DONNA ALWARD - Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep

“She’s mine,” he blurted out.

That was not what Avery had expected. “I beg your pardon?”

His face softened. “She looks exactly like my baby sister did at that age. Today’s appointment…it’s a formality, Avery. I know she’s mine. I’ve known it deep down for a few days now.”

Avery’s thoughts jumbled together. He had a sister? Callum was so gruff and solitary it seemed impossible to think of him surrounded by parents and siblings. And yet she knew he hadn’t just hatched, fully formed, into the broody recluse he seemed to be.

And then there was the heady fact that, without proof, he was actually acknowledging that Nell was his daughter.

She was happy about that. And scared as hell, too. The same feelings she’d had that first day came rushing back. Afraid of what he might demand. Afraid of losing the most precious thing in her life.

Dear Reader,

Do you have sisters? Aren’t they great? I mean, every now and again they make you want to pull your hair out or maybe roll your eyes, but when push comes to shove…

My sisters are quite a bit older than I am, and I’m sure when we were all—ahem—much younger there were times they wished I would just disappear. Like when they had dates and I wanted to tag along so I didn’t miss anything. (Honestly, I was like a bad rash they couldn’t get rid of!) Or when they started taking on adult responsibilities and the baby of the family seemed overly privileged. (Who, me?)

But there are other times when only a sister will do. Your sister always has your back. Your sister is one of the few people who can share the family memories you’ve gathered your whole life. Your sister will cry with you and your sister will make you cry with laughter. Your sister will keep your secrets. In short: there’s nothing like a sister.

Which brings me to the current heroine of this book, Avery. Avery misses her sister, Crystal, so much. They were best friends, confidantes. Avery’s a bit lost without Crystal and the only thing keeping her going is raising her baby niece, Nell. Having Nell is like having a little bit of her sister there with her. Being a good mom is the most important thing in her life, so dealing with Nell’s father, Callum, becomes a bit tricky. Especially when she finds herself falling for him…

I thought about my sisters a lot while writing this story, and baby Nell is named after my own sister, Janell. I wonder if she will grow up to have the same twinkle in her eye and wicked sense of humor that my sister has?

Warmest wishes,

Donna

A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters and the family dog), DONNA ALWARDbelieves hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. An avid reader since childhood, Donna always made up her own stories. She completed her arts degree in English literature in 1994, but it wasn’t until 2001 that she penned her first full-length novel and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes warm, emotional stories for Mills & Boon ®Cherish ™.

In her new home office in Nova Scotia, Donna loves being back on the east coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta, where her career began, writing about cowboys and the West. Donna’s debut romance, Hired by the Cowboy , was awarded the Bookseller’s Best Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Romance.

With the Atlantic Ocean only minutes from her doorstep, Donna has found a fresh take on life and promises even more great romances in the near future!

Donna loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website, www.donnaalward.com, her page at www.myspace.com/dalward, or through her publisher.

Little Cowgirl

on His Doorstep

Donna Alward

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my sisters

HE HAS A face that could frighten small children .

That was the first thing that sprang to Avery Spencer’s mind as she stared up at the imposing figure of Callum Shepard. With his stubbled face and long tangle of hair, he didn’t look anything like the clean-cut, charismatic groomsman she’d met just over a year ago. And definitely not the image of a doting dad, she thought with dismay. He stood with feet spread wide, one broad hand splayed on the edge of the door, glowering down at her like she’d committed a cardinal sin.

Except if anyone was the sinner here, it was him. And she reminded herself of that fact to keep from being intimidated—as surely that was his intent. She felt the first tiny trickle of sweat sneak down her spine in the cloying summer heat. Everyone always said Alberta was a dry heat, but that sure wasn’t keeping her shirt from sticking to her back. It made her shift uncomfortably just at the moment she needed to be in absolute control. This could go so wrong in so many ways….

“What do you want?” he asked sharply.

Apparently he had also acquired the manners of a boor. How lovely. For a brief second Avery considered that making this trip might have been a colossal mistake. But then she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. No, it had been the right thing to do. At least after today there would no longer be any secrets or lies. She wouldn’t spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder wondering what would happen if he ever found out about Nell. Far better to face it head-on and get it over with.

Besides, when it came down to brass tacks, Avery really believed that Nell deserved to know both parents. She swallowed, battling against the familiar wave of grief whenever she thought of her sister, Crystal. In this case, Nell deserved to get to know the one true parent she had left. Callum.

“You don’t remember me, do you, Mr. Shepard?”

His dark brows pulled together. “Should I?”

That stung. After all, she remembered him, and he’d looked far different the last time she’d seen him, which was one year, one month and…what, five days ago? Not that she was counting, mind you. Back then his hair had been precisely cut, his face clean-shaven and he’d been wearing a suit with a single white rose in the lapel. Avery’s tongue snuck out and licked across her dry lips. She knew that because the moment he’d stepped into the hotel suite she’d looked up and her mouth had gone dry and her palms sweaty. Callum Shepard had been gorgeous. And when he’d smiled, her stomach had gone all swirly.

Even when he’d looked right past Avery and his gaze had fallen on her sister.

Now his hair hung in straggly waves down to his collar, he looked as if he hadn’t shaved in two days and his plaid shirt was only half tucked into old jeans. And smile? More like permanent scowl. The change was remarkable—and disheartening considering the circumstances. Not to mention incredibly intimidating.

Being intimidated wouldn’t suit at all, not if she were to stay in control of the situation as she planned. “I’m Avery Spencer.” She held out her hand, determined to meet the task ahead with politeness and a modicum of grace.

His face stayed blank and his hand stayed beside his thigh. Not much surprise that it didn’t sound familiar, she supposed. After all, he’d only had eyes for Crystal that weekend. He probably hadn’t given Avery a second glance. Why would he?

“It doesn’t ring a bell, sorry.” And still he stood in the middle of the doorway. No invitation to come in, no nothing. Gatekeeper, lord and master of his own domain. She lowered her hand again, feeling foolish.