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The Convict & the Cattleman
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Sentenced to seven
years of servitude in the penal colony of New South Wales, Bridgit Madden is
thrust into a world unlike anything she's known, dangers she never imagined and
enemies with their own interests at heart. Certain that the conviction has
ruined her chances of ever having a real family, she is fearful of her future.
Despite his reluctance
to take in a convict, Jonah Andrus, a grazier and pioneer cattleman, needs a
servant to care for his orphaned niece. When presented with Bridgit, who is far
too beautiful and distracting, he initially tries to refuse. However, with a
busy cattle station to oversee, he needs help right away.
Upon her first meeting
with Jonah's niece, Bridgit immediately falls in love with the girl and becomes
entwined the mystery surrounding her birth. As she gets to know her employer
better, Bridgit makes it her mission to remind him that family is priceless.
When it seems as though she might have found the place she truly belongs, their
love is threatened by lies and deceit, and both of them might lose everything
they hold dear for a second time.
Excerpt:
“There, there. Bridgit
will be along any second. She knows how to take care of you. Uncle Jonah
will drop you. You’re too small.”
Surprised by his own
admission, he stared helplessly at Olivia. When was the last time he’d paid her
any attention? She’d grown and he hadn’t noticed. Babies did; he knew well
enough from watching his calves during the summer. The baby he remembered was
tiny, wrinkled and didn’t look like anyone. Charlotte, exhausted, but elated,
had smiled proudly.
“Isn’t she beautiful,
Jonah?”
Recalling her voice
made his heart pound. The silly girl didn’t have a sense of shame. She’d been
nervous when she admitted her tryst and the subsequent pregnancy, but she had
defended her child. Not unlike one of his cows. They protected their young
fiercely.
He hadn’t found the
words to answer her question. All he saw was Rob Langnecker’s face. The desire
to kill him had blotted out everything else. Langnecker had ruined his sister,
left her alone with a bastard child and went off chasing other skirts. She’d
died in the room where Bridgit slept, believing he’d come back for them.
If I ever catch him.
Jonah ran his hand
down his face.
“Is something wrong?”
Bridgit’s warm hand
closed around his. Pity shined in her eyes.
“The chores are
waiting.” Clammy sweat dampened his shirt.
She tugged his hand.
“You need to stay. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Go sit down.”
He didn’t understand
why he obeyed, but he sat in the rocking chair by the window. His father had
crafted it for his mother years before Jonah was born.
Bridgit lifted Olivia,
nestling her into his arms. The cries eased to a whimper.
“Hold your arms like
this. You’ve got to support her head.”
“I know.” Charlotte
had insisted he hold Olivia hours after her birth. He remembered it clear as
day. Accepting the chubby baby, he was surprised at her weight.
She’d been so small.
“She’s healthy.”
It was more a question
than a statement. Olivia gazed at him, eyes wide. Her fingers toyed with one of
his buttons.
“Aye. Growing like a
weed. She’s learning to roll over.” At his confused look, she explained,
“That’s good. She’ll be crawling before long. She talks to me and follow things
with her eyes. Everything she’s supposed to do.”
“Good. Charlotte would
be glad.” His voice sounded choked and he cleared his throat, hoping Bridgit
hadn’t noticed.
She lifted the bottle.
“Here. Feed her. Tip it up, so the air gets in the bottle.”
He let her show him
what to do, surprised again when Olivia grasped the bottle with her tiny hands.
Her features were clearer now. Charlotte’s nose and chin. Those couldn’t be his
ears, could they? Dark blue eyes stared up at him, then drifted shut as she
suckled greedily. Her eyes were the only resemblance he could find to her
father.
Bridgit kneeled beside
the rocking chair and swept dark locks from the baby’s face. Her hand settled
on his knee. “There. She’s happy now.” A wistful smile played across her face.
A jolt ran through
him. With Olivia snuggled against his chest and Bridgit beside him, the moment
belonged to a family man.
About the Author
A love of reading
turned Allison Merritt into an author who writes historical, paranormal and
fantasy romances, often combining the sub-genres. She graduated college with a
B.A. in mass communications that's gathering dust after it was determined that
she's better at writing fluff than hard news.
She lives in a small
town in the Ozark Mountains with her husband and dogs. When she's not writing
or reading, she hikes in national parks and conservation areas.
