A Family Found

A Family Found
Laura Abbot

A Mother for His SonsSingle father and rancher Tate Lockwood already has his hands full–and now he's been asked to escort a woman through the Western frontier! But beautiful Sophie Montgomery is as strong-willed as she is brave. And although she's not the conventional tutor he wants for his sons, she just might be the perfect fit.Sophie, still recovering from heartbreak, is ready to start life afresh. And that includes a startling new ambition–climbing Longs Peak in the Colorado Rockies–as well as teaching Tate's boys. When she starts to fall for this motherless family, Tate, who's suffered losses of his own, is reluctant to return her feelings. And yet, maybe they can help each other navigate the terrain of newfound love…

A Mother for His Sons

Single father and rancher Tate Lockwood already has his hands full—and now he’s been asked to escort a woman through the Western frontier! But beautiful Sophie Montgomery is as strong-willed as she is brave. And although she’s not the conventional tutor he wants for his sons, she just might be the perfect fit.

Sophie, still recovering from heartbreak, is ready to start life afresh. And that includes a startling new ambition—climbing Longs Peak in the Colorado Rockies—as well as teaching Tate’s boys. When she starts to fall for this motherless family, Tate, who’s suffered losses of his own, is reluctant to return her feelings. And yet, maybe they can help each other navigate the terrain of newfound love…

“Words have a life of their own, don’t they?” Sophie said.

“Sometimes they just slip out when they should stay put. And you aren’t the first to accuse me of being garrulous.” She smiled ruefully, and he could breathe again.

“Nor will I be the last, I suspect,” he said with a forced chuckle.

Then she laughed gaily and relief flooded through him. “Do you know what I think? I have had quite enough of this Miss Montgomery and Mr. Lockwood business. You are my only friend in all of Estes Valley, and I would like you to call me Sophie.” She paused. “And might I call you Tate?”

His first thought was that this informality moved them into an intimacy he wasn’t sure he was willing to undertake, but his second thought trumped the first. “I would welcome that,” he said.

“All right then, Tate. Take me home.”

He knew she meant her cabin, of course. Yet, for an instant, her words shook every nerve in his body. “Home…yes.”

After twenty-five years as a high school English teacher and independent-school administrator, LAURA ABBOT turned to writing the kinds of stories she’d always loved to read. She sold her first book to Mills & Boon Superromance, followed by fourteen more. Her other professional credentials include serving as an educational consultant and speaker, and as a licensed lay preacher. But her greatest pride is her children and eleven grandchildren. Laura enjoys corresponding with readers; please write her at LauraAbbot@msn.com.

A Family Found

Laura Abbot

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

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,

from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord,

which made heaven and earth.

—Psalms 121:1–2

In grateful appreciation for the wisdom, encouragement and friendship with which my fellow authors have blessed me through the years, especially my “cyber-friends” and the Ozarks, Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Tucson RWA chapters. You have made a difference in my life.

Contents

Cover (#ua1f85326-c2ab-5eac-875e-086d46c70971)

Back Cover Text (#u19b3ef51-7f15-57e5-a3b8-1171c1c0677d)

Introduction (#ub9bbbebc-6120-5daf-904a-d5e8dd95c780)

About the Author (#uf0ef9b13-e3f5-5029-92b8-28e50f77b8c4)

Title Page (#u32a63cbe-1bfa-5eff-8a8a-6330c8791112)

Quote (#u17463804-4185-5614-9034-f310139de9de)

Dedication (#ufa64de34-99f1-5ab8-824b-6d4a7666d013)

Chapter One (#ulink_76c27046-0adc-5f01-a175-d04bac0b2473)

Chapter Two (#ulink_34e662e4-b259-538a-aaab-a3a1354e53f2)

Chapter Three (#ulink_64594a4c-0821-5d29-90c6-78347cd8af2d)

Chapter Four (#ulink_249d3243-a591-5bf2-9c22-6f346aa906cf)

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)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_fa39c5fd-06e2-58cf-abae-8f396f929fdd)