Christine Rimmer - The Lawman's Convenient Bride

First Comes Marriage

Feisty, fearless Jody Bravo’s set to do everything for her baby. She doesn’t need anything from anyone—especially the stepbrother of her baby’s late father. But lawman Seth Yancy won’t leave her to face parenthood alone, no matter how prepared she is. And even though Jody resists, soon she’s taken in completely by his charms—and agrees to be his wife...

Then Comes Love?

Hunky Sheriff Yancy’s not without his fair share of admirers in Justice Creek. After a terrible tragedy years before, though, he’s faced life alone. Now the real-life woman of his dreams just happens to be his bride—and pregnant with the child of his heart, if not his reality. So “father” is a role that will come naturally to Seth. And will “husband” really be that far behind?

“I want to be with you, Jody. And not just as a friend.”

“B-but I…” God. She was sputtering. And why did she suddenly feel light as a breath of air, as if she was floating on moonbeams? “You want to be with me? But you don’t do that. You’ve made that very clear.”

“You’re right. I didn’t do that. Until now. But things have changed.”

“Because of Marybeth, you mean?”

“Yeah, because of Marybeth. And because of you, too. Because of the way you are. Strong and honest and smart and so pretty. Because we’ve got something going on, you and me. Something good. I’m through pretending that we’re friends and nothing more. Are you telling me I’m the only one who feels that way?”

“I just…” Her pulse raced and her cheeks felt too hot. She’d promised herself that nothing like this would happen, that she wouldn’t get her hopes up.

She needed to be careful. She could end up with her heart in pieces all over again.

* * *

The Bravos of Justice Creek:Where bold hearts collide under Western skies

The Lawman’s Convenient Bride

Christine Rimmer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHRISTINE RIMMER came to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at www.christinerimmer.com.

For every brave soul

who dares to love again.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text First Comes Marriage Feisty, fearless Jody Bravo’s set to do everything for her baby. She doesn’t need anything from anyone—especially the stepbrother of her baby’s late father. But lawman Seth Yancy won’t leave her to face parenthood alone, no matter how prepared she is. And even though Jody resists, soon she’s taken in completely by his charms—and agrees to be his wife... Then Comes Love? Hunky Sheriff Yancy’s not without his fair share of admirers in Justice Creek. After a terrible tragedy years before, though, he’s faced life alone. Now the real-life woman of his dreams just happens to be his bride—and pregnant with the child of his heart, if not his reality. So “father” is a role that will come naturally to Seth. And will “husband” really be that far behind?

Introduction “I want to be with you, Jody. And not just as a friend.” “B-but I…” God. She was sputtering. And why did she suddenly feel light as a breath of air, as if she was floating on moonbeams? “You want to be with me? But you don’t do that. You’ve made that very clear.” “You’re right. I didn’t do that. Until now. But things have changed.” “Because of Marybeth, you mean?” “Yeah, because of Marybeth. And because of you, too. Because of the way you are. Strong and honest and smart and so pretty. Because we’ve got something going on, you and me. Something good. I’m through pretending that we’re friends and nothing more. Are you telling me I’m the only one who feels that way?” “I just…” Her pulse raced and her cheeks felt too hot. She’d promised herself that nothing like this would happen, that she wouldn’t get her hopes up. She needed to be careful. She could end up with her heart in pieces all over again. * * * The Bravos of Justice Creek: Where bold hearts collide under Western skies

Title Page The Lawman’s Convenient Bride Christine Rimmer www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CHRISTINE RIMMER came to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at www.christinerimmer.com .

Dedication For every brave soul who dares to love again.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Sheriff Seth Yancy worked hard for his community. He lived to serve the citizens of tiny Broomtail County, Colorado, and he would do just about anything for his constituents.

But a bachelor auction?

No way would he agree to be a prize in one of those. Being raffled off to the highest bidder was beneath his dignity. Plus, he would have to go out with the winner. Seth hadn’t gone out with anyone in almost four years. And way back when he did go out, it hadn’t been with a woman from town—or anywhere in Broomtail County, for that matter.

He was single and planned to stay that way. Dating someone who lived in his community, well, that could get messy. Seth didn’t do messy. As sheriff, he tried to set a good example in all aspects of his personal life. And that meant that when the president of the library association asked him to be a prize in her upcoming bachelor auction, Seth went right to work gently and regretfully turning her down.

He sat back in his new leather desk chair in his brand-new office in the recently opened Broomtail County Justice Center on the outer edge of the small town of Justice Creek and said, “The last Saturday in May? I’m sorry, Mrs. Carruthers. That’s a bad day for me.” It wasn’t really a lie, he reasoned. Because if he said yes to the woman in the guest chair across from him, it would be a bad day.

“Call me Caroline.” She crossed her slim legs and folded her hands on her knee.

“Sure, Caroline. What time did you say the auction was?”

“We’re planning an all-day event in the park. But you would only need to be there between, say, two and four.”

“Two and four,” he repeated, stalling a little, as though he really did want to help her out. And he did. Just not for this.

Caroline beamed at him from behind her cat’s-eye glasses. “So then. We can count on you as one of our bachelors. I’m so pleased.”

“Hmm. Hold on, now. I’ll have to check.” He clicked the mouse on his desktop and made a show of frowning at the screen. “I’m sorry, but between two and four is impossible.” It was an outright lie this time. And Seth did not approve of lying. But to get out of being raffled off like a prize bull, he would sink pretty low. “I just can’t make it.”

Caroline’s sweet smile never wavered, though her eyes were a flinty, determined shade of gray. “Sheriff, I can’t tell you how much it would mean to us if you could find a way to rearrange your schedule and say yes.”