Regina Scott - Would-Be Wilderness Wife

The Kidnapped Bride

Drew Wallin’s youngest brother is determined to see him married—so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she’s a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn’t have time for distractions—he’s too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he’s drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own.

Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew’s matchmaking family, she’ll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it’s time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn’t know she wanted!

Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged—and bound to be grooms

“I think I’ve made myself clear. I’m not planning on marrying. I have a calling, a vocation, and certainly one Seattle sorely needs. I intended to stay another day, but if you all can’t understand my position, then perhaps I should leave now.”

Drew met her gaze, and this time she had no doubt the emotion flickering in that expanse of blue-green was regret. She felt it, too, just as she felt herself leaning toward him, as if her body vied with her mind as to where she belonged.

Beth spoke before he did. “No, you can’t go, Miss Stanway. Not until Ma’s well.”

“Your mother is on the mend, Beth,” Catherine said. “There’s nothing more for me to do here.”

Catherine waited for Drew to argue. She wasn’t sure why she expected it. Some part of her believed him when he said he didn’t wish to wed, either. If he truly did intend to court her or marry her to one of his brothers, he ought to protest her leaving. And if he actually cared about her…

She shut that thought away. She didn’t want Drew to care about her.

Because that meant she’d have to care about him more than she already did.

REGINA SCOTT has always wanted to be a writer. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages. Fascinated by history, she learned to fence and sail a tall ship. She and her husband reside in Washington state with their overactive Irish terrier. You can find her online blogging at nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at reginascott.comor connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorreginascott.

Would-Be Wilderness Wife

Regina Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they will become one flesh.

—Genesis 2:24

To Joe Mullins and Angela Rush, real estate agents extraordinaire, who helped us find a house on the new frontier, and to the Lord, who makes a house a home

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Kidnapped Bride Drew Wallin’s youngest brother is determined to see him married—so he kidnaps Drew a prospective bride. Not only is Catherine Stanway beautiful, but she’s a nurse who can help their ailing mother. Drew doesn’t have time for distractions—he’s too busy watching over his fatherless siblings. Yet he’s drawn to this woman who carries loss and pain equal to his own. Catherine has traveled West to use her nursing skills to save lives, not to find a husband. She knows if she gives in to Drew’s matchmaking family, she’ll be risking her already bruised heart. But maybe it’s time she takes the ultimate risk to win the groom she didn’t know she wanted! Frontier Bachelors: Bold, rugged—and bound to be grooms

Introduction “I think I’ve made myself clear. I’m not planning on marrying. I have a calling, a vocation, and certainly one Seattle sorely needs. I intended to stay another day, but if you all can’t understand my position, then perhaps I should leave now.” Drew met her gaze, and this time she had no doubt the emotion flickering in that expanse of blue-green was regret. She felt it, too, just as she felt herself leaning toward him, as if her body vied with her mind as to where she belonged. Beth spoke before he did. “No, you can’t go, Miss Stanway. Not until Ma’s well.” “Your mother is on the mend, Beth,” Catherine said. “There’s nothing more for me to do here.” Catherine waited for Drew to argue. She wasn’t sure why she expected it. Some part of her believed him when he said he didn’t wish to wed, either. If he truly did intend to court her or marry her to one of his brothers, he ought to protest her leaving. And if he actually cared about her… She shut that thought away. She didn’t want Drew to care about her. Because that meant she’d have to care about him more than she already did.

About the Author REGINA SCOTT has always wanted to be a writer. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages. Fascinated by history, she learned to fence and sail a tall ship. She and her husband reside in Washington state with their overactive Irish terrier. You can find her online blogging at nineteenteen.com . Learn more about her at reginascott.com or connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorreginascott .

Title Page Would-Be Wilderness Wife Regina Scott www.millsandboon.co.uk

Praise For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they will become one flesh. —Genesis 2:24

Dedication To Joe Mullins and Angela Rush, real estate agents extraordinaire, who helped us find a house on the new frontier, and to the Lord, who makes a house a home

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

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Seattle, Washington Territory May 1866

“I need a doctor.”

The commanding male voice echoed through the dispensary of Doc Maynard’s hospital like a trumpet call. Catherine Stanway straightened from where she’d been bending over a patient, fully prepared to offer assistance. But one look at the man in the doorway, lit from behind by the rare Seattle sun, and words failed her.

He carried himself as proudly as a knight from the tales of King Arthur her father had read to her as a child. His rough-cut light brown hair brushed the top of the doorjamb; his shoulders in the wrinkled blue cotton shirt reached either side. He took a step into the room, and she was certain she felt the floor tremble.

Finding her voice, she raised her chin. “I can help you.”

He walked down the narrow room toward her, the thud of his worn leather boots like the sound of a hammer on the planks of the floor. The blue apothecary bottles lined up on the shelves behind the counter chimed against one another as he passed. He was like a warrior approaching his leader, a soldier his commanding officer. Mrs. Witherspoon, waiting on a chair for the doctor to reset her shoulder, clutched her arm close, wide-eyed. Others stared at him or quickly looked away.