Her Holiday Family. Winnie Griggs

      

      THE CHRISTMAS CHILDREN

      Reserved widow Eileen Pierce never considered herself the kind of woman who was cut out to be a mother. She wouldn’t know what to do with one child, much less ten. But when handyman Simon Tucker is stranded in town with a group of young orphans at Christmastime, she discovers she can’t just turn them away.

      Simon knows there’s more to Eileen than meets the eye. Though his easygoing demeanor immediately clashes with her buttoned-up propriety, Simon’s kindness soon melts Eileen’s stern facade. Simon and the children already upended Eileen’s quiet, orderly life. Will they do the same to her guarded heart?

      Texas Grooms: In search of their brides…

      Eileen knew she should not be focusing on Simon’s charming smile.

      “I’ve always heard one should be cautious when dealing with a woman who insists on having the last word.” Simon shook his head with an exaggeratedly solemn expression that was belied by the twinkle in his eyes.

      “As you should be. Most women with that trait tend to have a quick mind and a sharp wit.”

      He chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.” And with a wave, he turned and sauntered away.

      Had they actually been flirting? Eileen shook her head to clear it. Time to concentrate her efforts on something productive, like the mending that sat in her sewing basket.

      Strange, though, how difficult it had become to complete even the simplest of tasks. Surely it was due to nothing more than the presence of so many houseguests.

      As she accidentally jabbed the needle into her thumb, she acknowledged that perhaps there just might be something more specific tugging at her focus.

      WINNIE GRIGGS

      is a city girl born and raised in southeast Louisiana’s Cajun Country, who grew up to marry a country boy from the hills of northwest Louisiana. Though her Prince Charming (who often wears the guise of a cattle rancher) is more comfortable riding a tractor than a white steed, the two of them have been living their own happily-ever-after for thirty-plus years. During that time they raised four proud-to-call-them-mine children and a too-numerous-to-count assortment of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, turtles and 4-H sheep.

      Winnie retired from her “day job,” and now, in addition to her reading and writing, happily spends her time doing the things she loves best—spending time with her family, cooking and exploring flea markets.

      Readers can contact Winnie at P.O. Box 14, Plain Dealing, LA 71064, or email her at [email protected].

      Her Holiday Family

      Winnie Griggs

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God our Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

      —James 1:26–27

      To my marvelous Starbucks writing buddies, Connie and Amy, who helped me smooth over rough spots and figure out what direction to take my characters when I lost my way.

      And to my wonderful editor, Melissa Endlich, who always helps me tweak my stories and nudges me to take my writing to the next level.

      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

       Chapter Twenty-Four

       Chapter Twenty-Five

       Chapter Twenty-Six

       Chapter Twenty-Seven

       Chapter Twenty-Eight

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion