Soraya Lane - Patchwork Family in the Outback

The final piece of his family puzzle?

Arriving in Bellaroo Creek, teacher Poppy Carter isn’t quite prepared for the hard task ahead of her. But a school under threat and a class of unruly children is a breeze compared to single father Harrison Black, who’s proving more of a challenge than she could ever have anticipated!

Since his wife abandoned him and their children, Harrison has learned the art of keeping his distance—and new teacher Poppy doesn’t seem to understand boundaries! But when a storm traps them both together, Harrison begins to wonder whether Poppy just might make the perfect addition to their little family….

Three brave women, three strong men… and one town on the brink

Bellaroo Creek in the Australian Outback is a town in need of rescue! So the arrival of three single women and a few adorable kids is exactly the injection of life it needs. Are the town and its ruggedly gorgeous cattlemen prepared for the adventure ahead?

One town, three heart-warming romances to cherish forever!

THE CATTLEMAN’S READY-MADE FAMILY

by Michelle Douglas

MIRACLE IN BELLAROO CREEK

by Barbara Hannay

PATCHWORK FAMILY IN THE OUTBACK

by Soraya Lane

Dear Reader,

Writing can be a very solitary business. I love what I do, but sometimes I miss the human contact of a regular job! This book was unique to write, though, because the town of Bellaroo Creek was devised not just by me, but by two other wonderful authors.

This is the third book in the Bellaroo Creek series, about a town that is in desperate need of new residents. Many small towns in rural Australia struggle with their population, which has led to some innovative ideas to breathe fresh life into communities.

Bellaroo Creek is a town that all the locals are passionate about saving, but in the end everything hinges on finding a sole-charge teacher for the local primary school. In this book you’ll meet heroine Poppy Carter—a young woman who leaves the city to start afresh in rural Australia.

Poppy has had her share of heartbreak, which is why she does everything in her power to stay clear of sexy single dad Harrison Black. Little does she know that Harrison is as determined to stay alone as she is…only, things don’t always go to plan.

I hope you enjoy this story and, if you’ve read the two books in the series before it, enjoy being back in Bellaroo Creek, as well!

If you’d like to know more about me or my books, visit my website, www.sorayalane.com.

Soraya

Patchwork Family in the Outback

Soraya Lane

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Writing for Mills & Boon is truly a dream come true for SORAYA LANE. An avid reader and writer since her childhood, Soraya describes becoming a published author as “the best job in the world” and hopes to be writing heartwarming, emotional romances for many years to come.

Soraya lives with her own real-life hero on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze.

For more information about Soraya and her upcoming releases visit her at her website, www.sorayalane.com, her blog, www.sorayalane.blogspot.com, or follow her at www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor.

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This book is dedicated to my incredible support crew… My mother, Maureen, because I wouldn’t be able to write one book without you helping me with the “little emperor” on a daily basis, and Natalie and Nicola for our fabulous emails and chats. I’m so lucky to have you all in my corner.

Contents

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

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

EPILOGUE

EXCERPT

ARE YOU OUR NEW TEACHER?

Do you love children and like the idea of running a small country school?

Do you want a fresh start in a welcoming rural town?

Do you want to be a cherished part of our community?

Then come visit us in Bellaroo Creek! If you’re a dedicated teacher capable of running our small school, then we’d love to meet you. Rent a home for only $1 a week and help to save our school and our town.

CHAPTER ONE

POPPY CARTER STOOD in the center of her new classroom and clasped her hands behind her back to stop them from shaking. Had she taken on more than she could handle?

The desks were lined against the walls with chairs stacked on top of them, and the floor was clean and tidy, but it was the walls that were sending shivers down her spine. Where was the fun? Where were the bright colors that should adorn the room to welcome young pupils?

She sighed and walked to the main desk, pulling out the chair and sinking into it. Her problem was that she’d always been at schools with a half-decent budget, and she knew that this school was barely able to keep the doors open, let alone redecorate.

Poppy dropped her forehead to the desktop before resting her cheek against it instead and staring at the wall. She had a lot to do before tomorrow, and there was no way she was going to start her class in a room like this.

New beginnings, a fresh start and a bright future. That’s why she’d come here, and she was determined to make that happen.

“Hello?”

Poppy sat bolt upright. Either she was hearing things in this spooky old room or there was someone else here.

“Hello?”

The deep male voice was closer this time. Before she could call back, it was followed by a body. One that filled the entire doorway.

“Hi,” she said, glancing toward the closest window, planning her escape route in case she needed one.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you.” The man smiled at her, one side of his mouth turning up as he nudged the tip of his hat and leaned into the room. “We’ve had a bit of trouble here lately and I wanted to make sure there weren’t any kids up to no good.”

Poppy swallowed and nodded. “I’m probably not meant to be here myself, but I wanted to have a good look around and see if there was anything that needed doing.”

Chocolate-brown eyes met hers, softer than before, and matched with a dimple when the man finally gave her a full smile. “I take it you’re the famous Ms. Carter, then?”

Poppy couldn’t help grinning back. “Take out the famous part and call me Poppy, and I’d say that’s me.”

He chuckled, removed his hat and stepped forward, hand extended. There was a gruffness about him that she guessed came with the territory of being a rancher, but up close he was even more handsome than he’d been from a distance. Strong, wide shoulders, a jaw that looked as if it had been carved from stone and the deepest dark brown eyes she’d ever seen....

Poppy cleared her throat and clasped his hand.

“Harrison Black,” he said, hand firm against hers. “My kids go to school here.”

Right. So he was married with children. It didn’t explain his lack of a wedding band, but then plenty of ranchers probably never wore a ring, especially when they were working. But it did make her feel less nervous about being in the room with him.