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Wagon Train Proposal
Renee Ryan
For the Sake of His ChildrenA marriage of convenience? Rachel Hewitt couldn't possibly accept. Not even for the sake of three adorable little girls who desperately want a new mother. Sheriff Tristan McCullough offers Rachel a home and family, but not the one thing she truly seeks–someone to love her for herself.Tristan McCullough hoped to find a wife on the wagon train, not a nanny. The hardworking widower wants a marriage without emotional risks. But independent Rachel intrigues him. One minute she's winning over his shy little girls, and the next she's tackling danger head-on. She might just be Tristan's unexpected second chance at happiness…if he'll risk his wary heart again.Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail
For the Sake of His Children
A marriage of convenience? Rachel Hewitt couldn’t possibly accept. Not even for the sake of three adorable little girls who desperately want a new mother. Sheriff Tristan McCullough offers Rachel a home and family, but not the one thing she truly seeks—someone to love her for herself.
Tristan McCullough hoped to find a wife on the wagon train, not a nanny. The hardworking widower wants a marriage without emotional risks. But independent Rachel intrigues him. One minute she’s winning over his shy little girls, and the next she’s tackling danger head-on. She might just be Tristan’s unexpected second chance at happiness…if he’ll risk his wary heart again.
Journey West: Romance and adventure await three siblings on the Oregon Trail
“I could help you with your daughters.”
Tristan turned to face Rachel, smiled. “That’s what I came to discuss with you.”
So, he had followed her. She’d suspected as much. But just to be clear…
“You followed me out here to talk about your girls?”
He went very still and studied her face with that intensity she found so disconcerting, as if he were trying to look into the depths of her soul. “In a manner of speaking.”
She swallowed. This wasn’t supposed to be so hard. What she had to offer made sense for all of them. “So you agree I should take over for Bertha.”
“No.”
No? She waited for him to expand on that. When he didn’t she blinked at him in confusion. That’s it, she thought. Just…no. Not a single word of explanation?
She blew out a frustrated puff of air. “You realize I’m offering to take care of your daughters. It’s the perfect solution. I adore them. I’m pretty confident they like me.”
He was already shaking his head before she finished stating her case.
She frowned at him. “I don’t understand your refusal. You need help immediately. I’m available.”
“I had a more permanent solution in mind.”
Oh. Oh.
* * *
Journey West: Romance and adventure
await three siblings on the Oregon Trail
Wagon Train Reunion—
Linda Ford, April 2015
Wagon Train Sweetheart—
Lacy Williams, May 2015
Wagon Train Proposal—
Renee Ryan, June 2015
RENEE RYAN grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Nebraska, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com (http://reneeryan.com), on Twitter @ReneeRyanBooks (https://twitter.com/reneeryanbooks), or on Facebook.
Wagon Train Proposal
Renee Ryan
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear.
—1 John 4:18
To my fabulous critique partner, Cindy Kirk. Thank you for your wisdom and support through the years and, most of all, your friendship. Every book I write is stronger because of your insights. No matter what trial I face, I know you always have my back, and I have yours!
Contents
Cover (#u1e325850-3b37-5a99-a325-8e0a825af4bf)
Back Cover Text (#u2726c761-a029-5cc7-801f-f0409c0153a3)
Introduction (#u43035384-37ec-505c-8ff2-926c41386b09)
About the Author (#ud7c7b18e-d4dc-59cd-87e1-a2cc9db840b6)
Title Page (#ubd8ad9fd-2fbe-5ded-8fe6-09ffbbdfaeac)
Bible Verse (#u8ea27e0c-3d75-5f22-b0df-ce7682e6ae0f)
Dedication (#u2e341fc9-5ca6-5093-8bf9-f2579b353615)
Chapter One (#ua2b6fa1f-9f65-5c73-b242-55ae38bcb6f7)
Chapter Two (#u3436a402-631e-5cb8-a570-85c2652f7d7f)
Chapter Three (#ua64ebe20-443e-5253-a459-a10f6d3e089c)
Chapter Four (#u0d3a8152-ec6f-5aa1-9ff0-076d83ac8a70)
Chapter Five (#ub6415971-adab-5953-ac10-c15fad984476)
Chapter Six (#udd210a0a-db78-5d94-bda1-078ea2ad32ed)
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)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_77a43066-ff47-5528-adfa-fdb8c8809201)
Fort Nez Perce October 1843
Exhausted, footsore and chilled to the bone from a recent rainstorm, Rachel Hewitt leaned against her family’s covered wagon. As she looked out over the organized chaos, one thought emerged. Nearly there.
At long last, the wagon train had reached the final leg of what had turned out to be an arduous, five-month trek across the Oregon Trail.
Despite the hardships along the way, spirits were high among Rachel’s fellow emigrants. A brand-new life awaited in Oregon City, with the promise of fertile soil, large land grants. Endless possibilities awaited. And yet...
A sense of quiet despair crept into her usual optimism.
Wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders, she traced her fingertip along the edges of a wooden slat. Familiar sounds filled her ears. Hammers striking iron. Saws carving through wood. The creak of wagon wheels and children’s laughter and the bleating of worn-out animals.
Soft footsteps approached from behind her. Rachel moved to the other side of the wagon. She didn’t especially want to speak with anyone right now.
Rachel’s family, along with many others, had made the decision to build rafts or buy canoes rather than risk the treacherous land route or abandon their belongings. It had seemed the wisest course of action. But as she eyed the rushing waters swollen from the recent storm, she wondered if the worst was yet to come.
The cold wind sweeping off the Cascade Range carried the scent of winter over the land. Time was running short. Little room for mistakes or wrong turns.
Rachel looked around her once again. This time, all she saw was the solitary figure standing on the riverbank.
Tristan McCullough. The handsome, widowed sheriff of Oregon City had joined their wagon train weeks ago. He’d deftly guided their weary group through the treacherous Blue Mountains, past The Dalles and on to Fort Nez Perce.
His strength of character had made an impression on everyone, including Rachel. He was the embodiment of masculine power and something far more troubling. Something her mind shied away from, refusing to acknowledge.
The sun peeked out from a seam in the clouds and wrapped Tristan in a thin, golden beam, turning his sun-kissed hair a burnished copper. And his eyes, those intelligent, compelling eyes were probably a full shade lighter now, a cool moss green against his tanned skin.
A shiver passed through her as she watched Tristan eye the rushing waters with a concerned expression.
Was he contemplating another route to Oregon City? Not likely. The only other route was along the sandy, narrow shoreline. But large boulders and steep cliffs, some rising over a hundred feet above the river, would have to be scaled or gone around.
While fraught with its own set of dangers, the Columbia River was still their best option. The one they would take.
Unless Tristan said otherwise. Unless—
“Rachel, what’s wrong?” Her sister’s soft, lilting voice fell over her. “You’re frowning.”
Rachel bit back a sigh. Of course the ever-vigilant, fundamentally caring Emma would seek her out.
“I hadn’t realized I was frowning.” She kept her voice even and her gaze averted. “I was merely lost in thought. Nothing to worry yourself over.”
“If you say so.”
Something in her sister’s voice had her looking up. A mistake. Rachel felt her smile slip the moment her eyes connected with Emma’s.
Even with her brows drawn together in worry, her sister exuded happiness. Emma had always been strikingly beautiful, with her golden brown hair and vivid blue eyes. But now that she’d fallen in love with Nathan Reed, she was even more so.
The ex-fur trader and longtime loner brought out the best in Emma. Her confidence grew with each passing day, her innate shyness dissipating with every hour she spent in Nathan’s company.
Rachel was pleased for her sister. She was. But now that Emma and their brother Ben had both found love on the Oregon Trail, Rachel was feeling a tad lost. For the first time in her life she didn’t have a clear sense of belonging.
At least she knew what to expect in her immediate future. Once the wagon train arrived in Oregon City she would take over the care of their oldest brother’s home. Surely Grayson, who’d arrived in Oregon Country nearly two years ahead of them, would welcome her help.
What if he didn’t?
“You’re frowning again.”
Rachel pulled in a deep breath. “I was thinking about Grayson.”
