Stella Bagwell - The Cowboy's Christmas Lullaby

He’ll sing a new tune this Christmas!

Divorced and raising two boys on her own is a far cry from the big family Marcella Grayson always imagined. Then she meets tall, dark and delicious Denver Yates—and the attraction is overwhelming! Still, Marcella is cautious. It takes a lot of man to date a single mom, let alone build a relationship...or a family.

After losing his wife and unborn child, Denver has sworn off the family life—especially kids. Yet lovely Marcella and her boys find a way into this cowboy’s heart. But when their passion lights up the plus sign on the test stick, Denver is stunned. Is this a snare set by Marcella? Or is it the Christmas wish they’ve been too afraid to make?

She glanced over at him and wondered what he was possibly thinking about her, wanting from her.

Had that kiss implied he wanted to deepen their relationship? The mere idea of that rattled her as much as the kiss. “I don’t know about you, Denver, but I’m not really in the mood for a movie.”

Braking at a stop sign, he glanced over at her. “I’m not, either. So what would you like to do? The night is still early.”

“It’s rainy and cold. Why don’t we just go to my place? I’ll make us some hot chocolate and we can watch TV—or something.”

“Are you sure? If there’s something else you’d rather do, just tell me. I don’t want this to be a bum date for you.”

“Just spending time with you will be special.”

An odd expression flickered across his face, and for a moment she thought he was going to insist they do anything besides what she was suggesting.

But then he shrugged one shoulder and turned the truck in the general direction of her house.

Marcella settled back in the seat and wondered if she’d just invited herself a heartbreak, or finally found the courage to open the door to the rest of her life.

* * *

MEN OF THE WEST:

Whether ranchers or lawmen, these heartbreakers know how to ride, shoot—and drive a woman crazy...

The Cowboy’s Christmas Lullaby

Stella Bagwell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

After writing more than eighty books for Mills & Boon, STELLA BAGWELL still finds it exciting to create new stories and bring her characters to life. She loves all things Western and has been married to her own real cowboy for forty-four years. Living on the south Texas coast, she also enjoys being outdoors and helping her husband care for the horses, cats and dog that call their small ranch home. The couple has one son, who teaches high school mathematics and is also an athletic director. Stella loves hearing from readers. They can contact her at stellabagwell@gmail.com.

To all the nurses who’ve dedicated

their lives to caring for others.

Thank you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text He’ll sing a new tune this Christmas! Divorced and raising two boys on her own is a far cry from the big family Marcella Grayson always imagined. Then she meets tall, dark and delicious Denver Yates—and the attraction is overwhelming! Still, Marcella is cautious. It takes a lot of man to date a single mom, let alone build a relationship...or a family. After losing his wife and unborn child, Denver has sworn off the family life—especially kids. Yet lovely Marcella and her boys find a way into this cowboy’s heart. But when their passion lights up the plus sign on the test stick, Denver is stunned. Is this a snare set by Marcella? Or is it the Christmas wish they’ve been too afraid to make?

Introduction She glanced over at him and wondered what he was possibly thinking about her, wanting from her. Had that kiss implied he wanted to deepen their relationship? The mere idea of that rattled her as much as the kiss. “I don’t know about you, Denver, but I’m not really in the mood for a movie.” Braking at a stop sign, he glanced over at her. “I’m not, either. So what would you like to do? The night is still early.” “It’s rainy and cold. Why don’t we just go to my place? I’ll make us some hot chocolate and we can watch TV—or something.” “Are you sure? If there’s something else you’d rather do, just tell me. I don’t want this to be a bum date for you.” “Just spending time with you will be special.” An odd expression flickered across his face, and for a moment she thought he was going to insist they do anything besides what she was suggesting. But then he shrugged one shoulder and turned the truck in the general direction of her house. Marcella settled back in the seat and wondered if she’d just invited herself a heartbreak, or finally found the courage to open the door to the rest of her life. * * * MEN OF THE WEST: Whether ranchers or lawmen, these heartbreakers know how to ride, shoot—and drive a woman crazy...

Title Page The Cowboy’s Christmas Lullaby Stella Bagwell www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author After writing more than eighty books for Mills & Boon, STELLA BAGWELL still finds it exciting to create new stories and bring her characters to life. She loves all things Western and has been married to her own real cowboy for forty-four years. Living on the south Texas coast, she also enjoys being outdoors and helping her husband care for the horses, cats and dog that call their small ranch home. The couple has one son, who teaches high school mathematics and is also an athletic director. Stella loves hearing from readers. They can contact her at stellabagwell@gmail.com.

Dedication To all the nurses who’ve dedicated their lives to caring for others. Thank you.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Mom, somebody has come to our rescue!”

“Ain’t so, Harry! It’s a Halloween goblin come to steal our candy!”

Ignoring the shouts of her two sons sitting in the backseat of the car, Marcella Grayson glanced up from the black dashboard to the flash of headlights in the rearview mirror.

When her car had suddenly died, she’d attempted to steer it to the side of the rural graveled road. Instead, the vehicle had rolled to a complete stop before she could manage to make that happen. Now the rear end of the car was partially blocking the path of the driver behind her.

Marcella pulled on a lightweight jacket and reached for the door latch. “Stay buckled up, boys. Do not get out of the car for any reason. Understand?”

Harry, the older of the two brothers by a mere eight months, questioned, “Where are you going, Mom?”

“We’re blocking the road,” she said. “I need to explain to the driver behind us.”

“Tell ’em to call the police!” Peter exclaimed. “We need help!”

“Dummy! We don’t need the police,” Harry chided his brother. “We need a tow truck!”

Marcella didn’t waste time telling the boys to quit arguing. Instead, she exited the car and immediately found herself blinded by the orb of a flashlight.

Shielding her eyes with a hand, she peered toward the end of the vehicle, but all she could discern in the darkness was a pair of long, muscular legs encased in dusty denim and an equally dirty pair of cowboy boots.

“Having trouble?”

As the boots started toward her, she tried to recognize the male voice, but failed. She was acquainted with several men who lived or worked here on the Silver Horn Ranch. Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of them.