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The Rancher's Unexpected Baby
Jill Lynn
From bachelor to daddy…overnight!A Colorado Grooms NovelAfter his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend's sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon, Gage finds himself bonding with his new son…and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him too?
From bachelor to daddy...overnight!
A Colorado Grooms. novel
After his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend’s sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon Gage finds himself bonding with his new son...and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him, too?
JILL LYNN is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and won the ACFW Genesis Contest in 2013. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. A native of Minnesota, Jill now lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She’s an avid reader of happily-ever-afters and a fan of grace, laughter and thrift stores. Connect with her at jill-lynn.com (http://www.jill-lynn.com).
Also By Jill Lynn (#u77d83e5a-9684-5c63-b69a-c6cd6fbb7956)
Colorado Grooms
The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter
The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby
Falling for Texas
Her Texas Family
Her Texas Cowboy
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby
Jill Lynn
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-09477-1
THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED BABY
© 2019 Jill Buteyn
Published in Great Britain 2019
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.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
“I was trying not to wake you.”
Emma glanced over her shoulder. “Figured you could use the sleep.”
Gage joined her in the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “I didn’t even hear him until just now. Sorry.”
“You were out cold.” Emma finished shaking the bottle, then cradled the baby. “Go to bed, Gage. I’ve got him. You’re exhausted. Let me do this.”
His eyes pricked with a strange sensation. The woman was selfless. Emma watched out for him in a way that he wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced before outside his family. She made him want…a future. A wife. A family.
Her.
All things that he wasn’t sure he had enough faith to try again.
Frustration bubbled up. Why had Emma come into his life now? When it was too late?
Which was why he had to stop thinking of her as he’d begun to: his saving grace, his new beginning. Because she was none of those things for him. Not if he truly cared about her. Not if he wanted her to have the future she deserved.
Dear Reader (#u77d83e5a-9684-5c63-b69a-c6cd6fbb7956),
I recently had to make a decision I was incredibly torn about, and I prayed earnestly that I would know what to do. I didn’t receive a big sign like Gage, though I have had those appear in my life. This time God’s answer was quiet. Hard to hear. Once I believed I understood His directive, I obeyed, even though it wasn’t the answer I wanted. After, I felt overwhelming peace. And in the time since, that peace has remained whenever that particular situation comes to mind.
Regrettably, I don’t always listen to God’s leading. I try to do things my own way, or I fight the path He’s directing me down. But the good news is, God never gives up on any of us. He loves us every step of the journey, whether we’re stumbling to follow His plan or running a straight line in the right direction. He’s consistent even when we’re not, and I’m so thankful for that.
I’m also thankful for your support as readers. Your encouragement means the world. Thanks for celebrating book news with me and participating in the development of these stories. Hudson and Ford both earned their names from your suggestions.
I love to connect with readers. Sign up for book news and giveaways at www.Jill-Lynn.com/news (http://www.Jill-Lynn.com/news) or find me on social media: www.facebook.com/JillLynnAuthor (http://www.facebook.com/JillLynnAuthor) & www.Instagram.com/JillLynnAuthor (http://www.Instagram.com/JillLynnAuthor).
Jill Lynn
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
—John 13:34
For my dad—I’m so thankful for your wisdom, your sense of humor and that you taught us about Jesus. So many lives have been touched because of your gift of sharing the gospel.
Contents
Cover (#ub9fd2a69-1a0b-5b86-b95c-cd7a9aa925db)
Back Cover Text (#u1e3bf3f4-8d71-58fd-a88b-b0fca38605eb)
About the Author (#u32e6a658-8fbf-5f4d-bb28-d6e77029a331)
Booklist (#u19715531-89f1-571a-994a-81f00ce2758c)
Title Page (#u16ac8dcb-d121-56a4-bb8c-fa0d25b4a16f)
Copyright (#u44e0b855-1780-56c6-9e20-daa345125dea)
Introduction (#u709335e9-6efe-508a-8496-37756295dee3)
Dear Reader (#u2f008a98-c03f-5a2f-87ac-ab1f36bb86d1)
Bible Verse (#u61491147-d3a3-5c0a-bbc5-ce2e5bebae0c)
Dedication (#ud221dc62-cb94-582f-b325-067191056a3b)
Chapter One (#ubd2bb3db-963c-5fa1-a889-3cafbfe89df7)
Chapter Two (#u47b18e71-0f20-5f52-8eaf-5064bb7bbcfb)
Chapter Three (#u08fe3d99-0d09-5763-92a3-1fda1395b6f9)
Chapter Four (#u95b5d565-8ded-50aa-ad68-0dcf33ee2628)
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)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#u77d83e5a-9684-5c63-b69a-c6cd6fbb7956)
I’m not a stalker, Emma Wilder assured herself while attempting to peer inconspicuously out the front windows of Len’s grocery store. Gage Frasier’s Jeep Grand Cherokee was parked in the first spot, so it would be almost impossible for her not to notice him as he sat behind his steering wheel. His face was as haggard as a mom waiting at her child’s hospital bedside.
Something—or someone—had upset her brother’s friend.
The hand pressing the phone to his ear stayed put while the other clutched the steering wheel in a death grip. Squeeze. Release. Squeeze—
“Need anything else, dear?” The clerk, Dolores, held out Emma’s two bags.
“No, thanks. Say hi to that cutie granddaughter of yours for me.” Emma snagged the reusable canvas totes and headed for the exit.
I’m also not a meddler, Emma reminded herself as she stepped outside into the freezer currently known as Colorado. She would walk right by Gage without stopping to check if he was okay. Or figure out what had him so distressed.
Her Mini Cooper was two spots past his vehicle. It had been an impulse buy from the small used-car lot in town. Done without her big brother’s approval. That right there made the purchase worthwhile. Even though the little thing might not be built for crashing through snowdrifts, it had handled perfectly well so far...in the three weeks she’d had it. Never mind that no major snow had fallen in that span of time.
Brr! The ice-cold air pierced her lungs, and her organs complained like unruly children. When she was just steps from Gage’s vehicle, his free arm jutted into the air in a move similar to one her friend’s boys would do while pretending to be ninjas. What could have Gage so distraught? The man was usually so...Gage. Calm. A bit stoic at times. Definitely not one to be playing ninja without good reason.
And his poor forehead—all of those worry lines. If he were a woman, he’d need to run home and apply a mask of some sort to thwart the wrinkles that would sprout at the first opportunity.
Phone pressed to his left ear, Gage motioned to her...as if she should open the passenger door of his Jeep. Because she was standing right next to the window, peering in like the stalker she’d just claimed not to be.
Emma couldn’t walk past a baby, a puppy or, it seemed, a Gage. Anyone in need beckoned to her like pickles to a pregnant mama. Or so she’d heard.
She waved, as if to say...what? Don’t mind me. I’m just standing here staring at you? Again Gage signaled for her to open the door. He probably thought there was something wrong with her car. Or her. It was all of two degrees outside, and she was shivering next to his vehicle like a frozen statue about to break into ice chips. Too late to run for it now or explain herself—somehow—and escape, since Gage was still on the phone. So she opened the door and got in. Shut it behind her.
If only she had superpowers and could make herself invisible. Or shrink down to penny size.
Emma inhaled, fighting to keep it discreet when what she really wanted to do was gulp in the men’s cologne section scent that permeated Gage’s vehicle. One of the many romance novels she consumed on a weekly basis would probably describe it as sandalwood or citrus or cedar, but Emma would label it yum.
His caramel voice filled the car. “I understand. Yes. I see.” He reached over, midsentence, and cranked the heat. The fact that he was obviously discussing a dire circumstance on the phone and would still do a small gesture like that warmed her. Literally. Gage, despite all of his inner turmoil, was still chivalrous. Kind. Drool-worthy.
“I’ll get back to you. Thank you.” He pressed the end-call button.
Time to scram. Obviously Gage had a lot on his plate. Emma gripped the door handle. “Thanks for the warm-up. My car is only a few over, so I’ll just...”
Gage was lost somewhere, his eyes glazed. Maybe even a tremble in his strong chin. What in the world?
“Gage?” Her hand dropped back to her lap, shoulders twisting to face him. She gained his empty stare. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“No.” His head shook with a vengeance. “Not even a little bit.”
Emma waited. She’d become good at it over the years. Being the younger sister of twin siblings who were strong and competitive often left her dead last. And they all ran a guest ranch together, so she’d had lots of practice learning to be patient. For the most part, Emma was content with her role. God must have made her that way, because she didn’t remember wanting too much more than the life she had. Except for one small problem. She was a romantic in a town that didn’t allow for that. The men in Westbend were few and far between. Too old. Too young. Not attracted to her or the other way around. And when one did pay attention to her and garner her interest... Well, she knew from experience that led to trouble.
“That sounded like a tough phone call. If you don’t want to talk about it, I under—”
“Do you remember my friend Zeke who passed away about two weeks ago?”
“Yes. Of course.” A young father who’d been flying himself from Aspen to Denver when his plane had crashed and had already lost his wife. It was all so tragic. How could Emma forget? Gage had been a mess. In shock.
“His nine-month-old son—Hudson.”
