Jill Lynn - Her Texas Family

Falling for the Single Dad

Moving to a small Texas town, Lucy Grayson is looking to live life on her own terms. When she agrees to take a job in Doctor Graham Redmond’s office, the two instantly clash. The same can’t be said for the widower’s daughter. They quickly form a bond when Lucy begins teaching the little girl to dance. Graham soon realizes how good Lucy is for his daughter—and for him. Yet his late wife’s parents don’t agree. Their ultimatum to choose between them or Lucy fills Graham with despair. He can’t let his daughter lose her grandparents…but he also can’t lose the woman who could complete their family.

“I don’t ever plan to remarry.”

He didn’t have to make up this whole story for her. So they weren’t a match in the love department. The idea that Graham would never remarry was crazy.

“You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s not like we were on a date.”

“I know. But I’m telling you, I wouldn’t be anyway. I’m really never getting remarried.”

Graham definitely seemed the type to marry and grow old with someone. Lucy could picture him having more kids, finding a stepmom for Mattie. The girl would love it. Maybe having a mom again would take away some of Mattie’s serious nature and let her be a kid.

What would keep Graham from considering marriage again?

“Was your marriage…that bad?” Graham’s frown told her what she already knew—she shouldn’t have asked.

“No. It was that good.”

Ouch. Why did those words sting? She hardly knew this man. She’d been in town two weeks, and yet his response made her feel as if she’d been shoved from a moving car.

This had nothing to do with her. Then why did it feel as though it did?

JILL LYNN is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group and won the ACFW Genesis award 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.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

—Psalms 139:14

To my husband: God blessed me big when He gave me you. Thank you for being better than I could have ever imagined, for making me laugh and for always cleaning my mess of a car. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Falling for the Single Dad Moving to a small Texas town, Lucy Grayson is looking to live life on her own terms. When she agrees to take a job in Doctor Graham Redmond’s office, the two instantly clash. The same can’t be said for the widower’s daughter. They quickly form a bond when Lucy begins teaching the little girl to dance. Graham soon realizes how good Lucy is for his daughter—and for him. Yet his late wife’s parents don’t agree. Their ultimatum to choose between them or Lucy fills Graham with despair. He can’t let his daughter lose her grandparents…but he also can’t lose the woman who could complete their family.

Introduction “I don’t ever plan to remarry.” He didn’t have to make up this whole story for her. So they weren’t a match in the love department. The idea that Graham would never remarry was crazy. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s not like we were on a date.” “I know. But I’m telling you, I wouldn’t be anyway. I’m really never getting remarried.” Graham definitely seemed the type to marry and grow old with someone. Lucy could picture him having more kids, finding a stepmom for Mattie. The girl would love it. Maybe having a mom again would take away some of Mattie’s serious nature and let her be a kid. What would keep Graham from considering marriage again? “Was your marriage…that bad?” Graham’s frown told her what she already knew—she shouldn’t have asked. “No. It was that good.” Ouch. Why did those words sting? She hardly knew this man. She’d been in town two weeks, and yet his response made her feel as if she’d been shoved from a moving car. This had nothing to do with her. Then why did it feel as though it did?

About the Author JILL LYNN is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group and won the ACFW Genesis award 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 .

Title Page Her Texas Family Jill Lynn www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. —Psalms 139:14

Dedication To my husband: God blessed me big when He gave me you. Thank you for being better than I could have ever imagined, for making me laugh and for always cleaning my mess of a car. I love you!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Climbing a tree in heels? Not one of her better decisions.

Lucy Grayson held her cell phone toward the Texas sky and prayed for reception. The prayer didn’t work, nor did her ascent, which she’d hoped would somehow get her closer to a cell tower. Just beyond the tree, Lucy’s pitiful car sat on the side of the road with a flat tire, stranded like a woman with a broken high heel.

Her whole life was packed into that car...all of her shoes, most of her clothes and everything else she could cram in. Which made the thought of clearing out her trunk in order to reach her spare tire daunting. And so not necessary. Not if she could get hold of her sister and brother-in-law and borrow their truck, loading everything into it instead of dumping her things on the side of the road.

She was mere miles from their home, so she could walk. But surely her phone was just being ornery. It had to have some reception. Another impatient glance at the screen told her nothing had changed in the past twenty seconds of her life.

Drat.

Lucy wiggled her left foot, attempting to free it from her red ankle bootee without reaching down to untie it. She certainly couldn’t climb down in these shoes. She’d slipped a few times on the way up and didn’t want to risk the same during her descent.

A look down had her stomach tripping all over itself. Lucy had climbed higher than she realized, hoping just a little more height would give her the results she wanted.

Averting her gaze to the limb directly in front of her, she shimmied out of her left ankle boot. It dropped to the ditch below with a muted thud. The sole of her bare foot met rough bark, and she started the same process with her other shoe. One final kick of her heel against the tree limb sent it flying from her foot. Perfect. Now to get down.

A yelp sounded.

At the bottom of the tree, a man stood staring up at her, his hand pressed against his forehead. Oh, no. She hadn’t...

“Is there another shoe coming that I need to be aware of?”