Merry Christmas, Cowboy!

Merry Christmas, Cowboy!
Cindy Kirk

Lauren Van Meveren's life was all mapped out. It didn't include being a temporary nanny to Seth Anderssen's seven-year-old daughter. Even if the widowed rancher was the most heart-meltingly sexy man she'd ever met, filling her head with fantasies of forever at his Sweet River ranch. But when he asked, how could she say no?All Seth needed was someone to care for his injured little girl. Someone warm and giving. Like Lauren. But how could he ignore the attraction sizzling between them? The beautiful academic was starting to make him believe in second chances. Could he give Lauren the most wonderful Christmas gift of all–love?

It appeared Santa wasn’t immune to her charms.

The desire flickering in his suddenly dark depths told her Santa was having some naughty thoughts of his own. The realization gave her the courage she needed to wrap her arms around his neck. “I’ve always wanted to kiss a man with a beard.”

“That’s one Christmas wish that’s easy to fulfill.” Without warning Seth’s mouth closed over hers. His hands splayed against her back and he pulled her as tight as his overstuffed belly would permit.

Waves of desire washed over Lauren and she gave in to the moment, until an excited voice cut through the passionate fog.

“Daddy, Daddy, come quick,” Dani called from the doorway. “Santa is kissing Miss Lauren.”

Dear Reader,

Every author has books that are special to them. Some of my personal favorites are ones that involve children, especially little girls. This is probably because I have a daughter of my own. Children add their own special flavor to a book because, as we all know, you can never tell what’s going to come out of their mouths!

But in a romance, children serve another purpose, as well. How the hero (in this case, Seth) relates to his daughter, Dani, tells us a lot about him. To me, there is nothing more sexy and appealing than a man who is a good father.

In falling in love with Seth and choosing eventually to make her life with him, Lauren is also choosing to make her life with Dani. It was important to me to show she would be not only a good wife to Seth, but a good mother to Dani. When I ended this book, I had no doubts these three were perfectly matched and would have a wonderful future together.

That’s why I love writing for Special Edition. These are stories about real people finding their happily-ever-after. Seth and Lauren and Dani found theirs. I hope you find yours, too!

Warmest regards,

Cindy Kirk

Merry Christmas, Cowboy!

Cindy Kirk

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

CINDY KIRK

has loved to read for as long as she can remember. In first grade she received an award for reading one hundred books. Growing up, summers were her favorite time of the year. Nothing beat going to the library, then coming home and curling up in front of the window air conditioner with a good book. Often the novels she read would spur ideas and she’d make up her own story (always with a happy ending). When she’d go to bed at night, instead of counting sheep, she’d make up more stories in her head. Since selling her first story to Harlequin Books in 1999, Cindy has been forced to juggle her love of reading with her passion for creating stories of her own…but she doesn’t mind. Writing for Special Edition is a dream come true. She only hopes you have as much fun reading her books as she has writing them!

Cindy invites you to visit her Web site at www.cindykirk.com.

To Patience Smith.

I can’t believe it’s been ten years since you bought

my first book. Working with you this past decade has

been pure pleasure. I’ve learned so much from you.

You’re knowledgeable, professional but also great fun.

I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring!

To Shana Smith,

editorial assistant, for all your work on this book. I very

much appreciated your insightful comments. You have

a great future ahead of you in the publishing business!

Contents

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

Epilogue