Her Cowboy Till Christmas. Jill Kemerer

hug her and tell her how wonderful she is? So many people walk through life not realizing how much they have to offer the world. They’re so much more than their job title or bank account balance. Mason needed Brittany’s brightness and acceptance, and she needed his steadiness and devotion.

      Could you relate to Brittany’s realization that she would never find her identity in the things of this world? Her identity rests in being God’s beloved child. Every now and then, I forget this, too, but thankfully, God gently reminds me I’m His and I don’t need to be more.

      Thank you, again, for reading my book!

      Blessings to you,

       Jill Kemerer

      To Constance Phillips, my dear friend,

      favorite coffee date and writing buddy.

      I’m so thankful you invited me to join you

      for writing sessions at the coffee shop back

      when we first met. Look how far we’ve come!

      And to all of the members of

      Maumee Valley Romance Authors, Inc.

      We’ve helped each other through ups and

      downs, shed a few tears, and educated and

      encouraged each other. I’m thankful for you.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       About the Author

       Booklist

       Title Page

       Copyright

      Note to Readers

       Introduction

       Bible Verse

       Dear Reader

       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

       About the Publisher

       Chapter One

      It was going to be another lonely Christmas.

      Mason Fanning tripped over a toy bulldozer, and his foot landed on an action figure. Oof! Hopping on the other foot, he winced until the sharp pain subsided. His three-year-old son, Noah, was having pizza and watching a Disney movie with Grandma and Grandpa Page like he did most Friday nights. Which left Mason alone, picking up toys and contemplating what to do with himself. The snowy December evening on his cattle ranch near Rendezvous, Wyoming, was ideal for sitting in front of a fire and watching a Christmas movie the way he and Mia used to. But without her in his arms, what would be the point?

      Mia was gone.

      He missed her. Three years had passed, and it still seemed like her funeral happened yesterday. He missed Ma and Pops, the grandparents who’d raised him, too. He hadn’t felt this alone in a long time.

      Mason snatched up the remaining toys and threw them into a basket. It was stupid to indulge in a pity party when he’d been blessed with more than most. Sure, the medical bills Mia left behind put a huge dent in his budget each month, but eventually he’d get the ranch churning out profits again. He’d leave a legacy to pass down to Noah, the way his grandparents had left Fanning Ranch to him.

      A knock on the door startled him. No one ever stopped by on Friday nights.

      Unless...

      The emails and calls he’d been getting from Brittany Green came to mind. He hadn’t answered them. He had nothing to say to her. And since it had been a decade since he’d seen her, the thought of her showing up was laughable, anyhow.

      He strode to the entryway. Opened the door.

      Snowflakes and familiar ocean-blue eyes greeted him.

      Brittany stood there the way she had a million times during their childhood. Her hair was blonder than he remembered. Must have been all the California sunshine. Wearing jeans, a long puffy coat and tall boots, she was still the petite dancer he’d spent every waking minute with each summer growing up.

      It had been ten years since their final summer together, and the anger still burned.

      He shifted his attention to the man next to her. The world spun. Impossible! The man looked exactly like him. They could have been the same person. He braced