His Secondhand Wife

Cheryl St.John

Noah Cutter was a man of his word…Scarred in body and soul, rancher Noah didn’t consider himself fit company for anyone. But when his brother’s philandering finally caught up with him, honour dictated that Noah claim his brother’s widow as his own… Noah was about the most intimidating man Katherine had ever seen. Yet though one man’s false promises had already dashed her dreams, she instinctively trusted this stranger. And Kate suspected she’d only be a fool this time if she didn’t take a chance on Noah for the sake of herself…and her unborn child!

“You’re comin’ with me.”

Kate blinked and glanced around the dingy room. “I don’t even know you. I don’t know where you live.”

“Spread out by Cooper Creek called Rock Ridge. House and livestock. I mean to take care of you. What more do you need to know?” Noah asked.

What more, indeed? Kate’s mind whirled with concern for her desperate circumstances, fear of the future and the shock of her missing husband’s death. The thought of her detested job in the laundry combined with her mother’s suffocating criticism convinced her. Kate had to get away.

And she might never have another chance.

Kate turned, grabbed a gunnysack and stuffed her meagre belongings into it. She didn’t pause to see if she’d forgotten anything, neither did she stop to think or reconsider.

Maybe she was crazy for leaving with a man she’d never met before. Maybe listening to his promises was rash.

But, then again, this could be the best thing that had ever happened.

Praise forCheryl St John:

HIS SECONDHAND WIFE ‘A beautifully crafted and involving story about the transforming power of love.’ —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

PRAIRIE WIFE ‘This is a very special book, courageously executed by the author and her publisher. St John explores the catastrophic loss of a toddler in intimate, painfully beautiful detail. Her considerable skill brings the common theme of the romance novel— love conquers all—to the level of genuine catharsis.’ —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

SWEET ANNIE ‘A tale brimming with love…Ms St John delivers another wonderful Western historical romance…’ —Romance Reviews Today

THE DOCTOR’S WIFE ‘Cheryl St John gives testimony to the blessings of family and to the healing powers of love.’ —Romantic Times BOOKreviews

THE TENDERFOOT BRIDE ‘THE TENDERFOOT BRIDE is a rich tale of life on a ranch, but it is one of the most tender romances I have read in a long time.’ —The Romance Reader

Cheryl St John remembers writing and illustrating her own books as a child. She received her first rejection at age fourteen, and at fifteen wrote her first romance. A married mother of four, and a grandmother several times over, Cheryl enjoys her family. In her ‘spare’ time, she corresponds with dozens of writer friends, from Canada to Texas, and treasures their letters.

Recent novels by the same author:

SWEET ANNIE

JOE’S WIFE

THE DOCTOR’S WIFE

SAINT OR SINNER

THE MISTAKEN WIDOW

THE TENDERFOOT BRIDE

ALMOST A BRIDE

(in Wed Under Western Skies) PRAIRIE WIFE CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY (in A Western Winter Wonderland)

HIS

SECONDHAND WIFE

Cheryl St John

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

The story is dedicated in loving memory to my sister-in-law, Judy Smith, who loved to read Harlequin and Silhouette novels and enjoyed so many of the talented category authors. I miss your phone calls, the cheese balls and especially—your laugh. See you soon.

Prologue

Copper Creek, Colorado April 1890

A sick feeling dipped in Noah Cutter’s stomach as he studied the approaching rider. He dropped the wire cutters and rolled his sleeves down over his arms, snatched the hat he’d hung on a nearby fence post and pulled the brim down to shade his face.

His brother was the only person who ever came to Rock Ridge unannounced, and though Noah hadn’t seen him for months, the man on the horse was definitely not Levi.

The horse slowed. Noah raised a palm. “That’s far enough.”

“I have a telegram for ya!” the rider called in the breathless voice