Leigh Bale - A Doctor For The Nanny

A Season for Healing

As Little Horn, Texas, prepares for Thanksgiving, Dr. Tyler Grainger tries to count his blessings. Returning to his family’s ranch brings bittersweet memories of the sister he lost. But one thing he can be grateful for is Eva Brooks, who’s just become the nanny for her cousin’s baby. Tyler is glad to offer advice, but when his late sister’s horse is stolen, Eva’s the one who helps him cope. Tyler’s past heartache urges him to ride off into the sunset—alone. Yet the holiday season offers hope that the good doctor may have finally found a woman to heal his heart.

“Oh, what a cutie pie. He has his mommy’s chin,” the woman exclaimed.

“And his daddy’s nose,” the other woman said. “You must be very proud.”

Tyler blinked in confusion. They obviously thought he and Eva were the baby’s parents.

Eva inhaled a sharp breath. Even in the darkness, Tyler could see her face flush beet red with mortification.

“Oh, but we’re not… I mean, we aren’t…” Eva stammered.

“What’s his name?” the first woman asked.

“Cody,” Tyler supplied.

“What a perfect name for a perfect baby.”

The women smiled with admiration. When they moved on down the sidewalk, he finally exhaled. They were completely oblivious that their words had caused anyone any discomfort.

He turned to Eva. For a flashing moment, he saw intense misery in her eyes.

“Eva, are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, I was just thinking about…” She hesitated and gave a sad little laugh. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just ignore me.”

But he knew. All the things she wasn’t saying, and he still knew it had something to do with her broken engagement and being left at the altar with no groom.

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League:

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015

A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015

A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015

A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016

A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016

A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

LEIGH BALE is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She is the winner of the prestigious Golden Heart Award and is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Booksellers’ Best Award. The daughter of a retired US forest ranger, she holds a BA in history. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two children and two grandkids. You can reach her at leighbale.com.

A Doctor

for the Nanny

Leigh Bale

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.

—Isaiah 30:18

Many thanks to Gary and Judy MacKay for their ranching expertise. You two are amazing!

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Leigh Bale for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Season for Healing As Little Horn, Texas, prepares for Thanksgiving, Dr. Tyler Grainger tries to count his blessings. Returning to his family’s ranch brings bittersweet memories of the sister he lost. But one thing he can be grateful for is Eva Brooks, who’s just become the nanny for her cousin’s baby. Tyler is glad to offer advice, but when his late sister’s horse is stolen, Eva’s the one who helps him cope. Tyler’s past heartache urges him to ride off into the sunset—alone. Yet the holiday season offers hope that the good doctor may have finally found a woman to heal his heart.

Introduction “Oh, what a cutie pie. He has his mommy’s chin,” the woman exclaimed. “And his daddy’s nose,” the other woman said. “You must be very proud.” Tyler blinked in confusion. They obviously thought he and Eva were the baby’s parents. Eva inhaled a sharp breath. Even in the darkness, Tyler could see her face flush beet red with mortification. “Oh, but we’re not… I mean, we aren’t…” Eva stammered. “What’s his name?” the first woman asked. “Cody,” Tyler supplied. “What a perfect name for a perfect baby.” The women smiled with admiration. When they moved on down the sidewalk, he finally exhaled. They were completely oblivious that their words had caused anyone any discomfort. He turned to Eva. For a flashing moment, he saw intense misery in her eyes. “Eva, are you okay?” he asked. “Yes, I was just thinking about…” She hesitated and gave a sad little laugh. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just ignore me.” But he knew. All the things she wasn’t saying, and he still knew it had something to do with her broken engagement and being left at the altar with no groom. * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015 A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015 A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015 A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016 A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016 A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

About the Author LEIGH BALE is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She is the winner of the prestigious Golden Heart Award and is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Booksellers’ Best Award. The daughter of a retired US forest ranger, she holds a BA in history. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two children and two grandkids. You can reach her at leighbale.com .

Title Page A Doctor for the Nanny Leigh Bale www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him. —Isaiah 30:18

Dedication Many thanks to Gary and Judy MacKay for their ranching expertise. You two are amazing!

Acknowledgment Special thanks and acknowledgment to Leigh Bale for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Eva Brooks opened the oven door and peered inside. A blast of heat struck her in the face and she pulled back quick. The biscuits looked as flat as pancakes, yet they’d been in there for thirty minutes already. Maybe they needed more time. Maybe the oven wasn’t hot enough. But weren’t Martha Rose’s biscuits usually golden brown by now? These biscuits still looked anemic white, like pieces of chalk.