Nine-Month Surprise

Leah Morris came to Austin for a teaching job interview while was trying to leave behind her small-town shyness behind. She meets Will in the swinging Wayward Drummer country and western bar. They make love, but he is gone by morning. She vows to leave town even if the job is offered as she has too many memories of the louse who did not even say goodbye. At the same, Will feels guilt and shame for running out on Leah even if it was to handle a baby delivery at three in the morning. Still Will tries calling her but is relieved when she fails to answer. However, that one night stand leaves Leah pregnant with no way of contacting Will. She decides to have her baby in her hometown, Downhome, Tennessee. To her their mutual shock, Dr. Will Rankin is opening up an ob-gyn practice in town. When they meet, he wants to do the right thing by her although he has twin children that need to come first. Still he proposes, but she refuses to marry him. As they fall in love, she assumes he desires her for the baby's sake; he has his work cut out to persuade her otherwise. The second Downhome romance (see THE POLICE CHIEF'S LADY) is a warm contemporary tale that stars eccentric townsfolk whose antics make for a fun time. In many ways the escapades of the extended cast supersede the affectionate relationship between the likable nurturing lead couple. Jacqueline Diamond provides a gem of a small town romantic cozy. Harriet Klausner