Linda Ford - The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets

Three Little Matchmakers

Rancher Bo Stillwater has no plans of becoming a husband or a father...but he can’t turn away from the three babies he finds at the county fair. After leaving the abandoned triplets in the care of the doctor’s daughter, Louisa Clark, his duty should be done. So why can’t he seem to stay away from the babies and their pretty caregiver?

Watching the town’s most eligible bachelor with the little trio reawakens Louisa’s unmet dreams. She’s found satisfaction in spinsterhood and caring for others, convinced that motherhood passed her by. Do she and Bo only work so well together for the children’s sakes...or could they both find courage to make this sweet temporary arrangement something truly lasting?

“Did you fill your dance card?”

It took the space of two seconds for Bo to shift from his past to his present, and Louisa knew the moment he did. The lines of his face softened and his arm relaxed. “Still got some openings. Do you want me to put your name in one?” He flashed a teasing smile at her.

Or was it genuine?

Not that it mattered. She chuckled somewhat regretfully. “I think I will have my hands full with the triplets.”

“You’re missing all the fun.” He sounded truly disappointed on her behalf, which triggered a sting of tears in her eyes.

She ducked her head lest he see how his words affected her. “I’m doing what needs to be done.”

He made a musing sound that drew her gaze back to him. “I’m going to make a wild guess here and say that’s the story of your life…doing what needs to be done.”

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League: Multiple Blessings

The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets—

Linda Ford, April 2017

The Nanny’s Temporary Triplets—

Noelle Marchand, May 2017

The Bride’s Matchmaking Triplets—

Regina Scott, June 2017

LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.

The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets

Linda Ford

www.millsandboon.co.uk

He rescued me because he delighted in me…

It is God who arms me with strength

and keeps my way secure.

—Psalms 18:19, 32

To Marie. I see your struggles. I see your strength and courage. I pray God’s love into your life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Three Little Matchmakers Rancher Bo Stillwater has no plans of becoming a husband or a father...but he can’t turn away from the three babies he finds at the county fair. After leaving the abandoned triplets in the care of the doctor’s daughter, Louisa Clark, his duty should be done. So why can’t he seem to stay away from the babies and their pretty caregiver? Watching the town’s most eligible bachelor with the little trio reawakens Louisa’s unmet dreams. She’s found satisfaction in spinsterhood and caring for others, convinced that motherhood passed her by. Do she and Bo only work so well together for the children’s sakes...or could they both find courage to make this sweet temporary arrangement something truly lasting?

Introduction “Did you fill your dance card?” It took the space of two seconds for Bo to shift from his past to his present, and Louisa knew the moment he did. The lines of his face softened and his arm relaxed. “Still got some openings. Do you want me to put your name in one?” He flashed a teasing smile at her. Or was it genuine? Not that it mattered. She chuckled somewhat regretfully. “I think I will have my hands full with the triplets.” “You’re missing all the fun.” He sounded truly disappointed on her behalf, which triggered a sting of tears in her eyes. She ducked her head lest he see how his words affected her. “I’m doing what needs to be done.” He made a musing sound that drew her gaze back to him. “I’m going to make a wild guess here and say that’s the story of your life…doing what needs to be done.” * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Multiple Blessings The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets— Linda Ford, April 2017 The Nanny’s Temporary Triplets— Noelle Marchand, May 2017 The Bride’s Matchmaking Triplets— Regina Scott, June 2017

About the Author LINDA FORD lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.

Title Page The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets Linda Ford www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse He rescued me because he delighted in me… It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. —Psalms 18:19, 32

Dedication To Marie. I see your struggles. I see your strength and courage. I pray God’s love into your life.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

June 1896

Little Horn, Texas

Louisa Clark pushed through the half-dozen young women to get to the counter of the store. They peered at a sign on top of the oak counter.

“A dime a dance, you say?” One of the pretty women spoke. So young and fresh looking it made Louisa, at twenty-seven, realize she was well past her prime...old enough to earn the title of “spinster.” Not that it mattered to her. She was content with her life...found it immensely satisfying.

She edged between two of the young women and glanced at the sign. Dances were being sold at a dime a piece to raise money to help out the many needy families in the area. The ongoing drought left so many struggling to survive. Her heart went out to them. To be unable to care for one’s family must surely be the worst feeling in the world.

“There will be a dance Saturday night to wind up our three-day fair. Every man who wants a dance will have to pay a dime. Won’t that be fun?”

She glanced toward the speaker who answered the young lady’s question.

Bo Stillwater leaned back on the heels of his well-worn cowboy boots and pushed his equally well-worn cowboy hat back on his head, revealing sandy-brown hair and silvery eyes that seemed to be perpetually laughing at life. She’d met him shortly after her arrival in town and had barely been able to look directly at those eyes. He was a rancher and his twin brother was the preacher at the church next to the doctor’s house.

The young ladies turned as one to cluster around the cowboy.

“What about you, Mr. Stillwater? Are you going to pay a dime to dance with each of us?” The young miss blossomed rosy pink.

Louisa felt sorry for her. Had she ever been so young and innocent? Oh, yes, there was a time she’d fancied herself in love. At eighteen she had been naive and full of dreams. She’d loved Wes and trusted that he loved her. But when things got serious enough for them to talk marriage, she had warned him they’d have to wait until Amy and Mother no longer needed her. He had responded that it sounded like she meant for him to wait most of his life. Said he wasn’t willing to wait. She wasn’t worth waiting for. Nine years later she sometimes wondered if she was finally worth waiting for or if she was meant to always be alone.