Tina Radcliffe - Stranded with the Rancher

The Doctor and the Cowboy

Stranded at single father Dan Gallagher’s ranch during a Colorado blizzard, Dr. Beth Rogers is counting the days till the roads are clear. She can’t wait to leave for her exciting new life in New York. But suddenly the big-city doctor is delivering babies in log cabins, helping to feed newborn calves and teaching Dan’s little girl to play hymns on the piano. No-nonsense Beth even throws a snowball or two at the handsome, love-shy cowboy. She thought she had her heart set on leaving, so why does she dream of Dan asking her to stay forever?

“Nice work,” Dan commented.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“You need to ask my mother to teach you to needlepoint. You’re a natural.”

She chuckled and their eyes met and held. Her face warmed.

“So this is what your rescue team is all about,” Beth said quietly to Dan.

“Not always such happy endings. We could use someone like you on the team,” Dan murmured.

Beth met his gaze and paused. His smile caught her and she lost focus, lured for a brief reckless moment into considering a future outside of her carefully laid plans.

Dan Gallagher stirred something in her that she wasn’t familiar with. For the very first time in her entire life, she was tempted to consider acting on her feelings instead of using her head.

She averted her gaze and rational thought once again took over.

Paradise was, after all, merely a stop on the road to her tomorrow. Dan Gallagher, a pleasant detour.

That was the reality she had to cling to.

TINA RADCLIFFE

has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western, New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a certified oncology RN. A former library cataloger, she now works for a large mail-order pharmacy. Tina currently resides in the foothills of Colorado, where she writes heartwarming romance. You can reach her at www.tinaradcliffe.com.

Stranded with the Rancher

Tina Radcliffe

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 3:13–14

While it’s true that it always takes a village, this book took several villages.

I am indebted to rancher Ivan Connealy and his wife, Western inspirational author (romantic comedy with cowboys) Mary Connealy for answering my endless questions on cows and ranches and farming. I don’t know how you do it.

Thank you to Karen Robinson, CPM, RM, President of the Colorado Midwives Association ( www.coloradomidwives.org) for her generosity with answers and quick response to my questions.

Many thanks to Rich from Vickery Motorsports in Denver, Colorado, for taking time from his workday to talk to me on the phone about snowmobiles.

Thank you, Vince Mooney, for beta-reading my proposal with a reader’s eagle eye for detail.

My emergency medical expert was Tom Radcliffe, former EMT who works for Rural Metro Ambulance and also is my best reader.

All errors are wholly mine.

Thank you to my agent, Meredith Bernstein, the woman in my corner who believes in me.

There’s a special place in heaven for deadline buddies. A shout-out to R.B., M.V.M and M.T. Thank you for your support.

Finally, thank you to assistant editor Giselle Regus, who helped me find the jewels in my prose and brought this book to delivery.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Doctor and the Cowboy Stranded at single father Dan Gallagher’s ranch during a Colorado blizzard, Dr. Beth Rogers is counting the days till the roads are clear. She can’t wait to leave for her exciting new life in New York. But suddenly the big-city doctor is delivering babies in log cabins, helping to feed newborn calves and teaching Dan’s little girl to play hymns on the piano. No-nonsense Beth even throws a snowball or two at the handsome, love-shy cowboy. She thought she had her heart set on leaving, so why does she dream of Dan asking her to stay forever?

Introduction “Nice work,” Dan commented. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You need to ask my mother to teach you to needlepoint. You’re a natural.” She chuckled and their eyes met and held. Her face warmed. “So this is what your rescue team is all about,” Beth said quietly to Dan. “Not always such happy endings. We could use someone like you on the team,” Dan murmured. Beth met his gaze and paused. His smile caught her and she lost focus, lured for a brief reckless moment into considering a future outside of her carefully laid plans. Dan Gallagher stirred something in her that she wasn’t familiar with. For the very first time in her entire life, she was tempted to consider acting on her feelings instead of using her head. She averted her gaze and rational thought once again took over. Paradise was, after all, merely a stop on the road to her tomorrow. Dan Gallagher, a pleasant detour. That was the reality she had to cling to.

About the Author TINA RADCLIFFE has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western, New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a certified oncology RN. A former library cataloger, she now works for a large mail-order pharmacy. Tina currently resides in the foothills of Colorado, where she writes heartwarming romance. You can reach her at www.tinaradcliffe.com .

Title Page Stranded with the Rancher Tina Radcliffe www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13–14

Dedication While it’s true that it always takes a village, this book took several villages. I am indebted to rancher Ivan Connealy and his wife, Western inspirational author (romantic comedy with cowboys) Mary Connealy for answering my endless questions on cows and ranches and farming. I don’t know how you do it. Thank you to Karen Robinson, CPM, RM, President of the Colorado Midwives Association ( www.coloradomidwives.org ) for her generosity with answers and quick response to my questions. Many thanks to Rich from Vickery Motorsports in Denver, Colorado, for taking time from his workday to talk to me on the phone about snowmobiles. Thank you, Vince Mooney, for beta-reading my proposal with a reader’s eagle eye for detail. My emergency medical expert was Tom Radcliffe, former EMT who works for Rural Metro Ambulance and also is my best reader. All errors are wholly mine. Thank you to my agent, Meredith Bernstein, the woman in my corner who believes in me. There’s a special place in heaven for deadline buddies. A shout-out to R.B., M.V.M and M.T. Thank you for your support. Finally, thank you to assistant editor Giselle Regus, who helped me find the jewels in my prose and brought this book to delivery.