A daddy for her daughter…
Can their Mercy Ranch Christmas become forever?
When struggling single mom Rebecca Martin hears a philanthropist in Oklahoma is offering buildings rent-free for a year, she can’t pass up the opportunity. And cowboy Isaac West is just the unexpected help she needs to turn the building into a thriving business. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan…but with this injured veteran, it’s a gift that’s hard to resist.
BRENDA MINTON lives in the Ozarks with her husband, children, cats, dogs and strays. She is a pastor’s wife, Sunday-school teacher, coffee addict and sleep deprived. Not in that order. Her dream to be an author for Harlequin started somewhere in the pages of a romance novel about a young American woman stranded in a Spanish castle. Her dreams came true, and twenty-plus books later, she is an author hoping to inspire young girls to dream.
Mercy Ranch
Reunited with the Rancher
The Rancher’s Christmas Match
Bluebonnet Springs
Second Chance Rancher
The Rancher’s Christmas Bride
The Rancher’s Secret Child
Martin’s Crossing
A Rancher for Christmas
The Rancher Takes a Bride
The Rancher’s Second Chance
The Rancher’s First Love
Her Rancher Bodyguard
Her Guardian Rancher
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
The Rancher’s Christmas Match
Brenda Minton
ISBN: 978-1-474-08645-5
THE RANCHER’S CHRISTMAS MATCH
© 2018 Brenda Minton
Published in Great Britain 2018
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.
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“We were meeting Mama Llama,” Isaac said.
Rebecca had to look at him, had to pretend that everything was just fine. She wasn’t shaking on the inside, revisited by the past and memories that threatened everything.
“Mama Llama doesn’t appear to like you very much,” Rebecca said, pointing to the llama that had drawn back and now bared teeth at Isaac.
“Females sometimes take an instant dislike to me. I can’t imagine why, when I’m always charming.”
“He let me brush his horse,” Allie chimed in. It seemed not all females disliked the cowboy.
“That must have been fun. And where is Eve?”
Allie shot Isaac a worried look and Rebecca pretended not to notice his wink.
“She had to get some work done,” he supplied.
Not only had he charmed her daughter, now he was aiding and abetting her. Rebecca pinned him with a look and, like her daughter, he squirmed a little with guilt.
“And she brought Allie to you.”
Allie groaned. “I might have sneaked off.”
“Confession,” Isaac said. “Always good for the soul.”
As I’ve spent time in Hope, Oklahoma, and at Mercy Ranch, I’ve gotten to know the characters and I’ve come to love this little town. I hope you’ll enjoy your time here, as well!
From the beginning Isaac West quickly became a favorite of mine, and this book had to belong to him. Isaac has dealt with difficult times in his life and he’s learned to laugh when things get tough. I think that’s one of my favorite things about this hero.
Together Isaac and Rebecca learn that life has its seasons. They have cried, mourned, been angry, been broken. Now it is their time to laugh, to love, to heal.
I hope you enjoy taking the journey with them—and with me.
Brenda Minton
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
—Luke 2:13–14
This book is dedicated to my friend Lori, for all of her encouragement.
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