A Family for Christmas

An Unexpected Gift

Eve Pickering knows what it’s like to be judged for your past. So she’s not about to leave the orphaned boy she’s befriended alone in this unfamiliar Texas town. Since Chance Dawson’s offer of shelter is the only way to look after Leo, Eve is determined they’ll have a warm, welcoming home for the holidays.

Chance came from the big city to make it on his own despite a painful secret. But Eve’s strength is giving him a confidence he never expected—and a new direction for his dream. With a little Christmas blessing, he’ll dare to win her heart—and make their family one for a lifetime.

Eve gave her temporary landlord a smile.

“Let me thank you again, Mr. Dawson, for your generosity toward Leo and myself. I assure you we will try to impose on you as little as possible during our stay.”

He made a dismissive gesture. “As I said, there’s lots of room in the house, and I like company, so I’m sure that won’t be a problem.” He spread his hands. “And please, drop the Mr. Dawson nonsense and just call me Chance.”

Eve felt the warmth rising in her cheeks. “That would be highly improper. I barely know you.”

“Nothing improper about it. I assure you, folks around here are pretty informal about such things.”

She struggled with her notions of propriety versus her desire to be polite. She didn’t want to risk insulting him. “I don’t know—”

He cut off her protest, adding a cajoling note to his voice. “Oh, come now. I would consider it a favor.”

This seemed genuinely important to him. “Very well.” She nodded.

The touch of triumph in his grin should have irritated her, but for some reason it didn’t.

WINNIE GRIGGS

is a city girl born and raised in southeast Louisiana’s Cajun Country, who grew up to marry a country boy from the hills of northwest Louisiana. Though her Prince Charming (who often wears the guise of a cattle rancher) is more comfortable riding a tractor than a white steed, the two of them have been living their own happily-ever-after for thirty-plus years. During that time they raised four proud-to-call-them-mine children and a too-numerous-to-count assortment of dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, turtles and 4-H sheep.

Winnie retired from her “day job” and now, in addition to her reading and writing, happily spends her time doing the things she loves best—spending time with her family, cooking and exploring flea markets.

Readers can contact Winnie at P.O. Box 14, Plain Dealing, LA 71064, or email her at [email protected].

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

—1 Peter 4:9–10

For my wonderful agent Michelle and talented, long-suffering editor Melissa for their patience, encouragement and understanding toward me throughout the development and construction phases of this book.

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Turnabout, Texas, November 1895

“Stop! You can’t do this.”

Eve’s protests fell on deaf ears as the conductor continued to forcibly escort her young friend off the train without so much as a backward glance. She trotted to keep up with the long-legged official as he moved toward the exit, his fist firmly clutching Leo’s collar.

“Please be careful!” she called out as she saw Leo stumble. “He’s just a boy. Don’t hurt him.”

But the conductor still didn’t slow down. Did the man have no feelings?

As soon as they were on the platform, Eve scooted around to face him, determined to halt his progress and make him listen to her.

“Mr. McIvers, you can’t mean to just toss him from the train and leave him here.” She tried to infuse her voice with as much authority and confidence as possible but was afraid there was a touch of pleading there, as well. How had she not realized before now that Leo was a stowaway?

She risked a glance Leo’s way. The trapped, desperate look that had crossed the boy’s face when the conductor pounced on him a moment ago was still there. It was enough to break her heart—no child should look so haunted.

“And what do you suggest I do with him?” The conductor, a beanpole of a man with bushy sideburns and an officious manner, looked down his nose at her as if she were no older than the ten-year-old in his grip.

She was used to such treatment. Even though she was a grown woman of twenty, with her slight build and standing barely five feet two inches with her hair up, folks often dismissed her as a child. But Eve drew herself up to her full height and tried to match his stern expression. “I’m certain there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. If you’ll just allow Leo to explain—”