Deb Kastner - The Cowboy's Twins

A Surprise Dad

Rancher Jax McKenna’s gotten used to being on his own. Then surprise twin babies—daughters he never knew existed—arrive on his doorstep, and his world goes topsy-turvy. Strong, silent Jax has a way with horses. Not little girls! So when Texas newcomer Faith Duggan steps up to help, he’s overwhelmed with gratitude. Faith’s following her dream of buying a mustang rescue sanctuary. And she needs Jax, too. But after a tragic accident changed his life forever, Jax isn’t used to letting anyone in. Could Faith be the exception…and the partner he’s always searched for?

No. It couldn’t be. It could. Not. Be.

Jax blinked and scrubbed a hand down his face.

There was no mistaking the sound of distinctive, distraught mewling coming from two tiny swaddled infants, bundled into their car seats and blocking the front door of his cabin.

Babies?

He crouched before the baby on his left, gently adjusting the pink blanket covering her and making what he hoped were calming shushing noises. His expertise was horses. He knew zero about babies.

She was incredibly tiny next to his large palm. So vulnerable. So defenseless. He swallowed hard.

Susie had left two helpless infants on his front porch? She’d always been irresponsible and often acted with poor judgment, but this went far beyond the pale even for her.

“Jax?” Faith asked. She knelt before the other baby and gently rocked the seat to calm the infant. “Are these…?”

“I don’t— I’m not—” Jax stammered, his head spinning. His emotions rarely got the better of him. But right now he was fighting with every ounce of his courage against succumbing to the conflicting feelings pelting him.

Shock. Surprise. Anger. Betrayal. Guilt. Pain.

Wonder.

Award-winning author DEB KASTNERlives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

—2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

To my husband, Joe, who demonstrates every day what it means to be a loving, God-fearing man. You are an excellent male role model and I join with your children and grandchildren in proclaiming you the best Daddy and Grampy ever. I couldn’t write these stories about men of faith without you to inspire me.

And to my sister at Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary, for the work you do rescuing horses (and dogs, and cats, and goats, and everything else with fur). Thank you for all your help with my research into the plight of wild horses. Any mistakes are entirely my own.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Surprise Dad Rancher Jax McKenna’s gotten used to being on his own. Then surprise twin babies—daughters he never knew existed—arrive on his doorstep, and his world goes topsy-turvy. Strong, silent Jax has a way with horses. Not little girls! So when Texas newcomer Faith Duggan steps up to help, he’s overwhelmed with gratitude. Faith’s following her dream of buying a mustang rescue sanctuary. And she needs Jax, too. But after a tragic accident changed his life forever, Jax isn’t used to letting anyone in. Could Faith be the exception…and the partner he’s always searched for?

Introduction No. It couldn’t be. It could. Not. Be. Jax blinked and scrubbed a hand down his face. There was no mistaking the sound of distinctive, distraught mewling coming from two tiny swaddled infants, bundled into their car seats and blocking the front door of his cabin. Babies? He crouched before the baby on his left, gently adjusting the pink blanket covering her and making what he hoped were calming shushing noises. His expertise was horses. He knew zero about babies. She was incredibly tiny next to his large palm. So vulnerable. So defenseless. He swallowed hard. Susie had left two helpless infants on his front porch? She’d always been irresponsible and often acted with poor judgment, but this went far beyond the pale even for her. “Jax?” Faith asked. She knelt before the other baby and gently rocked the seat to calm the infant. “Are these…?” “I don’t— I’m not—” Jax stammered, his head spinning. His emotions rarely got the better of him. But right now he was fighting with every ounce of his courage against succumbing to the conflicting feelings pelting him. Shock. Surprise. Anger. Betrayal. Guilt. Pain. Wonder.

About the Author Award-winning author DEB KASTNER lives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

Title Page The Cowboy’s Twins Deb Kastner www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. —2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

Dedication To my husband, Joe, who demonstrates every day what it means to be a loving, God-fearing man. You are an excellent male role model and I join with your children and grandchildren in proclaiming you the best Daddy and Grampy ever. I couldn’t write these stories about men of faith without you to inspire me. And to my sister at Happy Haven Farm and Sanctuary, for the work you do rescuing horses (and dogs, and cats, and goats, and everything else with fur). Thank you for all your help with my research into the plight of wild horses. Any mistakes are entirely my own.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

There was only one conceivable reason why Jax McKenna would ever consider putting himself at Serendipity, Texas’s Bachelors and Baskets auction like a mule among thoroughbreds—and it wasn’t because his loudmouthed brothers, Slade and Nick, were forcing him into it.

Nor was it the sweet talking of Jo Spencer, the spry, seventy-something redhead who owned the town’s only public eatery, Cup O’ Jo’s Café. She was the one who’d organized the event in the first place and she was pretty much capable of talking anyone into anything—but it hadn’t been necessary this time. Not with Jax.

They all might think they were strong-arming him, but if he hadn’t ultimately made the final decision to do this, he wouldn’t be here, and no amount of coercing or cajoling on their part would have seen him do otherwise.