A Daddy for Christmas

A Daddy for Christmas
Laura Marie Altom

When six feet of tall, lean cowboy rides up kicking dust, Jess Cummings thinks a holiday miracle has arrived.Not only does he help with an injured colt, Gage Moore hires on to work her ranch. The handsome, trustworthy Texan is everything Jess could want in an employee. But is the ex-rodeo star too good to be true? Gage came to Oklahoma haunted by a saddle load of grief. He'll help Jess get the ranch in shape by Christmas, then be on his way.After all, the job was always meant to be temporary. But how can he leave now that the hardworking single mom has given him a reason to stay? And if he does, can he be the husband and father Jess and her daughters need?

“Jess? I am sorry.”

“About what?”

“Your daughter. Your husband. Your colt. You’ve had a rough time of it, and—”

“Please don’t.” The wind swept hair in front of her eyes, and she impatiently pushed it away. “The girls and I got along fine before you got here, and we’ll be fine long after you go.”

“Did I say you wouldn’t? All I said was—”

“I really should get back to the house. Thank you for checking in on Honey.”

Gage nodded, but he could’ve saved himself the effort as she was already out the door.

What was it with her always running away? Why wouldn’t she talk to him? Why was she shutting herself off from the very practical fact that if she was going to run any kind of successful ranch, there was no way in Sam Hill she could ever do it on her own?

Catching his reflection in the mirror, he scowled. “What’re you doing, man?”

But unfortunately, the stranger looking back at him had no more clue why he cared about Jess Cummings or her girls or her ranch than he did.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the sixth and last book of THE STATE OF PARENTHOOD miniseries, Harlequin American Romance’s celebration of parenthood and place. In this, our 25th year of publishing great books, we’re delighted to bring you these heartwarming stories that sing the praises of the home state of six different authors and share the many trials and delights of being a parent.

If there’s one time of the year that makes us think of home and family, it’s Christmas. In Laura Marie Altom’s A Daddy for Christmas, we meet Gage Moore, a Texan bull rider looking for peace—and redemption. What he finds is miles of blue Oklahoma sky and Jess Cummings, a single mom looking for a temporary ranch hand. It may seem as if Jess is the one who needs help, but working on her ranch and connecting with her two girls brings the spirit of Christmas home for Gage. And that holiday magic might just help make them a family.

There are five other books in this series: Texas Lullaby by Tina Leonard (June 08), Smoky Mountain Reunion by Lynnette Kent (July 08), Cowboy Dad by Cathy McDavid (August 08), A Dad for Her Twins by Tanya Michaels (September 08) and Holding the Baby by Margot Early (October 08). We hope you enjoyed every one of these romantic stories, and that they inspired you to celebrate where you live—because any place you raise a child is home.

Merry Christmas from all of us at American Romance!

Kathleen Scheibling

Senior Editor

Harlequin American Romance

A Daddy for Christmas

Laura Marie Altom

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After college (Go Hogs!), bestselling, award-winning author Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to boy/ girl twins and a bonus son. Always an avid romance reader, when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing

When not immersed in her next story, Laura teaches reading enrichment at a local middle school. In her free time, she beats her kids at video games, tackles Mt. Laundry and of course, reads romance!

Laura loves hearing from readers at either P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101, or e-mail BaliPalm@aol.com.

Love winning fun stuff? Check out lauramariealtom.com!

For Mary Jane and Cathy Morgan.

Ladies, you are fun and talented and witty and

wonderful!! I love you!! Thanks for sharing

my ups, downs and everything in between!!

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

Epilogue

Chapter One