Carolyne Aarsen - Her Montana Twins

A Forever Family

Raising twins on her own hasn’t been easy for widowed mom Hannah Douglas. But she’s determined to see her family—and the picnic basket auction she’s organizing for the town’s centennial celebration—succeed. Still, there are times she wishes for someone to lean on. To her surprise, Brody Harcourt’s strong shoulders are at the ready. Seems like Jasper Gulch’s favorite firefighter and rancher is always there when she needs him. But Hannah’s not sure she’s willing to take another chance on love, especially with someone whose job puts him in harm’s way. Is the risk of loving Brody worth the reward to make her family complete?

Big Sky Centennial: A small town rich in history…and love.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your bidding!

The Jasper Gulch Centennial Committee

Proudly Presents

The Jasper Gulch Fall Fair

and Picnic Basket Auction

Who needs speed dating and online matchmaking? Jasper Gulch believes in doing things the old-fashioned way. And what could be sweeter than an old-time picnic basket auction? As the town’s potential suitors line up to place their bids, no one is more excited than auction coordinator Hannah Douglas. Of course, the young widow has no interest in finding a date—or so she says.

But this centennial celebrating is having a strange effect on everyone, and nothing is as it seems. The time capsule is still missing, there have been unexplained events and someone has even convinced the town pastor to make a basket! With all the unusual goings-on in town, anything is possible. Even a sweet single mom finding love

a second time around.…

* * *

Big Sky Centennial:

A small town rich in history…and love.

Her Montana Cowboy by Valerie Hansen—July 2014

His Montana Sweetheart by Ruth Logan Herne—August 2014

Her Montana Twins by Carolyne Aarsen—September 2014

His Montana Bride by Brenda Minton—October 2014

His Montana Homecoming by Jenna Mindel—November 2014

Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James—December 2014

CAROLYNE AARSEN

and her husband, Richard, live on a small ranch in northern Alberta, where they have raised four children and numerous foster children, and are still raising cattle. Carolyne crafts her stories in an office with a large west-facing window, through which she can watch the changing seasons while struggling to make her words obey.

Her Montana Twins

Carolyne Aarsen

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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God is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

—Psalms 46:1–2

To my agent, Karen Solem—thanks for your work, for your support and encouragement through

all the ups and downs of this crazy writing life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Forever Family Raising twins on her own hasn’t been easy for widowed mom Hannah Douglas. But she’s determined to see her family—and the picnic basket auction she’s organizing for the town’s centennial celebration—succeed. Still, there are times she wishes for someone to lean on. To her surprise, Brody Harcourt’s strong shoulders are at the ready. Seems like Jasper Gulch’s favorite firefighter and rancher is always there when she needs him. But Hannah’s not sure she’s willing to take another chance on love, especially with someone whose job puts him in harm’s way. Is the risk of loving Brody worth the reward to make her family complete? Big Sky Centennial: A small town rich in history…and love.

Introduction Ladies and Gentlemen, start your bidding! The Jasper Gulch Centennial Committee Proudly Presents The Jasper Gulch Fall Fair and Picnic Basket Auction Who needs speed dating and online matchmaking? Jasper Gulch believes in doing things the old-fashioned way. And what could be sweeter than an old-time picnic basket auction? As the town’s potential suitors line up to place their bids, no one is more excited than auction coordinator Hannah Douglas. Of course, the young widow has no interest in finding a date—or so she says. But this centennial celebrating is having a strange effect on everyone, and nothing is as it seems. The time capsule is still missing, there have been unexplained events and someone has even convinced the town pastor to make a basket! With all the unusual goings-on in town, anything is possible. Even a sweet single mom finding love a second time around.… * * * Big Sky Centennial: A small town rich in history…and love. Her Montana Cowboy by Valerie Hansen—July 2014 His Montana Sweetheart by Ruth Logan Herne—August 2014 Her Montana Twins by Carolyne Aarsen—September 2014 His Montana Bride by Brenda Minton—October 2014 His Montana Homecoming by Jenna Mindel—November 2014 Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James—December 2014

About the Author CAROLYNE AARSEN and her husband, Richard, live on a small ranch in northern Alberta, where they have raised four children and numerous foster children, and are still raising cattle. Carolyne crafts her stories in an office with a large west-facing window, through which she can watch the changing seasons while struggling to make her words obey.

Title Page Her Montana Twins Carolyne Aarsen www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse God is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. —Psalms 46:1–2

Dedication To my agent, Karen Solem—thanks for your work, for your support and encouragement through all the ups and downs of this crazy writing life.

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

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“I tell you it was rigged.” Lilibeth Shoemaker tucked her cell phone in the back pocket of her snug blue jeans and rested her elbows on the waist-high wooden counter separating Hannah’s desk from the large open waiting area of the town hall. Light from the mullioned window above the large double doors created a halo out of Lilibeth’s blond hair. However, the effect was negated by narrowed blue eyes enhanced by dark eyeliner and pouting red lips. “There is no way Alanna Freeson should have won that and not me.” This last word was emphasized with a slap of the hand on the divider.

Hannah Douglas gave Lilibeth what she called her Customer Care smile while she typed a quick note on the application for a booth for the county fair Hannah was helping to organize. This year the fair was to be the biggest ever in honor of Jasper Gulch’s hundredth anniversary and Hannah was already behind. All morning she’d been fighting a headache, juggling her attention between her increasing workload and her concerns over her mother, who was babysitting Hannah’s twins. This morning her mother had shown up looking drawn and pale but, as usual, insisting everything was fine.