Jillian Hart: Rocky Mountain Widow

Praise forJillian Hart

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAN

‘This book’s intense emotions reach out to touch

readers. Betsy’s unwavering belief in Duncan and

willingness to fight to save him from himself is so

moving you’ll want to cry with happiness as

Hart plays on your heartstrings.’

— Romantic Times BOOKreviews

HIGH PLAINS WIFE

‘Finely drawn characters and sweet tenderness tinged

with poignancy draw readers into a familiar story that

beautifully captures the feel of an Americana romance.

Readers can enjoy sharp dialogue and adorable child

characterisations while shedding a tear or two.’

— Romantic Times BOOKreviews

MONTANA MAN

‘Ms Hart creates a world of tantalising warmth

and tenderness, a toasty haven in which the reader

will find pure enjoyment.’

— Romantic Times BOOKreviews

COOPER’S WIFE

‘…a wonderfully written romance

full of love and laughter.’

— Rendezvous

“You don’t owe me a thing, Claire.”

“I owe you everything.”

“You can keep your money,” Joshua responded.

“But that would be charity, and I can make my own way.”

“I don’t doubt that one bit.” The centre of his chest tightened. He’d make sure she was safe, no matter what it cost him. It was the right thing to do. But this wasn’t about responsibility. He wanted good things for her, this woman with a place in his soul.

And then she came up on tiptoes, so close every hair on his body stood up on end, and pressed a silken kiss to his cheek. His heart thumped as she sank her white even teeth into her lush, rosebud-soft bottom lip, as if she were in deep thought. As if she were debating telling him one more time to butt out of her life.

No way, lady. Emotion drove him, a fierce need that had his fingers cradling her delicate chin. He breathed in her sweet rose scent and slanted his mouth over hers.

Jillian Hartgrew up on her family’s homestead, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning an English degree from Whitman College, she worked in advertising before becoming a writer. When she’s not hard at work on her next story, Jillian can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand, and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.

Novels by the same author:

LAST CHANCE BRIDE

COOPER’S WIFE

MALCOLM’S HONOUR

MONTANA MAN

BLUEBONNET BRIDE

MONTANA LEGEND

HIGH PLAINS WIFE

THE HORSEMAN

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS

(short story in A Season of the Heart )

MONTANA WIFE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAN

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDE

(short story in Western Weddings )

MILLS & BOON ®

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Cover Page

Praise Praise forJillian Hart ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAN ‘This book’s intense emotions reach out to touch readers. Betsy’s unwavering belief in Duncan and willingness to fight to save him from himself is so moving you’ll want to cry with happiness as Hart plays on your heartstrings.’ — Romantic Times BOOKreviews HIGH PLAINS WIFE ‘Finely drawn characters and sweet tenderness tinged with poignancy draw readers into a familiar story that beautifully captures the feel of an Americana romance. Readers can enjoy sharp dialogue and adorable child characterisations while shedding a tear or two.’ — Romantic Times BOOKreviews MONTANA MAN ‘Ms Hart creates a world of tantalising warmth and tenderness, a toasty haven in which the reader will find pure enjoyment.’ — Romantic Times BOOKreviews COOPER’S WIFE ‘…a wonderfully written romance full of love and laughter.’ — Rendezvous

Excerpt “You don’t owe me a thing, Claire.” “I owe you everything.” “You can keep your money,” Joshua responded. “But that would be charity, and I can make my own way.” “I don’t doubt that one bit.” The centre of his chest tightened. He’d make sure she was safe, no matter what it cost him. It was the right thing to do. But this wasn’t about responsibility. He wanted good things for her, this woman with a place in his soul. And then she came up on tiptoes, so close every hair on his body stood up on end, and pressed a silken kiss to his cheek. His heart thumped as she sank her white even teeth into her lush, rosebud-soft bottom lip, as if she were in deep thought. As if she were debating telling him one more time to butt out of her life. No way, lady. Emotion drove him, a fierce need that had his fingers cradling her delicate chin. He breathed in her sweet rose scent and slanted his mouth over hers.

About the Author Jillian Hart grew up on her family’s homestead, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning an English degree from Whitman College, she worked in advertising before becoming a writer. When she’s not hard at work on her next story, Jillian can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand, and spending quiet evenings at home with her family. Novels by the same author: LAST CHANCE BRIDE COOPER’S WIFE MALCOLM’S HONOUR MONTANA MAN BLUEBONNET BRIDE MONTANA LEGEND HIGH PLAINS WIFE THE HORSEMAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS (short story in A Season of the Heart ) MONTANA WIFE ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAN ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDE (short story in Western Weddings )

Title Page Rocky Mountain Widow Jillian Hart MILLS & BOON ® www.millsandboon.co.uk

Prologue

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 Eightteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

Copyright

Bluebonnet County, Montana Territory 1884

“You shamed me again, woman.” Ham towered on the board wagon seat beside her, nothing more than a shadow in the night. “Again!”

Claire rubbed the bump her gold wedding band made beneath the mitten on her left hand and tried not to give in to the rising resentment. He wasn’t through maligning her for the night, not by a long shot. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t said a word while she’d waited outside in the cold for hours until Ham decided he’d had his fill of whiskey and poker.

Or that during this long wagon ride home across the high country plains, she’d never said a word, either. Not of his drunken state, his careless driving, or the fact that the ground had hardened with ice and no other driver was out on the roads in this frigid night. That anyone else had more sense than that. But not Ham. No, not Ham.

He chucked in his throat, a disgusting sound, and spit with great skill. “You made me look bad in front of the boys.”

The boys being a table full of grown men playing poker in the smokiest, seediest saloon in the county. Claire held her tongue, because she’d learned the hard way that when he’d been drinking hard, Ham became mean and was always looking for the chance to get meaner.

He was not a good husband. Was there a chance he could be a decent father? She rested the palm of her hand on the round of her slightly swollen stomach. The doctor today had said she was doing well and the baby’s first kicks were strong. That was happy news. But she’d had some spotting.