Rhonda Gibson - The Texan's Twin Blessings

Stand-In Father

As temporary guardian to his twin baby nieces, William Barns barely knows a diaper from a burp cloth. The well-meaning but meddling neighbor ladies suggest a wife—namely Emily Jane Rodgers. Although William isn’t in the market for a bride, he needs a loving woman to watch over the children, and Emily Jane fits the bill nicely.

Emily Jane agrees to care for William’s nieces—not become his betrothed. Fully determined to find her own way in life and to open her own bakery, Emily Jane isn’t looking for a husband. But no matter how hard she resists, Emily Jane is roped in by the twins’ little hugs and William’s tender regard. And soon she longs to be a permanent part of this ready-made family…

“I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” William said, giving Emily Jane a hand up onto the wagon.

“Not at all. I needed to visit a little while with Beth anyway.” She sat down and then turned and kissed each twin.

They giggled and tried to get her hat.

William pulled himself up beside her. As he took the reins he asked, “New hat?”

“Beth loaned it to me.”

He smiled over at her. “It’s very pretty on you.”

A compliment? She felt a little uneasy.

A soft laugh drifted from his side of the wagon seat. “We’re friends, Emily Jane. No need to get all nervous about a compliment.”

How had he known? She cut her eyes under the hat to look at his profile. Was it possible that over the past few weeks they’d grown so close that they knew what each other was thinking? If so, that was dangerous. Maybe after today she should put some distance between herself and William. From her experience with people, those who could read each other’s minds and expressions seemed to be in love. She wasn’t ready for love.

Yes, distance after today would be the best solution for them both.

RHONDA GIBSONlives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

The Texan’s Twin Blessings

Rhonda Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

—Isaiah 43:18–19

Tina James, thank you for always believing in my stories and trusting me to get them written on time. James Gibson, your love means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for keeping the midnight oil burning so that I can find my way after a long night of writing. And as always, thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving me my heart’s desires.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Stand-In Father As temporary guardian to his twin baby nieces, William Barns barely knows a diaper from a burp cloth. The well-meaning but meddling neighbor ladies suggest a wife—namely Emily Jane Rodgers. Although William isn’t in the market for a bride, he needs a loving woman to watch over the children, and Emily Jane fits the bill nicely. Emily Jane agrees to care for William’s nieces—not become his betrothed. Fully determined to find her own way in life and to open her own bakery, Emily Jane isn’t looking for a husband. But no matter how hard she resists, Emily Jane is roped in by the twins’ little hugs and William’s tender regard. And soon she longs to be a permanent part of this ready-made family…

Introduction “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,” William said, giving Emily Jane a hand up onto the wagon. “Not at all. I needed to visit a little while with Beth anyway.” She sat down and then turned and kissed each twin. They giggled and tried to get her hat. William pulled himself up beside her. As he took the reins he asked, “New hat?” “Beth loaned it to me.” He smiled over at her. “It’s very pretty on you.” A compliment? She felt a little uneasy. A soft laugh drifted from his side of the wagon seat. “We’re friends, Emily Jane. No need to get all nervous about a compliment.” How had he known? She cut her eyes under the hat to look at his profile. Was it possible that over the past few weeks they’d grown so close that they knew what each other was thinking? If so, that was dangerous. Maybe after today she should put some distance between herself and William. From her experience with people, those who could read each other’s minds and expressions seemed to be in love. She wasn’t ready for love. Yes, distance after today would be the best solution for them both.

About the Author RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net . Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

Title Page The Texan’s Twin Blessings Rhonda Gibson www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! —Isaiah 43:18–19

Dedication Tina James, thank you for always believing in my stories and trusting me to get them written on time. James Gibson, your love means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for keeping the midnight oil burning so that I can find my way after a long night of writing. And as always, thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving me my heart’s desires.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Granite, Texas Late Spring 1887

Hot, aggravated and about at the end of his rope, William Barns stood on his grandmother’s porch juggling his year-and-a-half-old nieces, Rose and Ruby. The little girls squalled louder.

“Eat!” Rose twisted sideways, her little voice pleading.

They were hungry, so was he, and as soon as his grandmother opened the door from the other side, she’d help feed them. Of that he had no doubt. He shifted the twins higher on his chest. Today they’d had milk and bread in their diets and little else.

The heat was getting to them and making the girls cranky; him, too, if he was honest about it. Colorado springtime and Texas springtime were very different in the way of weather, and the effects on him and the girls were going from poor to bad fast.

Why was his grandmother taking so long? If he remembered correctly, the house was not that big. He’d been a kid the last time he’d stood on this porch, and even then it had seemed small. William clinched his jaw in an effort not to get impatient with the girls and his grandmother. Surely she’d heard him knocking.

The trip from Denver, Colorado, had been exhausting. Rose and Ruby demanded his undivided attention. He’d had no idea how much was required of his late sister, until she’d been killed and he’d taken over the twins’ care. What a load she had carried and carried well.