A Lawman For Christmas
The Gift of FamilyCommitted to her spinsterhood, Isabel Flores isn't about to trust a man with her hard-won independence or her heart—especially not lawman Ben MacGregor. But when a little boy is abandoned on her property, the so-called “Debonair Deputy” of their small Tennessee town helps her care for the child. And Isabel begins to hope he might be more than just a handsome flirt.Ben is well aware of Isabel’s aversion to love and has his own secret reasons for avoiding relationships. But as he and Isabel do their best to make the holiday special for their young ward, Ben wonders if he could be a family man after all. Will this Christmas be the first of many for Isabel and Ben’s little instant family?Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains
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The Gift of Family
Committed to her spinsterhood, Isabel Flores isnât about to trust a man with her hard-won independence or her heartâespecially not lawman Ben MacGregor. But when a little boy is abandoned on her property, the so-called âDebonair Deputyâ of their small Tennessee town helps her care for the child. And Isabel begins to hope he might be more than just a handsome flirt.
Ben is well aware of Isabelâs aversion to love and has his own secret reasons for avoiding relationships. But as he and Isabel do their best to make the holiday special for their young ward, Ben wonders if he could be a family man after all. Will this Christmas be the first of many for Isabel and Benâs little instant family?
âWhatâs your favorite thing about Christmas?â Ben asked.
With any other woman, Ben wouldâve been able to find a way to make her relax. Isabel wasnât just any woman, however. The fact that she disliked him made his task that much harder.
Her focus was on her gloved hands folded tightly together in her lap. âI like many things about this time of year. One of them is the renewed spirit of charity. People tend to treat each other better.â
Her statement was a telling one. While he understood how it felt to live under the weight of a townâs critical scrutiny, he hadnât grown up with a scandalous father like Isabel.
âAnything else?â
âI enjoy baking. This time of year has plenty of opportunities for that. My sisters and I spend extra time in the kitchen making treats for their friends.â
âWhat about your friends?â
Her chin jutted out. âMy sisters are my friends.â
âSomeday your sisters will marry and move away,â he said gently. âWhat happens then, Isabel?â
This book is the final installment of my Smoky Mountain Matches series. I count myself blessed to have been able to create a fictional world centered around a place near and dear to my heart. I hope youâve enjoyed these characters and their stories. While Iâm looking forward to new projects, I admit Iâll miss the OâMalleys and their friends. When I planned the first book, The Reluctant Outlaw, I had no idea if it would be published, much less become an entire series! Iâm grateful to my editor, Emily Rodmell, for her invaluable guidance throughout this journey.
For more information on these and other books, please stop by my website, www.karenkirst.com. Iâm active on Facebook and Twitter, @karenkirst, and love interacting with readers.
Blessings,
Karen Kirst
KAREN KIRST was born and raised in east Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. Sheâs a lifelong lover of books, but it wasnât until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.
And the King will answer and say to them, âAssuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.â
âMatthew 25:40
To my husband, Marek, and our three boys
Contents
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
December 1887
Isabel Flores was face-to-face with a bank robber, and all she could think about were the disappointed children across Gatlinburg whoâd receive no gifts and no Christmas gooseâbecause this man had helped himself to othersâ hard-earned cash.
âYou canât take that.â Her hand tightening on the basket of merchandise sheâd just purchased, she pointed to the bulging burlap sack tossed over his shoulder like Kris Kringle. âThe Christmas season is upon us. Do you know how many families have scraped and saved the entire year in order to provide a happy holiday for their children?â
The black neckerchief the assailant used to mask his features had slipped below his chin, allowing her a clear view of his weathered face. His shaggy brows slammed down, and his mouth twisted in a scowl.
âWrong place, wrong time, missy. Bawling brats missing their candy canes is the last thing you should be worried about.â In two strides, he was before her, his fingers digging into her arm. âIâm not ready for my likeness to be plastered across Tennessee.â
Her foolish behavior belatedly registered. Instead of confronting the criminal, she shouldâve bolted. Shouldâve screamed. Main Street was steps away from this darkened alley behind the bank. Most people were in their homes at this hour, enjoying a hot meal. There was a good chance someone was still at the livery, however.
