Conveniently Wed
Husband by NecessityTo save her family's homestead Daisy Mosley will do whatever it takes, even if it means marrying a rugged cowboy who thinks he knows best. But though the widowed mother of two takes Tucker Barlow into her home as her husband, she isn't ready to welcome him into her heart.Tucker knows his marriage to Daisy is about convenience, not love. But after years of hiding his feelings for his childhood friend, he wants to shower her with affection and favor her twin sons with the fatherly attention he'd missed. Can he show Daisy that he is more than just a practical groom–he is a man worthy of her love?
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Husband by Necessity
To save her familyâs homestead Daisy Mosley will do whatever it takes, even if it means marrying a rugged cowboy who thinks he knows best. But though the widowed mother of two takes Tucker Barlow into her home as her husband, she isnât ready to welcome him into her heart.
Tucker knows his marriage to Daisy is about convenience, not love. But after years of hiding his feelings for his childhood friend, he wants to shower her with affection and favor her twin sons with the fatherly attention heâd missed. Can he show Daisy that he is more than just a practical groomâhe is a man worthy of her love?
Marrying Daisy was supposed to alleviate his loneliness, not confuse him.
He gained a sense of accomplishment when he helped her or the twins do something. Just being on the property to protect them brought him peace. More than once last night heâd looked out the barn door and checked to be certain everything was as it should be at the cabin. It was his duty as her friend.
But watching Daisy cry tugged at the edges of his hardened heart. Tucker was trying to be patient and not make her uncomfortable, but he wasnât accustomed to a womanâs tears. It was a hard thing to watch without offering comfort. Yet she rejected his attempt to comfort her when he touched her shoulders. Heâd need to remember not to do that again.
His heart broke for her over all her suffering. At the same time he wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless when she wanted to take charge of everything.
Where had that thought come from? If she didnât want him to touch her, she sure wouldnât want him to kiss her. And he wasnât about to open himself up to more rejection. Better to keep a safe distance.
ANGEL MOORE
fell in love with romance in elementary school when she read the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. A Mills & Boon novel, usually Betty Neels, accompanied her to school every day as a teen, where sheâd finish all her schoolwork and escape to a happily-ever-after world.
As a pastorâs wife she is dedicated to the work of her local church ministries, serving with the children and worship teams.
The joy of her life is her family. Married to her best friend, she has two wonderful sons, a lovely daughter-in-law, and three grands. She loves sharing her faith and the hope she knows is real because of Godâs goodness to her.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
âIsaiah 40:31
To Tina James for the time and encouragement she invested in my first sale.
To the friends and family who read the drafts along the way.
To Austin for being my champion on the adventure of entering the writing world.
To Bob for believing in me and motivating me to write my first manuscript.
And to God for His mercy and constant help.
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
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Questions for Discussion
Pine Haven, Texas October 1879
Daisy Mosley pulled back both hammers on the shotgun, lowered the barrel onto the windowsill and aimed at the center of the riderâs chest. No stranger had been down the lane since her husband, Murdock, had been killed by horse thieves three weeks earlier. Daisy was determined that no harm would come to James and John. She could hear the eight-year-old twins shushing each other as they scurried under her bed in the far corner of the cabin.
Watching carefully, she followed the riderâs slow approach with her gun. Very tall and broad with a straight back, a worn Stetson and red hair, he was definitely not a local. His mount was the prettiest pinto sheâd ever seen. He was almost close enough for her to shoot when he stopped. He leaned forward in the saddle, his face still shielded by the Stetson.
âDaisy Marie, put that gun down before you hurt somebody.â
âWho are you?â Daisy didnât flinch. âAnd how do you know my name?â
The stranger chuckled. âYou know who I am. Have for years. And you know I donât trust you with a gun. Not after what happened when your papa was trying to teach you to shoot.â
âOh, my goodness!â In one swift movement, Daisy lowered the gun, released the hammers and put it in the rack over the mantel. âBoys, come meet Tucker Barlow!â she called to her sons as she unbolted the door and raced across the porch, barely skimming the steps.
