Lois Richer - Rocky Mountain Daddy

A secret son makes him a daddy...

In this Rocky Mountain Havennovel

Running a horse-riding program for foster youths, Gabe Webber is used to children—but fathering the six-year-old son he just met is completely different. Gabe needs a woman’s help...but not a wife. Temporarily home at her foster family’s retreat, Olivia DeWitt is afraid of motherhood, but this father and son touch her heart. Will they show her there’s nothing more precious than family?

LOIS RICHER loves traveling, swimming and quilting, but mostly she loves writing stories that show God’s boundless love for His precious children. As she says, “His love never changes or gives up. It’s always waiting for me. My stories feature imperfect characters learning that love doesn’t mean attaining perfection. Love is about keeping on keeping on.” You can contact Lois via email, loisricher@gmail.com, or on Facebook ( loisricherauthor).

Also By Lois Richer

Love Inspired

Rocky Mountain Haven

Meant-to-Be Baby

Mistletoe Twins

Rocky Mountain Daddy

Wranglers Ranch

The Rancher’s Family Wish

Her Christmas Family Wish

The Cowboy’s Easter Family Wish

The Twins’ Family Wish

Family Ties

A Dad for Her Twins

Rancher Daddy

Gift-Wrapped Family

Accidental Dad

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Rocky Mountain Daddy

Lois Richer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09623-2

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DADDY

© 2019 Lois M. Richer

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.

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

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“I think this house is perfect for both of you,” Olivia said. “You can build a deck in front and enjoy your meals with friends.”

“Would you come if we invited you, Olivia?”

“Of course.” The way he was watching her sent a tiny thrill up her spine, but it also triggered wariness. She didn’t belong here, yet his words created an irresistible picture.

“And I could put up Christmas decorations outside.”

“You can do whatever you want. It’s your land and it will be your home.”

“Home,” Gabe whispered. “It’s been a long time since I had that. I don’t think I’d have done this without you. I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you.”

“Just be happy. Enjoy your home and Eli. That’s payment enough.” Her total focus was on Gabe, on how she’d only have to balance forward on her tiptoes to touch his cheek with her lips.

Been that route before, her brain warned. Remember the pain.

Olivia knew lots about Gabe, including his painful past. Which was why Gabe wasn’t interested in her as anything other than a friend.

That was what Olivia wanted, too.

Wasn’t it?

Dear Reader,

Hello! Welcome back to my Rocky Mountain sanctuary, The Haven, a place of respite for foster children. I hope you enjoyed Olivia’s journey to find out where she belonged, and Gabe’s struggle to forgive when the cost was so great. And Eli’s search—to find a home.

The past year has brought loss and birth to our family, struggles and blessings. And yet, God is always there for us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. I hope that you have found His solace in your life’s journey. Please join me again soon for Gemma’s story, the final book in this series.

I’d be delighted to hear from you via my website at www.loisricher.com, email at loisricher@gmail.com or by snail mail at Lois Richer, Box 639, Nipawin, Sask. Canada S0E 1E0. It’s always a blessing to hear from readers and I’ll do my best to respond quickly.

Until we meet again, may you know the everlasting love, joy and peace that God offers to all His children.

Blessings,

Lois Richer

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

—Psalms 56:3

For Mom, who wrote her last chapter so well.

And for Oliver, who’s just begun his own story.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Readers

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

Extract

About the Publisher

One minute Olivia DeWitt was happily steering her car up the hill toward home, the next minute she was heading for the ditch.

With a gasp of dismay she slammed on her brakes, managing to stay on the road shoulder—barely. She exhaled, slowly released her fingers from the wheel and then exited the car. The sight of the shredded tire made her groan.

“You couldn’t have waited ten minutes before blowing?” Shielding her eyes, Olivia peered longingly at—was it still home?—The Haven, a massive stone house perched on the rocky mountain promontory above her. “At least it’s summer,” she consoled herself, then mocked the sentiment as a teasing breeze reminded her that June in the Canadian Rockies bore no resemblance to June in the eastern provinces.