Brenda Minton - The Rancher Takes a Bride

His Secret Daughter

Duke Martin is a father! The former army medic is stunned when old love Oregon Jeffries tells him the news. Given his troubled past, the hardworking rancher and diner owner understands why Oregon kept his daughter a secret for twelve years. But now Duke desperately wants to make up for lost time. As he sets out to be a true father to Lilly, he soon realizes his feelings for Oregon are growing stronger. When Oregon’s health falters, he’s ready to care for her and prove that he’s worthy of her love. Could this be Duke’s second chance with the woman he never should have let get away?

“We’ll get through this,” Duke said.

Oregon glanced at him. “I know we will.”

She watched him stack boxes along the back of the truck. He turned, keeping his head ducked because the truck didn’t allow for his height. “You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m trying,” she assured him.

He jumped down, landing next to her. He touched her cheek with a large, calloused hand, gently forcing her to look at him. That meant looking into blue eyes that were as clear as a summer sky. She could lose herself in his eyes, in the promises she saw in them. His mouth curved in an easy smile as he leaned a little toward her.

“You need to start believing.” He spoke softly. “Because I won’t let us fail as a family.”

Family. But they weren’t one, she thought to tell him, but she couldn’t form the words.

For a moment she was lost because she’d honestly thought he meant to kiss her when he leaned close. And she couldn’t let that happen.

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 Mills & Boon 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

Takes a Bride

Brenda Minton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

—Ephesians 1:18

In memory of my father-in-law, Jacob Minton. Real men read romance, and he read every book.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text His Secret Daughter Duke Martin is a father! The former army medic is stunned when old love Oregon Jeffries tells him the news. Given his troubled past, the hardworking rancher and diner owner understands why Oregon kept his daughter a secret for twelve years. But now Duke desperately wants to make up for lost time. As he sets out to be a true father to Lilly, he soon realizes his feelings for Oregon are growing stronger. When Oregon’s health falters, he’s ready to care for her and prove that he’s worthy of her love. Could this be Duke’s second chance with the woman he never should have let get away?

Introduction “We’ll get through this,” Duke said. Oregon glanced at him. “I know we will.” She watched him stack boxes along the back of the truck. He turned, keeping his head ducked because the truck didn’t allow for his height. “You don’t sound convinced.” “I’m trying,” she assured him. He jumped down, landing next to her. He touched her cheek with a large, calloused hand, gently forcing her to look at him. That meant looking into blue eyes that were as clear as a summer sky. She could lose herself in his eyes, in the promises she saw in them. His mouth curved in an easy smile as he leaned a little toward her. “You need to start believing.” He spoke softly. “Because I won’t let us fail as a family.” Family. But they weren’t one, she thought to tell him, but she couldn’t form the words. For a moment she was lost because she’d honestly thought he meant to kiss her when he leaned close. And she couldn’t let that happen.

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 Mills & Boon 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 Takes a Bride Brenda Minton www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. —Ephesians 1:18

Dedication In memory of my father-in-law, Jacob Minton. Real men read romance, and he read every book.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Spring in Martin’s Crossing, Texas, meant one thing to Oregon Jeffries. It meant another year of working up the courage to do the right thing. As she pushed petunias into the soil of the planter outside her shop, Oregon’s All Things, she thought about taking that step to make things right.

“Mom, you’re going to kill it pushing it in like that.” Her daughter, Lilly, appeared next to her, peering in at the plant.

She had a point. The petunia looked a little droopy from the handling it had received. One stem even appeared to be broken. Oregon pushed hair back from her face and patted the soil more gently.

“You’re right. I should be more careful.”

“Do you want me to finish them later?” Lilly, at twelve, was willing to do almost anything to help. Except maybe laundry.

“No, I’ll do them. Don’t you have a job to get to?”

Lilly glanced across the street, her blue eyes focusing on Duke’s No Bar and Grill. It was a long, low building with wood siding and a covered front deck running the length of the restaurant.

“Yeah, Duke said I could sweep up and water flowers. But I know you don’t like me working for him.”

“I didn’t say...” Well, maybe she had said something about wishing her daughter would find other jobs. But Lilly wanted a horse, and they’d made a deal that she had to work and earn the money to pay for the horse and the upkeep. As a single mom, Oregon couldn’t handle the expense of a horse. Plus, she thought her daughter would appreciate it more if she helped pay for the animal.

The townspeople in Martin’s Crossing had pitched in and given Lilly odd jobs. Each time she got paid, Lilly put most of the money in the jar she kept hidden in her room. And she put a portion in the offering at church.