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True Love Ranch
Elizabeth Harbison
AND MOMMY MAKES THREEIn her seventeenth summer Darcy Beckett discovered true love. So she gave herself, body and soul, to hell-raising ranch hand Joe Tyler. Darcy saw a future of babies and bliss. But her grandfather saw red–and sent Darcy packing. Away from the ranch–and into a monied but loveless marriage.Now, ten years later, her grandfather's will has brought Darcy back to the ranch. Back to Joe. And to his adorable six-year-old son, who wanted a mommy for Christmas. Darcy secretly pined for the rakish cowboy and his enchanting little sidekick. But she and Joe had grown worlds apart. And only a miracle–or the True Love Ranch–could give their hungry hearts a home….
“I want Darcy to be my new mom,” Ricky said. (#u277106c3-e903-55fe-a4a0-dc897f31483f)Letter to Reader (#u2215c754-fa74-5e76-8e93-4b53355076d1)Title Page (#u48525899-92af-593c-b077-bc41922cabf9)Dedication (#u1f201a83-fe96-5eaf-8542-37c26c043094)About the Author (#ua1c74e1d-2ee5-594d-813e-0757d9aa0141)Prologue (#ub0f018eb-3a98-5d9a-9913-49d928b8e6e0)Chapter One (#u0ae04e55-5e82-53dd-b51f-dfaec03233cf)Chapter Two (#uabcfba84-4b8b-5fe4-abca-be6398fb084e)Chapter Three (#u0a943f8c-bf8d-52d0-a885-aac2b67d2b19)Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)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)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
“I want Darcy to be my new mom,” Ricky said.
Joe looked at his son and felt a lump lodge in his throat. He’d hoped that Ricky had gotten over this desperation for a mother. But somehow the boy had decided that Darcy Beckett was the perfect maternal candidate.
Joe took a deep breath. Was there anything Darcy was less suited for? “Darcy is not the mom type,” he said, more to himself than to Ricky.
“Why not?”
“Well, we like milkshakes. Darcy likes champagne. And every mouthful costs about as much as a box of crayons.”
“Oh.”
There was a long silence, and Joe thought, gratefully, that the subject was closed. Someday, he told himself, his son would understand. And when he did, maybe he could explain it to Joe.
“But what if she drank something else?” Ricky piped up. “Then could she be my new mom?”
Dear Reader,
In 20 months Silhouette Romance will celebrate its 20th anniversary! To commemorate that momentous occasion, we’d like to ask you to share with us why you’ve chosen to read the Romance series, and which authors you particularly enjoy. We hope to publish some of your thoughtful comments during our anniversary year—2000! And this month’s selections will give you food for thought....
In The Guardian’s Bride by Laurie Paige, our VIRGIN BRIDES title, a 20-year-old heiress sets out to many her older, wealthy—gorgeous—guardian. Problem is, he thinks she’s too young.... The Cowboy, the Baby and the Bride-to-Be is Cara Colter’s newest book, where a shy beauty reunites a lonely cowboy with his baby nephew...and lassoes love in the process! Karen Rose Smith’s new miniseries, DO YOU TAKE THIS STRANGER?, premieres with Wealth, Power and a Proper Wife. An all-work-and-no-play millionaire learns the value of his marriage vows when the wife he’d suspected of betraying him suffers a bout of amnesia.
Rounding out the month, we have Her Best Man by Christine Scott, part of the MEN! promotion, featuring a powerful tycoon who heroically offers protection to a struggling single mom. In Honey of a Husband by Laura Anthony, an ex-bull rider returns home to discover his childhood sweetheart is raising his child—by another woman. Finally, rising star Elizabeth Harbison returns to the lineup with True Love Ranch, where a city gal and a single-dad rancher lock horns—and live up to the Colorado spread’s name.
Enjoy!
Joan Marlow Golan
Senior Editor Silhouette Romance
Please address questions and book requests to:
Silhouette Reader Service
U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3
True Love Ranch
Elizabeth Harbison
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
To Annie Jones and Natalie Patrick
both excellent writers...and one heck of a great friend.
ELIZABETH HARBISON
first thought of becoming a writer in sixth grade, when she would stay up well past midnight reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books under the covers by flashlight. The idea became a decision when she discovered the books of Mary Stewart and Dorothy Eden, and realized that writing would be a really fun thing to do for a living.
She studied literature and art history at the University of Maryland and the University of London, Birbeck College. She’s been back to England once since college and is eager to return again, and possibly even set a book there.
The author of several cookbooks, Elizabeth spends her spare time cooking, reading, walking and shopping for new books. As for romance, her fairy-tale dreams came true in 1994 when she married her real-life hero, John, a musician and illustrator. They currently reside in Germantown, Maryland, with their daughter, Mary Paige, and dog, Bailey.
Elizabeth loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 1636, Germantown, MD 20875-1636.
October 7, 1997
Ms. Darcy Beckett
3631 Dasher Street #4
Boston, MA
Dear Ms. Beckett,
As you are no doubt aware, R. Kenneth Beckett passed away on October 6 of this year.
You are a beneficiary in his will, which will be read on Friday, October 22, at noon. This meeting will take place on Mr. Beckett’s property, known as the “True Love Ranch,” in Holt, Colorado. If at all possible, please come to that reading...but beware—the True Love Ranch is thought to have magical powers for reuniting former lovers....
I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Edward J. Connor, Esq.
Attorney for Mr. R. Kenneth Beckett
* Cindy, please make a duplicate
letter and send it to
Mr. Joseph Tyler
R.R. 8, Box 92
Holt, CO
Thanks,
Edward
Prologue
“Darcy, honey, can you finish making the pies? If I don’t get out and help the men set up outside this is going to be the most sparse Fourth of July party ever.”
Anthea Cox had worked as the housekeeper and general caretaker on Darcy’s grandfather’s ranch for as long as she could remember.
“Sure, Anthea.” Darcy Beckett looked out the window. Eight hired hands, her grandfather and Anthea’s husband, Hank, were milling about rather aimlessly. “You tell them, Anthea. We women shouldn’t have to do all the work.”
Anthea put her arm around Darcy’s shoulder and gave her a warm hug. “That’s right, child. You remember that. Men and women should share responsibilities in this life, as well as pleasures.”
Darcy flushed at her private thought of pleasure and took another look outside. Where was Joe? The youngest—and strongest, Darcy thought proudly—of Kenneth Beckett’s hired hands, Joe Tyler was always roped into tasks like this. She’d seen him there a few minutes ago.
“Looking for someone?” Anthea asked over her shoulder.
“I’m just looking out the window.” Darcy’s skin tingled with anticipation.
Anthea gave her a knowing look. “Don’t see that Tyler boy out there.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth. “Pity. You’d have such a fine view from here.”
Darcy’s face grew hot, but she laughed. “You always could see right through me.”
Anthea went to the refrigerator and took out a chilled lump of pastry dough for the pies. “Just see to it that your grandfather doesn’t see through you that way.”
“He doesn’t understand anything about love,” Darcy said miserably. She knew if her grandfather found out about her and Joe, the consequences would be dire.
“He knows a thing or two, but he can be a little too...vehement. At times.”
“Mean is more the word.”
“He’s just looking out for you.” Anthea put a sympathetic hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “He doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’m old enough to take care of myself.”
Anthea smiled. “At your age, I thought I knew all about love, too. I didn’t.”
There was a whoop of laughter from the men outside and Anthea flashed an impatient look in that direction. “I’d better get out there. Folks’ll be coming in an hour.”
Darcy took the chilled dough and began pressing it down with the heel of her hand. “I’ll take care of this, don’t worry.”
Anthea bustled out the kitchen door. As soon as she was gone, Darcy sighed and allowed herself a moment’s indulgence in thinking about Joe. Last night had been magical. Better than she’d ever imagined it could be.... She shivered with remembered pleasure. She knew about love, all right.
She picked up the apron and moved back to the window. Where was Joe anyway? Just as she was reaching behind her to tie the straps, she felt hands on hers. “Need some help, ma’am?” Joe asked, close to her ear.
She whirled to face him. “We shouldn’t be in here alone together, you know.”
He reached behind her to tie the straps. “I’m only helping a lady in distress.” He stopped tying and rested his hands on her lower back.
“Is that all you’re doing?” she teased.
“That and kissing my future wife.” He lowered his mouth onto hers and kissed her. Darcy’s passions flared, quickly reaching a state close to what she’d felt last night.
She pulled back, breathless. “W-wife?”
“Sure. You knew I’d make an honest woman of you, didn’t you?”
She swallowed. “When?”
“How long before you’re eighteen?” He gave a devilish smile. He knew dam well her birthday was in September—it was the day after his.
Her heart thundered in her ears. “Do you mean it?”
“More than anything.” He kissed her again. “What do you say? Will you marry me?”
“Joe—”
“Say yes or I’ll die.”
She smiled. “Well...”
“Darce, I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.” His eyes burned with sincerity. “Do you love me?”
She looked down. He loved her! Her knees began to shake. “Yes,” she said, looking back at him. “I love you.”
Something crossed his expression then: a boyish relief mingled with joy. “Then say yes.”
“Yes.”
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, deeply. “How about we get ourselves a place just like this?”
“Like the ranch?”
“Like all of this.” He swept his arm across the room. “You look good in this kitchen. I can see you here, making breakfast for me and the kids—”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Kids?”
He nodded. “Two or three of them. That okay with you?”
“I always wanted two kids,” she said wistfully. “A boy and a girl.”
He tipped an imaginary hat. “I’ll do my best to help you out with that dream, ma’am.”
She gave a tremulous smile. “If last night is an example of your help, I’ll look forward to it.”
“Last night was just the tip of the iceberg,” he murmured and lowered his mouth onto hers again.
Her body flamed to life. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body along the length of his. She felt so safe in his embrace, so warm, so happy.
“What the hell is going on here?” a voice boomed from the doorway.
Darcy sprang back and looked, with horror, at the source of the angry demand.
