A Family to Be (Saddle Falls)

This one’s for the Fabulous Cushing Men—all four of them—for making me feel
so welcome, so accepted and so…fortunate to have all of you in my life. Not
every woman is lucky enough to gain three brothers along with a husband, but I
did. For Michael—may your life always continue to be an adventure; for Bruce—
for wonderfully filling in the gap the loss of my own brother left so many years
ago; for the late Doug—for the beauty and dignity of your life and your legacy.
Oh, yeah, and for my husband, the one and only Colonel—for showing me that
life can be beautiful again. Love you guys, The Goober Queen

Silhouette Romance

Heavenly Match
#475

Lady and the Legend
#498

Kane and Mabel
#545

Baby Makes Three
#573

Sherlock’s Home
#593

Italian Knights
#610

Sweet Adeline
#693

^**
On Baby Patrol
#1276

^**
Baby with a Badge
#1298

^**
Baby and the Officer
#1316

^††
The Marriage Badge
#1443

^†
Anything for Her Family
#1580

^†
A Family To Be
#1586

Silhouette Special Edition

Child of Midnight
#1013

^*
The Lone Ranger
#1078

^*
The Lady and the Sheriff
#1103

^*
All It Takes Is Family
#1126

^††
The Marriage Basket
#1307

^††
The Marriage Promise
#1313

^†
With Family in Mind
#1450

Silhouette Books

The Coltons

I Married a Sheik

a former adjunct professor of literature and communications, is a
USA Today
bestselling, award-winning author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction. Her first novel won a national writing competition for Best Unpublished Romance Novel of 1985. This award-winning book,
Heavenly Match,
was subsequently published by Silhouette in 1985. Sharon has over two million copies of her novels in print; her professional credentials have earned her a place in
Who’s Who in American Authors, Editors and Poets
as well as in the
International Who’s Who of Authors.
In 1987 Sharon was the proud recipient of the
Romantic Times
Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Writing.

A newlywed, Sharon met her husband while doing research for one of her books. The widowed, recently retired military officer was so wonderful, Sharon decided to marry him after she interviewed him! Sharon and her new husband have seven grown children, five grandchildren, and currently reside in Arizona.

Saddle Falls, Nevada

S
he was in trouble.

Josh Ryan instinctively knew it the moment he spotted Emma Bowen pacing the outer reception area of his second-floor law office. He may not have seen her in six years, but a lifelong friendship and a heart full of memories hadn’t diminished his instincts when it came to Em.

Hell, she was practically family; the little sister he’d never had. As such, he’d always had special feelings for her and felt particularly protective of her.

And her very tender heart.

Something strong and instinctive rose within Josh, making him long to go to her, as he’d done when they’d been children, hauling her into his arms and holding her until the pain and fear he saw etched in her face—her eyes—eased.

But they weren’t children any longer, Josh reminded himself. Six long years and a lot of water had run under the bridge.

He’d been trying to contact her for weeks—ever since her father’s fatal heart attack a month ago—to no avail. His letters to her last address had come back, causing the first inklings of worry, and so, with no other choice, he’d hired an investigator.

Now, Em was here, and Josh was absolutely certain she was definitely in some kind of trouble.

What he didn’t know was what he was going to do about it. Or more importantly, he thought with a sigh, what Em would
let
him do about it.

He had a feeling he was about to find out.

Struggling to hold back a bout of nausea and nervousness, pregnant Emma Bowen anxiously paced the carpeted reception area of the expansive law office that occupied the second floor of the Saddle Falls Hotel—the only hotel in town.

Early January sunlight filtered through the blinds of the spacious second-floor office, coating everything with a golden sheen. The Midas touch, she thought with a grin, and so absolutely fitting for Josh Ryan’s law offices.

She’d never had any doubt that Josh would be a success at whatever he chose as a profession. Like his older brothers, Josh was quite simply the kind of man who’d succeed at
anything
he set his mind to. Personally or professionally.

“Em?” The gentle, masculine voice stopped her in her tracks. She didn’t need to turn around to recognize the familiar voice from her childhood. Memories washed over her, along with an another unwanted wave of nausea. Resolutely, she swallowed hard and prayed the room would stop spinning. Fainting at Josh’s feet was hardly the reunion she’d envisioned.

“Josh.” Gathering her courage, Em took a slow, deep breath, prayed she could hold the nausea and dizziness at bay, then turned to him with a shaky smile, grateful her oversize sunglasses hid both her red-rimmed eyes and the dark circles under them.

“Oh Josh, it’s so good to see you.” Emotions flooded her and tears burned the backs of her eyes as she took his outstretched hands and gave them a grateful squeeze.

Josh looked every bit the successful, sophisticated attorney she’d envisioned in his three-piece gray pinstriped suit and Em tried not to feel intimidated by the gorgeous, elegant man standing in front of her.

This was Josh, she reminded herself, once her dearest, closest childhood friend. The kindest, gentlest person she’d ever known. There was no reason to feel intimidated.

Dear sweet Josh,
Em thought again. Until this moment, she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed him and his friendship.

From the moment he’d rescued her from a school-yard bully when she was six years old, Josh had become her self-appointed protector, her confidant, her…
everything.
Including the family she desperately wanted—needed—but never had.

At least until his own parents’ deaths and then a falling out had estranged Josh and Em until this very day.

“It’s been a long time,” Josh said, his smile gentle. “It’s good to see you, too, Em. Although I’m sorry about the circumstances.” Nodding quietly, Em removed her sunglasses to dab at her eyes. “I’m very sorry about your father, Em,” Josh added. “I know you and he never got along, but…he did love you. In his own way,” he added softly.

“Thanks, Josh,” she said, dabbing at her eyes again, knowing Josh was just being kind. Not once in her life had she ever felt or believed her father had loved her, at least not since she was six and her mother died.

But then again, no one would know better than Josh about her strained relationship with her father. It was to Josh’s house next door where she’d always run when her father’s harsh criticisms became too much for her fragile, scarred heart.

While she was growing up, the Ryans had become her substitute family. And Josh, and his older brothers Jake and Jared had become like her big brothers.

“Em, are you okay?” Josh asked, putting his worry into words as he stepped closer to her. Her eyes were dulled by tears and grief, shadowed by circles that left her looking weary. And she was far too thin, he noted with alarm, glancing at the baggy, frayed jeans and oversize white blouse that practically dwarfed her. Her normally translucent complexion was even paler than he remembered, only increasing his worry.

Although she was all grown-up now, not the scared, insecure young girl he’d once known, she still reminded him of a very delicate, fragile porcelain doll. With her petite frame and small, feminine features, she’d always aroused every protective instinct he’d ever had.

At least that hadn’t changed, Josh thought, looking at her more carefully. He had so many questions, and not nearly enough answers about her life and her circumstances, but at the moment the last thing he wanted to do was press her or pry. She didn’t look as if she were up to it.

Something is wrong,
he thought again. Something that had nothing to do with her father’s death, he’d venture. He’d known Em far too long, and they’d been far too close for her to hide anything from him.

“Em?” His voice although quiet, held a question, and Em smiled, blowing a tangle of ebony bangs off her forehead.

“I’m fine, Josh,” she lied, pressing a hand to her roiling stomach. “Really,” she insisted, wishing her voice sounded more confident.

“Good,” he said, not at all convinced. “Let’s go into my office then, so we can talk.” He took her elbow, surprised anew at how thin she was, and led her into his private sanctum, closing the door softly behind her. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing toward the long, leather couch set against the far wall. “Can I get you something?” he asked, glancing back at her over his shoulder as he rifled through the papers on his desk for her file. “A soft drink? A sandwich?”

“No, thanks, Josh. I’m fine.” She wanted to roll her eyes at the mere thought of food. Ingesting something—
anything
—right now was enough to set her stomach roiling again.

Em sat back, glancing around the room. Impeccably decorated in shades of navy and alabaster, the walls were dotted with awards and diplomas as well as a host of family photographs, making the ache inside Em grow.

The only two things she’d ever wanted in her life were a family—and Josh Ryan.

She’d never gotten either.

“Em.” Josh picked up a file off his desk and joined her on the couch. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to locate you—”

She waved away his apology with a trembling hand. “No, Josh, I’m sorry it was so difficult to find me.” She wasn’t about to start explaining the horrendous events of her life during the past few months or how she’d been forced out of military housing when her husband of six years had abandoned her, going AWOL somewhere in Guam while on temporary assignment. She was far too embarrassed and ashamed to admit, especially to Josh, what a mess she’d made of her life.

Now, it was important for her to focus only on
why
she was here, back in Saddle Falls, and what she had to do to finally put her life in order. Curious, she cocked her head to look at him. “How
did
you find me?”

He smiled. “Your dad kept all of your letters with the return address. I knew the approximate area you were in, so I hired a private investigator.” She nodded, surprised by the fact that her father had kept letters he’d never once answered, but not in the least bit surprised that Josh had the wherewithal to use them to locate her.

Josh flipped through the file folder, examining papers. “Em, as your dad’s attorney, he asked me to fulfill some of his final wishes.”

“Josh?” Her voice was whisper soft, causing him to glance up at her.

“Yes, Em?”

“How—how did my father die?” she asked quietly. She’d been notified after the fact, and after the final services had been completed so she had no idea of the circumstances.

“Oh, Em.” Josh shook his head, remorse washing over him. He reached for her hand and held it tightly in his own, stunned by the coldness of her skin. “I’m sorry. I’d forgotten that my letter only gave you the very basic information.” He hesitated, not wanting to make this any more painful for her than it already obviously was. He took a deep breath, then said, “Your father had a heart attack in his sleep. Doc Haggerty assured me that it was quite painless.” His gaze searched her face, his own heart aching at the grief and sadness reflected in her eyes. “He didn’t suffer, Em,” Josh added softly as she nodded her acceptance. “He’d left specific instructions about his final arrangements, and as his attorney, Em, I was bound to honor them. I’m sorry I couldn’t wait to locate you, but—”

“No, Josh, it’s all right,” she said, forcing a smile. “I understand. Under the circumstances you did the only thing you could.” Her chin jutted. “You did what Daddy wanted and that’s all that matters.” And it was. They both knew how hardheaded and stubborn her father could be and she didn’t think her father would have cared one way or the other whether she’d been there for the final services or not. The fact that it still hurt surprised her. She thought she’d come to terms with her father and their relationship. Apparently, she hadn’t.

“But Em,” Josh said, watching her carefully. “There are still some matters that will need your attention.”

“I know.” She grinned, trying to relax as he turned to her. “That’s what your letter said. That’s why I’m here.” That, and the fact that she had absolutely nowhere else in the world to go.

“Em, your dad left you his house and the diner. Both are fully paid for—free and clear, as well as all his household furnishings and his car.” He glanced at her again. “Basically, he’s left you everything.”

He laid the keys to her future in her empty hand and an overwhelming sense of relief swamped her, and Em nearly burst into tears.

Her daddy’s house, and the diner.

Immediately, the image of the small ranch house that sat on a small plot of land that abutted the enormous Ryan ranch came to mind. The large country kitchen with the worn pine-board floors, where her mother used to bake the luscious homemade cakes and pies that had become the foundations of her father’s diner. The large, sprawling living room with its rag rugs, stone fireplace and the large picture window overlooking the large, old-fashioned front porch. The three bedrooms down the narrow hallway—bedrooms that had seemed so cold and empty during her youth.

Her daddy’s house.

In spite of the memories she’d rather forget, memories that had always made her father’s house seem less than a home, no words had ever sounded sweeter to her. Now she had a place to live, and knowing her father had left her the diner, she also had a way to support herself.

It was as if she’d been given a gift from the heavens; from her father who’d never been there for her during her life, but somehow had provided for her in his death.

Although she was deeply grieved and remorseful about her father—she’d loved him even if she didn’t understand him—his death, coming at a time when she was so desperate, and so very, very scared for herself and her baby had been a blessing in disguise.

Em’s sigh was sad and weary, and she admonished herself not to start feeling sorry for herself, but to cherish this moment and this wonderful, generous gift her father had given her.

It took a moment for the true reality to sink in, and an enormous burden she’d been carrying alone for the past five months seemed to lift off her slender shoulders, freeing her from the fear and panic that had walked every step of the way with her every day of those five months.

Closing her eyes, she pressed a protective hand against her slightly bulging tummy, and said a silent, grateful prayer before taking some slow, deep breaths to contain both her tears and her emotions.

What she really wanted to do was jump with unbridled joy and relief.

But she knew she couldn’t.

Josh would become alarmed and the last thing she wanted to do was alarm Josh, she thought in sudden amusement. Always the worrier, alarming Josh was tantamount to waving a red flag in front of an angry bull. It would only cause him to leap into action like some ultraresponsible television hero, to jump into the role of her rescuer and protector, something she couldn’t—and wouldn’t allow him to do.

Not anymore.

She was no longer a child, but an adult, and if her first encounter with Josh ended up with her weeping and wailing about life’s misfortunes, or rather
her
misfortunes, Josh would think he’d have to take care of her, protect her, or worse, “fix” things for her.

And in spite of her situation, or maybe
because
of it, Em knew that she was the only one who could fix things in her life.

This was her life, and she planned to take responsibility for it.

She knew it; and she had to be certain that when the time came, Josh knew it, too.

So, for now, she’d simply have to silently savor and rejoice in this generous bequest from her father and be grateful for the blessings bestowed on her.

Josh looked at her a moment, then gave in to the urges rushing through him and lifted a gentle hand to Emma’s too pale cheek. Her skin seemed unusually cool and a bit clammy, worrying him further.