The Parson's Christmas Gift

The Parson's Christmas Gift
Kerri Mountain

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuriesDesperate to escape her past, Miss Journey Smith heads deep into Montana Territory. Then a terrible accident strs her in the tiny town of Walten during the Christmas season. The townspeople welcome Journey into their hearts homes, leading her to dream of a normal life, full of happiness, holidays– the town's hsome parson.Enchanted by the troubled beauty, Zane Thompson knows Journey is not what she seems. But she can't–or won't–trust him with her secrets, especially when her past reappears with a vengeance. Soon the parson must risk his life his faith to offer Journey the greatest Christmas gift of all–his heart.

“Trouble you can handle has a way of turning into trouble you can’t,” Pastor Zane said. “If you let us know what’s going on, we’ll figure a way out.”

“The only thing going on here is I’m trying to figure a way to pay my debts, buy a horse and be on my way,” Journey said. “The only thing going on here is a pastor who thinks he can fix every problem. Well, there are some problems you can’t fix.”

Zane bent his head, but his stance held no anger. “We’ll play this your way for now, but watch yourself. And let us know when you need a hand.”

She was determined not to skitter from him, no matter how her thoughts pleaded with her to. Why wouldn’t he just go away?

Zane slid his hat back from his face and looked at her. “Journey, we have a saying here in the West that you might not have heard. But it’s good sound advice.”

“What’s that?”

“Watch your back.”

How little he knew. She was already backed into a corner.

KERRI MOUNTAIN

grew up surrounded by books and storytellers, and credits her family for instilling in her the love of a good story in any form. An avid reader, the idea came to her that she ought to try writing a story of her own, but it didn’t take her long to realize it was easier said than done. So when she had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in Writing Popular Fiction, it seemed a natural fit. She tries to write the kinds of stories she would want to read. The Parson’s Christmas Gift is her first novel.

Kerri lives in rural western Pennsylvania with her parents on their small family farm, and teaches in the district where she attended school as a child. She enjoys the quiet pace of country living and spoiling her niece and nephews on a regular basis.

Kerri Mountain

The Parson’s Christmas Gift

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

This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

—Jeremiah 6:16

To Mom and Dad—there aren’t enough words to

say thanks for all the love and support you’ve given

in any adventure God allows. Love you both!

And a big thank-you to all the critique partners,

mentors, friends and family who have helped

develop and improve this story far beyond anything

I might have imagined it could be. I praise God for

putting each of you in my path at just the right time.

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

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three