Karen Kirst - The Sheriff's Christmas Twins

Holiday Baby Blessings

Convinced that Allison Ashworth deserves better, Sheriff Shane Timmons has always tried to remain aloof around his childhood companion. But with Allison in Gatlinburg for the holidays, insisting on caring for two motherless babies, Shane feels obliged to help her. How can he keep his distance when she and the children are quickly becoming the family he never dared to wish for?

As a girl, Allison was drawn to the wary yet handsome Shane, who never seemed to look her way. But in spending time with him and two sweet babies, she might yet find a chink in the confirmed bachelor’s armor. Every shared moment gives Allison hope that this Christmas, her dreams of motherhood—and a life with Shane—may finally be coming true.

He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him.

“I have to be honest, Shane. I hate that you see me as a burdensome child. Every time you sigh and huff and roll your eyes, I’m tempted to throttle you.”

He stared at her. “I’m sorry.”

He was sorry that he wasn’t a different man, one who knew how to trust and love and have normal relationships. He was sorry he hadn’t done a better job of hiding his unease around Allison.

She began to dig in her reticule, her frustration evident. He pulled the key from his pocket and held it up.

“Looking for this?”

When she went to snatch it from him, he held it out of reach. “For the record, I don’t see you as a burdensome child.”

“Oh?” Her chin jerked up, her hair gleaming in the night. “How do you see me, Shane?”

He strove for a rare moment of honesty between them. The fact she couldn’t see his face helped. “As an intelligent, caring, gorgeous woman who makes me wish I was a better man.”

KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

The Sheriff’s Christmas Twins

Karen Kirst

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38–39

To Teresa Bensch, sweet cousin and friend.

And to editor extraordinaire Emily Rodmell.

Your guidance makes all the difference.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Holiday Baby Blessings Convinced that Allison Ashworth deserves better, Sheriff Shane Timmons has always tried to remain aloof around his childhood companion. But with Allison in Gatlinburg for the holidays, insisting on caring for two motherless babies, Shane feels obliged to help her. How can he keep his distance when she and the children are quickly becoming the family he never dared to wish for? As a girl, Allison was drawn to the wary yet handsome Shane, who never seemed to look her way. But in spending time with him and two sweet babies, she might yet find a chink in the confirmed bachelor’s armor. Every shared moment gives Allison hope that this Christmas, her dreams of motherhood—and a life with Shane—may finally be coming true.

Introduction He touched her shoulder, and she whirled on him. “I have to be honest, Shane. I hate that you see me as a burdensome child. Every time you sigh and huff and roll your eyes, I’m tempted to throttle you.” He stared at her. “I’m sorry.” He was sorry that he wasn’t a different man, one who knew how to trust and love and have normal relationships. He was sorry he hadn’t done a better job of hiding his unease around Allison. She began to dig in her reticule, her frustration evident. He pulled the key from his pocket and held it up. “Looking for this?” When she went to snatch it from him, he held it out of reach. “For the record, I don’t see you as a burdensome child.” “Oh?” Her chin jerked up, her hair gleaming in the night. “How do you see me, Shane?” He strove for a rare moment of honesty between them. The fact she couldn’t see his face helped. “As an intelligent, caring, gorgeous woman who makes me wish I was a better man.”

About the Author KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

Title Page The Sheriff’s Christmas Twins Karen Kirst www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38–39

Dedication To Teresa Bensch, sweet cousin and friend. And to editor extraordinaire Emily Rodmell. Your guidance makes all the difference.

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

December 1886

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

“We have a situation at the mercantile, Sheriff.”

Shane Timmons set the law journal aside and reached for his gun belt.

The banker held up his hand. “You won’t be needing that. This matter requires finesse, not force.”

“What’s happened?” His chair scraped across the uneven floor as he stood and picked up his Stetson. “Did Quinn catch a kid filching penny candy?”

“I suggest you come and see for yourself.”

Unaccustomed to seeing Claude Jenkins flustered, Shane’s curiosity grew as he shrugged on his coat and followed him outside into the crisp December day. Pedestrians intent on starting their holiday shopping early crowded the boardwalks. Those shopkeepers who hadn’t already decorated their storefronts were draping the windows and doors in ivy and holly garlands. On the opposite side of the street, they passed a vendor hawking roasted chestnuts, calling forth memories of bitter Norfolk, Virginia, winters and a young boy’s futile longing for a single bag of the toasty treat.

Shane tamped down the unpleasant memories and continued on to the mercantile. Half a dozen trunks were piled beside the entrance. Unease pulled his shoulder blades together as if connected by invisible string. His visitors weren’t due for three more days. He did a quick scan of the street, relieved there was no sign of the stagecoach.