Cathy Thacker - A Texas Cowboy's Christmas

A GIFT AS BIG AS TEXAS

Molly Griffith is ambitious and only wants to give her little boy the opportunities she never had. Which means moving to Dallas, no matter what Chance Lockhart says! Though being with the handsome rancher does make the idea of small-town life more tempting…

Molly has always gotten under Chance’s skin, and now that he’s bonded with her little tyke, he can’t imagine Bullhaven Ranch without them. But the single mom is so focused on her big-city fairy tale, she could miss Chance’s offer of the most important gift of all—the love and support of a real family.

“I want my little boy to grow up being practical! Unlike certain idiot cowboys who shall remain nameless.”

There Molly went with the insults again, but it was better than dealing with the attraction they felt whenever they were together.

“I think I might know who you’re talking about.” Rubbing his jaw in a parody of thoughtfulness, he drawled, “That rancher brother of mine—not too bright, is he?”

Molly made a strangled sound deep in her throat. She put her hand on the center of his chest and gave a small, purposeful shove. “I’m talking about you, you big lug.”

Delighted by her unwillingness to give any ground to him, he captured her hand and held it over his heart. “Ah. Endearments.” He sighed with comically exaggerated dreaminess.

“You’re playing with fire here, cowboy.”

He grinned mischievously. “The kind of fire that leads to a kiss?”

Molly snorted. “The kind that leads to me hauling off and kicking you right in the shin!”

It was good to know he could get to her this much...because she sure got to him.

A Texas Cowboy’s Christmas

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CATHY GILLEN THACKER 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 Mills & Boon 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, www.cathygillenthacker.com, for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A GIFT AS BIG AS TEXAS Molly Griffith is ambitious and only wants to give her little boy the opportunities she never had. Which means moving to Dallas, no matter what Chance Lockhart says! Though being with the handsome rancher does make the idea of small-town life more tempting… Molly has always gotten under Chance’s skin, and now that he’s bonded with her little tyke, he can’t imagine Bullhaven Ranch without them. But the single mom is so focused on her big-city fairy tale, she could miss Chance’s offer of the most important gift of all—the love and support of a real family.

Introduction “I want my little boy to grow up being practical! Unlike certain idiot cowboys who shall remain nameless.” There Molly went with the insults again, but it was better than dealing with the attraction they felt whenever they were together. “I think I might know who you’re talking about.” Rubbing his jaw in a parody of thoughtfulness, he drawled, “That rancher brother of mine—not too bright, is he?” Molly made a strangled sound deep in her throat. She put her hand on the center of his chest and gave a small, purposeful shove. “I’m talking about you, you big lug.” Delighted by her unwillingness to give any ground to him, he captured her hand and held it over his heart. “Ah. Endearments.” He sighed with comically exaggerated dreaminess. “You’re playing with fire here, cowboy.” He grinned mischievously. “The kind of fire that leads to a kiss?” Molly snorted. “The kind that leads to me hauling off and kicking you right in the shin!” It was good to know he could get to her this much...because she sure got to him.

Title Page A Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Cathy Gillen Thacker www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CATHY GILLEN THACKER 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 Mills & Boon 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, www.cathygillenthacker.com , for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“I blame you for this, Chance Lockhart!” Molly Griffith fumed the moment she came toe-to-toe with him just inside the open-air bucking-bull training facility of Bullhaven Ranch.

Chance set down the saddle and blanket he’d been carrying. With a wicked grin, he pushed the brim of his hat back and paused to take her in. No doubt about it—the twenty-seven-year-old general contractor/interior designer was never lovelier than when she was in a temper. With her amber eyes blazing, her pretty face flushed with indignant color and her auburn curls wildly out of place, she looked as if she were ripe for taming.

Luckily for both of them, he was too smart to succumb to the challenge.

His gaze drifted over her, taking in her designer jeans and peacock-blue boots, before moving upward to the white silk shirt and soft suede blazer that cloaked her curvy frame.

Damn, she was sexy, though. From the half-moon pendant that nestled in the hollow of her breasts to the voluptuous bounty of her bow-shaped lips.

Exhaling slowly, he tamped down his desire and prompted in a lazy drawl, “Blame me for what?”

Molly propped her hands on her hips. “For telling my son, Braden, he can have a live bull for Christmas!”

Somehow Chance managed not to wince at the huffy accusation. He set down the saddle and narrowed his eyes instead. “That’s not exactly what I said.”

Molly moved close enough he could inhale her flowery perfume, her breasts rising and falling with every deep, agitated breath. “Did you or did you not tell him that Santa could bring him a bull?”

Chance shrugged, glad for the brisk November breeze blowing over them. Still holding Molly’s eyes, he rocked back on the heels of his worn leather work boots. “I said he could ask Santa for a bull.”

Molly harrumphed and folded her arms beneath her breasts, the action plumping them up all the more. “Exactly!”

Working to slow his rising pulse, Chance lowered his face to hers and explained tautly, “That doesn’t mean Santa is going to bring it.”

Chance picked up the gear, slung it over one shoulder and stalked toward the ten-by-ten metal holding pen, where a two-year-old Black Angus bull named Peppermint was waiting.

One of the heirs to his retired national championship bucking bull, Mistletoe, he bore the same steady temperament, lively personality and exceptional athletic ability of his daddy.