Noelle Marchand - The Texan's Inherited Family

A Father in the Making

Busy Texas farmer Quinn Tucker is used to raising crops, not children. So when four nieces and nephews are left in his care, it’s not long before he realizes they need a mother. But his search for a wife leads to the least likely woman for illiterate Quinn—schoolmarm Helen McKenna.

City girl Helen has been told she’ll never have children—and, it seems, a husband. So she jumps at the chance to be a mother to Quinn’s little family. Though he is far from her image of an ideal husband, maybe a marriage in name will blossom into something more…

Bachelor List Matches: A hand-picked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas

“Don’t you want to teach?”

The vague feeling of discontent she’d been ignoring welled up inside her. “I certainly enjoy it. However, to be honest, it isn’t really what I want to do.”

He frowned. “Then what do you want to do?”

I want to have a family with a husband and children of my own. She sighed and leaned back against the stair railing.

“Helen?” Quinn’s use of her Christian name for the first time drew her full attention. “I need to talk to you. I know this probably isn’t the right time, but I can’t hold it in.”

“This sounds serious. Go ahead and tell me.”

“My eldest nephew and niece are always going on about you and I’ve noticed that you seem to care a whole lot about them, too. That’s true, isn’t it?”

“It certainly is.”

“Well, I’m doing my best for them, but anyone can tell that isn’t good enough.” He waved away her protests. “Now, that’s just the plain truth and you know it. The fact is that they need a mother.” She stared at him, wondering where this conversation was going before he spoke again. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to marry me—for the children’s sake.”

NOELLE MARCHAND is a native Houstonian living out her childhood dream of being a writer. She graduated summa cum laude from Houston Baptist University in 2012, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and speech communications. She loves exploring new books and new cities. When she’s not scribbling out her latest manuscript, you may find her pursuing one of her other passions—music, dance, history and classic movies.

The Texan’s Inherited Family

Noelle Marchand

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Instead of shame and dishonor,

you will enjoy a double share of honor.

You will possess a double portion of prosperity

in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

—Isaiah 61:7

This story is dedicated to my faithful friend Elizabeth Tisdale. Thank you for always listening, appreciating my love for Disney movies and encouraging me to have fun. Here’s to all of the adventures we’ve had and all that are sure to come.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Father in the Making Busy Texas farmer Quinn Tucker is used to raising crops, not children. So when four nieces and nephews are left in his care, it’s not long before he realizes they need a mother. But his search for a wife leads to the least likely woman for illiterate Quinn—schoolmarm Helen McKenna. City girl Helen has been told she’ll never have children—and, it seems, a husband. So she jumps at the chance to be a mother to Quinn’s little family. Though he is far from her image of an ideal husband, maybe a marriage in name will blossom into something more… Bachelor List Matches: A hand-picked bride for every bachelor in small-town Texas

Introduction “Don’t you want to teach?” The vague feeling of discontent she’d been ignoring welled up inside her. “I certainly enjoy it. However, to be honest, it isn’t really what I want to do.” He frowned. “Then what do you want to do?” I want to have a family with a husband and children of my own. She sighed and leaned back against the stair railing. “Helen?” Quinn’s use of her Christian name for the first time drew her full attention. “I need to talk to you. I know this probably isn’t the right time, but I can’t hold it in.” “This sounds serious. Go ahead and tell me.” “My eldest nephew and niece are always going on about you and I’ve noticed that you seem to care a whole lot about them, too. That’s true, isn’t it?” “It certainly is.” “Well, I’m doing my best for them, but anyone can tell that isn’t good enough.” He waved away her protests. “Now, that’s just the plain truth and you know it. The fact is that they need a mother.” She stared at him, wondering where this conversation was going before he spoke again. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to marry me—for the children’s sake.”

About the Author NOELLE MARCHAND is a native Houstonian living out her childhood dream of being a writer. She graduated summa cum laude from Houston Baptist University in 2012, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and speech communications. She loves exploring new books and new cities. When she’s not scribbling out her latest manuscript, you may find her pursuing one of her other passions—music, dance, history and classic movies.

Title Page The Texan’s Inherited Family Noelle Marchand www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. —Isaiah 61:7

Dedication This story is dedicated to my faithful friend Elizabeth Tisdale. Thank you for always listening, appreciating my love for Disney movies and encouraging me to have fun. Here’s to all of the adventures we’ve had and all that are sure to come.

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

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

October 1888 Peppin, Texas

Quinn Tucker was not a smart man.

If he was, he would have realized he needed to get married as soon he’d found out he was going to be a foster father to a group of orphans. Three whole weeks had passed since then. Three weeks in which he’d struggled to be both father and mother to four children he hadn’t even known existed until they’d been dropped on his doorstep by a stranger named Jeffery Richardson. The man had said the children had belonged to his brother, Wade, who along with Quinn’s father, had gone off to seek a fortune for their poverty-stricken family. Quinn had been eight years old at the time, so he’d been left behind to be raised by and eventually take care of his ailing grandmother. Nana had died when he was fourteen. Quinn had been on his own. Until now...

Now, he was afraid to be on his own long enough to visit the outhouse for fear that one of the children would get hurt or wander off in his absence. Not that he regretted taking in his own kin. He didn’t. Each of them had become real special to him during the short time that they’d lived with him. It was just that their entrance into his life had changed everything faster than he’d imagined possible.