The Cowboy's Surprise Bride

The Cowboy's Surprise Bride
Linda Ford

A NEW LIFE…IN A NEW WORLDTraveling to Canada’s Northwest Territories is a thrilling opportunity for Linette Edwards—and her chance to escape a dreaded marriage in England. She’s more than eager to accept Eddie Gardiner’s written invitation. How could she know that Eddie thinks he’s marrying not Linette, but her friend, Margaret?Eddie planned for a well-bred bride who’d help prove his worth to his father. Instead he’s saddled with a ragamuffin stranger and the little boy in her care. He’ll shelter them until springtime and no longer. But before the snow clears, his heart is thawing too…and hoping this makeshift family can find a permanent home together.Cowboys of Eden Valley: Forging a future in Canada’s west country

A New Life...In a New World

Traveling to Canada’s Northwest Territories is a thrilling opportunity for Linette Edwards—and her chance to escape a dreaded marriage in England. She’s more than eager to accept Eddie Gardiner’s written invitation. How could she know that Eddie thinks he’s marrying not Linette, but her friend, Margaret?

Eddie planned for a well-bred bride who’d help prove his worth to his father. Instead he’s saddled with a ragamuffin stranger and the little boy in her care. He’ll shelter them until springtime and no longer. But before the snow clears, his heart is thawing too…and hoping this makeshift family can find a permanent home together.

“While you are here, I expect you to conduct yourself wisely and in a ladylike fashion,” Eddie said.

Linette’s nostrils flared. “You mean play the lady of the manor.”

He had his doubts as to whether she even knew how a lady conducted herself. Like his father said, the Edwards family didn’t fit in. Softly he asked, “How do you see your role here?”

She ducked her head so he was unable to see her expression. “I suppose I thought you meant to marry me.” She lifted her head and faced him with her eyes flashing courage and challenge. “I will make a good pioneer wife.”

“I never got your letter, or I could have warned you I’m not desperate for a wife. Besides, you can’t simply substitute one woman for another as if they are nothing more than horses.”

“Why not? Are you madly in love with Margaret?”

Love? There was no such thing as love in an arrangement like theirs. “We suited each other.”

“She doesn’t seem to share your view of suitability.”

LINDA FORD

lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada. Growing up on the prairie and learning to notice the small details it hides gave her an appreciation for watching God at work in His creation. Her upbringing also included being taught to trust God in everything and through everything—a theme that resonates in her stories. Threads of another part of her life are found in her stories—her concern for children and their future. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.

The Cowboy’s Surprise Bride

Linda Ford

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

I have set before thee an open door,

and no man can shut it.

—Revelation 3:8

Without cowboys our part of the world would be a much different place. This story is dedicated to the cowboys of the West and those who love them.

To both past and present cowboys and to those who entertain at the greatest outdoor show in the world:

the Calgary Stampede, which celebrated its

100th anniversary in 2012. Thank you.

Contents

Chapter One (#u37562222-3b5b-5b07-afcb-9c46aeed8bb0)

Chapter Two (#ua03be7c8-1e3d-5235-9417-d86f6c8743fd)

Chapter Three (#uc577e74c-c20f-536d-afdb-caf4229ac87c)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Excerpt (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Northwest Territories, Canada

October 1881

For the first time she was about to meet Eddie Gardiner. The man she intended to marry. The answer to her prayers.

Linette Edwards parted the curtains on the stagecoach—meant to keep out the dust and cold. The first few days of their trip, dust had filtered through them, and now cold with the bite of a wild beast filled every inch of the tiny coach. Four adults and a child huddled against the elements.