Lone Star Holiday

Lone Star Holiday
Jolene Navarro

Twelve years ago, Lorrie Ann Ortega left the tiny town of Clear Water with stars in her eyes. Now she’s back home—trying to live right and put her mistakes in the past.Even so, she’ll never be the kind of woman who would make a good wife for the handsome widowed pastor, John Levi. But when she agrees to be nanny to his two sweet daughters, she’s thrown constantly in his path. And she can't keep herself from dreaming that a man like John could one day love her. Can a prodigal daughter turn into a pastor's wife?

The Prodigal Returns

Twelve years ago, Lorrie Ann Ortega left the tiny town of Clear Water with stars in her eyes. Now she’s back home—trying to live right and put her mistakes in the past. Even so, she’ll never be the kind of woman who would make a good wife for the handsome widowed pastor, John Levi. But when she agrees to be nanny to his two sweet daughters, she’s thrown constantly in his path. And she can’t keep herself from dreaming that a man like John could one day love her. Can a prodigal daughter turn into a pastor’s wife?

“Are you lost?”

His deep Texas drawl washed over her. Lorrie Ann shook her head and searched for words.

“No, but I’m sure that depends on who you ask.” Raising her gaze, she flashed her best smile. In California it had never failed her.

Instead, he glanced off into the pasture, at the cows. “Is that your car up ahead?”

She sighed. Apparently, Texas cowboys were a completely different breed from the men she had been working with in Los Angeles.

“Yeah, I ran out of gas.”

“Anyone I can call for you?”

“No, no. Really, as soon as I get my phone, I’m good.”

He turned that devastating smile back on her. “How your phone ended up in a cow pasture is bound to be an interesting story.” He held his hand out to her, the fence still between them. “I’m John Levi.”

Lorrie Ann smiled back at him, a genuine smile this time. It felt good. The past couple years anything real had been hard to find.

JOLENE NAVARRO

Jolene’s life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, football, art, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life’s wonderful messiness. She knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heartbreakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that holding hands and dancing in the rain never gets old. When she’s not teaching art to energetic middle-schoolers or hanging out with her four kids, she loves creating stories of love and faith in her much-loved Texas.

Lone Star Holiday

Jolene Navarro

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

—Matthew 11:28

To Granner, JoAnn Hutchinson,

for sharing her faith and love of writing.

For Katrina, Storm, Tate and Bridger, thank you

for all the dinners cooked and dishes washed.

My greatest joy is being your mother.

To Fred for being you and allowing me to be me.

Contents

Chapter One (#uec19b4ff-d898-51bf-99a0-54e280d31a7f)

Chapter Two (#u2bbe1420-bc15-57a9-9e65-6f15c1669e31)

Chapter Three (#ub89f462b-e94d-5b46-b363-16ef8cd63d7b)

Chapter Four (#u1d2cd311-7ba4-58da-8a35-f17b6eb6e1d9)

Chapter Five (#u29937b69-50dc-592a-b6ce-9df45c313852)

Chapter Six (#u83abc13e-75d9-56e2-8492-229807864b71)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)