The Texan's Christmas
HER CHRISTMAS WISHThe last thing rodeo cowboy Daniel Baron needs is a commitment. After a lifetime of feeling like an outsider among his larger-than-life stepfamily at Roughneck Ranch, Daniel is ready to leave the ring–and Texas–behind forever. Except he can't stop thinking about the woman he just met–beautiful, bighearted…and pregnant. Of course Nicole Bennett is attracted to strong, sweet Daniel–he's pretty much perfect. But he made it clear that he doesn't want a family, the one thing Nicole's dreamed of her whole life. Now, just as that dream is coming true, Nicole could lose the only man she wants to share it with…unless Daniel can find the courage to open his heart.
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HER CHRISTMAS WISH
The last thing rodeo cowboy Daniel Baron needs is a commitment. After a lifetime of feeling like an outsider among his larger-than-life stepfamily at Roughneck Ranch, Daniel is ready to leave the ringâand Texasâbehind forever. Except he canât stop thinking about the woman he just metâbeautiful, bigheartedâ¦and pregnant.
Of course Nicole Bennett is attracted to strong, sweet Danielâheâs pretty much perfect. But he made it clear that he doesnât want a family, the one thing Nicoleâs dreamed of her whole life. Now, just as that dream is coming true, Nicole could lose the only man she wants to share it withâ¦unless Daniel can find the courage to open his heart.
Nicole couldnât remember the last time her libido was so supercharged.
She was tempted to spend a few more minutes appreciating the handsome picture Daniel made leaning against the wall.
He smiled as she approached. âThis is a surprise.â
âWerenât you expecting me?â she teased.
âYeah, just not like this. I was thinking the other day that I couldnât imagine you in jeans.â
âOh, youâve been thinking about me?â
Daniel held her gaze. âYes, maâam.â
A liquid shiver went through her. Get a grip, Nicole. How could she facilitate a reconciliation between the Baron children and their mother if she was distracted by the way Daniel Baron filled out a pair of Wranglers?
âSo. On a scale from one to I-should-just-throw-myself-from-the-truck, how bad do you think todayâs gonna be?â
His lips quirked in a half smile. âI donât know,â he admitted. âBut Iâll do what I can to make it as painless as possible.â
âYouâre a really nice guy.â
âActually, Iâm more of a cranky loner and recovering troublemaker.â His laugh was short and self-deprecating. âMaybe you just bring out my better qualities.â
If youâve read any of my previous books, you probably know I love telling stories about families. So I was excited when the Mills & Boon editors gave me the flattering challenge of wrapping up the miniseries about the huge Baron familyâsix siblings in all, each with their own story written by a different author.
The unique opportunity to work with five talented authors made this project extra special. Trish Milburn, author of The Texanâs Cowgirl Bride, is one of my dearest longtime friends. Now Iâm also fortunate to call Donna Alward, Barbara White Daille, Pamela Britton and Cathy McDavid friends. Everyone was enthusiastic and generous, quick to offer brainstorming assistance and encouragement. Building on their stories gave me wonderful supporting characters to work with!
My book tells the story of Daniel Burke Baron, who feels like an outcast among his stepsiblings, so much so that he shies away from the idea of family or ever having kids. Then he meets Nicole Bennett, a woman whoâs compassionate, gorgeous, determinedâ¦and pregnant. I hope you enjoy watching their romance develop and rejoining all the members of the Baron clan for Christmas.
Happy holidays,
Tanya
New York Times bestselling author and five-time RITA® Award nominee TANYA MICHAELS has been writing love stories since middle school algebra class (which probably explains her math grades.) Her books, praised for their poignancy and humor, have received awards from readers and reviewers alike. Tanya is an active member of Romance Writers of America and a frequent public speaker. She lives outside Atlanta with her very supportive husband, two highly imaginative kids and a bichon frise who thinks sheâs the center of the universe.
Contents
The smell of someoneâs take-out food filled the crowded elevator, and Nicole Bennettâs stomach clenched in protest. Seafood. Why did it have to be seafood? Her destination was another five stories up, but when the doors parted at the next floor, she seized her chance to escape. Otherwise, she might make the elevator ride very unpleasant for the other passengers.
Taking deep, cleansing breaths, she headed for the stairwell at the end of the hallway. Sheâd planned not to tell anyone she was pregnant until after the first trimester, but these attacks of nausea might force her hand. She and Adele had dinner reservations in an hour and a half. How was Nicole going to survive the restaurant if she couldnât stomach food smells?
Every time Nicole thought about sharing her news with Adele Black, she was swamped with conflicting emotions. Her boss had mentored her since Nicole interned at AB Windpower in college. In the past couple of years, when Adeleâs cancer made it impossible to carry out her normal responsibilities, Nicole had been her second-in-charge. The two women had grown very closeâcloser than Nicole had been to any of her foster moms during childhood.
