The Cowboy's Orphan Bride
Reunited with the cowboy!Long ago, orphans Bridgette Banks and Garth McCain made a promise to stay together. But it’s been years since they were parted, and Bridgette’s almost given up hope! So when Garth’s cattle trail passes her town, she won’t let him leave her behind again…Sparks fly as they’re reunited—especially when the cowboy catches Bridgette telling everyone she’s his bride! Faced with a past he thought he’d lost for ever, Garth realises this impulsive beauty might be the future he never thought he deserved.
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Reunited with the cowboy!
Long ago, orphans Bridgette Banks and Garth McCain made a promise to stay together. But it’s been years since they were parted, and Bridgette’s almost given up hope! So when Garth’s cattle trail passes her town, she won’t let him leave her behind again...
Sparks fly as they’re reunited—especially when the cowboy catches Bridgette telling everyone she’s his bride! Faced with a past he thought he’d lost forever, Garth realizes this impulsive beauty might be the future he never thought he deserved.
“I told you—I’m here to help. Nothing more.”
Garth’s eyes took on a smoldering tint that caused her heart to thud. Without looking away, he leaned closer.
“You have helped,” he whispered. “And I’m going to kiss you.”
Fully unprepared, Bridgette had no response.
Allowing that to happen was a huge risk, but the moment his lips touched hers she knew it was the right decision. An expansive thrill raced through her system and she looped her arms around his neck.
Her lips parted at the first flick of his tongue and the battle was on. Her tongue against his. It was the most dedicated fight they’d ever had. He went on until they were both winded, and then their lips separated by some mutual consent.
However, as their eyes met their lips met again. That first kiss had immediately become an exploration of unfamiliar ground, but this time it was a gentle journey of territory already discovered and appreciated. She’d known him for years, yet hadn’t experienced the depth of that right now. And, just as she’d imagined, kissing him was utterly amazing.
The “orphan trains” that distributed children across the plains for over seventy-five years have always intrigued me, and I was excited to finally create a story involving this piece of history.
From the moment I started plotting this book I knew the hero and heroine had traveled west together as children. They hadn’t been childhood sweethearts as much as they’d been the anchor that each of them had needed. Then, as I started writing the story, the characters took over, changing the plot I’d originally created, because although they’d “gone their separate ways” they both still craved the one person who’d made a difference in their lives. Each other. But neither of them is ready to admit it.
I hope you enjoy Garth and Bridgette’s story as much as I enjoyed creating it.
A lover of fairy tales and cowboy boots, LAURI ROBINSON can’t imagine a better profession than penning happily-ever-after stories about men—and women—who pull on a pair of boots before riding off into the sunset...or kick them off for other reasons. Lauri and her husband raised three sons in their rural Minnesota home, and are now getting their just rewards by spoiling their grandchildren. Visit: laurirobinson.blogspot.com, Facebook.com/lauri.robinson1 or Twitter.com/LauriR.
Books by Lauri Robinson
Mills & Boon Historical Romance
Daughters of the Roaring Twenties
The Runaway Daughter (Undone!)
The Bootlegger’s Daughter The Rebel Daughter The Forgotten Daughter
Stand-Alone Novels
The Major’s Wife
The Wrong Cowboy A Fortune for the Outlaw’s Daughter Saving Marina Western Spring Weddings “When a Cowboy Says I Do” Her Cheyenne Warrior Unwrapping the Rancher’s Secret The Cowboy’s Orphan Bride
Mills & Boon Historical Undone! ebooks
Rescued by the Ranger
Snowbound with the Sheriff Never Tempt a Lawman
Visit the Author Profile page
at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.
To my critique partner, Paty Jager.
Thanks for always being there to bounce ideas off!
Contents
Central Kansas, 1877
“Those damn cowboys!”
Bridgette Banks tightened every muscle against the way she’d flinched at Cecil Chaney’s outburst and how he slammed the door. Neither was unusual, she just hadn’t expected him to be home so soon. He’d barely been gone an hour, probably less. Which should not have surprised her. He had to be the laziest man she’d ever encountered.
“I’ll shoot the lot of them if a single one steps foot on my property!”
She dried her hands with her apron before turning away from the boards nailed to the wall to form the crude counter barely large enough to hold the dishpan. “A cattle drive is near?”
“Of course a cattle drive is near,” Cecil barked. “I just said as much, didn’t I?”
“No, you said you’d shoot every cowboy.” She didn’t point out there wasn’t a reason anyone would want to step on his property.
The chair creaked as Cecil dropped his heavy frame on the seat. “Same thing.”
“No, it’s not,” Bridgette insisted. Arguing, especially with Cecil, got her nowhere, but she’d quit caring about that. His constant complaining had frazzled her nerves since the moment she’d arrived. He complained when it was hot. Complained when it was cold. Complained when it rained. Complained when it didn’t. His attitude was exhausting. As had been living in his house the past six weeks. Keeping her voice hushed, she said, “You may want to see if they have a cow you can buy. One nursing a calf. The milk is needed, as is the butter and cream.”
