The Lawman's Christmas Proposal

A Husband for Christmas?

Mitch Weston’s back in Cowboy Creek, and self-proclaimed matchmaker Jed Garland has his single granddaughter Andi on his mind. Mitch is a lawman, good with the little ones and easy on the eyes. He and Andi were high school sweethearts, for heaven’s sake! Why can’t they see they’re perfect for each other?

Because Andi already lost one husband to a dangerous job, and now she’s all about playing it safe, for her sake and her children’s. Being a cop is everything to Mitch. After discovering Jed’s plan, Mitch and Andi come up with their own: they’ll pretend to get engaged and then break up due to irreconcilable differences. Jed’s got his work cut out for him—because this match needs a Christmas miracle!

Up ahead, she could see the final turnoff to the road leading to the Hitching Post. In just minutes, they would call off their engagement, as planned.

Admitting the engagement couldn’t be real, that she had no hope left for a chance with Mitch, made her feel empty inside. The feeling only confirmed what she had known from the minute she had seen him again. She had always loved him.

But now, she needed to walk away.

When they reached the hotel and he began to turn his truck toward the parking area, she said, “Just drop me off in front, please.”

He kept driving. “I’m not letting you go in to break the news to your family on your own.”

“It’s all right—”

“Not by me, it isn’t.”

“I can handle it, Mitch.”

“It was my idea that got you into this,” he said stubbornly. “Besides, I’m going to have to face your family sometime, too. I might as well do it now.” He parked the truck and took her overnight bag from the rear seat.

She would always regret this morning.

But she could never forget last night.

Dear Reader,

One of the many things I love about the writing home I’ve found here is I’m able to share my favorite kind of stories with you. Small towns and families. Softhearted yet strong heroines. Sexy and even stronger heroes. Quirky but sometimes interfering characters. When I settle down to write—or to read—a book, those story elements are at the top of my list. I hope they’re favorites for you, too.

The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal has all of the above, along with Grandpa Jed up to his matchmaking tricks again and the entire town joining in on some holiday fun. Enjoy this visit to Cowboy Creek!

I always love to hear from you, so please feel free to get in touch through my website, barbarawhitedaille.com, or mailing address, PO Box 504 Gilbert, AZ 85299. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

All my best to you.

Until we meet again,

Barbara White Daille

The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal

Barbara White Daille

BARBARA WHITE DAILLE and her husband still inhabit their own special corner of the wild, wild Southwest, where the summers are long and hot and the lizards and scorpions roam.

Barbara loves looking back at the short stories and two books she wrote in grade school and realizing that—except for the scorpions—she’s doing exactly what she planned. She has now hit double digits with published novels and still has a file drawer full of stories to be written.

As always, Barbara hopes you will enjoy reading her books! She would love to have you drop by her website for a visit, barbarawhitedaille.com.

To all my readers,

thank you for your support, and Happy Holidays—no matter which ones you celebrate!

And of course, to my number one reader, Rich.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

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

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“Don’t look now, but here comes trouble,” Jedediah Garland said to his old friend Paz.

He had driven her into town to pick up a food order for the Hitching Post, the hotel he owned and where she worked as his cook. On the way, they had made a quick stop for coffee at SugarPie’s, Cowboy Creek’s popular sandwich shop. As usual at this early hour, they found the place filled to capacity.

The woman approaching their table owned SugarPie’s, which consisted of both the shop and the adjacent bakery.

Paz looked over her shoulder, then turned back. “Why do you say trouble, Jed? Sugar is smiling.”

“That she is. And that smile’s telling me she’s got something more than today’s menu on her mind. Haven’t you?” he asked as the woman came to a halt beside their table. He gestured to an empty chair. “Take a seat, and let’s hear whatever load of gossip you’ve got for us this morning.”