Deb Kastner - The Doctor's Texas Baby

A Surprise Daddy

When Carolina Mason shows up in Haven, Texas, after a three-year absence, no one is more surprised than town veterinarian Wyatt Harrow. Especially when he sees Carolina’s two-year-old son, Matty. Their son. How could she have kept his child a secret? Carolina doesn’t deny the boy is his. She thought she was doing what was best for everyone when she left, but she realizes she was wrong. Though Wyatt is eager to make up for lost time with Matty, Carolina’s not so sure that extends to her. Can these former sweethearts navigate their complicated past to make a family for their son?

“I think we need to try to put the past behind us,” Wyatt said.

“For Matty’s sake.”

Carolina’s whole being, heart and soul, leaned into him, hoping beyond hope that there was something more.

He nodded slowly, never breaking eye contact with her. “Yes. For Matty.”

Her heart dropped like lead.

“But,” he continued, as a tumble of emotion squeezed the air out of her lungs, “not just Matty.”

He reached for her, framing her face with one hand. They weren’t the same people they had been three years ago. They had both changed. Matured.

They had a son now.

“Carolina, I—” He stopped abruptly.

She waited. Her capacity for speech had deserted her the moment Wyatt touched her.

* * *

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 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 Extract Copyright ,

Welcome to Haven, Texas, and the Lone Star Cowboy League’s boys ranch! I’m so excited to have once again been asked to participate in a Love Inspired six-book continuity miniseries. I have enjoyed working with the other talented authors in this miniseries. It’s been a great joy to add my characters to the workings of the boys ranch, the community of Haven, Texas, and a continuation of the Lone Star Cowboy League. If you’re a new reader to Love Inspired continuity series, I hope you’ll enjoy finding new-to-you authors who may become new favorites!

While the Lone Star Cowboy League and others connected to the boys ranch labor under the pressure of finding all the original members of the boys ranch before the seventieth-anniversary party as per Cyrus Culpepper’s will, Wyatt Harrow and Carolina Mason are struggling with their own issues. Wyatt is shocked when Carolina returns to Haven after three years with a surprise he never expected—his two-year-old son, Matty. Trust and forgiveness are tenuous at best. Wyatt and Carolina have a long way to go to discover if, with God’s help, they can learn to be a forever family.

I hope you enjoyed The Doctor’s Texas Baby and the other books in this continuity series. I love to connect with you, my readers, in a personal way. You can look me up on my website at www.debkastnerbooks.com. Come join me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/debkastnerbooks, or you can catch me on Twitter @debkastner.

Please know that you are daily in my prayers.

Love Courageously,

Award-winning author DEB KASTNER writes stories of faith, family and community in a small-town Western setting. Deb’s books contain sigh-worthy heroes and strong heroines facing obstacles that draw them closer to each other and the Lord. She lives in Colorado with her husband and is blessed with three daughters and two grandchildren. She enjoys spoiling her grandkids, movies, music (The Texas Tenors!), singing in the church choir and exploring Colorado on horseback.

The Doctor’s Texas Baby

Deb Kastner

www.millsandboon.co.uk

He has said,

“I will never forsake you or abandon you.”

—Hebrews 13:5

To the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

May Your name ever be blessed.

Special thanks and acknowledgment are given

to Deb Kastner for her contribution to the

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Surprise Daddy When Carolina Mason shows up in Haven, Texas, after a three-year absence, no one is more surprised than town veterinarian Wyatt Harrow. Especially when he sees Carolina’s two-year-old son, Matty. Their son. How could she have kept his child a secret? Carolina doesn’t deny the boy is his. She thought she was doing what was best for everyone when she left, but she realizes she was wrong. Though Wyatt is eager to make up for lost time with Matty, Carolina’s not so sure that extends to her. Can these former sweethearts navigate their complicated past to make a family for their son?

Introduction “I think we need to try to put the past behind us,” Wyatt said. “For Matty’s sake.” Carolina’s whole being, heart and soul, leaned into him, hoping beyond hope that there was something more. He nodded slowly, never breaking eye contact with her. “Yes. For Matty.” Her heart dropped like lead. “But,” he continued, as a tumble of emotion squeezed the air out of her lungs, “not just Matty.” He reached for her, framing her face with one hand. They weren’t the same people they had been three years ago. They had both changed. Matured. They had a son now. “Carolina, I—” He stopped abruptly. She waited. Her capacity for speech had deserted her the moment Wyatt touched her. * * * 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 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 Extract Copyright , Welcome to Haven, Texas, and the Lone Star Cowboy League’s boys ranch! I’m so excited to have once again been asked to participate in a Love Inspired six-book continuity miniseries. I have enjoyed working with the other talented authors in this miniseries. It’s been a great joy to add my characters to the workings of the boys ranch, the community of Haven, Texas, and a continuation of the Lone Star Cowboy League. If you’re a new reader to Love Inspired continuity series, I hope you’ll enjoy finding new-to-you authors who may become new favorites! While the Lone Star Cowboy League and others connected to the boys ranch labor under the pressure of finding all the original members of the boys ranch before the seventieth-anniversary party as per Cyrus Culpepper’s will, Wyatt Harrow and Carolina Mason are struggling with their own issues. Wyatt is shocked when Carolina returns to Haven after three years with a surprise he never expected—his two-year-old son, Matty. Trust and forgiveness are tenuous at best. Wyatt and Carolina have a long way to go to discover if, with God’s help, they can learn to be a forever family. I hope you enjoyed The Doctor’s Texas Baby and the other books in this continuity series. I love to connect with you, my readers, in a personal way. You can look me up on my website at www.debkastnerbooks.com . Come join me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/debkastnerbooks , or you can catch me on Twitter @debkastner . Please know that you are daily in my prayers. Love Courageously,