—Australian Country on Daughter of Mine

“A readable and thoughtful book. It has winner written all over it.”

—The Weekly Times on Daughter of Mine

“Daughter of Mine is a beautiful story of bonds, family expectations and the insidious and far reaching effects of secrets and lies. It may be the first book I have read by Fiona Lowe but I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

—Beauty & Lace on Daughter of Mine

“…a real page-turner.”

—Cairns Eye on Daughter of Mine

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Also by Fiona Lowe

Daughter of Mine

Birthright

Home Fires

Just An Ordinary Family

A Home Like Ours

Coming in 2022

A Family of Strangers

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Romance Novels 2006-2018

Dedication

For my sister, Sue

Thanks for the cheerleading, your wise counsel and the straight talk. Love you lots!

A single lie discovered is enough to create doubt in every truth expressed.

Anonymous

Betray a friend, and you’ll often find you have ruined yourself.

Aesop

Prologue

The dazzling dance of sunshine on water so entranced Karen Hunter, she misjudged the width of the double baby stroller. One moment the outside wheels were firmly connected to the concrete path and the next they were suspended in midair. The stroller teetered violently. Red hot fear streaked through her. Throwing all her strength behind it, she wrenched on the handle, hauling the heavy stroller back to safety. The ensuing momentum vibrated through the tightly coiled suspension springs and it bounced wildly.

With her heart pounding as fast as if she’d just run a race, Karen frantically peered into the stroller to check her precious cargo. Both babies remained tucked up under their hand-embroidered blankets, sound asleep and utterly unperturbed by their rocky ride. She slumped in relief.

“No one ever tells you how hard these things are to drive, do they?” a voice said behind her.

Karen turned to see a woman of similar age pushing a regular stroller. “No one tells you that being a mother’s both exhilarating and terrifying. Today’s the first time I’ve taken them out on my own and I almost tipped them onto the road.”

The woman laughed. “Don’t worry, that’s what the straps are for.”

Karen envied her easy manner. “You sound a lot more experienced than me.”

“Perhaps on stroller pushing. Dan gets colic so we walk a lot. We’re on our way to the new mom’s group.” She pointed at the building farther down the street. “You must be Karen.”