Jill Kemerer: The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride

Coming Home for Christmas

Wedding planner Lexi Harrington needs a manager for her inherited Wyoming ranch. Clint Romine is the perfect man for the job, but the ruggedly handsome cowboy soon presents a new dilemma—distraction. Lexi can’t fall for a small-town rancher when she’s planning to return to her big-city career after the holidays. Home has always been elusive for former foster kid Clint. Working alongside Lexi at Rock Step Ranch feels too cozy—and too risky. Opening up to her means revealing a secret about his past that could jeopardize everything he holds dear. This Christmas, can Clint learn to trust Lexi with the truth...and with his heart?

“I saved the best for last.” Lexi held out a straw cowboy hat. “It’s the tree topper.”

Clint laughed. “I might not know much about decorating, but isn’t it supposed to be a star?”

“Not on a cowboy Christmas tree. The hat is the finishing touch.”

Clint smiled and sidled up next to her, gently taking the ornament from her hand and placing it at the top of the tree.

They stepped back to survey their work. With the colored lights, cowboy ornaments and red bandanas tied here and there, it represented him and all he stood for. Something shifted inside him. Softened his heart.

It was his first Christmas tree, and it suited him perfectly. And it was all because of Lexi.

She turned to him, holding up her hand. “Nice work.”

He high-fived her, wanting to express how much this day meant to him, but not knowing how.

“Come on. Pumpkin pie is waiting for us.”

Pumpkin pie, Christmas decorating, laughter and music? He’d better not get used to this; it would be gone all too soon.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed the first book in the Wyoming Cowboys series. I had so much fun researching ranches and Wyoming that I wish I could visit the fictional town of Sweet Dreams. Clint and Lexi are dear to me. Clint had been neglected and abused throughout his life, and it was no wonder he held himself to impossible standards. Raised in a home rich in love, Lexi found herself vulnerable and questioning her future at the prospect of being all alone in life. I loved watching these two bring out the best in each other even as they fought their insecurities and learned to trust God with their future.

Clint’s best friends and foster brothers, Nash, Marshall and Wade, will be thrust on their own romantic journeys in the rest of the series. But love and trust doesn’t come easily for any of them. This Christmas, I pray that your past hurts are healed and that you spend time capturing the glorious reason for the season. You can be certain you have a Father who loves you, a Savior who lived, died and rose for you, and a Spirit who guides you. This love can’t be earned. It’s freely given. To you. To me. Merry Christmas!

Blessings to you,

Jill Kemerer

JILL KEMERER writes novels with love, humor and faith. Besides spoiling her mini dachshund and keeping up with her busy kids, Jill reads stacks of books, lives for her morning coffee and gushes over fluffy animals. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, or contact her at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride

Jill Kemerer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

—Philippians 2:3–4

For Rachel Kent. This book wouldn’t be here without you. I’m thankful for you every day.

For Pen to Paper, the first writing group I ever joined. Jan and Patricia, your gentleness and knowledge were instrumental to my growth. Thank you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

He hadn’t ranched in four years, but the tug of cowboy life always beckoned.

Clint Romine slowed his truck to study the magnificent property splayed before him. Well-maintained fences lined the perimeter and divided areas for rotating stock. Acres of grazing land, fields for hay production, barns, cabins, outbuildings, paddocks—all appeared neat and orderly and only a ten-minute drive from Sweet Dreams, Wyoming. Rock Step Ranch was everything a cattle ranch should be. And more. If Clint’s interview went well, he’d be in charge of this entire outfit.

Unease slithered down his neck. Was he fit to manage it?

His mistake haunted him. A slip in his judgment. The death of a dream. But owning a ranch wasn’t the same as being hired to manage one. Four years ago, he’d had everything to lose. And now? There was nothing left for him to lose. He’d already lost it all.

Clint drove into a gravel lot near the barn and paddocks, cut the engine, and stepped out. Mountains stood proudly in the distance, and the wind held the bite of early November. Cowboys shouted from the cutting pen. Looked like they were weaning calves. He longed to slap on his chaps and join them.

After watching for a few minutes, he checked the time and forced himself to stride toward the main house. A two-story log home with a covered porch, a pair of rocking chairs and a faded mat greeted him. Before he knocked, he paused to pray.

Lord, I’ve made mistakes. I don’t deserve my own land. But if You’ll give me the opportunity to manage this operation, I’ll try not to let You or the ranch down.

Clint stretched himself to his full height and rapped twice on the door. It opened almost immediately, and he stared into light brown eyes the color of the pronghorns he often saw bounding across the land.

Alexandra Harrington had grown into a beautiful woman.

He wasn’t in her league—had never been in her league. When he’d found out she was the one hiring, he’d been concerned about working for his former classmate. Attraction complicated the employer/employee relationship. When he’d worked on LFR Ranch, a cowboy had been fired for flirting with the owner’s daughter. But now that he’d seen Alexandra, his fears disappeared. A smart, successful, stunning woman like her was out of reach for a working guy like him. Not that he needed to worry about it. Rumor had it you had to spend time with a woman, get to know her, to have a shot at dating her. He had no intention of spending time with her, let alone dating her.

“Thanks for coming, Clint.” She ushered him inside, and once he’d taken off his outerwear, he followed her down a hallway to a large living room with views of the river. The hardwood floors were in bad shape. Scratched. Faded. Three rocks were missing from the stone fireplace climbing the wall to the ceiling. From somewhere nearby, the drip, drip of a faucet fought to override the sound of a ripped screen flapping against a window. Even the air had the stale tang of neglect.