Instant Frontier Family. Regina Scott
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Little Matchmakers
Maddie O’Rourke’s orphaned half brother and half sister have arrived safely in Seattle—with a man they hope she’ll wed! Though Michael Haggerty’s not the escort she planned for, Maddie allows him to work off his passage by assisting in her bakery…and helping care for her siblings. But she’ll never risk her newfound independence by marrying the strapping Irishman—or anyone else.
In New York, Michael ran afoul of a notorious gang. Traveling west was a necessity, not a choice. The longshoreman grew fond of his young charges, and now he’s quickly becoming partial to their beautiful sister, too. So when danger follows him, threatening Maddie and the children, he’ll do anything to protect them—and the future he hopes to build.
When was the last time someone had cared enough to listen to her fears, offer support?
“I just want the best for Ciara and Aiden,” Maddie said. “They deserve more than I had—a roof that doesn’t leak when it rains. A family that isn’t falling apart from work and weariness. Am I selfish for hoping I won’t have to go into debt for all that?”
“No,” Michael answered. “There’s nothing selfish about you, Maddie. You work harder than anyone I’ve ever met, and you’re being clever about it, if you ask me. You’re building a business to support you and Ciara and Aiden. That’s something to be proud of.” As if to prove it, he bent and kissed her on her forehead.
A warning rose inside her, insistent, demanding. She had a future all planned, and it didn’t include falling in love. That way led to sorrow. She knew that.
Why then had she offered Michael a chance to stake a claim on her heart?
REGINA SCOTT has always wanted to be a writer. Since her first book was published in 1998, her stories have traveled the globe, with translations in many languages. Fascinated by history, she learned to fence and sail a tall ship. She and her husband reside in Washington State with their overactive Irish terrier. You can find her online blogging at nineteenteen.com. Learn more about her at reginascott.com or connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorreginascott.
Instant Frontier Family
Regina Scott
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been
born of God and knows God.
—1 John 4:7
To Kris, who knew where Maddie needed to live and that she needed a cat; and to the Lord, who gives me friends and family, both two-footed and four-footed, to love.
Contents
Seattle, Washington Territory
October 1866
Maddie O’Rourke stood on the pier beside Mr. Yesler’s mill, waiting for the ship to come in. Every inch of her tingled, from her carefully braided red hair under her green velvet hat to her toes inside the leather boots. After nearly