Stand-In Texas Dad - Chapter One - Introductory Excerpt

Jul 31, 2026

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Romance fiction follows cardiologist Claire Lowell and pediatrician Zach McCabe, both scarred by past loss and determined to keep distance despite working at the same hospital. Claire balances a single-mom life with adorable triplets, while Zach focuses on career and helping others after his fiancée’s death. Their carefully avoided connection is disrupted when a young patient with a mysterious heart condition forces them to collaborate, testing boundaries and awakening feelings neither wants to complicate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages228

Reading Time5 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Excerpt

“Let me d o the heavy lifting,” Zach said. A flicker of irritation swept Claire’s pretty features. She planted her hands on her hips. The action brought her loose-fitting tunic snugly across the soft swell of her breasts and the enticing slenderness of her waist. His body reacted. “Bossy, aren’t you?” Although her attitude was sassy, he noticed she wasn’t actually arguing or telling him to get lost. Maybe because she was suddenly looking really tired around the eyes. Abruptly, it was all he could do not to take her in his arms and offer the comfort he sensed she needed but wouldn’t accept. “When it comes to situations like this, you have no idea,” he drawled. It was exactly how he ended up getting platonically involved with one woman who needed help after another. “Oh, I’m aware of your reputation as the local Sir Galahad,” she murmured cheekily.“You are?” He had gotten the impression she couldn’t have cared less about any of the single men in her orbit. “Oh, yeah…” Grinning, she took him by the arm and pointed him toward the front door.“Which is exactly why you should save your ‘assistance’ for someone who needs it and mosey on home.” [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Dear Reader, When my husband and I met for the first time, we felt an instant connection. Right away, there was an ability to make each other laugh, an inability to stop looking into each other ’s eyes, and an immediate, innate understanding of each other. And of course, lots and lots of chemistry… Cardiologist Claire Lowell thought she had all that with her ex. Until the day he left. Now a single mom of adorable triplets, her life revolves around work and family, and that’s it. Pediatrician Zach McCabe always thought he would have it all: an enviable career, a woman to love and kids. Until he lost his fiancée in a tragic accident. These days, he focuses on work and helping others. Marriage and kids are no longer in his plans. And that’s why for the first year that Claire and Zach work at the same hospital, they steer clear of each other as much as possible. It’s not that they don’t like each other. Or want to get to know each other. But because they sense that doing so would bring complications to their lives neither wants. That is, until a five-year-old patient with a mysterious heart malady brings them together. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Best wishes, Cathy Gillen Thacker [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Stand-In Texas Dad Cathy Gillen Thacker [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) NOTE TO READERS This ebook contains the following accessibility features which, if supported by your device, can be accessed via your ereader/accessibility settings: Change of font size and line height Change of background and font colours Change of font Change justification Text to speech Page numbers taken from the following print edition: ISBN 9781335402332 [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com) Cathy Gillen Thacker is a married mother of three. She and her husband reside in North Carolina. Her stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Harlequin author, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! Visit her at cathygillenthacker.com for information on her books, recipes and a list of her favorite things. Books by Cathy Gillen Thacker Harlequin Special Edition A Marrying a McCabe Romance A Double Christmas Surprise Stand-In Texas Dad Lockharts Lost & Found His Plan for the Quadruplets Four Christmas Matchmakers The Twin Proposal Their Texas Triplets Their Texas Christmas Gift The Triplets’ Secret Wish Their Texas Christmas Match A Temporary Texas Arrangement Visit the Author Profile page at [Harlequin.com](Harlequin.com) for more titles. [OceanofPDF.com](OceanofPDF.com)

FAQs

Why do Claire Lowell and Zach McCabe avoid each other at work?

They sense getting to know each other would bring complications to their lives, so they steer clear as much as possible despite liking each other.

What major event brings Claire and Zach together?

A five-year-old patient with a mysterious heart malady creates a situation where they must collaborate and ultimately connects them.

How have Claire and Zach’s past experiences shaped their priorities?

Claire became a single mom focused on work and raising her triplets, while Zach concentrates on career and helping others after losing his fiancée, leaving marriage and kids off his plans.

Jul 31, 2026

Upload by Levi