola’s older brother had no such sympathy for his sister, Amy noted, perplexed. Instead of agreeing with Lola, Nick Everton gave Lola a warning look, as if ordering her to say nothing more on that dark subject. More tension flowed between Lola and Nick, and the room fell silent, but for baby Dexter’s conversational gurgle. Lola and Nick were still staring at each other when the doorbell rang. Cradling Dexter closer, Lola hurried to the door. “That must be Jack Granger now,” she said.

  Amy caught Nick’s puzzled glance and explained, “I asked Jack to come over. He’s a family friend and an attorney, and Lola wanted some papers drawn up before she got on the plane to Germany this afternoon. It’s not the kind of work Jack normally does—he’s a corporate lawyer for my family’s shipping company—but he agreed to help us out because there was literally no other way to get a will drawn up and notarized on such short notice.”

  “Not to mention the guardianship papers,” Jack Granger said as he strode into the room. One of those guys who was all business all the time and not in the least bit emotional, Jack gestured at the woman accompanying him. “Everyone, this is Sue. She’s a notary public, and she’s going to attest that everything done here today is certified.”

  Everyone said hello to Sue—a petite brunette with a ready smile—as Jack finished the introductions and began to set up for the document signing.

  Amy wondered, Was it her imagination, or did the thirty-two-year-old Jack look even a bit more world-weary than usual today? Certainly he was as neatly and conservatively dressed as always in a white button-down shirt, gray suit and nondescript tie. But beneath the surface, he looked a little harried and distracted. And that wasn’t like Jack. Normally, nothing threw Jack Granger. He’d had such a tumultuous childhood on the wrong side of the tracks that his adult life, even when fraught with difficulty and stress, seemed easy. Which was, of course, why her father and brothers liked and trusted Jack so much. He never whined and complained. He was simply the guy who was there when you needed him. No questions asked. No demands of his own made.

  Nick turned back to Lola with a questioning look. Lola said, “I want you and Amy to assume care of Dexter if anything happens to Chuck and or to me.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you,” Amy said quickly.

  “I certainly hope that’s true,” Lola said, her pretty face set determinedly, “but just in case, I want to make sure Dexter has legal documents dictating his care before I take off for Germany. It’s better to be safe than sorry. And every parent should have a will, spelling out their child’s future, in the event of a tragedy. I’ve been remiss not getting it done thus far. No longer.”

  Amy exchanged glances with Nick. Neither spoke, but it seemed on one point they were in complete agreement. Lola had already had one heck of a day, learning her career-military husband had been injured in a Special Forces mission overseas and flown to Germany for surgery. Right now Chuck was stable, but they weren’t sure he would ever walk again, and he needed his wife by his side. Lola had to go. She didn’t want to take her baby to the military hospital overseas. So she had asked her best friend, Amy, and her brother to simultaneously care for Dexter in her absence. Both had agreed readily—they wanted to do their part as Dexter’s godparents—even if the christening officially naming them as such hadn’t taken place yet, and wouldn’t until Chuck returned to the States and could be present.

  “Okay,” Nick said, nodding. “I agree, a will is a good idea. And since Dexter will need both a male and a female presence in his life, in the unlikely event anything happens to both you and Chuck, I’ll be glad to step in for you. I assume Amy here feels the same way.” Nick looked at Amy.

  Her mood suddenly as serious as Nick’s, Amy nodded. “I’m honored you’ve asked me, Lola.”

  “It seemed right,” Lola said quietly. “Since you were my labor coach and here when Dexter came into the world.”

  “But as for the rest of it,” Nick continued gently, speaking to his little sister in a practical, reassuring manner, “that is where and how we care for Dexter in your absence during the next few days or weeks, I agree with Amy—we may need to rethink what you’ve planned. This house of yours is great, perfect for newlyweds like you and Chuck.”

  Amy agreed wholeheartedly with that. The cozy country cottage had a combination kitchen, dining and living room, bathroom with claw-foot tub and pedestal sink, a small nursery an
d an equally tiny master bedroom with only a double bed. “But for two adults like me and Nick who are relative strangers,” Amy added gently, “the quarters are pretty tight. Even if you include the screened-in back porch. I’d gratefully offer my home as an alternative, but I’m still having the master bathroom remodeled. And the work won’t be finished for another three or four days.” She couldn’t take baby Dexter into that mess, exposing him to construction dust and paint fumes. It wouldn’t be safe.

  “Maybe we should go to a hotel in Charleston, then,” Nick suggested. “Get adjoining private suites.”

  Amy breathed a sigh of relief. That sounded so much better to her…so much less intimate than the current proposed circumstances!

  “I know you can afford it,” Lola said, frowning up at her older brother once again. “With all the money you’ve made producing those syndicated television shows, you’re richer than most movie stars, but the answer to that is no, Nick. I stayed with Dexter in a hotel once and he hated it. And he also hated going for an overnight at someone else’s house. He knew he was in strange surroundings and he didn’t sleep a wink all night.”

  “Maybe it’s time to broaden his horizons,” Nick countered amiably.

  Lola sent Nick a censuring glance. “No. Dexter stays in his familiar environment. Trust me on this. He’s not used to being away from me.” Lola teared up again unexpectedly. Her chin quivered as she struggled to get control of her emotions, before she finished in a low, choked voice, “This separation is going to be hard enough on both of us as it is.”

  Amy saw Lola’s point. Dexter was probably going to have a difficult time coping without his mommy, never mind being thrown into a completely unfamiliar environment. “You’re right, of course,” Amy told Lola gently as she patted her on the shoulder. Amy turned and gave Nick a quelling look—the same kind her mother had given her father before the two had separated and divorced years earlier. “I agree with your sister, Nick. Dexter will do better if we both stay here. And don’t worry.” Amy turned back to Lola, promising, “Nick and I will manage. We’re adults.” The important thing was the baby, she thought. They had to do what was right for Dexter.