Cathy Gillen - A Texas Soldier's Christmas

THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

Just the sight of United States Army Lieutenant Zane Lockhart makes nurse Nora Caldwell (and every other woman he meets) weak at the knees. But Nora has to keep a level head this time. As tempting as it is to fall into his finely sculpted arms—again—she’s got her beautiful baby boy, Liam, to think of now. She can’t settle for some temporary loving. She and her son need, and deserve, more.

Zane has always responded to the call of duty. But that dedication has meant saying goodbye to Nora far too often. He can’t blame her for doubting that he’s finally ready to put her—and Liam—first. Can the Christmas gift of a lifetime convince her?

Resisting the urge to throw herself into his arms, she met his gaze deliberately.

His dark silver eyes roamed her frame hungrily, and still neither of them moved. Not the slightest bit.

He was here. Alive. Safe. A feat that, as always, felt almost too good to be true...given the types of dangerous missions he went on.

“Oh my!” Retired librarian Miss Mim fanned her face while Zane and Nora continued to silently size each other up. “Is it hot in here or what?”

It was definitely steaming, Nora thought. But then, wasn’t that always the case when she and Zane were in the vicinity of each other? Sparks flew, even as duty and honor and strong wills tore them apart.

“If this is the result of serving in the Army Nurse Corps, I wish I’d done a tour or two,” Miss Patricia teased.

Not, Nora thought, if your heart had been shattered as often and surely as hers had by this gorgeous hunk of a man.

Dear Reader,

Christmas is a time of miracles—when impossible wishes are granted, and even the most elusive love is given and received.

Nora Caldwell learned heart-wrenching sacrifice as a child. She is determined her only son will not suffer the same lack of parental devotion. Zane Lockhart is a Special Forces soldier who had everything growing up. Except a purpose. He found that serving his country.

Nora and Zane can’t deny their attraction to each other any more than they can seem to make their on-again, off-again relationship work. Duty and honor keep getting in the way. Zane wants to put their country first. Nora believes family should surpass all priorities.

It takes Nora’s adorable three-month-old baby, Liam, and the wise residents of Laramie Gardens Home for Seniors to matchmake some sense into these two, and give them the happily-ever-after kind of Christmas they deserve!

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Happy holidays!

Cathy Gillen Thacker

PS: For information on this and other books, please visit me at cathygillenthacker.comand/or my Cathy Gillen Thacker Facebook Official Author Page.

A Texas Soldier’s Christmas

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CATHY GILLEN THACKERis married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com, for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes, and a list of her favourite things.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“It certainly looks like Christmas came early for you, Nora!” ninety-year-old Miss Sadie said.

Nora Caldwell regarded the ladies gathered in the Laramie Gardens community room. All were grinning and merrily nudging each other. Not sure she wanted to know what was causing such hilarity, she slowly turned toward the portal. What she saw in the doorway was enough to stop her heart.

United States Army Lieutenant Zane Lockhart, the love—as well as the bane—of her life. And it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet! Her knees went weak as she took him in.

Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Nora noted that the Special Forces officer did not show any new battle scars.

Clad in desert camouflage shirt and pants and utility boots, his six-foot-three-inch frame was as broad-shouldered and solidly muscled as ever. His ruggedly handsome face bore the perpetual tan she knew so well, his sensual lips the same knowing slant. It didn’t appear he had done more than run a hand through the thick layers of his wheat-gold hair, but it didn’t matter—the cropped shiny-clean strands looked good no matter which way the wind tossed them.

Resisting the urge to throw herself into his arms, she deliberately met his gaze, while his dark silver eyes roamed her frame every bit as hungrily as she surveyed his. And still, neither of them moved. He was here. Alive. Safe. A feat that, as always, felt almost too good to be true, given the types of dangerous missions he went on.

“Oh, my!” Retired librarian Miss Mim fanned her face, her face turning as red as her auburn hair while Zane and Nora continued to silently size each other up. “Is it hot in here or what?”

It was definitely steamy, Nora thought. But then, wasn’t that always the case when she and Zane were in the vicinity of each other? Sparks flew, even as duty and honor and strong wills tore them apart.

“If this is the result of serving in the Army Nurse Corps, I wish I’d done a tour or two,” Miss Patricia teased.

Not, Nora thought, if your heart had been shattered as often and surely as hers had by this gorgeous hunk of a man.

Oblivious to the admiring glances of the three dozen women gathered in the community room, Zane asked, “Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but may I have a word with you, Nora?” His expression abruptly becoming inscrutable, he added, “Privately?”

Where was his usual wide-as-all-Texas grin, the easy charm he managed to exhibit no matter what, Nora wondered, acutely aware he could be about to give her bad news about one of their fellow soldiers.

Oblivious to her worry, the ladies promised in unison, “Go ahead. We can handle the rest of the holiday planning session.”

Breaking eye contact with Zane, Nora drew a deep enervating breath and said to one and all, “I’ll be in my office if you need me.” Shoulders stiff with tension, she led the way down the hall to the door just off the formal entry.

Zane read the bronze plaque next to the door. “Are you just the director, or the director of the nursing staff?”