The Other Twin Read online

  Who can resist a neighbor in need?

  Nathan Forester doesn’t know the first thing about kids. So when the daughter he never knew existed arrives on his doorstep, he needs help, fast! His unlikely ally is next-door neighbor and single mother Cheryl Henshaw. Nathan and Cheryl don’t exactly see eye to eye, but neither can say no to a helping hand.

  Renovating Fitzgerald House is Nathan’s chance to finally prove he’s no longer the unreliable twin—and it seems possible with Cheryl by his side. Suddenly their practical arrangement has become something much more. Trust isn’t easy, but they’re stronger when they work together.

  Nathan nodded, rubbing at the ache in his chest.

  “I can’t screw up,” he said.

  “You’ll figure everything out.” Pop slapped him on the back. “Just like we did.”

  He couldn’t do this alone. He wasn’t prepared.

  There had to be someone else he could tap to take care of Isabella.

  He thought back to the women he’d dated in Savannah. There was Tracie, but she could barely take care of herself. Gabby—aptly named since she talked everyone’s ear off—was kind of an airhead. A nice airhead, but still not right.

  He’d never been attracted to the motherly types.

  The only mother he knew was...Cheryl. And they lived next door to each other.

  He released a deep breath. Cheryl.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to Fitzgerald House. Cheryl is finally getting her happily-ever-after.

  I found the perfect man for Cheryl, but she didn’t agree. Nathan’s too big, too nonchalant and drinks too much. He’s a terrible role model for Josh, her six-year-old son.

  Dyslexic Nathan believes he’s flawed. What’s worse, his twin brother is perfect. Nathan doesn’t let people get close, because then they will find out he’s stupid (he’s not). Nathan avoids kids, because second graders can read better than he can. So when he finds out he’s the father of four-year-old Isabella, he begs Cheryl for help.

  On a flight last January, I sat next to a man who discovered he was dyslexic in sixth grade. Before that, he felt stupid. He willingly answered my questions. Do you forget names of lifetime friends? Yes. Do you have trouble with driving directions? Absolutely. He also told me his brain visualizes in 3-D. Amazing. I hope I captured what life as a dyslexic person is like.

  I love hearing from readers. Contact me through my website, www.nandixon.com, where you can sign up for my newsletter. You can find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/nandixonauthor. If you’d like to see the pictures that inspire me, check out my Pinterest page, www.Pinterest.com/nandixonauthor. The princess castle Nathan paints for his daughter is there.

  Enjoy Savannah!

  Nan Dixon

  NAN

  DIXON

  The Other Twin

  Nan Dixon spent her formative years as an actress, singer, dancer and competitive golfer. But the need to eat had her studying accounting in college. Unfortunately, being a successful financial executive didn’t feed her passion to perform. When the pharmaceutical company she worked for was purchased, Nan got the chance of a lifetime—the opportunity to pursue a writing career. She’s a five-time Golden Heart® finalist, lives in the Midwest and is active in her local RWA chapter and on the board of a dance company. She has five children, three sons-in-law, two grandchildren, one grandchild on the way and one neurotic cat.

  Books by Nan Dixon

  HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE

  Fitzgerald House

  Southern Comforts

  A Savannah Christmas Wish

  Through a Magnolia Filter

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  To Mom and Dad always.

  To my wonderful, fabulous family, thank you for supporting my writing. I’m dedicating this one to my guys: Nicholas, Matthew and my three incredible sons-in-law, Dan, Joe and John. I know you make my daughters happy. And of course the bright lights—Lily and Harper and grandchild #3!

  Thank you to my Harlequin team: Megan Long, Victoria Curran, Piya Campana, Deirdre McCluskey and the wonderful group who help bring my books into reality. And of course, my fabulous agent, Laura Bradford. I appreciate your guidance, wisdom, humor and tweets!

  My critique group challenges me to dig deeper. Thank you, Ann Hinnenkamp, Leanne Farella, Neroli Lacey and Kathryn Kohorst. And my Golden Heart sisters keep me sane—Dreamcatchers, Lucky 13s, Starcatchers and the Unsinkables. And my writing community—MFW, you’re the best.

  And last—this book is for the group that started it all—my sisters. Mo, Sue and Trish.

  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 SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  EXCERPT FROM A SOLDIER’S PLEDGE BY NADIA NICHOLS

  CHAPTER ONE

  “WE LIVE IN an apartment,” Cheryl said. “We can’t have a puppy.”

  “Mom, I’d take care of it.” Josh’s pleading brown eyes were hard to deny. “I promise.”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “We can move.” He tugged on her shorts. “All my friends live in houses. They all have dogs.”

  “Not all your friends have dogs.”

  Dogs were expensive. Where would she find the money to feed one?

  Josh’s chin jutted out, reminding her of his father. When Brad had died in Afghanistan their lives had imploded. Now she and Josh lived in Savannah barely making it.

  She wanted a better life for her son. That meant finding a better job, which meant training. Culinary school cost money.

  Waiting to cross Bay Street, Cheryl switched the box she carried to her other hand and caught Josh’s arm. Mid-May and the temperature, along with tourist traffic, had soared. At Fitzgerald House, where she worked, all the rooms were full. She’d been lucky the day she’d found their ad for maid service. Now she cooked more than cleaned at the B and B.

  Once she and Josh crossed Bay Street, he pulled away and ran to the River Street steps.

  “Slow down! Hang on to the railing.” She sped up, not wanting to lose sight of his blond hair. “Josh!”

  As she descended, the brackish scent of the river mingled with the aroma of onions and hot oil from nearby restaurants. Tourists clogged River Street checking out the shops and pubs.

  Josh disappeared.

  Her heart pounded. Six months ago he’d rarely left her side. Her life had been easier when he’d still been afraid.

  Up ahead, she spotted a flash of blond hair as Josh stumbled on River Street’s flagstones. When they got to the apartment, they would have a long talk about safety.

  She broke into a run, jostling a man as he exited a bar. The scent of bourbon washed over her. “Excuse me.”

  “Hey, pretty lady,” he called. “Slow down. I’ll buy you a drin
k.”

  She shuddered. Not in this lifetime.

  She caught Josh as he stared into the candy shop.

  “Don’t run off.” She grabbed his hand, panting from her rush. “I couldn’t see you.”

  “I’m not a baby.”

  “You’re six.” And next week Josh would finish kindergarten. How had he grown so fast? “You know better than to run in this crowd.”

  He pointed. “Can I get candy?”

  “Not today.” Not after this behavior.

  Scowling, Josh held her hand until they got to their warehouse apartment building.

  She dug in her purse for her keys, longing to get inside. Her feet ached from standing and decorating two hundred cupcakes for this weekend’s wedding.

  “How was school?” she asked.

  “Okay. Tommy threw up.”

  She winced. Don’t let Josh get sick.

  Juggling a bag, her purse and the box, she unlocked the door. “Can you take the bag?”

  They headed down the hallway to their apartment.

  “What’s in the box?” he asked.

  “Cupcakes.”

  “Can I have one now?”

  She shook out the apartment key. “Once you finish your chores.”

  “Let me help with that.” The bourbon man from the street snatched the bakery box away.

  How did he get into the building? She grabbed for the box. “We’re fine.”

  He held it above his head. “I’m just being neighborly.”

  Josh glared. “You don’t live here.”

  The guy laughed, his alcoholic stench washing over her.

  She jammed her key into the lock, pushed open the door and held out her hand for the box. “Thank you.”

  He leaned close. Too close. He was big. Almost as big as her brother-in-law, Levi.

  She shuddered. When Brad had died two years ago, Levi had invited her and Josh to live with him. Moving in with Levi had been a big mistake.

  “How ’bout I come in?” His words were slurred.

  The odor of cigarettes and booze threw her back to her childhood. The lead weight of memories pinned her in place. She was afraid to move. Afraid to push past him for fear he’d hit her like Mama used to.

  “Mom!” Josh yanked on her hand.

  “Kid, go inside,” the guy said. “I wanna talk to your mom.”

  She inched back, bumping into the wall. No escape. She wanted to duck and curl into a ball. Then when the blows came, they wouldn’t hurt as much as a punch in the belly.

  “What’s your name?” He caged her to the wall with his arms.

  “Leave.” Her voice was a whisper.

  Josh kicked the man’s shin. “Get away from my mom.”

  “Cut it out.” The guy pushed Josh into the door.

  “Don’t touch my son.” She tried to shout, but the words were as weak as her knees.

  “What’ssss your name?” His slur grew.

  “Move.” She couldn’t get past him to the apartment.

  He sniffed her neck. “You smell like cookies.”

  Her skin crawled. Why couldn’t she move? Shout? Save her son?

  A door at the end of the hallway opened with a metallic clang.

  “Go away,” she said a little more loudly.

  “I jus’ want your name.” The man thrust out a finger. “Ya don’t hafta be a bitch about it.”

  Josh came at him with a flurry of tiny fists. “Don’t call my mom names.”

  “What’s going on?” a deep voice called.

  “Help.” She shoved at the drunk’s chest but he was too big for her to move. “Help.”

  He shoved her shoulder. Hard.

  She smacked into the wall, crumpling to her knees.

  Josh kicked and punched. “Leave her alone!”

  “Hey!” Boots thumped on the tile floor.

  The drunk stumbled away.

  Josh’s arms wrapped around her neck and she clung to him. “Mommy.”

  “Are you okay?” her rescuer asked.

  She stared at work boots and then up a pair of long legs.

  Nathan Forester gazed down at her. He was the twin brother of Bess Fitzgerald’s fiancé and Bess was one of her bosses. Nathan had worked in this building off and on since last fall. Cheryl tried to avoid him as much as possible. He was so...large. But since they were connected through the Fitzgeralds, avoidance was impossible.

  “We’re...fine.” A lie. Both she and Josh shook like they were standing in a walk-in freezer.

  “Who was he?” Nathan peered down the hall.

  “Some drunk.” Her voice squeaked.

  Nathan held out his hand. His usual cocky grin was missing. A dirty white T-shirt tightened against the muscles in his chest and arms. Sheetrock dust covered his jeans. His ball cap was on backward, but thick blond hair curled on his neck. He was a modern-day James Dean without the cigarette. “Does that guy live here?”

  “I don’t think so.” She put her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet. “He followed me.”

  Nathan’s eyebrows arched. “You shouldn’t let strangers into the building.”

  Had she? “Oh, God. I forgot to pull the door closed.”

  A door clanged again and Gray Smythe, the building owner, came down the hall. “Something wrong?”

  “Some creep hassled Cheryl. I yelled and he hatted.”

  Gray studied Cheryl. “You okay?”

  She nodded, afraid any words she spoke would come out a muddled mess.

  “Mr. Gray.” Josh threw himself at Gray. “I kicked the guy and he ran away.”

  Cheryl backed into the apartment. She’d almost mastered not cowering around Gray. She shouldn’t be afraid of him. He was very kind and married to her boss, Abby Fitzgerald.

  “I don’t like this.” Gray carried Josh into the apartment and set him down. Nathan followed and shut the door. With two men filling the entryway, she couldn’t breathe.

  “He was mean. He pushed me.” Josh hung his backpack on the hook. “Can I have a cupcake?”

  She looked around. “I dropped the box in the hall.”

  “I’ll get it.” Gray headed for the door.

  “What if the man’s still in the building?” Cheryl wrapped her arms around her waist as she headed to her small kitchen.

  “He left,” Nathan said. “But I suppose another idiot could let him back in.”

  “Idiot?” she gasped.

  “Sorry.” But he didn’t look sorry. “With all the bars and pubs on River Street, you need to pay attention.”

  “I do,” she protested.

  Nathan raised an eyebrow as Gray handed her the smashed box.

  With shaking hands, she pulled a plate from the cupboard. Only this time her hands shook because of Nathan. Idiot? She would do anything to protect Josh.

  But, just like in her childhood, she’d frozen. Why couldn’t she be brave?

  In the box, the bright pink and blue cupcakes had smashed together. “Have a cupcake?” she asked.

  Josh grinned. “The colors mixed together and made purple.”

  She grabbed glasses and filled them with milk. “Gray, I meant to tell you, the latch on the entry door isn’t catching.”

  “This is the third time this month someone got in.” Gray took a cupcake and paced the small room. “I’ll replace the door.”

  “How about adding a security camera?” Nathan selected a mostly blue cupcake.

  “Maybe.” Gray nodded.

  The two men discussed options and Cheryl backed into the corner, wishing they would leave.

  “How often do you work late?” Nathan asked.

  She frowned.

  “How often d
o you come in late at night?” he clarified.

  She rubbed her arms. “Once or twice a week.”

  “Too often.” Nathan shook his head.

  Gray’s blue gaze sharpened. “No one’s living in the B and B carriage house apartment right now.”

  Nathan tipped his head. “I start the restaurant renovations next week.”

  Ever since Cheryl had started working for the Fitzgeralds, a sister had always lived in the second-floor carriage house apartment. But just a few months ago, Dolley, the youngest sister, had moved out to live with her boyfriend.

  “Will your crews work at night?” Gray asked.

  “No.” Nathan pushed off his ball cap and rubbed his hair. “But it’ll be busy during the day and I don’t want to work around a woman and a kid.”

  “Cheryl and Josh lived in this building during the renovation and I was glad for the extra security,” Gray said.

  Nathan grimaced. “I guess.”

  Gray turned to her. “What do you think about living in another work zone?”

  Men working below her apartment? She looked at Nathan and chewed her thumbnail. Having him around most days might bother her, but she couldn’t explain that to Gray. She sank into a chair, not able to take this in. “Savannah’s safe.”

  Nathan snorted. “Don’t be a fool.”

  First he called her an idiot and now a fool.

  “My mom’s no fool.” Josh glared.

  Nathan held up his hands but didn’t apologize.

  Nathan knew nothing. This place was a huge improvement from the apartment she and Josh had rented after escaping Levi. Drug deals had happened daily in the nearby Laundromat.

  Living in a brand-new apartment had lulled her into a false sense of security. And she’d had to be saved—again. The story of her life.

  Her son crawled onto her lap. “He’s a butthead,” he whispered.

  “Josh,” she warned. Unfortunately she agreed.

  But if Nathan hadn’t come along, her son might have been hurt. She shuddered and held him close. Josh had to be safe. That was her job as a mother. Living across the courtyard from work might be the perfect solution.

  She swallowed. “I would love to rent the carriage house apartment.”