A Baby For Christmas. Linda Ford

      

      From Pregnant Widow to Cowboy’s Bride

      For widow Louise Porter, a temporary marriage to cowboy Nate Hawkins seems the only solution to protect her unborn child. Especially when she’s threatened by her late husband’s business partner. She needs a safe haven—and Eden Valley Ranch, where Nate works, is supposedly just the place. And yet, in Nate’s care she feels secure and cherished as never before.

      The protection of his name is all Nate can offer Louise. He’s not cut out for family life long-term. However, he’ll risk anything to keep Louise safe during their perilous journey. Perhaps an early Christmas arrival will show them both just how precious—and how permanent—their new family can be...

      “I’m so sorry. It seems I’m always causing you a problem.”

      For some silly reason the words caught in her throat and wobbled.

      Nate clasped her shoulders and looked into her face as if searching every corner of her mind. “You are not a problem to me.”

      Louise told herself it was only words, perhaps for the benefit of those who couldn’t help but overhear. Despite her arguments to the contrary, she believed him. For the moment, she’d allow herself to be comforted by his admission.

      She nodded, the book clutched to her chest.

      He reached past her to get the title he’d chosen, and they returned to the table to sit side by side.

      She read the words and turned the pages, but couldn’t have said what the story entailed. Her thoughts wouldn’t settle. It was merely worry, she told herself, about getting to Eden Valley Ranch before the baby came. Concern for the safety of the little life she carried. But in a moment of honesty she admitted that her predominant thought centered on Nate. Why was he being so nice to her? Treating her as though he really cared when they both knew he was only doing this out of a sense of obligation.

      LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and assorted friends and relatives.

      A Baby for Christmas

      Linda Ford

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

      —Isaiah 9:6

      To Christine, my day-after-Christmas baby.

      You have brought much joy into our lives

      and continue to do so.

      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

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

Chapter One

      December 1882

      Twenty-year-old Louise Porter cupped her hands to her rounded belly. How was she to protect this baby, as well as herself and her eighteen-year-old sister-in-law? Where could she go? Where could she find help?

      No answer came to mind, but she must get away from that vile man who grew bolder and bolder with his threats and advances.

      She turned the corner. Without thought, she’d walked toward the church. Head down, watching her footing carefully on the rough ground, she made her way toward the spot where they’d buried her husband six months ago.

      Not until she was almost there did she look up and