Pregnant And Practically Married (The Bridal Circle) (Silhouette Special Edition)

I enjoyed both "If Only I Had a...Husband" and "Secret Agent Groom," so I was a little worried that "Pregnant & Practically Married" might be somewhat of a let-down. No problem. Andrea Edwards'(a husband and wife writing team)patented sense of humor is still at work, but at times they went further and brought a tear to my eye. Jed McCarron is a widower with a daughter who is famous for her Crunchy Flakes commercials. Lissa wants a mommy. She tells Jed that he needs a friend of his own because "I'm growing up. I'm going to be leaving for college soon. And after that, I'll be going to South America to save the rain forests." Jed manages not to panic. He replies, "You're eight. I've got time." Minutes later Jed finds himself sweeping Karin Spencer into his arms and carrying her away...to the hospital. A wind storm has struck the restaurant where both the McCarrons and Karin are having lunch, and Jed pulled her out of harm's way in the nick of time. The restaurant staff, the ambulance that comes to take Karin to the hospital, and the hospital staff all assume that Karin is his wife...his slightly pregnant wife. In time honored fashion, this initial mistake grows and grows, spreading like a weed, until inevitably both Karin and Jed start thinking that maybe being husband and wife for real isn't such a bad idea. Of course, Lissa has thought this all along and has been promoting it actively, aided and abetted by Karin's mother. Karin, a cardiac surgeon who thinks she can't love, and Jed make a charming pair of lovers. The secondary characters are both fun and believable. Put all the elements together and you have a delightful little book. I know I will return to it when I need a lift and perhaps a chance for a sentimental sniffle.