Abbie's Outlaw

Abbie's Outlaw
Victoria Bylin

You gotta face the ghosts.More poignant advice the Reverend John Leaf had yet to hear for dealing with his haunted past. A man of God now, he'd done things that would shame the devil himself, not the least of which was loving–and leaving–Abbie Windsor, a woman of true grit and uncommon courage, a woman who could make him whole…!Abbie Windsor had weathered dark days with only the steel of her will for cold comfort. Yet today John Leaf–who'd awakened her womanhood, who'd given her a daughter–offered her his protection. But could she accept a marriage in name only to the man who shared her soul?

With a wry smile he said, “Don’t let the collar fool you. I’m as low-down as ever.”

“Somehow I doubt that.” As her eyes softened with the caring he remembered from Kansas, she raised her hand as if she wanted to touch him, perhaps to make sure he was real. John avoided her hand with a shrug, but their gazes stayed locked and held tight.

They were left alone in the crowd. Both dressed in black, Abbie and John seemed cold to each other, but he wasn’t fooled. The coals in his kitchen stove had looked dead this morning, but they were banked and smoldering on the inside. If he poked them, they would flare to life. John couldn’t stop himself from remembering that he and Abbie had started a fire in Kansas. All sorts of things had burned between them, including the bedsheets….

Praise for Victoria Bylin

“This is an author who writes with heart, and articulates

well a clear understanding of human feelings and frailties

that readers should totally enjoy.”

—Historical Romance Writers Review

Praise for previous titles

West of Heaven

“The hero, definitely alpha male and code-of-the-west

cowboy, provides wonderful appeal, as does the heroine

and her orientation to family values. This story proves that

love is salvation from death and its worst griefs.”

—Romantic Times

Of Men and Angels

“An uplifting tale of a spiritual woman,

who’s deeply human, and the flawed man she loves.

It’s evident that Ms. Bylin writes from her heart.”

—Old Book Barn Gazette

“Deft handling makes the well-tarnished Jake

a man to admire.”

—Romantic Times

“Of Men and Angels is the perfect title for a perfect book.

The characters are wonderfully human and well rounded,

and the story is an exciting, heartwarming and spiritual

tale with a magnitude of emotion.”

—Romance Reviews Today

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Abbie’s Outlaw

Victoria Bylin

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

To Michael… Beloved husband, you are mine!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven