Jill Lynn - The Rancher's Unexpected Baby

From bachelor to daddy...overnight!

A Colorado Grooms. novel

After his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend’s sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon Gage finds himself bonding with his new son...and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him, too?

JILL LYNNis a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and won the ACFW Genesis Contest 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.

Also By Jill Lynn

Colorado Grooms

The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter

The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby

Falling for Texas

Her Texas Family

Her Texas Cowboy

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

The Rancher’s Unexpected Baby

Jill Lynn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09477-1

THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED BABY

© 2019 Jill Buteyn

Published in Great Britain 2019

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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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“I was trying not to wake you.”

Emma glanced over her shoulder. “Figured you could use the sleep.”

Gage joined her in the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “I didn’t even hear him until just now. Sorry.”

“You were out cold.” Emma finished shaking the bottle, then cradled the baby. “Go to bed, Gage. I’ve got him. You’re exhausted. Let me do this.”

His eyes pricked with a strange sensation. The woman was selfless. Emma watched out for him in a way that he wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced before outside his family. She made him want…a future. A wife. A family.

Her.

All things that he wasn’t sure he had enough faith to try again.

Frustration bubbled up. Why had Emma come into his life now? When it was too late?

Which was why he had to stop thinking of her as he’d begun to: his saving grace, his new beginning. Because she was none of those things for him. Not if he truly cared about her. Not if he wanted her to have the future she deserved.

Dear Reader,

I recently had to make a decision I was incredibly torn about, and I prayed earnestly that I would know what to do. I didn’t receive a big sign like Gage, though I have had those appear in my life. This time God’s answer was quiet. Hard to hear. Once I believed I understood His directive, I obeyed, even though it wasn’t the answer I wanted. After, I felt overwhelming peace. And in the time since, that peace has remained whenever that particular situation comes to mind.

Regrettably, I don’t always listen to God’s leading. I try to do things my own way, or I fight the path He’s directing me down. But the good news is, God never gives up on any of us. He loves us every step of the journey, whether we’re stumbling to follow His plan or running a straight line in the right direction. He’s consistent even when we’re not, and I’m so thankful for that.

I’m also thankful for your support as readers. Your encouragement means the world. Thanks for celebrating book news with me and participating in the development of these stories. Hudson and Ford both earned their names from your suggestions.

I love to connect with readers. Sign up for book news and giveaways at www.Jill-Lynn.com/newsor find me on social media: www.facebook.com/JillLynnAuthor& www.Instagram.com/JillLynnAuthor.

Jill Lynn

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

—John 13:34

For my dad—I’m so thankful for your wisdom, your sense of humor and that you taught us about Jesus. So many lives have been touched because of your gift of sharing the gospel.

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

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

I ’m not a stalker, Emma Wilder assured herself while attempting to peer inconspicuously out the front windows of Len’s grocery store. Gage Frasier’s Jeep Grand Cherokee was parked in the first spot, so it would be almost impossible for her not to notice him as he sat behind his steering wheel. His face was as haggard as a mom waiting at her child’s hospital bedside.

Something—or someone—had upset her brother’s friend.

The hand pressing the phone to his ear stayed put while the other clutched the steering wheel in a death grip. Squeeze. Release. Squeeze—

“Need anything else, dear?” The clerk, Dolores, held out Emma’s two bags.