The Texan's Surprise Return

A heavy beat of blood pounded against his skull, and his vision blurred to the point he had to close his eyes and hold the sickness at bay. But there was a rightness he hadn’t experienced since he’d woken up from the ambush.

Who is she? Should he leave?

No. For that moment she was in his arms, it was right.

He was finally where he belonged…

Dear Reader (#ue0c7ecc3-2169-5d69-8b8a-38ca39e89d87),

Welcome back to the Diamondback Ranch. In The Texan’s Secret Daughter, I had another secret. I couldn’t wait to tell you that Selena’s husband was alive. I couldn’t wait to get Xavier on the page. I knew it would be a tough journey.

Winning back someone’s love and trust is not easy and it shouldn’t be, but with God, Selena and Xavier were able to reclaim the lives He had meant for them.

Then there were the triplets. I had so much fun doing research into the lives of two-year-old triplets. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

On a serious note, I want to acknowledge the work that inspired Xavier’s career choices.

The heartbreaking truth is the work Xavier does is very real and needed. It was inspired by a group called Operation Underground Railroad led by Tim Ballard. With the work groups like this do around the world, children are finding liberation.

Thank you for visiting my fictional coastal town of Port Del Mar (Port by the Sea). This is the second book in the Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch. If you missed the first, you can read Elijah and Jazmine’s story in The Texan’s Secret Daughter.

Many blessings,

Jolene Navarro

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

—Romans 15:13

Dedicated to Granner (Jo Ann Hutchinson). You are an inspiration as you go strongly into your nineties. Most important, you have shown me to trust God even when the storms of this world threaten to pull you under. Love you, Granner.

Contents

Cover (#u753f4fdf-7900-5616-8a54-f41b628475da)

Back Cover Text (#ud9e060f4-f1a2-51ba-b04e-026ca92c86cb)

About the Author (#uffabad1f-3a4f-534c-a3ea-f8d3614f396b)

Booklist (#u29db83ec-2eb8-593d-8022-81ca5bfe0474)

Title Page (#ua60603e5-c940-5650-a851-e724f20d770e)

Copyright (#u217d23e6-dfc9-5503-91cd-fc3996aca56d)

Note to Readers

Introduction (#u05b62723-eee0-5993-b4ca-ac855804d26d)

Dear Reader (#u42572128-4525-5339-b9ff-ed52ce7cd5cb)

Bible Verse (#uab8b7b09-8fe8-5362-a30f-c043e07612d5)

Dedication (#u924463fe-8301-53e4-887f-270f47b7ace2)

Chapter One (#u2b7c7853-c4fc-5b35-9c78-75ea354702fe)

Chapter Two (#u971780d7-cb0f-5ed6-bf21-d836c51f8388)

Chapter Three (#u612d7caa-4624-545b-9d97-e90efcfe9ac1)

Chapter Four (#uf7eee9e8-a098-5deb-a3a3-1222c1b3c70f)

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)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ue0c7ecc3-2169-5d69-8b8a-38ca39e89d87)

Selena De La Rosa sighed and leaned against the old barn wall as she slipped off her heels. Except for the torturous shoes, the day had been perfect for an outdoor wedding and the family Christmas photos. The love she saw in Elijah’s eyes when he recommitted his life to Jazmine melted her heart in a way she didn’t think was possible anymore.

The weathered wood and the hundreds of tiny white lights, along with the mild Texas temperatures, created the ideal setting for both. Her twenty-two-month-old triplet boys now romped around with the stars of the show. Five baby goats in Christmas sweaters. Who could resist such cuteness?