The Bounty Hunter's Baby. Erica Vetsch

      

      Brought Together by a Baby

      Bounty hunter Thomas Beaufort has no problem handling outlaws, but when he’s left with a criminal’s baby to care for, he’s in over his head. And the only person he can think of to ask for help is Esther Jensen, the woman whose heart he broke when he left town. But can he convince her to put aside the past until he tracks down the baby’s outlaw father?

      Esther is ready to run Thomas off her Texas ranch—until she spies the abandoned newborn in his arms. Soon, working together to care for the precious babe stirs old hopes of a family. With trouble heading to their door, they could overcome it together—if she’ll entrust her wary heart to this sweet, second-chance family...

      Owning a place, putting down roots. Finding someone to spend the rest of your life with.

      That life had never been for him in the past. Could it ever be? Probably not, but Thomas could enjoy the here and now and take the memories away with him when he had to leave.

      “When I was in town, I noticed posters for the Founders Day Celebration. I think you and I should go. Take Johnny. What do you say?”

      “I haven’t been to that in years.”

      “Then you ought to go. You need a break, something fun.”

      Esther was already shaking her head, but he reached over and put his hand over hers on her saddle horn. “Please. I want to take the baby to town to have him looked over by the doctor, and I’d like you to go with me. While we’re there, we might as well take in the sights.”

      “So what you’re saying is, this is for the baby?”

      Grateful that she hadn’t pulled away from his touch, he grinned. “Yeah, it’s for the baby.”

      “Then I guess I can’t say no.” She gifted him with a smile and placed her other hand on Johnny’s small back. For a moment, the three of them were linked by touch, and he had to remind himself that it couldn’t last.

      Dear Reader,

      I have so much admiration for our forefathers...and mothers! While researching for The Bounty Hunter’s Baby, I learned about all it took just to get a load of laundry done in pioneer times, and I was humbled. In these days when doing laundry involves pouring a little detergent into a cup and pushing a few buttons, the thought of carrying and heating water, using a scrub board, wringing by hand, hanging garments on the clothesline, and pressing clothes with sad irons is daunting, to say the least. I would’ve perished!

      But Esther, my heroine, is made of sterner stuff than I. She is resilient, and she is determined to make the best of her situation. And Thomas is a good fit for her, capable and dependable. And who can resist a man who brings you a darling newborn and a loyal, brave dog?

      I hope you enjoy reading The Bounty Hunter’s Baby. And if you’re like me, you’ll spend a bit of time being grateful for those who settled this country...and that some things, like doing laundry, have changed, and that the important things, like family, faithfulness and love have remained the same.

      Sincerely,

      Erica Vetsch

      ERICA VETSCH is a transplanted Kansan now residing in Minnesota. She loves history and romance and is blessed to be able to combine the two by writing historical romances. Whenever she’s not immersed in fictional worlds, she’s the company bookkeeper for the family lumber business, mother of two, wife to a man who is her total opposite and soul mate, and an avid museum patron.

      The Bounty Hunter’s Baby

      Erica Vetsch

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      And they that know thy name

      will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord,

      hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

      —Psalms 9:10 (KJV)

      Thank you to Carmen Hyde and Roxane Walker after their help with all things dairy goat. This book is dedicated to my mom, Esther, for whom the heroine of this story is named. And to Peter, as always.

      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