Bound by a Child
Hoping to overcome her reputation as Leadville, Colorado’s biggest gossip, wealthy socialite Flora Montgomery offers to help a miner care for an abandoned child. But her growing affection for the sweet boy’s handsome rescuer could be a problem. Especially since her parents insist she must marry for money.
Undercover mine owner George Baxter is digging himself into a dilemma. The once-spoiled Flora has become a delightful, generous woman, and she’ll be devastated by his deception. Yet if he can’t discover who’s sabotaging the mine, George will lose any chance of making a home for Flora and Pierre. Can the little boy who holds both their hearts help them lay claim to a new dream of family?
“He wants me to sing, doesn’t he?”
George looked over at Flora, who smiled broadly.
“It would appear so.” She gave the little boy an affectionate look and, once again, George was struck by how readily she opened her heart to a child who needed it.
Pierre tugged at his hand. “J’enseigne!”
George looked at Flora for translation.
“He said he will teach you.” Her words came out with a slight giggle, like she found the prospect delightful.
Fortunately, almost every child probably knew the familiar folk song, or at least that was what George thought. “I don’t sing as well as you, but I think I can manage.”
He began to sing the first few bars, then Flora and Pierre joined in.
Maybe it was wrong of him to think so, but as they strolled through the crowded area of the mine, holding hands with Pierre, who was exuberantly swinging his arms, probably in hope that they’d pick him up and swing him between them again, this felt like everything he’d always hoped for in a family of his own.
We all know Flora was the nemesis of a lot of our Leadville ladies. Why couldn’t I have left well enough alone and let her be the horrible woman everyone hated? Because, as a good friend and I discussed, it’s in my nature to want to redeem everyone. I want to believe that someone like Flora, whom everyone hates, has something good in her, and that God can transform all those bad places to reveal that beautiful thing inside her no one else has seen.
Can everyone be redeemed? I believe, with all of my heart, that if you want to be redeemed, and you seek God’s guidance, then you absolutely can and will find redemption.
My prayer for you is that if you find yourself far from God, regretting mistakes of your past, that you will turn your face toward Him, and you will realize the light of His love shining upon you.
I always love hearing from my readers, so feel free to connect with me at the following places:
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Abundant blessings to you and yours,
Danica Favorite
DANICA FAVORITE loves the adventure of living a creative life. She loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily-ever-after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun. Find her at danicafavorite.com.
An Unlikely Mother
Danica Favorite
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
—Philippians 4:11–13
The Harlequin.com online community has been a part of my writing journey since day one. You guys are not just my job, but a second family, and I love you all dearly. I’ve been waiting to write the perfect book that encapsulates what a precious part of my journey you’ve been, but I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I’d need at least a thousand books to tell each of the very wonderful stories I’ve gotten to be a part of. Thank you all for the role you play in my life, each other’s lives and in the books you’ve brought and will bring to the world.
And, Rae, your time is coming!
Keep the faith. Love you!
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