From Bachelor Sheriff to Family Man
Tired of pining for handsome sheriff Ward Gleason, seamstress Hazel Andrews plans to head East for a fresh startâuntil Ward finds an abandoned child. Hazel canât turn down his request that she watch the little girl while he investigates a spate of crimes. But spending time with Ward is sending local gossipsâand Hazelâs heartâinto turmoil.
Nothing in Wardâs world is the same since he took charge of orphaned Meg...and that includes his growing feelings for Hazel. A fake engagement will allow them to care for the child together until Hazel moves away and finds someone more worthy. But with little Meg convinced sheâs already found her forever family, can Ward and Hazel dare to make her dreams come true, along with their own?
âIâm leaving Turnabout and moving to New York,â Hazel said.
Ward felt everything suddenly go still. âYou mean youâre taking your annual trip early?â Hazel had family there that she visited regularly.
âNo. I mean Iâm moving to New York permanently.â
Turnabout without Hazelâs vibrant presence? It was unthinkable. Trying to absorb the impact of what she was saying, he raised a brow. âThis seems a bit sudden.â
âNot really. Aunt Ellen has asked me several times to work in her fashion-design business. Iâve finally decided to accept her offer.â
âI see.â Except he didnât. Why would she do such a thing? âExactly how soon do you plan to make this move?â
âI talked it over with Verity before she and her family headed out on their vacation and I promised her I wouldnât leave until she returns.â Hazel shrugged. âTheyâre due back in about three weeks.â
So soon! The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach deepened. âAnd youâve made up your mind?â
She nodded. âBut for the next three weeks,â she said, âIâll do whatever I can to help with Meg.â
He forced a smile. It was the second time today sheâd touched him that way. He found he liked it. He had to remind himself to keep things on a just-friends basis. But unfortunately it didnât seem like heâd have to worry with that for much longer...
Dear Reader,
I hope youâve enjoyed Hazel and Wardâs story. This one was a long time in the making. Both of these characters have appeared in many of the previous Texas Grooms books, but it wasnât until Hazel popped up in Second Chance Hero as Verityâs best friend that she really came to life for me. And it was only then that I realized the sheriff was the object of her long-standing affection.
Hazel and Wardâs story simmered in my mind as I wrote two additional books in the series, until I was finally ready to tell their story. And what a story it turned out to be. Ward came to life for me as a hero in so many unexpected waysâI fell in love with him right along with Hazel. And I hope you will too.
For more information on this and other books set in Turnabout, please visit my website at www.winniegriggs.com or follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author.
And as always, I love to hear from readers. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] with your thoughts on this or any other of my books.
Wishing you a life abounding with love and grace,
Winnie Griggs
WINNIE GRIGGS is the multipublished, award-winning author of historical (and occasionally contemporary) romances that focus on small towns, big hearts and amazing grace. She is also a list maker and a lover of dragonflies, and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination. Winnie loves to hear from readersâyou can connect with her on Facebook at Facebook.com/winniegriggs.author or email her at [email protected].
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
âPsalms 40:1
Dedicated to my fabulous agent, Michelle Grajkowski, who is not only a great advocate for my work but also a great friend. And also to my wonderful brainstorming partners, Amy, Christopher, Joanne and Renee, who helped me figure out what direction to take my story when I lost my way.
Chapter One
Turnabout, Texas
June 1899
âI think heâs sleeping. We probâly shouldnât bother him.â
Sheriff Ward Gleason opened one eye and tilted his chin up enough to see from under the lowered brim of his hat. Sure enough, the child on the train seat in front of him had turned around and was kneeling up facing him. She had her doll propped up on the seat back facing him as well.