Montana Cowboy Family. Linda Ford

      

      Temporary Family

      After discovering one of her young students has been abandoned along with his sisters, schoolteacher Sadie Young whisks them away to the safest place she knows—her own home. And when handsome cowboy Logan Marshal vows to assist her in caring for the children, she isn’t sure she wants his help...but she needs it. If she lets Logan get too close, though, he may discover the secret she’s convinced will be her ruin.

      Logan Marshall isn’t looking for a family. But with the parentless children and their unflappable teacher tugging at his heart, it appears he has one—at least temporarily. The kids would like nothing better than to have a real mother and father, and with Logan slowly falling for Sadie, their deepest wishes just might come true...

      “These children have been through so much. I wish I could track down the father and get things sorted out for them. They deserve to know where they belong.”

      “And feel safe,” Sadie added.

      “Agreed.” Logan’s gaze caught hers and held it so firmly she couldn’t look away. At the way he regarded her, the strength and goodness she saw in him and knew existed, her heart lifted. He lifted a hand to her cheek and brushed his fingers along the side of her face. “We will work together to make sure these children are safe.”

      She leaned into his hand. Beth’s words reverberated inside her head. Too soon. Slowly she turned her head, forcing him to pull his hand back even though it was the hardest thing she had done in some time.

      Not only was it too soon to think about opening up her heart to him.

      It would always be too soon.

      Dear Reader,

      I once had someone look about at all the happy people surrounding him and comment that they must surely not have the same degree of sadness, problems and disappointments that his life had. But it isn’t so. Everyone has their share of problems and pain. It might be the death of a loved one or a crippling injury. In Sadie and Logan’s story, there are a number of hurtful, damaging events to deal with. I like to think they faced these things with honor, courage and dignity. I like to think they found God’s grace to be sufficient. I pray the same for those of you who have dreadful things to deal with.

      You can learn more about my upcoming books and how to contact me at www.lindaford.org. I love to hear from my readers.

      Blessings,

      LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and assorted friends and relatives.

      Montana Cowboy Family

      Linda Ford

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

      —Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

      I dedicate this book to my dear friend Brenda, who daily faces difficult things but does so with unfailing dignity and grace. She’d be the first one to say it’s because of God’s sufficiency and her dependence on Him.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Dear Reader

       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

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Epilogue

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Bella Creek, Montana, 1890

      Logan Marshall stared at the place where he’d left his lunch. The sack was gone. The second day in a row. Stolen. The muscles in his jaw