The Baby Bequest

The Baby Bequest
Lyn Cote

Schoolteacher Ellen Thurston never expected to find love in Pepin, Wisconsin. But the moment she discovers a baby boy outside her door, it’s love at first sight.While the townsfolk don’t approve of Ellen as a single mother, what worries her most are her feelings for the handsome farmer who defends her decision to keep the child. Ellen is far above the reach of a German immigrant like Kurt Lang. Especially one weighted with responsibility. Kurt knows how hard it is to raise a child alone, but he will do whatever it takes to help make Ellen's dream of a family come true.

INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Schoolteacher Ellen Thurston never expected to find love in Pepin, Wisconsin. But the moment she discovers a baby boy outside her door, it’s love at first sight. While the townsfolk don’t approve of Ellen as a single mother, what worries her most are her feelings for the handsome farmer who defends her decision to keep the child.

Ellen is far above the reach of a German immigrant like Kurt Lang. Especially one weighted with responsibility. Kurt knows how hard it is to raise a child alone, but he will do whatever it takes to help make Ellen’s dream of a family come true.

What had prompted Mr. Lang, who had been concerned about her desire to keep William since the very night they’d found him, to speak on her behalf?

People moved around her, offering their farewells, and Ellen replied politely. But as she waited for Mr. Lang to come and speak to her, she realized that he had left without a word. A lost feeling filled her that she couldn’t quite explain.

When she was finally alone again, she shut the school door and secured it. Suddenly, fatigue overwhelmed her. She closed her eyes and once again saw Mr. Lang rise to his feet in her defense. Warmth for him welled up within her, but she took herself firmly in hand. Her path had been set.

She had always resolved to pursue an education, not marriage, as most women did. But Holton had somehow made her forget that for a brief time. Now she was herself again. Therefore, she shouldn’t, and wouldn’t, interpret Mr. Lang’s defense of her as anything more than a change of mind expressed by a caring and sympathetic man. Because she would never be foolish over a man again.

Once had proven to be quite enough.

LYN COTE

and her husband, her real-life hero, acquired a new daughter recently when their son married his true love. Lyn already loves her daughter-in-law and enjoys this new adventure in family stretching. Lyn and her husband still live on the lake in the north woods, where they watch a bald eagle and its young soar and swoop overhead throughout the year. She wishes the best to all her readers. You may email Lyn at l.cote@juno.com or write her at P.O. Box 864, Woodruff, WI 54548. And drop by her blog, www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com (http://www.strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com), to read stories of strong women in real life and in true-to-life fiction. “Every woman has a story. Share yours.”

The Baby Bequest

Lyn Cote

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

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

—John 10:10

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

—Ephesians 4:32

To Carol, Nan and Chris, my knitting pals!

And in fond memory of Ellen Hornshuh, a special lady

Contents

Chapter One (#ub0cad94e-cfaa-555d-b1f5-44a185c742c1)

Chapter Two (#ued765fde-5a51-5081-b33c-32ace8cad211)

Chapter Three (#ufad03ea3-5598-5f9f-91b1-b89ad0db7c67)

Chapter Four (#u7e3b2254-5292-5f21-9a1f-ba1fafdbc924)

Chapter Five (#u8c4494c0-3d44-5138-97e7-454191d59c5b)

Chapter Six (#u67e7cb2d-6abe-5edb-8552-ab3527a02caa)

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)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Excerpt (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Pepin, Wisconsin