Linda Ford - Montana Cowboy Daddy

The Rancher’s Ready-Made Family

With a little girl to raise, widowed single father Dawson Marshall could sure use some help—he just didn’t expect it to come from city girl Isabelle Redfield. Dawson has encountered city women before. He even married one. What if his little girl grows attached to Isabelle and the woman tires of ranch life just like his late wife did?

For heiress Isabelle, the fledgling Western town of Bella Creek, Montana, offers something more meaningful than her wealth: a chance to forge a useful life. But if she wants the townsfolk to value her for more than her money, she has to keep her identity hidden. A difficult feat, especially when it comes to the cynical cowboy whose sweet daughter she cares for after school. But will hiding the truth ruin her chance of earning Dawson’s love?

“Can you sing to me, like your mama did?” Mattie asked.

With a half-apologetic glance at Dawson, Isabelle sat on the edge of the bed.

Why should she feel sorry? To his regret, he admitted he’d given her every reason to feel he didn’t want her spending time with his daughter. To his shame, he’d even suggested she was unsuitable simply because she was...what? A city woman? A newcomer? Beautiful?

All those things could mean danger. Or they could mean nothing.

He wasn’t sure he had changed his mind, but it became harder and harder to remember his reasons.

Isabelle crooned a song in Spanish.

He sat as mesmerized by her sweet voice as Mattie. In the distant corner of his brain, a warning voice called, reminding him how caring for Isabelle could end in disappointment and wrenching pain. The voice was drowned out by the sound of her voice and by the blossoming of his distant dreams.

Mattie’s eyes drifted shut.

Isabelle leaned close and kissed each cheek. “Sweet dreams, little princess.”

The word jolted clear through Dawson. Princess. Was that how Isabelle saw his child? His throat tightened. His eyes burned. So many people loved and cared for Mattie, but something about Isabelle’s tender touch and sweet words felt different.

LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and assorted friends and relatives.

Montana Cowboy Daddy

Linda Ford

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for ever.

—Psalms 125:2

This book is dedicated to my dear friends. You know who you are. Thanks to each of you for keeping in touch over the years, for sharing the ups and downs of my life and for always standing with me. Without you my life would lack color and depth and joy. Thank you and God bless.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Rancher’s Ready-Made Family With a little girl to raise, widowed single father Dawson Marshall could sure use some help—he just didn’t expect it to come from city girl Isabelle Redfield. Dawson has encountered city women before. He even married one. What if his little girl grows attached to Isabelle and the woman tires of ranch life just like his late wife did? For heiress Isabelle, the fledgling Western town of Bella Creek, Montana, offers something more meaningful than her wealth: a chance to forge a useful life. But if she wants the townsfolk to value her for more than her money, she has to keep her identity hidden. A difficult feat, especially when it comes to the cynical cowboy whose sweet daughter she cares for after school. But will hiding the truth ruin her chance of earning Dawson’s love?

Introduction “Can you sing to me, like your mama did?” Mattie asked. With a half-apologetic glance at Dawson, Isabelle sat on the edge of the bed. Why should she feel sorry? To his regret, he admitted he’d given her every reason to feel he didn’t want her spending time with his daughter. To his shame, he’d even suggested she was unsuitable simply because she was...what? A city woman? A newcomer? Beautiful? All those things could mean danger. Or they could mean nothing. He wasn’t sure he had changed his mind, but it became harder and harder to remember his reasons. Isabelle crooned a song in Spanish. He sat as mesmerized by her sweet voice as Mattie. In the distant corner of his brain, a warning voice called, reminding him how caring for Isabelle could end in disappointment and wrenching pain. The voice was drowned out by the sound of her voice and by the blossoming of his distant dreams. Mattie’s eyes drifted shut. Isabelle leaned close and kissed each cheek. “Sweet dreams, little princess.” The word jolted clear through Dawson. Princess. Was that how Isabelle saw his child? His throat tightened. His eyes burned. So many people loved and cared for Mattie, but something about Isabelle’s tender touch and sweet words felt different.

About the Author LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and assorted friends and relatives.

Title Page Montana Cowboy Daddy Linda Ford www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for ever. —Psalms 125:2

Dedication This book is dedicated to my dear friends. You know who you are. Thanks to each of you for keeping in touch over the years, for sharing the ups and downs of my life and for always standing with me. Without you my life would lack color and depth and joy. Thank you and God bless.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Bella Creek, Montana, 1890

Weary from the long journey and tired of the cramped quarters, Isabelle Redfield was the first to step from the stagecoach to the dirt street of Bella Creek, Montana. A group of people stood about as if waiting for the arrival of the travelers.

Isabelle glanced around at the fledgling Western town where she hoped to start a new life—one of purpose and acceptance. Before her was a wooden-structured hotel, to her left, a wide street with bare-limbed trees and a welcoming bench. Past the hotel to her right, a café, Miss Daisy’s Eatery. Her gaze went farther. Her heart slammed into her ribs at what she saw.