Angel Moore - Husband By Arrangement

Suddenly a Family

After Rena Livingston’s secret fiancé leaves her pregnant and unwed, her mayor father insists upon a marriage of convenience to Sheriff Scott Braden. Though his motivations are as much about protecting his political career as her reputation, Rena is grateful the standoffish sheriff agrees to the arrangement. At least her child will grow up without the burden of her shame...

Scott believed his one chance at love fled with his ex-fiancée, but caring for Rena and her unborn baby exposes a vulnerability he vowed he’d never allow again. When the upcoming election stirs nasty gossip, though, Scott must choose between his commitment to the town and his growing love for Rena and the baby.

ANGEL MOORE fell in love with romance in elementary school when she read the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Who doesn’t want to escape to a happily-ever-after world? Married to her best friend, she has two wonderful sons, a lovely daughter-in-law and three grandkids. She loves sharing her faith and the hope she knows is real because of God’s goodness to her. Find her at www.angelmoorebooks.com.

Also By Angel Moore

Conveniently Wed

The Marriage Bargain

The Rightful Heir

Husband by Arrangement

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Husband by Arrangement

Angel Moore

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08254-9

HUSBAND BY ARRANGEMENT

© 2018 Angelissa J. Moore

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.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

“Do you like it?” Scott asked.

In an instant, Rena was on her knees beside the cradle, running her hand along the curves of the wood. “Like it? It’s perfect.”

He laughed. “It’s hardly perfect. It’s not even finished. Be careful not to get a splinter.” He pulled her hand away from the rough wood.

She looked up at him. “Will you put it in my room when you finish?” The hope in her eyes was all the thanks he could ever want for his labor.

“Of course.” He realized he still held her hand. “The hard part is over. Only the fine work is left to do.”

The cradle gave tangible evidence of the impending arrival of the baby...another man’s baby. Scott had built his home with every intention of marrying and raising a family to carry his name and tend his land for centuries to come. Louise’s betrayal had killed that dream.

Tonight, he would bury it in the sawdust at his feet, while he sanded off the rough edges of a cradle he’d built for the child of another man.

Dear Reader,

Sometimes forgiving yourself is the hardest thing to do.

Thank you for reading Husband by Arrangement. I hope you enjoyed this story of restoration to a relationship with God. Abandoning her faith made Rena vulnerable and brought pain to her and those she loved. The faith and patience of a loving man make this story a favorite of mine.

Rena accepts responsibility for her actions. She even accepts God’s forgiveness but struggles to forgive herself.

Facing the consequences of our actions on a daily basis can lead to guilt. God wants us to be repentant. Then He forgives, and He wants us to forgive ourselves.

I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me through my website at angelmoorebooks.com. You’ll find the latest news and links to connect with me on social media.

May God bless and help you to forgive yourself and others.

Angel Moore

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

—Romans 8:1

To my editor, Dina Davis.

Thank you for helping me remember to write with joy.

To my readers, for inspiring me to keep writing.

And to God, my source and strength.

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

Chapter One

Gran Colina, Texas

December 1881

Rena Livingston hung her head. She couldn’t look at Sheriff Scott Braden. Not while her father was asking him to marry her and give her unborn child a name.

“I’d be beholden to you for the rest of my days if you do this for my Rena.” Her father’s voice wasn’t boisterous or bold like when he gave speeches as the mayor of Gran Colina. It was heavy with sorrow. And it was her fault.

“Oscar, you know I’d do anything in the world for you. I owe you my life, but this is too much.” Rena could feel the sheriff’s eyes on her now. She saw his hand as he swept it in her direction. “Why, Rena doesn’t even like me.”

She cringed. Scott Braden had become one of her father’s closest friends right after he’d moved to Gran Colina two years ago. She’d never forget the day they’d met. Bank robbers had burst into the Gran Colina Bank and Trust. Scott had shoved her under a desk to keep her out of harm’s way. Only she hadn’t realized what was happening. Her outburst at his actions had distracted him and nearly cost Scott his life. When he’d tried to quieten her, one of the robbers had put a pistol to his head. The man would have pulled the trigger if her father hadn’t knocked the gun away. Scott and her father had subdued the robbers in the struggle that followed. The events of that day got Scott the job as sheriff and sealed the friendship between the two men.