Merrillee Whren - Montana Match

Newcomer On The Ranch

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn’t exactly the position Brittany Gorman is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins’ struggling single dad, rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not only assisting with the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his past. It seems Brittany’s finally found a place to belong. And with two little matchmakers on the loose, there’s no telling what the future holds. As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength to face that future—together?

“They really want you to be their new nanny.”

“Yeah, I guess I’d have to be pretty clueless not to know.”

“Well, what do you think? Have they convinced you?”

And what about you? The phrase flitted through Brittany’s mind. Thankfully, she hadn’t voiced the thought aloud. Brittany held a smile in place, hoping that her thoughts weren’t transparent as she found herself wishing Parker showed as much enthusiasm about her taking the job as the girls did.

“Does your silence mean you’re going to turn us down?”

“It means I haven’t made up my mind.” Brittany continued to stare out the window. She didn’t want to look at him for fear that he could tell how his nearness made her insides a jumble. If the choice was only about Rose and Jasmine, the decision would be easy. But the fact that her boss would be a handsome man who made her heart trip gave her pause.

MERRILLEE WHREN

is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award, presented by Romance Writers of America, for best inspirational romance manuscript. In 2004, she made her first sale to Steeple Hill Books. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God’s most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her website, www.merrilleewhren.com.

Montana Match

Merrillee Whren

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Love Inspired!

2012 is a very special year for us. It marks the fifteenth anniversary of Love Inspired. Hard to believe that fifteen years ago, we first began publishing our warm and wonderful inspirational romances.

Back in 1997, we offered readers three books a month. Since then we’ve expanded quite a bit! In addition to the heartwarming contemporary romances of Love Inspired, we have the exciting romantic suspenses of Love Inspired Suspense, and the adventurous historical romances of Love Inspired Historical. Whatever your reading preference, we’ve got fourteen books a month for you to choose from now!

Throughout the year we’ll be celebrating in several different ways. Look for books by bestselling authors who’ve been writing for us since the beginning, stories by brand-new authors you won’t want to miss, special miniseries in all three lines, reissues of top authors and much, much more.

This is our way of thanking you for reading Love Inspired books. We know our uplifting stories of hope, faith and love touch your hearts as much as they touch ours.

Join us in celebrating fifteen amazing years of inspirational romance!

Blessings,

Melissa Endlich and Tina James

Senior Editors of Love Inspired Books

I would like to dedicate this book to the memory of my mother Gladys Luft. She instilled in me the love of a good story when she read to me at bedtime.

I would like to thank Barbara Lea Campbell for giving Bogey his name.

* * *

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

—Luke 6:37–38

Contents

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

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Thud. Thud. Thud. Books hit the floor all over the fifth-grade classroom, shattering the relative quiet. Brittany Gorman gathered her survival instincts and forced herself not to react. She tightened her grip on the chalk and continued to write the math homework assignment on the chalkboard. This bratty group of kids pulled some kind of stunt every time she substituted for their regular teacher. Today Brittany was determined not to let their misbehavior bother her.

Brittany wrote as slowly as she could. She didn’t want to turn around and see the feigned innocence on their faces until she was sure she could face them with a stoic mask in place. There was no doubt that the instigator of this little trick was the class clown who called her “Miss Carrot Top” or “Miss Freckle Face” under his breath, just loud enough that she couldn’t miss hearing his remarks. She always pretended not to notice.

Finally, she set the chalk in the tray and glanced at the clock before turning to the group. Some of the students had already retrieved their books, but other books still lay on the floor. She looked at the students, making eye contact with as many of them as she could before speaking. “You have twenty minutes to work on the assignment. If you have any problems, raise your hand, and I’ll be glad to help you.”

A few snickers drifted through the air, but Brittany chose to ignore those, too. Without making mention of the book incident, she roamed up and down the aisles between the desks. She breathed a sigh of relief as further conflict faded. Despite situations like this, substitute teaching was still the best of all the bad temp jobs she had tried since she’d lost her position as a financial planner. Glancing out the window at the snowy Montana landscape, she prayed that all would go well until the final bell. While she waited for that sound of freedom, she vowed to double her efforts to find a real job—one that didn’t involve kids.

Half an hour later, Brittany fled out a side door and searched the school’s parking lot for her ride. She spotted her roommate’s sporty silver compact car and dashed toward it. She opened the door and hopped in.

Glancing at Brittany, Heather Watson maneuvered her way to the main road, her dark eyes full of curiosity. “You seem to be in a hurry to get away.”

Brittany leaned back on the headrest. “What a day! It didn’t end soon enough.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“No. I don’t want to relive it. I can sum it up in one word. Dreadful.”

“That bad?”

“Worse. I’m beginning to think I’m just not good with kids.”

“Not true. The kids in the church youth group love you.”

“Thanks for your vote of confidence.” Brittany smiled halfheartedly. “I guess it’s just that one horrible class of fifth graders that drives me crazy.”

Heather nodded. “Is your car ready?”

“Yes, but I’m afraid to see the repair bill.” Brittany released a harsh breath. “That car is falling to pieces one part at a time. It’s a money pit, but without a regular job, there’s no way I can buy a new one.”

“Well, at least they could fix it.”

“I guess I should look on the bright side.” Brittany forced a smile. “It’s a good thing that today is your day off. Thanks for picking me up.”

“No problem.” Heather turned onto the street where the car dealership was located. “Are you subbing tomorrow?”