Second Chance Family (Love Inspired Historical) - Softcover

Griggs, Winnie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0373828772 ISBN 13: 9780373828777

Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals, 2011

Synopsis

Mitch Hammond is a man of his word. And as far as Cora Beth Collins is concerned, that's a problem. The stubborn sheriff has vowed never to love again, for fear of wounding someone else. The most he can offer Cora Beth is marriage in name only. And with no other way to adopt two runaway orphans and keep her patchwork family together, she accepts.

Mitch is doing the honorable thing. So why does it feel so wrong? Despite his intentions, Mitch is starting to want more from Cora Beth…and from himself. For in her trusting eyes he sees everything he hopes to be—as a lawman, a father and a husband.

About this title

About the Author

Winnie Griggs learned the art of storytelling as a child when she and her siblings spent countless hours exploring the overgrown area around her South Louisiana home, building forts, stalking big game and keeping watch for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. She now happily shares the product of her active imagination with the readers of Love Inspired Historical books

You can learn more about Winnie at winniegriggs.com or connect with her at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

September 1893 Knotty Pine, Texas

"Hey, let me go! I ain't done nothing wrong."

Sheriff Mitchell Hammond wasn't buying that for a minute. The furtive way the boy had been sneaking out of the boardinghouse garden had guilt written all over it. In fact, Mitch's gut told him this kid was more than likely the culprit responsible for the rash of petty thefts that had plagued the town the past week or so. "Stop your squirming, son. I think maybe we need to talk about that bunch of carrots you have stuffed in your shirt."

"Them's my carrots."

The kid's voice had more than a touch of bluster to it.

Mitch tightened his hold on the boy's collar. "You don't say? Well, here comes Mrs. Collins now. Since she runs this boardinghouse and this here is her garden, why don't we see what she has to say about that."

Cora Beth Collins was hurrying toward them. Even in the early morning light, he could make out the concerned look on her oh-so-readable face, could tell that her honey-brown hair was pulled back in its usual tidy bun, could appreciate the way her crisply starched apron was tied around her trim waist.

Mitch frowned as he realized where his thoughts had strayed. He'd always considered Cora Beth a fine lady and a good friend. But lately he'd begun to feel something a little warmer than mere friendship when he caught sight of her.

And that was definitely not a good thing.

"What's all this commotion about?" Her breathless voice held an accusing tone that he was certain was aimed more at him than at the young scoundrel in his grasp.

Mitch tipped his hat with his free hand. "Morning, Cora Beth. Sorry if we disturbed you." He tilted his head toward his still-squirming captive. "I caught this boy raiding your garden."

Consternation flitted across her face and then she gave Mitch a challenging look. "It's not raiding if he has my permission."

He wasn't surprised by her quick defense of the boy. Cora Beth had the softest heart in town—she'd give up her last crust of bread if she thought someone else needed it more. Especially if that someone was a kid. But he also noted that she hadn't actually claimed to have given the kid permission. And he hadn't missed the surprise and relief that flashed across the boy's face—a dead giveaway that his captive hadn't expected her to back him up.

"And did he?" It would be interesting to see how she answered him—she was too honest to out-and-out lie, no matter how much she wanted to rise to the kid's defense.

But to his surprise, she looked him straight in the eye, her expression free of evasiveness. "Actually, he's been weeding the garden in exchange for whatever produce he can carry." Then she glanced back at the boy and gave him an encouraging smile. "And a fine job you've been doing of it, too, young man."

That gave Mitch pause. Had he been a little too quick to judgment with the kid?

The boy mumbled something that might have been a thank-you, then glared up at Mitch, renewing his efforts to get free. "See, I told you I wasn't stealing. So, you gonna let me go now, mister?"

But despite Cora Beth's staunch defense, Mitch wasn't quite ready to believe the boy was totally innocent. "It's sheriff, not mister. And hold still. I'm not through with you just yet."

"Go easy." Cora Beth put out a hand but stopped short of touching either of them. "He's just a boy, not some hardened criminal." Her expression softened as she turned to his captive. "What's your name?"

Mitch raised a brow. "Now that's mighty interesting. He works for you, but you didn't bother to learn his name."

Cora Beth's expression reflected a mix of guilt and bravado, but she refrained from responding.

Keeping his amusement in check, Mitch turned his attention back to the closemouthed youth. "The lady asked you for your name, son."

"Ethan." The boy dug a toe into the ground and his tone was surly, grudging.

"Got a last name to go with that?" Mitch asked.

No response other than a tightening of the lips.

Cora Beth placed a hand on her supposed-gardener's shoulder. "You know, my brother Danny is twelve years old. I'll bet you're just about the same age, maybe a little older."

"I'm eleven." The boy's suddenly straighter posture bespoke a pride that was no doubt due to the fact that she'd erred on the plus side.

Which, knowing Cora Beth, she'd likely done deliberately.

"Is that right?" she said. "Well then, you're a very mature eleven." She cocked her head to one side. "Have you had your breakfast yet?"

The boy shook his head, and his rebellious expression shifted to hunger for a flash before he guarded it once more.

From the looks of the kid, Mitch guessed it'd been a while since he'd had a decent meal. But he'd landed on the right doorstep, figuratively speaking, to take care of that. If there was one thing Cora Beth could do exceptionally well, it was cook.

Sure enough, she straightened and gave a nod toward her back porch. "Well, we're going to do something about that. You come on inside. I just took the biscuits from the oven and it won't take more than a few minutes to scramble up some eggs."

Ethan scowled up at Mitch. "I don't think the sheriff'll let me go."

Cora Beth tossed Mitch a look. "Well then, I guess we'll have to invite him to join us."

Mitch touched the brim of his hat, giving her an answering smile. "Now, how could I turn down such a gracious invitation?"

She placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, her gaze still locked on Mitch. "You can let go of him now. He's not going anywhere, at least not until he's had his breakfast." She gave Ethan a smile. "Are you?"

"No, ma'am."

Mitch repressed the urge to roll his eyes at the boy's overly docile tone. Cora Beth might trust him not to make a break for it but Mitch wasn't so gullible. Maybe because he had more experience with individuals who wore Ethan's hunted look. Likely as not, the kid would bolt at the first opportunity.

He kept a close eye on the boy as he let the two of them precede him. Stepping inside the large kitchen of the boardinghouse, Mitch removed his hat and hung it on a peg by the door. "Nothing like the smell of fresh baked biscuits to get a man's stomach to rumbling."

That earned him a smile from Cora Beth. "You menfolk take a seat at the table and I'll have your eggs and bacon cooked up quick as a cat's pounce."

Mitch smiled a thank-you before he pulled out a chair, careful to seat himself between the boy and the door. "You're in for a treat." He kept his tone friendly. "Mrs. Collins is the best cook in these parts."

"Smells good."

The boy seemed a little more relaxed now. Was he ready to answer a few questions? "You're not from around here, are you?"

"No."

The bitter edge to the boy's tone was unexpected. Mitch filed that impression away to mull over later and continued his questioning. "So where are you from?"

The boy shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "Here and there. We move around."

So he wasn't traveling alone. "Who all makes up that we? "

Ethan clamped his lips shut, then looked past Mitch. "Is there something I can do to help you, ma'am?"

Cora Beth smiled over her shoulder. "Why thank you, Ethan, but I have it all under control."

Mitch reclaimed the boy's attention. "I asked you who you were traveling with."

He saw Ethan's internal struggle play out on his face. "My pa likes to travel," he finally blurted out.

Something in the boy's demeanor gave Mitch the feeling that Ethan was holding something back. But before he could press further, Cora Beth looked over her shoulder again.

"Your mother doesn't travel with you as well?" she asked.

"My ma's dead." There was no heat in his answer this time—only a starkness of tone and expression.

The sounds of Cora Beth's utensils against the pans stopped. "Oh, Ethan—" her voice carried a caresslike sympathy "—I'm so sorry."

Ethan looked up to acknowledge her concern. "Thank you, ma'am. I miss her a lot."

Mitch, who'd lost his own mother at a young age, felt a tug of matching sympathy for the boy. But he couldn't let his feelings get in the way of his job. Learning what he could about the boy's situation—not feeling sorry for him—was the best way to help him. "And where is your pa right now?"

Ethan glanced back at the table. "Our camp is set up a couple miles outside of town."

Before Mitch could press further, Cora Beth set a plate in front of each of them. "That's enough with the questions for now, Sheriff. Let the boy eat."

Ethan reached for a biscuit and scooped up a forkful of the scrambled eggs at the same time.

"Ethan." Cora Beth used that voice most mothers acquired instinctively, the one that was gentle yet

uncompromisingly firm at the same time. "In this house we always give thanks before we eat."

Ethan tensed for a moment, rebellion tightening his jaw. But he set down his fork and gave her a pinched-faced apology. "Yes, ma'am. Sorry."

She touched his shoulder before taking a seat beside him. "I know you are." Then she turned her moss-green gaze toward Mitch. "Sheriff, would you say grace for us, please?"

He nodded and bowed his head, oddly touched that she had turned to him to perform that service. "Father, we thank You for this food and for the one who so generously prepared it. We ask that You watch over us this day as we go about our business. And we also ask that You keep a speci...

Edition details

• Publisher: Love Inspired Historicals
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0373828772
• ISBN 13: 9780373828777
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 288