Linda Ford - Montana Groom Of Convenience

Their Marriage Bargain

Carly Morrison’s father issued an ultimatum: get married or lose her ranch. But while she can rope and ride as well as any man, leading one to the altar is another matter—until newcomer Sawyer Gallagher suggests a marriage of convenience. Their arrangement might be a sensible solution to her predicament, but Carly’s growing feelings are a genuine complication.

Desperate to provide a home for his orphaned sister, Sawyer takes a chance on lassoing himself to headstrong cowgirl Carly. He’s convinced he’s too hardened by life to love anyone...until their union is threatened. Is it too late to turn this practical partnership into a real Big Sky family?

“Poor Jill. I can’t imagine losing both parents.”

“Even worse, she acted so badly that no one would keep her.”

“She was hurt and fighting her pain. That little girl is a fighter,” Carly said.

“I can never hope to replace the home she’s lost.”

Carly tried to not let it bother her that Sawyer spoke as if he was alone in this. She gently corrected him. “No, we can’t. But we can give her something else. A new beginning. A chance to learn that love is still an option.”

They had stopped walking and faced each other. He searched her gaze so intently that her eyes stung. She didn’t look away. Didn’t want to end this moment and prayed he would see that she included him in her hope of a happy future.

A smile began in his eyes and spread to his mouth. “Love is an option. That sounds very hopeful.”

She sensed an unasked question. Did he wonder if love was available to him? She’d married a stranger. Their agreement was to remain businesslike. But did he sometimes want more?

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 Groom of Convenience

Linda Ford

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,

and a light unto my path.

—Psalms 119:105

Dedicated to mothers who teach their children to find answers in the Bible, who help them commit verses to memory so that the Word guides their footsteps. My mother was such a woman and this book is especially dedicated to her memory.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Their Marriage Bargain Carly Morrison’s father issued an ultimatum: get married or lose her ranch. But while she can rope and ride as well as any man, leading one to the altar is another matter—until newcomer Sawyer Gallagher suggests a marriage of convenience. Their arrangement might be a sensible solution to her predicament, but Carly’s growing feelings are a genuine complication. Desperate to provide a home for his orphaned sister, Sawyer takes a chance on lassoing himself to headstrong cowgirl Carly. He’s convinced he’s too hardened by life to love anyone...until their union is threatened. Is it too late to turn this practical partnership into a real Big Sky family?

Introduction “Poor Jill. I can’t imagine losing both parents.” “Even worse, she acted so badly that no one would keep her.” “She was hurt and fighting her pain. That little girl is a fighter,” Carly said. “I can never hope to replace the home she’s lost.” Carly tried to not let it bother her that Sawyer spoke as if he was alone in this. She gently corrected him. “No, we can’t. But we can give her something else. A new beginning. A chance to learn that love is still an option.” They had stopped walking and faced each other. He searched her gaze so intently that her eyes stung. She didn’t look away. Didn’t want to end this moment and prayed he would see that she included him in her hope of a happy future. A smile began in his eyes and spread to his mouth. “Love is an option. That sounds very hopeful.” She sensed an unasked question. Did he wonder if love was available to him? She’d married a stranger. Their agreement was to remain businesslike. But did he sometimes want more?

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 Groom of Convenience Linda Ford www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. —Psalms 119:105

Dedication Dedicated to mothers who teach their children to find answers in the Bible, who help them commit verses to memory so that the Word guides their footsteps. My mother was such a woman and this book is especially dedicated to her memory.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Bella Creek, Montana, 1891

They were dead! His plan had been to deliver his eight-year-old half sister, Jill, to her mother’s cousin and her husband in Bella Creek. The local sheriff’s explanation that the couple had passed away several months ago had brought a stop to that idea.

Twenty-three-year-old Sawyer Gallagher stared at Jill as she devoured her breakfast. He didn’t know the first thing about little girls, nor what they needed. He didn’t even have a home. For years, he had wandered from place to place. Now what was he supposed to do with his little sister? He couldn’t take her with him on a cattle drive or even if he got a job as a ranch hand. That sort of life wasn’t suitable for a young girl.

As he pondered his problem and how to solve it, the words of the conversation at a nearby table reached him.

“He’s going to sell the ranch.”

Sawyer angled his head to study the woman who spoke with such feeling. He couldn’t say if she expressed anger or pain. His position gave him a view of the woman’s profile. She leaned toward her friend, strands of straw blond hair drifting about her face. The rest was in a loose braid hanging down her back. She wore a dark blue print dress.

His gaze went downward and he grinned at the sight of a sturdy pair of cowboy boots peeking out from under her skirts. Both the boots and hem of her dress were caked with mud.