Regina Scott - A Rancher Of Convenience

Fill-In Father...and Husband

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can’t believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch’s mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage...

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett’s death, Hank resolves to do right by the man’s wife and child. So it’s natural for him to step in as Nancy’s newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation...if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

“This is a matter of the future, yours and the baby’s.”

Nancy stared out over the corral. “But marriage? I just buried my husband.”

His gut bunched at the memory. “I know. But I also know you’re going to be too busy soon to run a ranch. And that baby will need a father.”

Tears were gathering in her eyes again. “That’s true,” she murmured. “But I’m not ready to be a wife.”

“And I’m none too ready to be a husband,” Hank assured her. “But I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.”

The tears were falling now. “Oh, Hank, that’s so kind of you. I don’t know what to say.”

Kindness wasn’t his reason, but he didn’t correct her.

“Just think on it,” he urged, fisting his hands to keep from wiping the tears from her cheeks. “And I’ll understand if you’d rather find a better fellow than me.”

She turned then and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss against his cheek. “I’m beginning to think there is no finer fellow than you,” she murmured.

* * *

LONE STAR COWBOY LEAGUE:

THE FOUNDING YEARS—

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

Stand-In Rancher Daddy—

Renee Ryan, July 2016

A Family for the Rancher—

Louise M. Gouge, August 2016

A Rancher of Convenience—

Regina Scott, September 2016

REGINA SCOTT has always wanted to be a writer. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages. Fascinated by history, she learned to fence and sail a tall ship. She and her husband reside in Washington state with their overactive Irish terrier. You can find her online blogging at nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at reginascott.comor connect with her on Facebook at F acebook.com/authorreginascott.

A Rancher of Convenience

Regina Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in.

—Matthew 25:35

To my sister authors Renee Ryan and Louise M. Gouge for humoring and encouraging me through the writing of this book; and to the Lord, for opportunities, leadings and most of all love.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Fill-In Father...and Husband Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can’t believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch’s mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage... Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett’s death, Hank resolves to do right by the man’s wife and child. So it’s natural for him to step in as Nancy’s newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation...if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

Introduction “This is a matter of the future, yours and the baby’s.” Nancy stared out over the corral. “But marriage? I just buried my husband.” His gut bunched at the memory. “I know. But I also know you’re going to be too busy soon to run a ranch. And that baby will need a father.” Tears were gathering in her eyes again. “That’s true,” she murmured. “But I’m not ready to be a wife.” “And I’m none too ready to be a husband,” Hank assured her. “But I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.” The tears were falling now. “Oh, Hank, that’s so kind of you. I don’t know what to say.” Kindness wasn’t his reason, but he didn’t correct her. “Just think on it,” he urged, fisting his hands to keep from wiping the tears from her cheeks. “And I’ll understand if you’d rather find a better fellow than me.” She turned then and stood on tiptoe to press a kiss against his cheek. “I’m beginning to think there is no finer fellow than you,” she murmured. * * * LONE STAR COWBOY LEAGUE: THE FOUNDING YEARS— Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas Stand-In Rancher Daddy— Renee Ryan, July 2016 A Family for the Rancher— Louise M. Gouge, August 2016 A Rancher of Convenience— Regina Scott, September 2016

About the Author REGINA SCOTT has always wanted to be a writer. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages. Fascinated by history, she learned to fence and sail a tall ship. She and her husband reside in Washington state with their overactive Irish terrier. You can find her online blogging at nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at reginascott.com or connect with her on Facebook at F acebook.com/authorreginascott .

Title Page A Rancher of Convenience Regina Scott www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in. —Matthew 25:35

Dedication To my sister authors Renee Ryan and Louise M. Gouge for humoring and encouraging me through the writing of this book; and to the Lord, for opportunities, leadings and most of all love.

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Windy Diamond Ranch,

Little Horn, Texas, July 1895

She was a widow.

Nancy Bennett shook her head as she stood on the wide front porch, looking out at the ranch her husband had built. Across the dusty ground in front of the house, a horse corral clung to a weathered, single-story barn. Beyond them, scrub oak and cottonwood dotted windblown grass where longhorns roamed, content.

She could not find such contentment. One hand clutched the letter that could spell the end of her dream. The other hand rested on her belly where it was just beginning to swell inside her black skirts.

She and Lucas had been married only ten months. She was still learning how to be a wife, hadn’t yet accustomed herself to the idea that she would one day be a mother. Now Lucas was dead, killed because he had rustled from their friends and neighbors. And her whole world had been upended like a tumbleweed turning in the wind.

Sherriff Fuller had tried to be kind when he’d brought her the news two weeks ago. She’d been pressing the pedal of the wrought iron sewing machine Lucas had ordered for her, finishing the seam on a new shirt for him, when she’d heard the sound of a horse coming in fast.