His Wyoming Baby Blessing

She’s pregnant on his doorstep...

Saddle up for this Wyoming Cowboys novel

When his childhood friend Kit McAllistor shows up, widowed and pregnant, rancher Wade Croft offers her a place to stay...but he can’t offer her his heart. As old feelings begin to surface, past tragedies force Wade to ignore them. But on the brink of losing his ranch, will he also risk losing the woman he’s beginning to love...or can he cowboy up in time?

JILL KEMERER writes novels with love, humor and faith. Besides spoiling her mini dachshund and keeping up with her busy kids, Jill reads stacks of books, lives for her morning coffee and gushes over fluffy animals. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, or contact her at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

Also by Jill Kemerer

Wyoming Cowboys

The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride

Reunited with the Bull Rider

Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets

His Wyoming Baby Blessing

Small-Town Bachelor

Unexpected Family

Her Small-Town Romance

Yuletide Redemption

Hometown Hero’s Redemption

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

His Wyoming Baby Blessing

Jill Kemerer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09628-7

HIS WYOMING BABY BLESSING

© 2019 Ripple Effect Press, LLC

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“I don’t want to be a bother...”

“You won’t be a bother. That’s why I’m going to hang out with you. I miss you.” Wade didn’t realize how much he meant it until he said it.

“I’ll be boring to be around, anyhow. I’ve taken napping to a whole new level.” Kit flashed him

a half-hearted smile and averted her eyes.

She was lying. He knew her too well.

“You’re sleeping pretty good, then?”

He’d been right to take the time off. Kit wasn’t sleeping. Her mind was probably racing circles around the baby’s health troubles. Or she was mourning Cam. Both, most likely.

Wade might not be able to fix any of it, but he could be present.

Kit needed a friend.

And, frankly, so did he.

It was only for a week. Nothing to worry about.

Then they’d go back to being long-distance friends. The way it should be.

Why didn’t the thought fill him with relief?

He wasn’t in a position to take care of Kit. He couldn’t even take care of himself. He had to tread carefully...

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading Wade and Kit’s story. I’m a bit weepy that the Wyoming Cowboys series is coming to an end. I enjoyed getting to know Clint, Nash, Marshall and Wade, the best friends and foster brothers who found love in each book. I like to think of all of them growing closer in their friendships and raising faith-filled families. Sweet Dreams will always be dear to my heart. I wonder what Dottie Lavert would have nicknamed me if I went to her diner. What would your nickname be?

One of the themes that came up again and again as I wrote these books was worthiness. Are we worthy of love? We all have difficult times when it’s easy to fall into a pit of despair, insecurity, disillusionment or bitterness. Don’t worry. God has declared you worthy, and this is a free gift. Isn’t that the best news? Hold tight to your faith in Him.

Thanks again for choosing my book. Please sign up for my newsletter to stay informed of my upcoming releases. Go to jillkemerer.com/newsletter for the simple form. I love to hear from you! Feel free to email me at jill@jillkemerer.com or write me at P.O. Box 2802, Whitehouse, Ohio, 43571.

May God bless you!

Jill Kemerer

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

—Romans 15:13

To the AW baseball moms! Sandi Hood and Kerri Penrod— you’ve taken the brunt of my plotting nonsense and iced-coffee addiction—thank you! Special thanks to Amy, Jill, Rhonda, Kim W., Kim K., Marla, Dawn, Michelle, Dreama, Katie, Heather, Amber, Brooke and Jessica for your encouragement, pictures and smiles. My sincere apologies to anyone I might have missed!

Thank you to Shana, Melissa and Elizabeth, the editors who helped shape this book. You make me a better writer.

And finally, thank you to my agent, Rachel Kent, for all you do.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

She should have been here by now.

Wade Croft paced the front porch of the sprawling log cabin he called home. Late May wildflowers and blue skies spread as far as he could see, pausing only at the white-capped Bighorn Mountains. Unfortunately, the peaceful scene did nothing to slow his rapid heartbeat. Kit McAllistor would be here any minute, and the last time he’d seen her had been at her husband’s funeral four months ago. The experience had unsettled him.

Kit’s stricken, drawn face as she’d cried over the casket had picked off the scab on emotions he’d gotten used to pretending didn’t exist, and, as much as he sympathized with her loss, he’d avoided contacting her since then. The little girl he’d met in foster care all those years ago—his childhood best friend, the one who always believed the best in him—had grown into a very special, very beautiful woman.

Her husband passing away complicated things.

A dust cloud formed in the distance. It must be Kit’s car. He propped his hand against one of the posts. His land stretched for miles. Land he’d been blessed with. He’d taken it for granted in his quest to expand. Look where it had gotten him. On the brink of losing it all. Why had he overextended himself last year to buy Dudley Farms, a massive farm east of here? If he didn’t find a buyer for Dudley Farms soon, he’d lose everything, including his home, JPX Ranch.

Somehow, he’d find a way to get out of this financial hole, and until he did, no one needed to know about the trouble he was in.

Right now he had to focus on Kit.

The compact silver car stopped in front of the garage. He had the oddest sensation that if he moved even a muscle, his life would change forever.

Nonsense. Get over there like the barn is on fire!

He took off toward the driveway as the car door shut with a thud. Kit walked his way. A perfectly rounded belly jutted out from her long sundress.

His feet refused to move another inch.

She was pregnant.

Why the concept floored him, he couldn’t say, maybe because the thought of her having a baby hadn’t occurred to him, with Cam’s death and all.

If he thought her husband dying complicated things...

“Wade.” The word sounded scratchy, defeated. Her skin was drawn, dark crescents shadowed her pale green eyes and weariness burdened her shoulders. The woman standing before him barely resembled his vibrant friend.

“Kitty Cat.” The old nickname fell off his tongue before he could worry about the consequences.

Something sparked in her eyes, and she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist. He held her lightly, trying to ignore the sensations crowding his brain. Soft skin. Long silky hair with a hint of coconut shampoo. A pregnant tummy separating them. She seemed thinner, not taking into account the baby. There was a frailness to her that didn’t mesh with any version of the Kit he knew. At least the freckles on her nose were still there.

“I didn’t know where else to go.” She stepped back and let out the most pitiful sigh he’d ever heard.

“What have I always told you?” He tried to capture the teasing tone he saved especially for her, but he didn’t quite nail it.

“If I ever need anything, you’re here for me.” She didn’t crack a smile. In fact, her face was as devoid of expression as it was of makeup.

“Exactly.” He straightened, locking his jaw. The fragile, pregnant woman standing here wasn’t the feisty, optimistic girl he’d bonded with as a kid. Life had beaten her down. It had beaten him down enough, too, but he hated that it hadn’t spared her.

“Come inside.” He held the door open, then he led the way to the great room, a large open space with plenty of windows, hardwood floors, leather furniture and area rugs to keep the chill out. Visible signs of the wealth he’d accumulated and, in his greed, put in jeopardy.

“You really did it, didn’t you?” She looked around, lowering her body onto one of the couches. “You always said you were going to own the biggest ranch in Wyoming someday. Your house alone is massive.”

A surge of shame filled him. If he hadn’t bought Dudley Farms, he’d have been financially set for a lifetime. All attempts at trying to salvage his mistake hadn’t worked. Last year the farm’s old irrigation equipment had failed, and the drought had polished off any hopes of growing enough crops to be profitable. On both properties—here on JPX Ranch and on Dudley Farms—he’d downsized all his employees to the bare minimum. Sold as many calves, heifers and horses as he could, except for his favorite stud horse, Del Poncho. He’d sell Del Poncho only if absolutely necessary. But the way the bills were coming in, he’d have to sooner rather than later.

“I didn’t realize you were...having a baby.” He waved in her general direction as he sat in a chair opposite her. “I mean, it was hard enough Cam died.” Heat licked up his neck, and he averted his gaze. What was wrong with him? He wasn’t shy. Didn’t get squeamish. And here he was acting like a pimply kid instead of a grown man.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and averted her own eyes. It brought him back to their younger days. She’d been eight and he’d been ten when they’d met at a foster home. They’d been best buds the three years they’d lived there. He could still see the freckles on her nose as she swung her legs high in the air, brown hair flying in the wind. Her eyes had danced with delight as she begged him to push her higher, higher. When her swing would finally come to a stop, he’d sit on the one next to hers, and, with their legs dangling, they’d talk about the future.

He’d been set on owning the biggest ranch in Wyoming. He’d have so much money no one could ever again tell him what to do. She was going to be a teacher and get married to the best husband in the world and have two boys, one girl, a dog, a cat and a nice house. They both had been on their way to achieving those dreams. And though they still shared a childhood bond, Kit’s marriage to Cam had strained their friendship. Wade understood. Marriage changed things.

“I guess the perfect family you always wanted isn’t turning out the way you’d hoped,” he said, as gently as possible.

“Yeah, well, it was a stupid dream, anyhow.” She gazed out the wall of windows. Sadness and something else was etched into her face. Bitterness?

Not Kit. Sunny, kind, spitfire Kit never let anything get her down.

He didn’t like to think of her spirit broken, but maybe he was overanalyzing things.

“When are you due?”

“October second.” Her shrug gave him the impression she was nervous. “Depending.”

Depending on what? He scuffed his foot against the floor.

“Thanks for letting me stay here. It will only be for a week. The extended-stay hotel should have a room for me by then.”

She hadn’t given him much information when she called last night. Just said she needed a place to stay for a week and did he have a spare room for her? He’d offered her one of several renovated cabins on his property. They’d been remodeled a few years ago for his friends to use for getaways, hunting, fishing...whatever. She was welcome to hunker down in any of them.

But last night she hadn’t mentioned an extended-stay hotel.

She also hadn’t mentioned she was having a baby.

“Why are you going to some roadhouse?” He needed more information from her. Nothing was adding up, and he didn’t exactly consider himself slow.

One of her shoulders lifted. “I’m moving to Casper.”

“Did you get a new job or something?” He couldn’t picture her accepting a different position. She loved teaching second grade in Fort Laramie. But maybe the memories with Cam made it too hard for her to continue working there.

“No.” Her hands covered her tummy.

Her short answers, air of gloom and lack of animation kicked up his stomach acid.

“Kit, this is me. You don’t have to hide anything.” He leaned forward, immediately recognizing the hypocrisy of his words. He was hiding his problems from her and everyone else he was close to. “What is going on?”

“I need a new start.”

Normally, he’d buy what she was saying. She’d lost the love of her life. She was alone. Pregnant. But...she was keeping secrets. He narrowed his eyes. “You’re not telling me everything.”

“Look, I need a place to crash for a few days, and then I’ll be on my way. Don’t ask me to tell you my life story in the meantime.”

“I already know your life story.” He knew most of it. The important stuff, anyhow.

“That was the old me.”

“I liked the old you.”

“Well, she’s gone, so don’t bother looking for her. Why don’t you show me the cabin where I can put my stuff? Then you can go back to work.” She braced both hands against the couch cushions in an attempt to get up. He sprang to his feet, offering her his hand.

“Why the hotel? Why Casper?” He kept her hand in his and searched her face for clues about whatever she wrestled with. Had Cam’s death destroyed the best part of her?

Her eyes welled with tears.

Great, he’d made her cry. Why had he badgered her? Of course she wanted to move. She was alone and pregnant and grieving the sudden death of her husband. No wonder she was shattered and prickly. He’d always tried to fix anything bothering her, but this was beyond him.

Maybe he should do as she asked. Take her to the cabin and leave her alone to work things out.

“It’s the baby,” she whispered.

“What do you mean?” He gently clasped her forearms and bent to look into her eyes.

“He has a large hole in his heart.”

“What?”

“A few weeks ago, I had a routine ultrasound. I figured I’d be finding out if it was a boy or girl, and everything would be fine. Unfortunately, they suspected there was a hole in his heart, but they told me not to worry and to come back in a few weeks for a fetal echocardiogram. Well, I did, and the hole was confirmed, which led to another ultrasound with a specialist last Wednesday. Since the heart defect may be caused by chromosome abnormalities, I had an amniocentesis done on Friday. They’re using the cells to do a chromosomal microarray test to check for Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome and a few other things. The results won’t be in for about three weeks.”

He let go of her arms. Friday. And today was Tuesday. Chromosomes, tests, a hole in the baby’s heart...his heart, she’d said.

The baby was a boy.

An image came to mind of a little tyke with Kit’s freckles holding Wade’s hand as the child stared up at him with excitement at the thought of riding around the ranch.

“This amnio-cent-whats-is and chromosome thing—what does all of it mean?”

“Amniocentesis is a test to determine the likelihood of genetic problems. It was offered in my first trimester, but I opted not to have it at that time because I’m young and healthy. And chromosome abnormalities are just a fancy way of saying my baby might have special needs.” Her inhalation was long and shaky.

“Okay, we’ll deal with it.” The earlier image of a little boy morphed from one who looked like Kit to one with Down syndrome. The image appealed to him as much as the first one had.

“The hole could heal on its own.” A tear dropped onto her cheek, and she swiped it away. “But if not, the baby will require heart surgery. And if he has DiGeorge syndrome, there’s a strong chance he won’t make it to his first birthday. The doctor told me not to worry about DiGeorge too much and that heart defects are common, but I don’t know what to think at this point. I’ll know more after the test results come back. In the meantime, I’m praying he doesn’t die in the womb.”

Die? He tried to process it. No wonder she’d become a shadow of her former self. She’d lost her husband, and now she might lose her baby, too.

“I’m scared, Wade.” The faint words spun him out of his thoughts.

He understood scared. Too many sleepless nights trying to come up with a solution to his lack of cash flow had taken their toll.

“You’re staying here until the baby is born. Not in a hotel.” He straightened, widening his stance. “I want you to rest. You won’t move a muscle. I’ll take care of you.”

Why had he promised the last part? Him? Taking care of her? He could barely keep up with the mortgage on his land. He didn’t trust himself to take care of a stray dog at this point.

“No.” She clutched her hands, wringing them together.

“If he does have special needs, would you still want him?” he asked.

“Of course! I just want him to live. I don’t care what problems he might have. I love this baby so much. I can’t bear to think of him dying.”

He wasn’t surprised. She’d love any child fiercely, but her declaration reminded him of those complications from earlier.

Kit wasn’t his. Never had been, never would be.

And that’s the way it would stay. She deserved someone who would treat her right and take care of her financially and emotionally. He’d never been good at the emotional stuff, and, frankly, he had little to give in the finance department, either.

He’d just have to do his best to support her, regardless.

“Stay here in the main house. I have three guest rooms. That way if you need me—”

“No. I need space.” She shook her head rapidly, her long brown hair swishing behind her. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. One of your cabins will be fine.”

“You can take your pick. Stay in one of them until the baby is born.”

“That’s kind of you, but I’ll just stay the week.” She ducked her chin. “I’m only crashing here until the hotel has a vacancy.”

He should be relieved. It wasn’t as if he could offer her anything more than a temporary place to stay. As much as he’d like to see her taken care of long-term, it wasn’t his place.

“If you’ll point me in the right direction...”

He gave her a curt nod. “I’ll take you over there right now.”

* * *

JPX Ranch truly was her last resort. On the long drive here, Kit had dreaded having to rely on Wade. She’d messed up her life, and he’d always been able to see right through her. But as she followed his truck down a dirt driveway behind his house, relief replaced the dread. He was the one person—the only one—she’d ever been able to count on for anything.

And here he was, coming through for her again.

If he had any idea what a disaster her life had been for the past three years, would he view her the same?

She had no intention of finding out.

Wade stopped in front of a large log cabin. She could see four other smaller structures spaced out farther down the lane. As she got out of her car, she was glad the blooming wildflowers had spread to surround the guest homes. Silver lupine and little yellow castles waved in the breeze, and she couldn’t help but enjoy their beauty. For a moment, anyway. Nothing good in her life ever stuck around for long.

“I think you’ll like this one the best.” Strength oozed from him as he strode up the covered porch, then swung open the door and waited for her to join him.

She tried not to stare. In form-fitting jeans, cowboy boots and a short-sleeved Western shirt, he looked every bit the cowboy most women only dreamed about. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners—a side effect of his sense of humor. He kept his dark blond hair short. The bone structure of his face was perfectly symmetrical, and she’d often thought he could model for one of those rodeo calendars she’d hung on her wall as a teen. Not that she’d ever tell him that. Most days his head was too big for his cowboy hat without her swelling it even more.