Snowbound: Miracle Marriage

Snowbound: Miracle Marriage
Sarah Morgan

When A&E doctor and confirmed bachelor Daniel Buchannan is left in charge of his brother's kids there's only one person he can turn to. Stella's heart was crushed when Daniel broke off their engagement, but she agrees to come to his rescue for the sake of the children. Being snowbound with Stella shows Daniel just what he's been missing…and Stella is about to discover that Christmas really is a time for miracles.

Snowbound: Miracle Marriage

Sarah Morgan

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

Table of Contents

Cover Page (#u6f030e67-135c-535f-a0fe-3eb90c5f82b7)

Title Page (#u67b3666f-6744-5876-9480-e639e65e3597)

Dedication (#u7b0272e4-24f2-5cf1-ad6e-5de45e58aa15)

Dear Reader (#u329132e2-abf1-5886-a9b1-dd1ef78e573e)

Prologue (#u90402d3f-1cbf-5ff4-98e7-1c79841a2376)

Chapter One (#ubabea774-25c1-5b86-a8fd-0f805a9cf14b)

Chapter Two (#uf23f6152-9a5f-5218-9652-f1664e676028)

Chapter Three (#litres_trial_promo)

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)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

To Lucy, whose happy smile and cheerful nature never fail to brighten my day

Dear Reader

I love Christmas. I love snowy winter walks and cosy evenings spent in front of a blazing log fire. I love helping my over-excited children decorate the Christmas tree and wrap presents for friends and family. And I love writing my Christmas story. I love it so much that this time I’ve written two of them!

I’ve always been fascinated by the influence that family and upbringing can have on a person, and this is the subject I explore in my Christmas duet about brothers Daniel and Patrick Buchannan. Both grew up in the shadow of their parents’ toxic, destructive relationship, but this experience affected them differently.

Daniel, hero of SNOWBOUND: MIRACLE MARRIAGE, was so badly scarred by his childhood that marriage isn’t something he ever wants to risk. His refusal to commit ended his passionate relationship with Stella and she moved away. But now she’s back, working in the Accident and Emergency Department alongside him. Watching her living her life without him forces Daniel to challenge everything he has ever believed about himself.

In CHRISTMAS EVE: DOORSTEP DELIVERY single dad Patrick is determined to be a good father to his two children. He believes in love, but after his ex-wife’s desertion he’s not about to jump into another serious relationship without being sure it’s right for his family. But then bubbly, lovable Hayley arrives on his doorstep on Christmas Eve. She’s impulsive and romantic and suddenly Patrick’s world is turned upside down.

I hope these stories put you in a festive mood, and that you enjoy reading how each of these strong, honourable men find love.

Happy Christmas!

Love

Sarah

x

Prologue

‘I’M OVER him. Really. That’s why I’m back.’ Stella stamped the snow from her boots and levered them off on the doorstep of the converted stable. ‘Two years is a long time. Long enough to gain some perspective on things.’ She glanced at the man next to her and caught her breath because he was so like his brother. And yet so different. This man hadn’t smashed her dreams into a million tiny pieces. ‘Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to live in your stable?’

‘It’s nearly Christmas,’ he drawled, a gleam of humour in his eyes as he stood aside to let her pass. ‘A stable is prime accommodation, haven’t you heard?’

Stella smiled, but beneath the smile was a shiver of trepidation.

Christmas.

Once, it had been her favourite time of year. But that had been before every glittering silver bauble reminded her of the engagement ring she’d worn for such a short space of time.

Putting her life back together had taken time, effort and determination. And she was about to test just how far she’d come.

She’d kept her emotions safely boxed away, like Christmas decorations that were no longer needed. What if the box suddenly opened, spilling all those emotions back into her life?

For a terrifying moment it felt as though two years of healing was about to be undone and Stella stepped quickly inside her new home, hiding her feelings from the man watching her. He was a doctor as well as a friend. She knew how much he saw.

Her feet sank into the soft, cream rug that covered much of the pale wooden floor and she blinked rapidly to clear the tears, angry with herself. No more tears, wasn’t that what she’d promised herself? ‘I suspect this is a little more comfortable than the original stable. You’ve performed miracles, Patrick. When I last saw this two years ago, it still had a horse in it.’ She was making polite conversation but it was impossible to ignore the gnawing anxiety in her stomach.

‘Stella, will you drop the act?’ He slammed the door shut on the snow and the freezing December air. ‘You’re a nervous wreck. Pale. Jumpy. Looking over your shoulder in case Daniel suddenly turns up. He isn’t going to. He’s up to his elbows in blood and drama at the hospital. It’s just you and me. We drowned our sorrows together two years ago. If you can’t be honest with me, who can you be honest with?’

Stella tugged off her gloves. ‘He’s your brother. That makes it awkward.’

‘The fact that he’s my brother doesn’t blind me to his faults.’ Patrick dropped the keys on the table. ‘Neither does it affect our friendship. We kept each other going over that nightmare Christmas. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that.’

Stella felt her insides wobble and wondered whether it was a mistake to pursue this conversation. In a way it had been easier living and working among people who didn’t know—people who weren’t watching to see how she was coping. ‘I’m nervous about seeing him,’ she said finally. ‘Of course I am.’

‘I’m not surprised. Stella, you were engaged.’

‘For about five minutes.’ She walked towards the woodburning stove and stared at the glass. ‘I just wish he hadn’t broken it off at Christmas. It made it harder, somehow.’

‘He shouldn’t have broken it off at all.’