Myra Johnson - The Rancher's Redemption

The cowboy wants solitude...

until she makes him an offer he can’t refuse

Including his property in the local historical society’s grand tour could have huge benefits for Kent Ritter, but he has no clue how to decorate it. So he strikes a deal with town newcomer Erin Dearborn: she’ll give him decorating advice if he’ll make repairs to her home. It’s a fair bargain...but love was never meant to enter the mix.

Award-winning author MYRA JOHNSON writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life and faith. She is a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart® Award. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two married daughters and seven grandchildren. Although Myra is a native Texan, she and her husband now reside in North Carolina, sharing their home with two pampered rescue dogs.

Also by Myra Johnson

Rancher for the Holidays

Her Hill Country Cowboy

Hill Country Reunion

The Rancher’s Redemption

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

The Rancher’s Redemption

Myra Johnson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09630-0

THE RANCHER’S REDEMPTION

© 2019 Myra Johnson

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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All he wanted was to take his girls for a ride and picnic.

His girls. When had he begun thinking of Erin and her daughter that way?

One look at Erin when she stepped outside and he was a goner. “You look great.”

“Thanks, cowboy.” Grinning, she eyed him up and down. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” She called for her daughter. “Mr. Ritter’s here, honey. Let’s go.”

“Would you have a problem if she just called me Kent?”

“I guess not. But I’ve taught her to respect her elders.”

“Elders?” Kent winced. “Maybe I should have brought my cane.”

Erin’s laughter sparkled like summer sunshine.

She explained to her daughter that since Kent was now a good friend, she could use his first name.

The little girl grinned. “Does that mean that you’ll be calling him ‘honey’ and ‘sweetie’ like my friend’s mom does her dad?”

Kent stifled a gasp as he slid a glance at Erin. They were names he’d never expected a woman to call him. So why didn’t they suddenly seem so bad?

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed this visit to the Texas Hill Country for Erin and Kent’s love story. Writing about two characters dealing with painful pasts, I remember so well when I came upon this verse from Isaiah: when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee...

In this life, there will always be difficulties, yet God never abandons us. Even in the darkest times when God may feel so far away, we can trust Him to see us through to the other side.

If you or someone you know is living in an abusive situation, be assured that enduring in silence is not God’s will. God desires that everyone should come to saving faith in Him, so holding the abuser accountable—always from a place of safety and involving the authorities when necessary—is an act of grace. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/, offers resources and advice.

Thank you for being one of my faithful readers. You complete the journey from idea to fully realized story. I’d love to hear from you, so please contact me through my website, www.myrajohnson.com, or write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, Harlequin Enterprises, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

With blessings and gratitude,

Myra

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

—Isaiah 43:2

For my brother Ralph, who settled in the Texas Hill Country more than sixty years ago to pursue his ranching dreams. This city-girl author will always treasure childhood memories of horseback rides and other Hill Country adventures during our fun family visits.

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

A sunny azure sky overhead, contented cattle grazing beside a tree-shaded pond, field upon field of bluebonnets stretching toward the horizon—in all his thirty-six years, Kent Ritter had yet to see anything prettier than an April day in the Texas Hill Country.

Until he rode out to round up a couple of strays and came upon a waiflike stranger sitting cross-legged beneath an oak tree.

His oak tree. On his land.

Facing the opposite direction, the girl didn’t seem aware of Kent’s approach. An assortment of grasses and twigs lay beside her on a multicolored quilt. She bent low over something in her lap, chin-length auburn curls falling toward her face and her fingers flying.