Brenda Minton: The Rancher's Texas Match

A Rancher’s Mission

As a volunteer at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, Tanner Barstow helps the troubled young residents turn their lives around. When a local rancher dies and leaves his large property to the boys ranch, Tanner finds himself spending a lot of time with Macy Swanson, whose orphaned nephew, Colby, lives at the ranch. Tanner’s attracted to the newcomer, but she doesn’t fit his plans. Macy longs to have Colby come home with her, but the former city girl worries she won’t be the mother he deserves. Can Tanner help her see that the future she and Colby need is right here—with him?

Tears were streaming down Macy’s cheeks.

She wasn’t his problem, Tanner reminded himself. But for the life of him, he couldn’t walk away from her.

“I want to fix this all for Colby and I can’t,” she said. “He’s only seven. I have to find a way to help him get past his grief and his anger.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m mad because I don’t know what to do for Colby.” Her eyes closed and she shook her head.

“Macy?” he asked gently. He needed to let her continue, to talk it out.

“There are days I wonder if Colby would be better off with someone else, with anyone but me. But I’m his family. We have each other.”

“Yes,” he said, “and in the end, that matters.”

“But what if I’m not a mom? What if I can’t do this?” She looked young standing there next to him, her green eyes troubled.

He had to say just the right thing.

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

The Rancher’s Texas Match by Brenda Minton,

October 2016

The Ranger’s Texas Proposal by Jessica Keller,

November 2016

The Nanny’s Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain,

December 2016

The Cowboy’s Texas Family by Margaret Daley,

January 2017

The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner,

February 2017

The Rancher’s Texas Twins by Allie Pleiter,

March 2017

BRENDA MINTON lives in the Ozarks with her husband, children, cats, dogs and strays. She is a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, coffee addict and sleep deprived. Not in that order. Her dream to be an author for Harlequin started somewhere in the pages of a romance novel about a young American woman stranded in a Spanish castle. Her dreams came true, and twenty-plus books later, she is an author hoping to inspire young girls to dream.

The Rancher’s Texas Match

Brenda Minton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to allow the world to corrupt you.

—James 1:27

Dedicated to the workers who tirelessly serve, helping children and families in need.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Brenda Minton for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Rancher’s Mission As a volunteer at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, Tanner Barstow helps the troubled young residents turn their lives around. When a local rancher dies and leaves his large property to the boys ranch, Tanner finds himself spending a lot of time with Macy Swanson, whose orphaned nephew, Colby, lives at the ranch. Tanner’s attracted to the newcomer, but she doesn’t fit his plans. Macy longs to have Colby come home with her, but the former city girl worries she won’t be the mother he deserves. Can Tanner help her see that the future she and Colby need is right here—with him?

Introduction Tears were streaming down Macy’s cheeks. She wasn’t his problem, Tanner reminded himself. But for the life of him, he couldn’t walk away from her. “I want to fix this all for Colby and I can’t,” she said. “He’s only seven. I have to find a way to help him get past his grief and his anger.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m mad because I don’t know what to do for Colby.” Her eyes closed and she shook her head. “Macy?” he asked gently. He needed to let her continue, to talk it out. “There are days I wonder if Colby would be better off with someone else, with anyone but me. But I’m his family. We have each other.” “Yes,” he said, “and in the end, that matters.” “But what if I’m not a mom? What if I can’t do this?” She looked young standing there next to him, her green eyes troubled. He had to say just the right thing. * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas The Rancher’s Texas Match by Brenda Minton, October 2016 The Ranger’s Texas Proposal by Jessica Keller, November 2016 The Nanny’s Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain, December 2016 The Cowboy’s Texas Family by Margaret Daley, January 2017 The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner, February 2017 The Rancher’s Texas Twins by Allie Pleiter, March 2017

About the Author BRENDA MINTON lives in the Ozarks with her husband, children, cats, dogs and strays. She is a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, coffee addict and sleep deprived. Not in that order. Her dream to be an author for Harlequin started somewhere in the pages of a romance novel about a young American woman stranded in a Spanish castle. Her dreams came true, and twenty-plus books later, she is an author hoping to inspire young girls to dream.

Title Page The Rancher’s Texas Match Brenda Minton www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to allow the world to corrupt you. —James 1:27

Dedication Dedicated to the workers who tirelessly serve, helping children and families in need.

Acknowledgments Special thanks and acknowledgment to Brenda Minton for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch miniseries.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

The Silver Star ranch was one of the prettiest, most peaceful places Macy Swanson had ever experienced, from the stately oaks that lined the fenced drive, to the white-sided, two-story home. Behind the home was a red barn. In the background were the three cabins that made up the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch.

The Silver Star, on first glance, looked as if it might be a family ranch. On second glance, a person noticed the boys. From ages six to seventeen they were the reason the ranch existed in its current state and the reason she had come there. Because one of those boys was hers. Her nephew, Colby.