Claimed By The Rancher. Jules Bennett

      

      Just how far is this wealthy rancher willing to go for his pregnant lover?

      Their years apart haven’t diminished Nolan Elliott’s desire for Pepper Manning. Even knowing she’s pregnant with another man’s baby, the rancher can’t stay away. He didn’t claim her when she needed him so long ago and the sting of losing her, and their child, still resonates.

      With custody of her unborn baby now in jeopardy, Nolan vows to use his wealth and power to give Pepper everything she wants. That means proposing a marriage...in name only. But is that a vow the rancher stands any chance of keeping?

      Claimed by the Rancher is part of The Rancher’s Heirs series.

      “I’m going to help you through this and you’re going to put the past aside and let me.”

      “Put the past aside?” She jerked out of his hold and took a step back. “It’s not that simple, Nolan.”

      “I didn’t mean it like that,” he corrected. “I know we have unresolved issues, but for now, we need to work on your current situation.”

      “Fine. What’s your miraculous plan?”

      Pepper stared back at him with those wide, expressive eyes. This was the same woman he’d fallen in love with as a teen, the woman he’d thought he’d spend his life with and the woman who had carried his child. Yeah, they had quite a bit left to hash out between them and throwing this bomb onto that already smoldering fire was only going to complicate matters further.

      Nolan closed the space between them. “We’re getting married.”

      * * *

      Claimed by the Rancher is part of The Rancher’s Heirs series— Loyalty and family mean everything to these Texas men and the women who tame them.

      Claimed by the Rancher

      Jules Bennett

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      National bestselling author JULES BENNETT has penned over forty contemporary romance novels. She lives in the Midwest with her high-school-sweetheart husband and their two kids. Jules can often be found on Twitter chatting with readers, and you can also connect with her via her website, www.julesbennett.com.

      To my plot angels for this story:

      Elaine Spencer and Melissa Jeglinski.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       Title Page

       About the Author

       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

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Epilogue

       Extract

       Copyright

       One

      The bell on the door to Painted Pansies chimed, and nerves danced in Pepper Manning’s stomach. Opening a shop with her one-of-a-kind paintings and unique fresh floral bouquets had been on her bucket list for some time. She might be a drifter, a free spirit of sorts, but her creativity—her ability to make something from nothing—was what really drove her.

      Coming back to Stone River, Texas, however, would take some master creative skills. She would certainly be making something from nothing—a business, a home to call her own. Pepper had always loved this town, so it made sense for her to make this the place where she started the next chapter in her life.

      Besides, time was not on her side.

      If she hadn’t had anyone else to think about, she could’ve chosen a different town to settle into, but in five short months, she’d be a mother.

      A single mother with no one else to turn to for support.

      Pasting a smile on her face, Pepper stepped through the doorway from the back room and her entire world came to a halt.

      The man standing at the display of cheery tangerine roses had Pepper gripping the edge of the door frame. That profile, the black cowboy hat, those narrow hips she’d