Holiday in Stone Creek: A Stone Creek Christmas

Holiday in Stone Creek: A Stone Creek Christmas
Linda Lael Miller

A Stone Creek ChristmasVeterinarian Olivia O'Ballivan is more comfortable with animals than men. Especially architect-turned-rancher Tanner Quinn. Olivia's bond with his daughter Sophie's pony makes him question her sanity, while she wonders if he's just a drugstore cowboy. Then Sophie conspires with Olivia to get Tanner into the spirit of Christmas. Will a holiday miracle transform globe-trotting Tanner into a family man for all seasons? At Home in Stone Creek Everyone in Ashley O'Ballivan's life is marrying and starting families—except her. But why bother when no one compares to Jack McCall, the man who left her heartbroken years ago? While recovering from a dangerous mission, security expert Jack rents a room in Ashley's bed-and-breakfast. He tries to keep his distance, though neither can deny the spark between them. But when his past catches up with him, he'll have to leave again…just as he realizes where he's always belonged.

Two classic Stone Creek tales from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

A STONE CREEK CHRISTMAS

Stone Creek veterinarian Olivia O’Ballivan communicates easily with animals, but men are another story. Especially rugged architect-turned-rancher Tanner Quinn. Olivia’s uncanny bond with his daughter Sophie’s pony has him questioning her sanity, while she wonders if he’s not just a drugstore cowboy. Then twelve-year-old Sophie conspires with Olivia to get Tanner into the spirit of Christmas. But will a holiday miracle transform the globe-trotting Tanner into a rancher—and family man—for all seasons?

AT HOME IN STONE CREEK

Everyone in Ashley O’Ballivan’s life is marrying and starting families—except her. But why bother dating when no one can compare to Jack McCall, the man who left her heartbroken years ago? Now he’s back in town—and maybe he isn’t who she thinks he is.

While recovering from a dangerous mission for the DEA, security expert Jack rents a room in Ashley’s bed-and-breakfast. For both their sakes, he tries to keep his distance, though neither can deny the growing spark between them. But when his past catches up with him, he’ll have to leave again…just as he realizes where he’s always belonged—in Stone Creek.

Praise for the novels of #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

“Miller tugs at the heartstrings as few authors can.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

“Miller’s attention to small details makes her stories a delight to read. With engaging characters and loveable animals, this second story in the Creed Cowboys trilogy is a sure hit for the legions of cowboy fans out there.”

—RT Book Reviews on Creed’s Honor

“Miller once again tells a memorable tale.”

—RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek

“Completely wonderful. Austin’s interactions with Paige are fun and lively and the mystery…

adds quite a suspenseful punch.”

—RT Book Reviews on McKettricks of Texas: Austin

“Miller is the queen when it comes to creating sympathetic, endearing and lifelike characters. She paints each scene so perfectly readers hover on the edge of delicious voyeurism.”

—RT Book Reviews on McKettricks of Texas: Garrett

“A passionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking sexual chemistry.”

—Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate

“Strong characterization and a vivid western setting make for a fine historical romance.”

—Publishers Weekly on McKettrick’s Choice

Linda Lael Miller

Holiday in Stone Creek

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

A Stone Creek Christmas

For Sandi Howlett, dog foster mom, with love. Thank you.

Contents

Chapter One (#u98d5cc7a-e887-53f7-8431-49d59575174a)

Chapter Two (#u9c76d8ca-db9b-5ed6-b077-0fac5b209871)

Chapter Three (#uc3a5acb7-23db-5505-880d-62870e892974)

Chapter Four (#uaf8bc646-d9e4-536d-9c43-9a995e947a33)

Chapter Five (#u8ebae470-7681-56c4-add3-cb65364e046e)

Chapter Six (#udf69ad47-2dbb-52e5-aa39-0b95ca764df4)

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 One

SOMETIMES, ESPECIALLY in the dark of night, when pure exhaustion sank Olivia O’Ballivan, DVM, into deep and stuporous sleep, she heard them calling—the finned, the feathered, the four-legged.

Horses, wild or tame, dogs beloved and dogs lost, far from home, cats abandoned alongside country roads because they’d become a problem for someone, or left behind when an elderly owner died.

The neglected, the abused, the unwanted, the lonely.

Invariably, the message was the same: Help me.

Even when Olivia tried to ignore the pleas, telling herself she was only dreaming, she invariably sprang to full wakefulness as though she’d been catapulted from the bottom of a canyon. It didn’t matter how many eighteen-hour days she’d worked, between making stops at farms and ranches all over the county, putting in her time at the veterinary clinic in Stone Creek, overseeing the plans for the new, state-of-the-art shelter her famous big brother, Brad, a country musician, was building with the proceeds from a movie he’d starred in.