Judy Duarte: The Bronc Rider's Baby

A pint-sized Texas surprise!

Nothing—not even a bucking bronc—can unnerve Nate Gallagher...until he lays eyes on the tiny newborn who’s been entrusted to his care. The former rodeo champ isn’t ready for fatherhood. Heck, the precious baby girl may not even be his. Still, he aims to step up and give her a home at the Rocking C. That is, if pretty social worker Anna Reynolds decides Nate’s daddy material after all.

Making sure that father and infant daughter bond is Anna’s job. But what about the fiery bond forming between Anna and Nate? Can Nate become the family man Anna believes he can be? Because she’s this close to gambling her future on the rugged cowboy daddy!

“I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

Nate glanced at the baby, then touched a little foot that peeked out from her blanket. The flicker of a smile crossed his face.

As if sensing that Anna was watching him, he straightened and caught her eye. They gazed at each other for a beat, long enough for her to realize a little dust and perspiration did very little to lessen his sexy appeal. In fact, it made him even more manly, more...

Oh, wow. It seemed to be getting awfully warm in here.

“Do you want to stay with the baby?” he asked. “Or would you rather go outside and talk to me?”

“Let’s take a walk,” she said, liking the sound of it.

Nate nodded, then swung out his arm in a gallant “after you” manner.

Anna started toward the door, but when she walked past the handsome cowboy and caught a whiff of an alluring scent of leather and musk, she wasn’t so sure being alone with him was such a good idea after all.

* * *

Rocking Chair Rodeo:Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

The Bronc Rider’s Baby

Judy Duarte

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTEhas written over forty books for Mills & Boon Cherish, earned two RITA ®Award nominations, won two Maggie Awards and received a National Readers’ Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books at her website, www.judyduarte.com, or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist.

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To Gail Duarte, my “twin” sister-in-law,

who took me to the World’s Oldest Rodeo.

And yes, it actually was my first rodeo!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A pint-sized Texas surprise! Nothing—not even a bucking bronc—can unnerve Nate Gallagher...until he lays eyes on the tiny newborn who’s been entrusted to his care. The former rodeo champ isn’t ready for fatherhood. Heck, the precious baby girl may not even be his. Still, he aims to step up and give her a home at the Rocking C. That is, if pretty social worker Anna Reynolds decides Nate’s daddy material after all. Making sure that father and infant daughter bond is Anna’s job. But what about the fiery bond forming between Anna and Nate? Can Nate become the family man Anna believes he can be? Because she’s this close to gambling her future on the rugged cowboy daddy!

Introduction “I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” Nate glanced at the baby, then touched a little foot that peeked out from her blanket. The flicker of a smile crossed his face. As if sensing that Anna was watching him, he straightened and caught her eye. They gazed at each other for a beat, long enough for her to realize a little dust and perspiration did very little to lessen his sexy appeal. In fact, it made him even more manly, more... Oh, wow. It seemed to be getting awfully warm in here. “Do you want to stay with the baby?” he asked. “Or would you rather go outside and talk to me?” “Let’s take a walk,” she said, liking the sound of it. Nate nodded, then swung out his arm in a gallant “after you” manner. Anna started toward the door, but when she walked past the handsome cowboy and caught a whiff of an alluring scent of leather and musk, she wasn’t so sure being alone with him was such a good idea after all. * * * Rocking Chair Rodeo: Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

Title Page The Bronc Rider’s Baby Judy Duarte www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTE has written over forty books for Mills & Boon Cherish, earned two RITA ® Award nominations, won two Maggie Awards and received a National Readers’ Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books at her website, www.judyduarte.com , or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist .

Dedication To Gail Duarte, my “twin” sister-in-law, who took me to the World’s Oldest Rodeo. And yes, it actually was my first rodeo!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Nate Gallagher had run with the bulls in Pamplona and ridden some of the toughest broncs in rodeos all over the country, but he’d never faced anything as scary and as unnerving as this.

What in the hell was he going to do with a premature baby girl? He’d bet he had champion belt buckles at home that weighed as much or more than she did.

The neonatal nurse, who’d just finished strapping little Jessica into her carrier, pointed to a white plastic bag bearing the hospital logo. “I’ve packed some bottles and formula for you to take home. Are you ready to go?”

Hell no. His heart was pounding so hard he thought it might break out of his chest, and he was sweating like crazy. But he’d be damned if he’d show any sign of fear.

“Yep.” He reached for the baby carrier that would fit into the car seat base he’d secured in the backseat of his pickup, amazed that it felt just as light now as it had when he’d brought it into the Brighton Valley Medical Center. If he hadn’t glanced inside where baby Jessica was dozing, he’d never know she was there. But she was there—and leaving the safety of the hospital to go with him.

Oh, man, this was happening way too fast. It had taken every bit of his courage to sign her release forms moments ago. Sure, she’d gained a pound or two since her birth. But why couldn’t they have kept her a little longer, until she’d grown bigger—like the size of a kid entering kindergarten?

If they had, he’d feel a lot better about dealing with her. At least she’d be able to talk and tell him if he was doing something wrong.

“Mr. Gallagher?” a soft, feminine voice said from behind him.

As he turned, he caught sight of a petite blonde in his peripheral vision. He might consider the attractive woman worth his full masculine attention if he’d met her in a bar, throwing back a shot of tequila with her friends. But here in a hospital, holding a patient file in her hands? All bets were off.