Alexis Brown knew the score. Unable to prevent the murder of her sister, faced with the funeral costs not to mention all ready burdened with student loans and a mortgage, she was also charged with taking care of her new born niece Michelle. A lot for anyone to handle and at 31 she is getting to a point of desperation when her meager funds are being depleted fast and her job at the D.A. office was waiting for her return. With Social Service knocking at her door she has one ace to play but it is risky. So Alexis has to make a decision whether to confront the man who unknowingly fathered Michelle and see if they could work out an arrangement where they could split custody. Money certainly wouldn't be any problem for him. After all Dan Delito was the starting QB of the New England Patriots. How was she to know that she was literally stirring up a hornet's nest by introducing him to his daughter.

Alexis was adamant that the only way she would allow Michelle's father into her life is if he were worthy -- parent material. Her own parents were less than adequate and no way would she submit her niece to living with anything less than sterling. But Dan was battling his own demons. Having lost his wife Kim to breast cancer he found escape in a bottle. His family was at a loss to bring him around. They needed some kind of miracle to bring their son back from the depths of despair he was drowning in. Alexis's first meeting with Dan came to an abrupt end once she realized her research on Delito never mentioned an alcohol problem. Her father was what she called a functioning alcoholic who wound up losing everything. No way would she entrust Michelle to a drunk. And trust was the one thing that was evidently going to prevent Dan from having a meaningful relationship with not only his daughter but her aunt who was quickly becoming just as vital to him. Initially wounded by Dan's pronouncement that the baby would be living with him with liberal visitation for her, Alexis questioned her decision to prove Dan's parentage. Time does heal all wounds but the clock starts ticking really quickly as news of Michelle's new daddy becomes media fodder. Damage control is essential and some difficult decisions have to be made.

Linda Barrett writes about nice people with realistic problems that sometimes need a bit of a miracle to work out right. Not the other worldly type of miracle but a solid well conceived plan of action miracle. You know the kind -- no guts no glory. Well this story has lots of gutsy moves on and off the field. Love football, love this story. Barrett scores another one in my book. Enjoy.

Book Summary

A party-loving sports figure is not an ideal parent in Alexis Brown's eyes. Too bad quarterback Dan Delito is the only parent her niece has. Alexis isn't in a position to raise the baby on her own, which means she needs Dan's help. And that means she'll have to make nice with the unsuitable man. Fine.

Much to Alexis's surprise, however, Dan is good with his daughter. He also knows he needs help, so he convinces Alexis to act as a nanny until he gets this parenting thing down. And soon their uneasy friendship changes into an unlikely romance. But can a football player, a lawyer and a baby really make a family?

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