Her Small-Town Cowboy. Mia Ross

      

      A Family for the Teacher

      Lily St. George dreams of marriage and a family of her own. But as a temporary kindergarten teacher, she can’t get too attached to anyone in Oaks Crossing. When a student brings in her single father for show-and-tell, Lily is drawn to charming cowboy Mike Kinley. Working overtime to save his struggling horse farm, Mike claims to have no room in his life for love. But when they team up to start a riding school for children at his ranch, Lily knows she’ll have to help Mike see their partnership is meant to be permanent.

      “Thanks for making time for me today,” Lily said with a smile.

      “No problem,” Mike responded. “Sorry it wasn’t much of a riding lesson.”

      The sweet smile warmed to something he didn’t quite understand. And wasn’t sure he wanted to.

      “Actually, I learned a lot. About you.”

      “Yeah? Like what?” he asked.

      “That you don’t hesitate to put yourself in danger to help an animal when it’s in trouble. That says a lot about a person, don’t you think?”

      “I guess so,” he hedged, feeling awkward and proud at the same time. He wasn’t used to being praised for simply being himself.

      “Someone like that is just the person I want teaching me. Do you think you can work me into your schedule again soon?”

      “How ’bout Monday at four?” he heard himself ask, cringing at the eager tone in his voice.

      Since he couldn’t take it back, he did his best to act as if seeing her again that soon didn’t matter all that much one way or the other. When deep down, he knew it did matter. A lot.

      MIA ROSS loves great stories. She enjoys reading about fascinating people, long-ago times and exotic places. But only for a little while, because her reality is pretty sweet. Married to her college sweetheart, she’s the proud mom of two amazing kids, whose schedules keep her hopping. Busy as she is, she can’t imagine trading her life for anyone else’s—and she has a pretty good imagination. You can visit her online at miaross.com.

      Her Small-Town

      Cowboy

      Mia Ross

      

www.Harlequin.com

      MILLS & BOON

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      Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

      —Luke 6:37

      For Ruth

       Acknowledgments

      To the very talented folks who help me

      make my books everything they can be:

      Elaine Spencer, Melissa Endlich

      and the dedicated staff at Love Inspired.

      More thanks to the gang at Seekerville

      (www.seekerville.net), a great place to hang out with readers—and writers.

      I’ve been blessed with a wonderful network of supportive, encouraging family and friends. You inspire me every day!

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Mike Kinley hated weddings.

      Maybe hate was a little