Stand-In Rancher Daddy

Suddenly a Father

Rancher CJ Thorn isn’t ready to graduate from uncle to brand-new daddy—but he has no choice. After his widowed brother runs off, a pair of adorable twins have no one but CJ...and lovely neighbor Molly Langley. She’s helped with the girls for so long that she’s almost part of the family. Almost. CJ knows his family isn’t good enough for her. Not when his brother’s actions have disgraced the Thorn name yet again.

Watching CJ become a devoted father would soften any woman’s heart. Yet Molly must remain immune. CJ deserves more than a woman who can’t have children. Held back by fear, it’ll take a disaster forcing the community together before they’re ready to risk a chance on happiness.

“Miss Molly, look. I’m wearing my favorite pink ribbon. It’s Pa’s favorite, too.”

Sarah’s gaze skittered around, searching. “I wore it just for him.”

The twins had gotten it into their heads that Ned would show up at church today. CJ wasn’t as confident.

Molly pasted on a cheery smile. “Why don’t we wait inside the tent?”

“No,” Anna said. “I want to wait for Pa here.”

“What if Pa doesn’t come back?” Sarah’s eyes grew wide. “What if, like Mama, he never comes back?”

Anna burst into tears.

Molly pulled the children into her arms. “No matter what happens here today, you will always have me.”

“And you’ll always have me.” CJ looked from one precious face to the other, his resolve growing. These girls were his responsibility now.

He risked a glance at Molly. He remembered what she’d said earlier. We’re in this together.

Eyes never leaving his, she took Sarah’s hand. CJ reached for Anna’s.

Together, they guided the girls into the tent.

* * *

LONE STAR COWBOY LEAGUE:

THE FOUNDING YEARS— Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

Stand-In Rancher Daddy—

Renee Ryan, July 2016 A Family for the Rancher— Louise M. Gouge, August 2016 A Rancher of Convenience— Regina Scott, September 2016

RENEE RYAN grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf, sort of. With a degree from FSU, she explored career opportunities at a Florida theme park and a modeling agency and even taught high school economics. She currently lives with her husband in Nebraska, and many have mistaken their overweight cat for a small bear. You may contact Renee at reneeryan.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, @reneeryanbooks.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

—Hebrews 11:1

I dedicate this book to Louise Gouge and Regina Scott, two incredibly talented authors who made writing this book easy. It was a joy and honor to work with you on this series.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

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

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Little Horn, Texas, June 1895

A full hour before the sun peeked over the horizon, Molly Carson Langley slid out of bed. Ranch work started early in Texas Hill Country. If she wished to make her morning journey before the sun rose, she must hurry.

With fast, measured steps, she padded through the room. The hardwood floor was polished to a smooth patina and felt warm beneath her bare feet. A muffled sigh slipped past her lips. After three years of marriage and successfully managing her own household, she didn’t belong in her childhood home anymore.

She wasn’t sure where she belonged. Until she figured it out, a pair of motherless four-year-olds needed her. That mattered. It had to matter. Of course it mattered.

Jaw set at a determined angle, Molly stuffed her feet inside a pair of ankle boots and put on her favorite calico dress with the lavender floral print. She wound her blond hair in a loose braid down her back, then packed a small bag with personal items from her dresser. A hairbrush, a rack of pins, several ribbons in colors she hoped the girls would like, and her worn Bible with the pages crinkled at the edges.

One glance out the window told her the morning sky was shifting from black to deep purple. Dawn was drawing near.

Hurry, Molly.

She made her way toward the door. The other occupant in the room slept peacefully, her soft, feminine snoring the only sound cutting through the still, humid air.

Without breaking stride, Molly smiled down at her sister. At sixteen, the dreams of youth were still fresh and untarnished in Daisy’s young mind. Seven years older, Molly could hardly relate to the girl. The death of her husband eleven months ago made it all the more difficult.