Rancher To The Rescue
A Practical EngagementClare Walsh isn’t too keen on marrying, but it’s the only way for her to keep her family home…and custody of her two younger brothers. So when rancher Noah Livingstone offers a union in name only, Clare reluctantly agrees. Accepting Noah’s strictly practical proposal has an unexpected catch, though—she’s actually falling for him.Though Noah is drawn to vibrant, independent Clare, he knows romantic feelings will only complicate their marriage of convenience. But when secrets from his past threaten Noah’s fragile new family, he must make a difficult choice. Will Noah risk all his dreams to secure a real future with Clare?
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A Practical Engagement
Clare Walsh isnât too keen on marrying, but itâs the only way for her to keep her family home...and custody of her two younger brothers. So when rancher Noah Livingstone offers a union in name only, Clare reluctantly agrees. Accepting Noahâs strictly practical proposal has an unexpected catch, thoughâsheâs actually falling for him.
Though Noah is drawn to vibrant, independent Clare, he knows romantic feelings will only complicate their marriage of convenience. But when secrets from his past threaten Noahâs fragile new family, he must make a difficult choice. Will Noah risk all his dreams to secure a real future with Clare?
âDid you want me to propose properly? On my knee?â Noah glanced around awkwardly.
Clare shook her head. âNo! No, thank you. Itâs all right. Itâs not like weâre...in love.â
She cleared her throat and straightened further. âIâm not some silly woman who needs all that foolish romance and fuss. Our marriage is just an agreement to assist me at a difficult financial time. As much as I am grateful to you for it, Mr. Livingstone, I just need to say that I value my freedom. If college has taught me one thing, itâs that I should be deciding my own life.â
âOf course.â The soft words were slow. It was clear he had no idea what she was talking about.
âSo if you think you will be making every decision for me,â Clare continued to explain, âIâm here to tell you that that wonât be happening.â There, sheâd said her piece.
She looked up at him. Good grief, was that a sparkle in his eye?
One corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. âYouâre welcome?â
BARBARA PHINNEY was born in England and raised in Canada. After she retired from the Canadian Armed Forces, Barbara turned her hand to romance writing. The thrill of adventure and her love of happy endings, coupled with a too-active imagination, have merged to help her create this and other wonderful stories. Barbara spends her days writing, building her dream home with her husband and enjoying their fast-growing children.
Thank you for reading this book. I must admit, it wasnât easy to write. There isnât any of the suspenseful danger that often fills my stories, but rather, I focused on emotion.
Clare resented being abandoned by her parents, and yet she knew it was wrong to feel that way. It wasnât until she understood love that she could forgive her parents.
Noah struggled against his father when heâd tried to bend him to his will. He also participated in a lie, but didnât know how to fix either problem.
Asking God for forgiveness and help is the best way to start to fix any problem. But you need to trust Him. All in His perfect timing.
Love isnât always easy, but its rewards are worth it when we set aside selfishness. Carry one anotherâs burdens. Love as God loves you.
Happy reading and God bless!
Read on for an extract from THE OUTLAWâS SECOND CHANCE by Angie Dicken.
Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
âPsalms 19:12
Dedicated to my loved ones. My patient husband and children and such local friends as Barbie, Joan, Eva, Karen and Sally. Thank you for all your support. I couldnât have my writing without you. God bless.
Contents
Proud Bend, Colorado, April, 1883
âDid I read that right?â Clare Walsh peered up from her chair at the Recording Office in Proud Bend, Colorado. She blinked rapidly. âMy parents are gone?â
Standing over her with a deep frown, Noah Livingstone lifted the telegram again. A moment ago, Clare had thrust it at her supervisor, hoping and praying sheâd misunderstood the shocking words. She now watched him scan the paper yet again, her breath held so tight that her lungs hurt.
Please, Lord, let it not be so.
âI wouldnât put it quite like that, Miss Walsh,â Noah hedged.
She rolled her eyes. âTheyâre on a ship thatâs now missing! How else am I going to put it?â She didnât care that her tone was sharp. The telegram that had arrived less than fifteen minutes ago held nothing that warranted polite hedging, even from the calm and reserved Mr. Noah Livingstone.
She swallowed and bit her lip. Her parentsâ steamship had been lost at sea.
Noah pulled up a chair and sat close to her. The Recording Officer scanned the telegram one more time, as if, like her, he might hope to read something different in it. When his gaze lifted to hers, his intense blue eyes softened.
Her heart flipped.
âThe telegram says that their steamship is overdue at Liverpool, England,â he said in a gentle tone that rolled over Clare in the soft, soothing way she so appreciated. âIt says it may have been lost at sea.â
