The Forest Ranger's Child

The Forest Ranger's Child
Leigh Bale

Inspiring and enriching romances about faith, hope and the healing power of love.NOWHERE TO GO BUT HOME Six months pregnant, abandoned and without a penny to her name, Lily Hansen has only one place to go. The ranching community—and her traditional father—won’t take kindly to her situation. But when a handsome forest ranger saves Lily from a flash flood, all she sees is concern in his warm brown eyes.She soon discovers that Nate Coates's own harrowing family history is behind his need to take care of her. Though she dreams of marriage, she’ll have to open her heart to love before she can become Nate’s wife.

Nowhere to go but home

Six months pregnant, abandoned and without a penny to her name, Lily Hansen has only one place to go. The ranching community—and her traditional father—won’t take kindly to her situation. But when a handsome forest ranger saves Lily from a flash flood, all she sees is concern in his warm brown eyes. She soon discovers that Nate Coates’s own harrowing family history is behind his need to take care of her. Though she dreams of marriage, she’ll have to open her heart to love before she can become Nate’s wife.

“Who are you?” Lily asked.

“Nate Coates. I’m the forest ranger here. I just happened to be out checking for signs of flooding when I found you.”

“Lucky for me.”

He must have heard the unshed tears in her voice, or seen some forlorn emotion on her face, because he reached out and took her hand in his. The warmth of his calloused palm seeped through her skin and sent tingles spiraling up her arm.

“You sure you’re okay?”

Genuine concern gleamed in his expressive eyes. For several moments she couldn’t look away from his handsome face, wishing she dared confide in him. Wishing she had one single friend in this world she could tell her troubles to who wouldn’t hurt or betray her, or try to use her in some way.

Someone who would never lie to her.

His firm, lean fingers tightened around hers. She pulled away from Nate and forced a smile. “I’m just tired. It’s been a difficult day.”

“But a good day, too. You’re safe now. And your baby’s gonna be fine.”

LEIGH BALE

is a multiple award-winning author of inspirational romance, including a prestigious Golden Heart. She is the daughter of a retired U.S. forest ranger, holds a B.A. in history with distinction and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She loves working, writing, grandkids, spending time with family, weeding the garden with her dog Sophie and watching the little sagebrush lizards that live in her rock flower beds. She has two married children and lives in Nevada with her professor husband of thirty-one years. Visit her website at www.LeighBale.com.

The Forest Ranger’s Child

Leigh Bale

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

For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

—1 Corinthians 15:22

This one is for Wade and Bonnie,

with whom I share something unique and wonderful. Our childhood. I love you both dearly.

I always have and always will. No matter what.

And many thanks to Dan Baird,

consultant extraordinaire.

Contents

Chapter One (#ub80f574f-9157-5c3d-b907-7df753345a78)

Chapter Two (#u2606a381-c575-5e0f-beb0-eab29ba1eacf)

Chapter Three (#u1274e304-e7f3-5675-83c7-0914d43046cf)

Chapter Four (#u91abe303-ec39-540e-91ca-fa1d22ae1a79)

Chapter Five (#ua6741a9a-d355-5e40-a37d-a3a8d0fe7b22)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

He wouldn’t want her now. Not after what she’d done.