Jolene Navarro - The Texan's Twins

Big Texan Reunion

Between providing for her five-year-old twins and achieving her dream of running a wildlife sanctuary, Danica Bergmann has no room for anything—or anyone—else. So when the wildlife volunteer she’s taken on turns out to be Reid McAllister, her secret husband, who disappeared before she got a chance to reveal she was pregnant, it flips her world upside down. Six years ago he wasn’t worth chasing down, but Danica can tell Reid’s a changed man—and he’s still the only man she’s ever loved. It’s a long road to redemption, but can Danica learn to trust Reid with their children...and their future?

Danica stared him down.

Let him get angry. She didn’t care.

Her finger thrust against his rock-hard chest. “I waited for you.” Her voice shook. She squared her shoulders. “When I took the first pregnancy test, I was alone. I’ve been alone every step of the way, except for my family. My girls are Bergmanns, and that’s all they know. You showing up on my doorstep does not change the fact they don’t have a father. They never did, and they’re fine—better than fine.”

Mouth open, Reid didn’t say a word. From deep in the back of his throat, his voice emerged. “They’re mine.”

“No. You gave up that right when you decided it was easier just to vanish than tell me what was happening. I’m not talking to you about them.”

Unable to deal with his self-inflicted wounds any longer, she marched past him and into the office. Slamming the door felt better than it should.

A seventh-generation Texan, JOLENE NAVARRO fills her life with family, faith and life’s beautiful messiness. She knows that as much as the world changes, people stay the same: vow-keepers and heartbreakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who shows her holding hands never gets old. When not writing, Jolene teaches art to inner-city teens and hangs out with her own four almost-grown kids. Find Jolene on Facebook or her blog, jolenenavarrowriter.com.

The Texan’s Twins

Jolene Navarro

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

—Micah 7:19

This book is dedicated to the tribe of women

that I get the blessing of calling my aunts.

Kathy, Dollye, Nellie, Molly, Jan,

Melody and in memory of Trish.

Thank you for being role models and

inspiration throughout my entire life.

I can’t go without acknowledging the people

that have made the dream of

being a writer my real life.

The brainteam: Alexandra Sokoloff’s

2016 group at West Texas Writer’s Academy.

Also Sasha, Storm and Damon. And a

special thanks to Jeannie Lyons for all her

help. And Matt Sherley for the insight into the

background information of Reid’s arrest.

To my agent, Pam Hopkins, for believing in me

even when I completely doubt myself.

To my editor, Emily Rodmell.

Thank you for working so hard

to make my stories the best they can be.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Big Texan Reunion Between providing for her five-year-old twins and achieving her dream of running a wildlife sanctuary, Danica Bergmann has no room for anything—or anyone—else. So when the wildlife volunteer she’s taken on turns out to be Reid McAllister, her secret husband, who disappeared before she got a chance to reveal she was pregnant, it flips her world upside down. Six years ago he wasn’t worth chasing down, but Danica can tell Reid’s a changed man—and he’s still the only man she’s ever loved. It’s a long road to redemption, but can Danica learn to trust Reid with their children...and their future?

Introduction Danica stared him down. Let him get angry. She didn’t care. Her finger thrust against his rock-hard chest. “I waited for you.” Her voice shook. She squared her shoulders. “When I took the first pregnancy test, I was alone. I’ve been alone every step of the way, except for my family. My girls are Bergmanns, and that’s all they know. You showing up on my doorstep does not change the fact they don’t have a father. They never did, and they’re fine—better than fine.” Mouth open, Reid didn’t say a word. From deep in the back of his throat, his voice emerged. “They’re mine.” “No. You gave up that right when you decided it was easier just to vanish than tell me what was happening. I’m not talking to you about them.” Unable to deal with his self-inflicted wounds any longer, she marched past him and into the office. Slamming the door felt better than it should.

About the Author A seventh-generation Texan, JOLENE NAVARRO fills her life with family, faith and life’s beautiful messiness. She knows that as much as the world changes, people stay the same: vow-keepers and heartbreakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who shows her holding hands never gets old. When not writing, Jolene teaches art to inner-city teens and hangs out with her own four almost-grown kids. Find Jolene on Facebook or her blog, jolenenavarrowriter.com .

Title Page The Texan’s Twins Jolene Navarro www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. —Micah 7:19

Dedication This book is dedicated to the tribe of women that I get the blessing of calling my aunts. Kathy, Dollye, Nellie, Molly, Jan, Melody and in memory of Trish. Thank you for being role models and inspiration throughout my entire life. I can’t go without acknowledging the people that have made the dream of being a writer my real life. The brainteam: Alexandra Sokoloff’s 2016 group at West Texas Writer’s Academy. Also Sasha, Storm and Damon. And a special thanks to Jeannie Lyons for all her help. And Matt Sherley for the insight into the background information of Reid’s arrest. To my agent, Pam Hopkins, for believing in me even when I completely doubt myself. To my editor, Emily Rodmell. Thank you for working so hard to make my stories the best they can be.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

The numbers blurred on the computer screen as the reality of Danica’s financial situation became clear. The bank statement bore the proof that her dream of a thriving animal sanctuary was morphing into a nightmare. She rubbed her eyes and opened the grant proposal file.

Linda Edward had trusted her to take care of the fur babies. Danica’s father thought it was a waste of time and money, but it wasn’t only her dream in jeopardy. The animals depended on the facility. There were a couple of big cats and a crippled bear that had nowhere else to go.