Laura Abbot - The Gift of a Child

A Family All Her Own

At twenty-seven, Rose Kellogg knows it’s unlikely that she’ll ever marry. Her dreams of motherhood seem hopeless. Until she rescues Alf, a young boy abandoned in her father’s barn in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. In Alf, Rose finally has hope again, and she’s not alone….

Cattle rancher Seth Montgomery always felt awkward around people, but that’s not the case with Rose and Alf. Seth instantly bonds with the shy boy and is eager to help Rose make her dream of a family come true. But when their future with Alf is threatened, will Seth and Rose find the courage to embrace the love they’ve found in each other?

Alf glowed with pleasure. “Now you dance.” He took Seth’s large hand and placed it in Rose’s.

When she slipped her hand into his, Seth straightened and hesitantly began guiding her in wide circles.

“See? I told you. You’re dancing.” Alf was jittery with excitement.

“We’ve made at least one person happy,” Rose commented, nodding toward the boy.

Seth didn’t immediately answer. Then, squeezing her hand gently and drawing her a bit closer, he said, “Maybe two, or dare I hope, three?”

Her heart fluttered out of all proportion to the words he’d spoken, words she wasn’t sure how to interpret. Caught up in the spell of the moment, she couldn’t think how to answer him.

Just as the music ceased, she heard him mumble, “Well, two anyway.”

As she moved toward a vacant seat, the next dance began.

“Quite a lad,” Seth said, sitting down beside her.

“He adores you, Seth.” As do I.

LAURA ABBOT

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Laura Abbot was deeply influenced by her favorite literary character, Jo from Little Women. If only, Laura thought, I could write stories, too. Many years later, after a twenty-five-year career as a high school English teacher and independent school administrator, Laura’s ambition was unexpectedly realized. When she and her husband took early retirement and built their dream home on Beaver Lake outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he bought her a new computer and uttered these life-changing words: “You always said you wanted to write. Now sit down and do it!” Happily, she sold her first attempt to Mills & Boon Superromance, a success followed by fourteen more sales to the same line.

Other professional credentials include serving as an educational consultant and speaker. Active in her church, Laura is a licensed lay preacher. Her greatest pride, however, is her children—all productive, caring adults and parents—who have given her eleven remarkable, resilient (but who’s prejudiced?) grandchildren, including at least three who show talent in writing and may pursue it as a career. Jo March, look what you started! Laura enjoys corresponding with readers. Please write her at LauraAbbot@msn.com, referencing the book title in the subject line.

The Gift of a Child

Laura Abbot

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

—Matthew 18:5

My beloved brother Chuck took the time to read an early manuscript of this story aloud to his dear mother-in-law, Olene Roberts, now legally blind. This book is dedicated with love to them both for their encouragement and welcome suggestions.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Family All Her Own At twenty-seven, Rose Kellogg knows it’s unlikely that she’ll ever marry. Her dreams of motherhood seem hopeless. Until she rescues Alf, a young boy abandoned in her father’s barn in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. In Alf, Rose finally has hope again, and she’s not alone…. Cattle rancher Seth Montgomery always felt awkward around people, but that’s not the case with Rose and Alf. Seth instantly bonds with the shy boy and is eager to help Rose make her dream of a family come true. But when their future with Alf is threatened, will Seth and Rose find the courage to embrace the love they’ve found in each other?

Introduction Alf glowed with pleasure. “Now you dance.” He took Seth’s large hand and placed it in Rose’s. When she slipped her hand into his, Seth straightened and hesitantly began guiding her in wide circles. “See? I told you. You’re dancing.” Alf was jittery with excitement. “We’ve made at least one person happy,” Rose commented, nodding toward the boy. Seth didn’t immediately answer. Then, squeezing her hand gently and drawing her a bit closer, he said, “Maybe two, or dare I hope, three?” Her heart fluttered out of all proportion to the words he’d spoken, words she wasn’t sure how to interpret. Caught up in the spell of the moment, she couldn’t think how to answer him. Just as the music ceased, she heard him mumble, “Well, two anyway.” As she moved toward a vacant seat, the next dance began. “Quite a lad,” Seth said, sitting down beside her. “He adores you, Seth.” As do I.

About the Author LAURA ABBOT Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Laura Abbot was deeply influenced by her favorite literary character, Jo from Little Women. If only, Laura thought, I could write stories, too. Many years later, after a twenty-five-year career as a high school English teacher and independent school administrator, Laura’s ambition was unexpectedly realized. When she and her husband took early retirement and built their dream home on Beaver Lake outside Eureka Springs, Arkansas, he bought her a new computer and uttered these life-changing words: “You always said you wanted to write. Now sit down and do it!” Happily, she sold her first attempt to Mills & Boon Superromance, a success followed by fourteen more sales to the same line. Other professional credentials include serving as an educational consultant and speaker. Active in her church, Laura is a licensed lay preacher. Her greatest pride, however, is her children—all productive, caring adults and parents—who have given her eleven remarkable, resilient (but who’s prejudiced?) grandchildren, including at least three who show talent in writing and may pursue it as a career. Jo March, look what you started! Laura enjoys corresponding with readers. Please write her at LauraAbbot@msn.com, referencing the book title in the subject line.

Title Page The Gift of a Child Laura Abbot www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. —Matthew 18:5

Dedication My beloved brother Chuck took the time to read an early manuscript of this story aloud to his dear mother-in-law, Olene Roberts, now legally blind. This book is dedicated with love to them both for their encouragement and welcome suggestions.

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

Epilogue

Author Note

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One