Montana Wrangler

Montana Wrangler
Charlotte Carter

With a high-flying career in the big city, Paige Barclay rarely finds her way back to the homestead in Bear Lake, Montana.But then a terrible accident leaves Paige in charge of her orphaned nephew. She’s prepared to take Bryan back to Seattle, far from the home he loves. Wrangler Jay Red Elk loves Bryan like a son and knows the boy belongs in Montana.He won’t let Bryan go without a fight. But as Paige grows closer to the handsome, determined cowboy, she begins to wonder whether she, too, belongs here—in Bear Lake by Jay’s side.

Big Sky Vs. Big City

With a high-flying career in the big city, Paige Barclay rarely finds her way back to the homestead in Bear Lake, Montana. But then a terrible accident leaves Paige in charge of her orphaned nephew. She’s prepared to take Bryan back to Seattle, far from the home he loves. Wrangler Jay Red Elk loves Bryan like a son and knows the boy belongs in Montana. He won’t let Bryan go without a fight. But as Paige grows closer to the handsome, determined cowboy, she begins to wonder whether she, too, belongs here—in Bear Lake by Jay’s side.

“Krissy wanted you to raise him, child. Raise him like he

was your own,” Grandpa said.

Paige’s mouth opened. Not a sound came out. She’d been named Bryan’s guardian?

Why in the world—

She’d always assumed Grandpa would be there if anything—

She couldn’t possibly—

Looking to the other end of the table, she realized Jay and Bryan were as shocked as she was. Mouths gaped open. Both of them struck dumb.

As if the words Grandpa had spoken had finally registered, Bryan’s eyes widened. His face turned red. He leaped to his feet.

“I don’t want her to be my guardian!” he screamed. “I want my mom!” Knocking over his chair, Bryan raced from the room and out the back door.

Stunned, Paige sent up a heartfelt prayer. Please, Lord, what am I supposed to do now?

CHARLOTTE CARTER

A multipublished author of more than fifty romances, cozy mysteries and inspirational titles, Charlotte Carter lives in Southern California with her husband of forty-nine years and their cat, Mittens. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren. When she’s not writing, Charlotte does a little stand-up comedy, “G-Rated Humor for Grown-ups,” and teaches workshops on the craft of writing.

Montana Wrangler

Charlotte Carter

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

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

I want to express my appreciation

to the readers on the Harlequin Forums

who helped me to “grow” Bear Lake, Montana, with their creative ideas: Loves 2 Read Romance, who suggested Loves 2 Read Romance Bookshop

& Bakery, and Valri, who envisioned the

chatty postmistress in town.

Special thanks to my editor, Emily Rodmell,

who makes me write better books.

Contents

Chapter One (#u592f4bf8-dbd0-56e4-af55-85cba32ac43a)

Chapter Two (#u0ad1c207-e143-5171-aaea-6c2c062fc879)

Chapter Three (#u8359d1af-addb-5674-882b-005a86a85bb1)

Chapter Four (#u1b2a2ca6-f26c-5cb2-8bc9-53db60090d8c)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Tears blurred Paige Barclay’s vision as she stood on the wide plank porch of her grandpa Henry’s house in the high country of western Montana not far from Glacier National Park.

She hadn’t cried at her sister’s funeral that morning. Their mother had always said crying was a waste of time and energy. Now, alone with her thoughts and her sense of guilt and regret, Paige’s tears were hard to hold back.