Cathy Thacker - The Texas Rancher's Marriage

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A Special Christmas Reunion

Few people in Laramie, Texas, know that Merri Duncan is actually the biological mother of her late sister’s twins. Even fewer know that Chase Armstrong, and not his late brother, is their biological father. It’s even news to Chase—and when he returns from military duty, he’s determined to do the right thing by Merri, who’s been raising the twins alone on the Broken Arrow ranch. It’s time for a walk to the altar, for the sake of the children.

There’s just one problem. Merri and Chase are, as they always have been, just friends—nothing more. Without love, their marriage can never be truly complete. Sticking it out may mean sacrificing their chances for future happiness. But maybe faith, hope and desire can bring these two newlyweds what they truly need. After all, it is the season of miracles.

“It doesn’t have to be a real marriage.”

Chase was determined to have his way on this whether she liked it or not. “At least not in the conventional sense.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Merri looked at him, a mix of exasperation and cynicism in her glacier-green eyes.

He regarded her seriously, aware he had a responsibility here. “Its only purpose will be to help us meet the objective.”

Merri exhaled. “You becoming a father to your children.”

Chase watched as she crossed her legs and clasped her delicate hands around her knee. When had she gotten so all-out beautiful? “While keeping you as the mother they know and love.”

“People will talk.”

“You’re worried our relationship wouldn’t stay platonic.”

Merri stared at him, knowing a guy as healthy and virile and sexy as Chase had to have needs, too. She kept her eyes locked with his, even as her heart raced like a wild thing in her chest. “Aren’t you?”

Dear Reader,

There’s never a good time for a crisis, particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But the “season of giving” has a way of bringing family and friends together—when we’re lucky, in ways that last forever.

Chase Armstrong has been avoiding the heartache at home for years, but finally decides to return to his Texas roots. He knows it will be tough seeing the only family he has left. He doesn’t expect to be hit with news that will change his life.

Merri Duncan is worried about Chase’s homecoming, too. She’s been wondering about his plans regarding the niece and nephew he has long neglected. And she knows he isn’t likely to approve of what she has done to the Armstrong clan’s Broken Arrow ranch in his absence.

What neither Merri nor Chase expects is the stark realization that turns their lives upside down. Experience has taught her that wanting something to happen doesn’t make it so. But both are willing to do the honorable thing and bring the family together the way it should be, even if it means big sacrifices for both of them. Because in big, bold, brash Laramie County, family always comes first.

Happy reading,

Cathy Gillen Thacker

About the Author

CATHY GILLENThacker is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Harlequin Books author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings, and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website at www.cathygillenthacker.comfor more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

The Texas Rancher’s Marriage

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

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

Epilogue

Teaser Chapter

Chapter One

“Breathe.”

Merri Duncan turned to her best friend, Emily McCabe Reeves, aware she had never been so nervous in her life.

“That obvious, hmm?” Merri drawled, glad she had thought to get a babysitter for the twins. Right now, as they all waited for their beloved guest of honor to show, she could barely contain herself, never mind two rowdy preschoolers.

Over two hundred other local residents and family friends had gathered on the Armstrong ranch. Texas barbecue scented the air. A country and western band warmed up next to the dance floors set up on the lawn.

“I know the last time Chase was home was pretty awful,” Emily commiserated.

“An understatement,” Merri murmured back. Together, she and Chase had weathered the aftermath of a horrific helicopter crash, and buried her sister and his brother. Then Merri had taken custody of Sasha and Scott’s eight-week-old infants, and Chase had headed back to the army field hospital in the Middle East.

Four and a half years had passed.

Chase hadn’t been back to the States since.

Although Merri and the twins had heard from him sporadically—mostly at Christmas, and on birthdays—the big, strapping Texan never disclosed what he intended to do, long-term.

If anything… All Merri knew for sure was that he had finally completed his tour of duty and had accepted a job at the Laramie Community Hospital.

She and the twins were now settled comfortably on the once-luxurious ranch where Chase and his brother had grown up, and where her business, though still small, was thriving. In addition to the excitement and upheaval of Chase’s homecoming, the Christmas holidays were approaching and Thanksgiving was just a few days away.

Merri released a tremulous sigh. Life sure had a way of taking unexpected turns.

And she had the nagging feeling that as soon as she and Chase talked about the information she had accidentally discovered, her already complicated life would take another unscripted detour. Merri knew from firsthand experience that the circumstances of the twins’ origins would not be dealt with as simply as she had initially hoped. And soon, like it or not, Chase would realize that, too.

Misreading the reason behind Merri’s obvious apprehension, Emily gave her friend an encouraging hug. “Stop worrying! It’s going to be a great welcome home party for Chase.”

Merri sure hoped so. The returning trauma surgeon deserved to be celebrated for the true hero he was.

And she…she needed to stop agonizing.

Chase was a decent guy, and he would do the right thing, just as he always had. In fact, that was likely the reason he was back—to lend a hand in the way only he could.

Although what he would want to tell people about the truth of their situation was as much a mystery as it ever had been.

Emily smiled and lifted her arm in an excited wave as her husband’s pickup truck turned into the long, tree-lined drive. “Here they come now!”

Merri slipped into the ranch house and emerged with the twins in hand.

Curly blond heads tilted upward and their big brown eyes gleamed excitedly as they watched the truck come to a halt. A tall man emerged from the passenger seat, and when Merri got a look at Chase Armstrong, her heart took a little leap.