Deb Kastner - A Daddy For Her Triplets

His Unexpected Valentines

Clint Daniels knows he is nobody’s sweetheart. The rugged mountain guide has lived most of his life alone, and with his heartbreaking past, he can’t imagine a domestic future with anyone. Especially not a warm and graceful widow like Olivia Barlow. But when her three towheaded little boys approach him at the Lone Star Cowboy League’s annual Valentine’s dance, he finds it impossible to turn them away. Clint isn’t prepared to be a father, but these boys draw out his paternal side. And somehow, vulnerable Olivia and her children begin to make the cowboy suspect their wary hearts might actually be a perfect match…

Relationship.

It was a heavy word, and one that would have sent him literally running for the safety and anonymity of his beloved mountains.

Not this time.

This time, he wanted to stay.

It was Olivia who should be running, as far as she could go. He was no good for her. He didn’t even know what a long-term relationship ought to look like. And as wonderful as he felt whenever he interacted with the triplets, he could hardly be the father figure they needed in their lives.

What did he know about being a father? Trying to pursue a long-term relationship was simply setting himself up for failure, and with that, Olivia and the triplets would also crash and burn.

What had he been thinking, spending all this time with Olivia? Giving her the wrong impression?

He hadn’t been thinking at all. He’d been acting on his emotions.

He should end this relationship now—before it got too serious. It didn’t matter that it was already serious to him. He wasn’t who counted here.

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League:

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015

A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015

A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015

A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016

A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016

A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

Award-winning author DEB KASTNER lives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

A Daddy for Her Triplets

Deb Kastner

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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There is no fear in love;

But perfect love casts out fear,

Because fear involves torment.

But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We love Him because He first loved us.

—1 John 4:18–19

To my Lord Jesus Christ. May every word I write always serve to glorify, adore and bring honor to my Savior. There would be no books without His Spirit working in and through my life.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Deb Kastner for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text His Unexpected Valentines Clint Daniels knows he is nobody’s sweetheart. The rugged mountain guide has lived most of his life alone, and with his heartbreaking past, he can’t imagine a domestic future with anyone. Especially not a warm and graceful widow like Olivia Barlow. But when her three towheaded little boys approach him at the Lone Star Cowboy League’s annual Valentine’s dance, he finds it impossible to turn them away. Clint isn’t prepared to be a father, but these boys draw out his paternal side. And somehow, vulnerable Olivia and her children begin to make the cowboy suspect their wary hearts might actually be a perfect match…

Introduction Relationship. It was a heavy word, and one that would have sent him literally running for the safety and anonymity of his beloved mountains. Not this time. This time, he wanted to stay. It was Olivia who should be running, as far as she could go. He was no good for her. He didn’t even know what a long-term relationship ought to look like. And as wonderful as he felt whenever he interacted with the triplets, he could hardly be the father figure they needed in their lives. What did he know about being a father? Trying to pursue a long-term relationship was simply setting himself up for failure, and with that, Olivia and the triplets would also crash and burn. What had he been thinking, spending all this time with Olivia? Giving her the wrong impression? He hadn’t been thinking at all. He’d been acting on his emotions. He should end this relationship now—before it got too serious. It didn’t matter that it was already serious to him. He wasn’t who counted here. * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015 A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015 A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015 A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016 A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016 A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

About the Author Award-winning author DEB KASTNER lives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

Title Page A Daddy for Her Triplets Deb Kastner www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse There is no fear in love; But perfect love casts out fear, Because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. —1 John 4:18–19

Dedication To my Lord Jesus Christ. May every word I write always serve to glorify, adore and bring honor to my Savior. There would be no books without His Spirit working in and through my life.

Acknowledgments Special thanks and acknowledgment to Deb Kastner for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Olivia Barlow, as I live and breathe. Finally! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up tonight at all. Then what would I have done?” Elderly Miss Betty Leland had clearly been watching for Olivia, because the sprightly old woman made a beeline for her the moment she herded her triplet six-year-old boys into the league’s brightly decorated red-and-pink-crepe-papered banquet hall.

A cold finger of premonition skittered up Olivia’s spine. Miss Betty was clearly up to something. Olivia could see it in the pale blue sparkle of the aged woman’s eyes. Nothing good could possibly come out of that kind of mischief, however friendly and well-intentioned.