A Child's Gift. Linda Warren

      

      Will an abandoned child bring them together?

      Or tear them apart?

      Cowboy Jericho Johnson lives a good life working on the Rebel family’s Texas ranch. All he’s missing is a wonderful woman like Anamarie Wiznowski. But Rico’s troubled past and Ana’s disapproving family conspire against them. When Rico is named guardian to a four-year-old boy, he asks Ana for help. And suddenly, he’s falling faster than Christmas snow...for Ana, sweet little Dusty and life as a family man!

      Two-time RITA® Award–nominated author LINDA WARREN has written over forty books for Harlequin. A native Texan, she’s a member of Romance Writers of America and the RWA West Houston chapter. Drawing upon her years of growing up on a ranch, she writes about some of her favorite things: Western-style romance, cowboys and country life. She married her high school sweetheart and they live on a lake in central Texas. He fishes and she writes. Works perfect.

       Also By Linda Warren

      Texas Rebels

      Texas Rebels: Egan

      Texas Rebels: Falcon

      Texas Rebels: Quincy

      Texas Rebels: Jude

      Texas Rebels: Phoenix

      Texas Rebels: Paxton

      Texas Rebels: Elias

      Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

      A Child’s Gift

      Linda Warren

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ISBN: 978-0-008-90090-8

      A CHILD’S GIFT

      © 2020 Linda Warren

      Published in Great Britain 2019

      by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

      All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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      “Can Ana come, too?”

      Rico looked into Anamarie’s blue eyes. “You bet.” He got up, feeling a little unsure of what was ahead of him, but he could do no less.

      “That’s so nice of you to take him.”

      Rico placed Dustin on his feet. “Go tell the sheriff thank you for letting you stay with me. Then we’ll go.”

      “’Kay.”

      Rico needed a minute to talk to Anamarie. She picked up the sippy cup, which hadn’t broken or leaked onto the floor. “I might need your help. Are you available?”

      She smiled one of her trademark smiles. “You bet.”

      They walked back to the bakery with Dusty between them. Mickey trailed behind. Rico carried the duffel bag and quilt over his shoulder, and thought this was a slice of heaven being together with Anamarie and Dusty. It was almost like a family. It was almost real. The almost kept him from thinking any further. Happily-ever-after wasn’t in his future. It never had been.

      Dear Reader,

      The Texas Rebels series began in Harlequin Western Romance, and I’m so happy to continue the series for Harlequin Heartwarming.

      Jericho Johnson’s life hasn’t been easy, but he’s grateful to the Rebel family for giving him a home. Even so, he never feels as if he fits in, and he yearns for a family of his own. But he’s a loner by nature and feels that will never happen. Until Anamarie Wiznowski smiles at him. She gives him hope that they could have a future together. These are two people who want the same thing: a home and a family. But the struggle to get them there was a tearjerker. I shed a few tears over their story.

      I have to say Jericho is the kindest hero I have ever written. I was so glad to give him his happy ending. It’s been a long time since I visited Horseshoe, Texas, and I hope you enjoy the visit and Jericho and Anamarie’s journey.

      With love and thanks,

       Linda

      PS: You can email me at [email protected], send me a message on Facebook.com/authorlindawarren, find me on Twitter, @texauthor, write me at PO Box 5182, Bryan, TX 77805 or visit my website at lindawarren.net. Your mail and thoughts are deeply appreciated.

      The heroine in this book is a great cook. So I dedicate this book to Tammy Medina, my friend, my right hand, for all the marathon cooking days in my kitchen.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text