Smoke River Family

Smoke River Family
Lynna Banning

A BABY TO BRING THEM TOGETHER…When Dr Zane Dougherty swept Winifred Von Dannen’s sister off to Smoke River she was resentful, but now she wants to be part of her late sister’s baby’s life. That means dealing with Zane, and with the shadows of loneliness – and the incredible hunger – she sees in his eyes.Zane knows he and his infant daughter are truly blessed. But he wants more. He wants Winifred! Is there a way he can mend this broken family and care for them for ever?

She watched his hands on the reins. His skin was tanned, his fingers long and capable-looking.

Winifred was in awe of this man. And she liked sitting close to him.

She edged toward him a few inches and laid her head against his shoulder. No one would see them; they had not yet reached the road back to town.

Zane made a sound in his throat, pulled the horse to a stop and wound the reins around the brake handle. He turned to her, his gray eyes dark and smoky. He caught her mouth under his, moving his lips over hers slowly, purposefully. She wanted it to go on forever.

He deepened the kiss and she opened her lips. He tasted of lemons and something sweet, and all at once she wanted to weep.

She touched his arms, felt the muscles bunch and tremble. She ached for something more—something … closer.

“Zane,” she murmured against his mouth. “Touch me.”

Author Note (#ulink_77b12094-5f2b-52d2-9dbe-35b0121e291c)

It wasn’t always easy to face the realities of life in the Old West—especially when it came to loss and pain. And when it came to falling in love again, matters could get extremely complicated.

I hope you will enjoy this story of heartache and hope.

Smoke River Family

Lynna Banning

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

LYNNA BANNING combines her lifelong love of history and literature in a satisfying career as a writer. Born in Oregon, she graduated from Scripps College and embarked on a career as an editor and technical writer, and later as a high school English teacher. She enjoys hearing from her readers. You may write to her directly at PO Box 324, Felton, CA 95018, USA, email her at carowoolston@att.net (mailto:carowoolston@att.net) or visit Lynna’s website at lynnabanning.net (http://lynnabanning.net).

For my agent, Pattie Steele-Perkins.

Contents

Cover (#u46552499-2343-5024-8a95-f7f6f10ac27e)

Introduction (#ue7b1ee31-8b7f-5c26-b794-5da6945cd05a)

Author Note (#ulink_163dfa96-2c74-55cb-98d6-2a9d1751f7d0)

Title Page (#u04562eeb-889b-551a-954a-1c36d43e4f68)

About the Author (#ucaccdfbc-5484-54c7-90c8-2412eb2df185)

Dedication (#u7dafc919-392a-51a6-85ef-32eb5cd9de23)

Chapter One (#ulink_c19ec012-79cb-5280-821e-9ed8bfab49f4)

Chapter Two (#ulink_1d7f8d42-0f56-5d60-be62-9696777f4435)

Chapter Three (#ulink_a31a1610-e73a-5ff8-a8da-8fd6c6613dcd)

Chapter Four (#ulink_91235daf-0d2a-58c3-8ec3-19feb7f9aa9b)

Chapter Five (#ulink_d712b334-5835-520f-b7e3-ece96802a2f9)

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)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_29ea0926-cb21-5d4a-a907-252b7feca187)

Smoke River, Oregon August 1871

The train chuffed to a stop and Winifred peered out at the town. A seedy-looking building with two large dust-covered windows faced the station; Smoke River Hotel was emblazoned across the front in foot-high dirty white printed lettering. Winifred groaned at the sight. The thought of two whole weeks in this rough Western town made her stomach tighten.