The Cowboy's Christmas Baby

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby
Carolyne Aarsen

A Family for ChristmasNo one expected Erin McCauley to arrive in Saddlebank, Montana, with a baby…and no wedding ring. Especially not Dean Moore, who cared for Erin but knew the by-the-book girl would never go for a hard-living cowboy like him. While helping renovate Erin's new home, Dean realizes he's still in love with her—and with her beautiful daughter. As far as he's concerned, past mistakes don't have to define them—but guilt is holding Erin back from seeing that Dean is offering exactly what she's longing for. Because if she lets him, he'll give her the home—and the family—she's always wanted.

A Family For Christmas

No one expected Erin McCauley to arrive in Saddlebank, Montana, with a baby…and no wedding ring. Especially not Dean Moore, who cared for Erin but knew the by-the-book girl would never go for a hard-living cowboy like him. While helping renovate Erin’s new home, Dean realizes he’s still in love with her—and with her beautiful daughter. As far as he’s concerned, past mistakes don’t have to define them—but guilt is holding Erin back from seeing that Dean is offering exactly what she’s longing for. Because if she lets him, he’ll give her the home—and the family—she’s always wanted.

“It was a long trip.”

Dean heard a note of sorrow in Erin’s voice, and wondered precisely what had caused it.

“You drove all the way up from San Francisco?” he asked.

She nodded, shooting him a quick glance.

“So what were you doing there?” As if he didn’t know exactly what had kept her occupied all these years. Because somehow, in spite of all the girls between then and now, Erin had always hung, like a painting, in the back of his mind. Elusive and mysterious.

“Working as a graphic designer.”

He wanted to ask her more and fill in the gaps between the last time he saw her and now. Wanted to know what had put those shadows under the eyes of the sweet, innocent girl who had turned him down with a sad smile. A girl who’d told him he had to turn his life around.

Well, he had. Just too late for her, he guessed.

CAROLYNE AARSEN and her husband, Richard, live on a small ranch in northern Alberta, where they have raised four children and numerous foster children and are still raising cattle. Carolyne crafts her stories in an office with a large west-facing window, through which she can watch the changing seasons while struggling to make her words obey. Visit her website at carolyneaarsen.com (http://www.carolyneaarsen.com).

The Cowboy’s Christmas Baby

Carolyne Aarsen

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

In repentance and rest is your salvation.

In quietness and trust is your strength.

—Isaiah 30:15

To my sisters, Yolanda and Laverne.

Thanks for keeping me grounded.

And to my brother-in-law Jan, who bid on

the opportunity to be a part of this book.

Contents

Cover (#u41bd3cd0-5682-592e-89e0-bbc3cd05c836)

Back Cover Text (#u2f30f565-0e53-5c7e-b7a4-23a0ef7151ff)

Introduction (#u0c4ed733-bf29-5728-90a2-50fb93f7ba9c)

About the Author (#u3ee837b2-4c1f-56f7-8187-3aaa2c1f92b0)

Title Page (#u43131d27-7b2a-555a-800b-13c44bb682cb)

Bible Verse (#uc845f9c5-514f-5341-8312-c13d5b3f2576)

Dedication (#u5414cb24-067c-50d1-880e-1523bbcfffff)

Chapter One (#uccc344ae-fab8-59a8-b1ff-a1bbb4743feb)

Chapter Two (#u941f70b2-c91d-500e-981a-fb0a7e6ef29c)

Chapter Three (#u7d48c143-15fa-56b5-a0c8-65d0e1d6b5e7)

Chapter Four (#ua459c813-fcd9-5e06-b0d5-6721566f0748)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)