Arlene James - The Rancher's Answered Prayer

A single mom. A bachelor cowboy...

and an inheritance forcing them to share Three Brothers Ranch

According to the will, single mom Tina Kemp’s stepfather left her his house, but his nephew, Wyatt Smith, inherited the ranch—including the land the house stands upon. With neither willing to give up their legacy, they must find a way to make it work. Can these adversaries possibly share a home...without falling for each other?

ARLENE JAMEShas been publishing steadily for nearly four decades and is a charter member of RWA. She is married to an acclaimed artist, and together they have traveled extensively. After growing up in Oklahoma, Arlene lived thirty-four years in Texas and now abides in beautiful northwest Arkansas, near two of the world’s three loveliest, smartest, most talented granddaughters. She is heavily involved in her family, church and community.

Also By Arlene James

Three Brothers Ranch

The Rancher’s Answered Prayer

The Prodigal Ranch

The Rancher’s Homecoming

Her Single Dad Hero

Her Cowboy Boss

Chatam House

Anna Meets Her Match

A Match Made in Texas

Baby Makes a Match

An Unlikely Match

Second Chance Match

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

The Rancher’s Answered Prayer

Arlene James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08620-2

THE RANCHER’S ANSWERED PRAYER

© 2018 Deborah Rather

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 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.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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“Don’t you ever want to marry again?”

Tina shook her head. “How could I be sure it wouldn’t turn out like the first time?”

“You have to trust yourself,” Wyatt said. “You have to believe you won’t make the same mistake twice.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you think I haven’t prayed about this? For so long I believed that no self-respecting man would want me.”

“How could you possibly believe that no man would want you?”

She lifted her shoulders, muttering, “My mother was very beautiful.”

“So are you.”

She stared at him skeptically. Suddenly, everything changed. His gaze seemed targeted on her face, and her own heartbeat stuttered to a stop.

Oh, how she wished he was not so disturbingly attractive. That coupled with his kindness and his strength made him very nearly irresistible. But she didn’t need that.

She didn’t.

She didn’t need a man in her life. Not even a man like Wyatt Smith.

Dear Reader,

Most of us have had to start over at some point in our lives. This world often throws us curves and catches us unaware. Nothing, however, catches God unaware. Even when our own poor choices cause us to start over, He is ready with a plan. We can rest assured that He never allows anything into the lives of His children that will not serve the best interests of all involved. Of course, we must exercise our free will and get with the program.

That’s what Tina and Wyatt find themselves doing, struggling to get with the program. It’s clear they each must start over in life and where that new start should begin. Just how intertwined their new lives should be, though, is a mystery—until they get their individual suppositions and baggage out of the way. Isn’t that always the struggle?

May your struggles be brief and your trust in Him absolute.

God bless,

Arlene James

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

—Jeremiah 29:11

For Kay Hensley Strickland, who has never lost her sweetness and knows the true meanings of family and friendship.

DAR

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

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

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

“Maybe Uncle Dodd didn’t specifically mention the house in the will because he considered it unlivable.”

Wyatt Smith glanced at his brother Jacob and back to the old house in front of them. Jake had only said out loud what everyone else was thinking. Barely a speck of white paint clung to the old two-story ranch house. Its once green scalloped shingles had faded to a military gray. The front door hung slightly askew, broken glass and all, and the porch showed gaping holes where floorboards ought to be. Obviously, Uncle Dodd hadn’t spent any money on upkeep in his final years, so why had he sold off all the cattle, and what had he done with the proceeds?

“We’ll make do,” Wyatt stated flatly, ignoring the anxious hammering of his heart.

He and his brothers could camp out, if necessary, until they got Loco Man Ranch whipped into shape, but Frankie, Jake’s three-year-old son and Wyatt’s nephew, needed a safe, comfortable place to live. There had to be three or four habitable rooms in this big old house. Besides, it was too late to change their minds now.