Claimed By The Rancher

Just how far is this wealthy rancher willing to go for his pregnant lover?

Their years apart haven’t diminished Nolan Elliott’s desire for Pepper Manning. Even knowing she’s pregnant with another man’s baby, the rancher can’t stay away. He didn’t claim her when she needed him so long ago and the sting of losing her, and their child, still resonates.

With custody of her unborn baby now in jeopardy, Nolan vows to use his wealth and power to give Pepper everything she wants. That means proposing a marriage...in name only. But is that a vow the rancher stands any chance of keeping?

Claimed by the Rancher is part of The Rancher’s Heirs series.

“I’m going to help you through this and you’re going to put the past aside and let me.”

“Put the past aside?” She jerked out of his hold and took a step back. “It’s not that simple, Nolan.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he corrected. “I know we have unresolved issues, but for now, we need to work on your current situation.”

“Fine. What’s your miraculous plan?”

Pepper stared back at him with those wide, expressive eyes. This was the same woman he’d fallen in love with as a teen, the woman he’d thought he’d spend his life with and the woman who had carried his child. Yeah, they had quite a bit left to hash out between them and throwing this bomb onto that already smoldering fire was only going to complicate matters further.

Nolan closed the space between them. “We’re getting married.”

* * *

Claimed by the Rancher is part of The Rancher’s Heirs series— Loyalty and family mean everything to these Texas men and the women who tame them.

Claimed by the Rancher

Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

National bestselling author JULES BENNETT has penned over forty contemporary romance novels. She lives in the Midwest with her high-school-sweetheart husband and their two kids. Jules can often be found on Twitter chatting with readers, and you can also connect with her via her website, www.julesbennett.com.

To my plot angels for this story:

Elaine Spencer and Melissa Jeglinski.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

One

The bell on the door to Painted Pansies chimed, and nerves danced in Pepper Manning’s stomach. Opening a shop with her one-of-a-kind paintings and unique fresh floral bouquets had been on her bucket list for some time. She might be a drifter, a free spirit of sorts, but her creativity—her ability to make something from nothing—was what really drove her.

Coming back to Stone River, Texas, however, would take some master creative skills. She would certainly be making something from nothing—a business, a home to call her own. Pepper had always loved this town, so it made sense for her to make this the place where she started the next chapter in her life.

Besides, time was not on her side.

If she hadn’t had anyone else to think about, she could’ve chosen a different town to settle into, but in five short months, she’d be a mother.

A single mother with no one else to turn to for support.

Pasting a smile on her face, Pepper stepped through the doorway from the back room and her entire world came to a halt.

The man standing at the display of cheery tangerine roses had Pepper gripping the edge of the door frame. That profile, the black cowboy hat, those narrow hips she’d once known so well...

No. This was too soon. She needed more time. How could she be thrust into her past already? Though she’d been in town a month, this was her first day launching her brand-new business.

She’d assumed he most likely still lived in town because of his family’s ranch and vast holdings, but she hadn’t geared herself up to face him just yet.

Would she ever be ready to face the man who broke her heart at the most vulnerable time of her life? The man she’d been so certain she’d be spending her life with.

Before she could muster up some generic greeting, Nolan Elliott’s gaze swept around the shop and then landed on her.

The flare in his eyes calmed her somewhat, as he was plainly just as stunned to see her as she was to see him. He quickly masked his emotions as he took a step toward her. She sighed despite herself. Apparently some things never changed.

“Pepper.”

That low, sexy drawl of his hadn’t changed over the years. He still managed to make her toes curl with that piercing blue gaze and those strong, broad shoulders. And that mouth. He’d done plenty to make her squirm with that mouth, too.

“I had no idea you were back in town.”

Thankfully, the tall cash wrap separated them. Pepper stepped forward, leaning her hands against the edge. She needed a little support.

“I’ve been back about a month,” she replied. Small talk, she could do that. “I took a few weeks to make this place my own, so this is my first official day open.”