Mail Order Mommy. Christine Johnson

      

      A Mother by Christmas

      Nursing a broken heart, Amanda Porter had answered a frontier mail-order bride ad placed by Garrett Decker’s children—only to find the groom-to-be didn’t want a wife. The widowed bachelor she hoped to marry does need a housekeeper, though, and taking the job is Amanda’s only option. But his adorable children are determined she’ll be their mother by Christmas...

      His wife’s betrayal and tragic death demolished Garrett’s life. Now he can’t even look at another woman, let alone marry Amanda, who resembles his first love. Even if she does make his house feel like a home, filling it again with laughter and his children’s smiles. But with his daughter convinced Amanda is the perfect mother, will Garrett realize she’s also his perfect match?

      “Are you all right? Is anything broken?”

      His warm hand slid over her cheeks, and the awkward disaster turned into something else entirely.

      This time when she opened her eyes, she saw clearly. What she saw took her breath away.

      Garrett was gazing into her eyes with compassion. The fall had dislodged his cap and ruffled his auburn hair. His cheeks burned bright from the cold, but his concern was only for her. His thumb whispered over her lips, and she trembled at the gentleness of his touch.

      “Do they hurt?” His low voice rumbled through her like none other.

      “No,” she managed to breathe out.

      “Do you hurt anywhere?”

      Oh, to be able to say yes and feel that touch again. Instead, she had to shake her head.

      He breathed out in relief, but he did not draw away.

      She could not stop looking into those soft gray-blue eyes. His mouth was so close. She could feel his breath on her lips. Oh, my.

      Was he going to kiss her?

      A small-town girl, CHRISTINE JOHNSON has lived in every corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. She enjoys creating stories that bring history to life while exploring the characters’ spiritual journeys. Though Michigan is still her home base, she and her seafaring husband also spend time exploring the Florida Keys and other fascinating locations. You can contact her through her website at christineelizabethjohnson.com.

      Mail Order Mommy

      Christine Johnson

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

      —Hebrews 10:17

      For my SewTogether quilting friends past and present. Our time together with needle and thread brings this writer much joy.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       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

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Chapter Twenty-Two

       Chapter Twenty-Three

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

Chapter One

      December 2, 1870

      Amanda Porter had made her decision, and there was no going back