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A Season for Healing
As Little Horn, Texas, prepares for Thanksgiving, Dr. Tyler Grainger tries to count his blessings. Returning to his family’s ranch brings bittersweet memories of the sister he lost. But one thing he can be grateful for is Eva Brooks, who’s just become the nanny for her cousin’s baby. Tyler is glad to offer advice, but when his late sister’s horse is stolen, Eva’s the one who helps him cope. Tyler’s past heartache urges him to ride off into the sunset—alone. Yet the holiday season offers hope that the good doctor may have finally found a woman to heal his heart.
“Oh, what a cutie pie. He has his mommy’s chin,” the woman exclaimed.
“And his daddy’s nose,” the other woman said. “You must be very proud.”
Tyler blinked in confusion. They obviously thought he and Eva were the baby’s parents.
Eva inhaled a sharp breath. Even in the darkness, Tyler could see her face flush beet red with mortification.
“Oh, but we’re not… I mean, we aren’t…” Eva stammered.
“What’s his name?” the first woman asked.
“Cody,” Tyler supplied.
“What a perfect name for a perfect baby.”
The women smiled with admiration. When they moved on down the sidewalk, he finally exhaled. They were completely oblivious that their words had caused anyone any discomfort.
He turned to Eva. For a flashing moment, he saw intense misery in her eyes.
“Eva, are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, I was just thinking about…” She hesitated and gave a sad little laugh. “Oh, it’s nothing, really. Just ignore me.”
But he knew. All the things she wasn’t saying, and he still knew it had something to do with her broken engagement and being left at the altar with no groom.
* * *
Lone Star Cowboy League:
Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas
A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015
A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015
A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015
A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016
A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016
A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016
LEIGH BALE is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She is the winner of the prestigious Golden Heart Award and is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the Booksellers’ Best Award. The daughter of a retired US forest ranger, she holds a BA in history. Married in 1981 to the love of her life, Leigh and her professor husband have two children and two grandkids. You can reach her at leighbale.com.
A Doctor
for the Nanny
Leigh Bale
And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.
—Isaiah 30:18
Many thanks to Gary and Judy MacKay for their ranching expertise. You two are amazing!
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Leigh Bale for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.
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