The Cowboy's Baby Blessing. Deb Kastner

      The Rancher’s New Family

      Rachel Perez needs a handyman to spruce up her in-home day care. So when she “wins” ex-soldier Seth Howell in a bachelor auction, she’s glad he can swing a hammer. But when freewheeling Seth suddenly inherits a two-year-old and a sprawling ranch, he’s got to grow up fast. Seth admires Rachel’s kindness and easy way with kids, so he seeks her help in finding his footing as a father. And single mom Rachel sees how determined Seth is to do right by little Caden. Between his toddler and her teenager, they’ve got plenty of responsibilities. Finding time for love seems out of the question—but soon they’re forging a new family...together.

      “I’m all Caden’s got.”

      “You’ve got your family to support you.”

      “Yes, but—” Panic reared and bucked in Seth’s chest. “Luke and Tracy left me the Hollister ranch, as well. It’s Caden’s legacy. But I don’t know the first thing about running a cattle business. I can’t do this. I can’t be Caden’s daddy. I don’t know how.”

      “Stand up,” Rachel said, moving to his side. Her voice was strong and determined. “Now, take the baby in your arms.”

      Seth swallowed hard but tucked a sleeping Caden against his shoulder. The boy seemed to curve right into Seth. The gentle rhythm of the child’s breath against his neck somehow soothed Seth.

      “What are you feeling?” Rachel asked gently.

      How did he feel?

      Nervous. Overwhelmed. Panicked. Devastated. And yet, there was something more hovering just below the surface.

      He was responsible for this little human being. And even though it meant his entire life had just been turned upside down and backward, there was something somehow...right about holding Caden in his arms.

      Award-winning author DEB KASTNER writes stories of faith, family and community in a small-town Western setting. Deb’s books contain sigh-worthy heroes and strong heroines facing obstacles that draw them closer to each other and the Lord. She lives in Colorado with her husband and is blessed with three daughters and two grandchildren. She enjoys spoiling her grandkids, movies, music (The Texas Tenors!), singing in the church choir and exploring Colorado on horseback.

      The Cowboy’s Baby Blessing

      Deb Kastner

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,

      To all who call upon Him in truth.

      —Psalms 145:18

      To my forever sweetheart, Joe.

      We’ve been through a lot, you and I, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. Every day with you is a great joy, and I’m so blessed by our thirty years together. Here’s to thirty more.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Rachel Perez was looking for a man, not a monkey.

      And she was most definitely not looking for a date, unlike many of the other single ladies scattered across the lawn at the First Annual Bachelors and Baskets Auction in Serendipity, Texas. What better way to nab themselves a bachelor for romantic reasons than a bachelor auction?

      But that was so not Rachel.

      No, not even close.

      Rachel was in the market for a guy who was handy at fixing things—and she needed him, like, yesterday. She needed someone to tear down the well-used play set in her backyard and replace it with something new and to government specifications. The recertification status of the day care she ran out of her home depended on picking the right man for the job.

      That was why she was glad that her town had chosen this particular type of “bachelor” auction to raise funds to build a senior center for the town—an auction that wasn’t actually about getting dates with bachelors at all.

      The Bachelors and Baskets Auction had started out with the idea of hosting only true bachelors, but because the auction was for such an important cause, married men had jumped on the bandwagon, as well. Every man had his own unique skill set to offer to the crowd.

      Making the auction a full-town event had also opened the bidding to a wider range of individuals. Single and married women alike were encouraged to bid on the men of their choice to help them with whatever projects needed doing around their homes and ranches.

      Rachel suspected there would be a lot of