Margaret Daley - The Cowboy's Texas Family

From Cowboy to Father Figure

Rancher Nick McGarrett wants to help orphaned ten-year-old Corey Phillips, the brother of his late comrade. But he’s not fit to be a father—not with his troubled past. Thankfully, the child finds a home at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, where Nick volunteers. When wealthy newcomer Darcy Hill discovers she’s Corey’s cousin, she hopes to eventually take him in. Nick and Darcy couldn’t be more opposite—or more drawn to each other. But for Darcy, raising Corey in her hometown means leaving Texas…and Nick. It’ll take a special little boy to show these two grown-ups that the key to forging a new future is being together.

“How about the boys ranch for Corey?” Darcy asked.

“I know they have room for one more boy,” Nick said, “and I’d much rather see Corey there, but I’m not sure it’ll happen. I volunteer at the boys ranch, and it would be great for Corey.”

Darcy wasn’t surprised that Nick would volunteer there. In the short time she’d been with him, she saw a man of action and heart. “Then I’ll pray that something is done for Corey.”

Nick looked away. “In my experience He hasn’t helped much.”

There was something in Nick’s voice that touched Darcy. Who did he turn to when he was in trouble or upset?

She started to say something, but the tense set of his jaw and rigid posture indicated this wasn’t a good time. He wouldn’t hear her.

She didn’t want to leave Haven until something was done for Corey. How could she walk away from a child in need?

And how could she walk away from Nick McGarrett?

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

The Rancher’s Texas Matchby Brenda Minton October 2016

The Ranger’s Texas Proposalby Jessica Keller November 2016

The Nanny’s Texas Christmasby Lee Tobin McClain December 2016

The Cowboy’s Texas Family by Margaret Daley

January 2017

The Doctor’s Texas Babyby Deb Kastner February 2017

The Rancher’s Texas Twinsby Allie Pleiter March 2017

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication Acknowledgments 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 Extract Copyright ,

I wanted to thank the authors I had the pleasure of working with on this second Lone Star Cowboy League continuity as well as Shana Asaro, our editor on this project. I worked on the first one and had as much fun with this one as I did with that first LSCL series.

I’m a retired teacher, and I loved working and helping children. That’s what this series is about. There are some kids who need extra love and attention because of what they are dealing with. Corey was one of those and got the help he needed. Nick was also a troubled child while growing up, but he wasn’t fortunate enough to receive the support he needed and his past affected his present. He learned he couldn’t run from it. Forgetting the past wasn’t easy until he dealt with his emotions concerning it. He used what he’d learned growing up to help Corey and that in turn also made Nick a stronger person.

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at margaretdaley@gmail.com or at P. O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101. You can also learn more about my books at www.margaretdaley.com. I have a newsletter that you can sign up for on my website.

Take care,

Margaret

MARGARET DALEY, an award-winning author of ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread, and corralling her three cats, who think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret, visit her website at margaretdaley.com.

The Cowboy’s Texas Family

Margaret Daley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For if you forgive men their trespasses,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

—Matthew 6:14

To my editor, Melissa Endlich. Thank you.

Special thanks and acknowledgment

are given to Margaret Daley for her contribution to the

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text From Cowboy to Father Figure Rancher Nick McGarrett wants to help orphaned ten-year-old Corey Phillips, the brother of his late comrade. But he’s not fit to be a father—not with his troubled past. Thankfully, the child finds a home at the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, where Nick volunteers. When wealthy newcomer Darcy Hill discovers she’s Corey’s cousin, she hopes to eventually take him in. Nick and Darcy couldn’t be more opposite—or more drawn to each other. But for Darcy, raising Corey in her hometown means leaving Texas…and Nick. It’ll take a special little boy to show these two grown-ups that the key to forging a new future is being together.

Introduction “How about the boys ranch for Corey?” Darcy asked. “I know they have room for one more boy,” Nick said, “and I’d much rather see Corey there, but I’m not sure it’ll happen. I volunteer at the boys ranch, and it would be great for Corey.” Darcy wasn’t surprised that Nick would volunteer there. In the short time she’d been with him, she saw a man of action and heart. “Then I’ll pray that something is done for Corey.” Nick looked away. “In my experience He hasn’t helped much.” There was something in Nick’s voice that touched Darcy. Who did he turn to when he was in trouble or upset? She started to say something, but the tense set of his jaw and rigid posture indicated this wasn’t a good time. He wouldn’t hear her. She didn’t want to leave Haven until something was done for Corey. How could she walk away from a child in need? And how could she walk away from Nick McGarrett? * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas The Rancher’s Texas Match by Brenda Minton October 2016 The Ranger’s Texas Proposal by Jessica Keller November 2016 The Nanny’s Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain December 2016 The Cowboy’s Texas Family by Margaret Daley January 2017 The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner February 2017 The Rancher’s Texas Twins by Allie Pleiter March 2017

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication Acknowledgments 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 Extract Copyright , I wanted to thank the authors I had the pleasure of working with on this second Lone Star Cowboy League continuity as well as Shana Asaro, our editor on this project. I worked on the first one and had as much fun with this one as I did with that first LSCL series. I’m a retired teacher, and I loved working and helping children. That’s what this series is about. There are some kids who need extra love and attention because of what they are dealing with. Corey was one of those and got the help he needed. Nick was also a troubled child while growing up, but he wasn’t fortunate enough to receive the support he needed and his past affected his present. He learned he couldn’t run from it. Forgetting the past wasn’t easy until he dealt with his emotions concerning it. He used what he’d learned growing up to help Corey and that in turn also made Nick a stronger person. I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at margaretdaley@gmail.com or at P. O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101. You can also learn more about my books at www.margaretdaley.com . I have a newsletter that you can sign up for on my website. Take care, Margaret