The Nanny's Texas Christmas

The Cowboy’s Christmas Family

As foreman of the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch, single father Flint Rawlings knows all about troubled kids—he just never imagined his son to be among them. Logan needs more looking after than Flint can provide, so he’s relieved when the boy’s teacher, Lana Alvarez, agrees to be his nanny over Christmas break. But having Lana nearby sets Flint on edge. He’d vowed never to let another woman get close after Logan’s mother left them, but Lana fills a hole in their lives Flint didn’t know was there. Can he embrace love again and grant Logan his Christmas wish: a new family?

Flint had to think of his son.

His desire to keep Lana at a distance tried to raise its head, but his gratitude about Logan’s safety put his own concerns into perspective.

Logan took priority. And if Lana would agree to be Logan’s nanny on a temporary basis, that would be best for Logan. And Flint would tolerate her nearness. Somehow.

“Can she, Daddy?” Logan asked, his face eager.

He turned to Lana. “Can you?” he asked her.

Lana drew in a breath and studied them both, and Flint could almost see the wheels turning in her brain.

He could see mixed feelings on her face, too. Fondness for Logan. Mistrust of Flint himself.

Maybe a little bit of… What was that hint of pain that wrinkled her forehead and darkened her eyes?

Finally, Lana gave a definitive nod. “All right,” she said. “We can try it. I’ll be your nanny, Logan.”

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

The Rancher’s Texas Match by Brenda Minton

October 2016

The Ranger’s Texas Proposal by Jessica Keller

November 2016

The Nanny’s Texas Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain

December 2016

The Cowboy’s Texas Family by Margaret Daley

January 2017

The Doctor’s Texas Baby by Deb Kastner

February 2017

The Rancher’s Texas Twins by Allie Pleiter

March 2017

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed your latest visit to Haven, Texas, as much as I did! Flint and Lana are close to my heart because they’ve both suffered in the past, and both are tempted to close themselves off to love, so they won’t be hurt again. But God—with an assist from Marnie Binder and Logan—has other plans. As so often happens, though, it’s up to Flint and Lana to take a leap of faith and trust that God has good plans for them. In fact, God’s plans are exceedingly abundant, beyond anything we could dream up ourselves. That’s a truth we should all embrace and celebrate during this Christmas season!

If you’d like to learn about my new releases and get a free romance story, please hop over to my website at leetobinmcclain.com and sign up for my newsletter. Or send me an email via the website. I love to hear from readers!

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Lee

LEE TOBIN MCCLAIN read Gone with the Wind in the third grade and has been a hopeless romantic ever since. When she’s not writing angst-filled love stories with happy endings, she’s getting inspiration from her church singles group, her gymnastics-obsessed teenage daughter and her rescue dog and cat. In her day job, Lee gets to encourage aspiring romance writers in Seton Hill University’s low-residency MFA program. Visit her at leetobinmcclain.com.

The Nanny’s Texas Christmas

Lee Tobin McClain

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.

—Ephesians 3:20–21

To my coworker Judith Reyna, who always makes time to answer my silly Spanish questions; and to my farmer friend Ben, who helped me understand ranch equipment and ranch foreman duties. And to Shana Asaro and the amazing writers who worked together on the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch books—Margaret Daley, Deb Kastner, Jessica Keller, Brenda Minton and Allie Pleiter. It’s been a pleasure writing with you!

Special thanks and acknowledgment

are given to Lee Tobin McClain for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League: Boys Ranch miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Not again.” Flint Rawlings frowned as he clicked up the volume on his cell phone and backed into the barn. He motioned to the three teenagers in front of him to keep working on the hay swather that lay disassembled in the dirt parking area.

“I’m terribly sorry.” Mrs. Toler, his son’s elderly nanny, sounded upset. “I’ve looked all around the cabin and yard. I suspect he’s run off with that gang of hooligans from the ranch.”

“He won’t have gotten far. I’m sure he’s up at the main house, just like last time.” At six, Logan had developed a habit of running away, but he always went to the same place. “Don’t you get yourself stressed out, Mrs. Toler. I’ll go right over there and find him.”