by Kristen Iten
Gathering up his toolbox, nails, and a few of his best pieces of oak, he rushed out of his shop without taking the time to bolt the door shut behind him. He raced down the road to the end of town.
A whitewashed, two-story home stood at the end of the row of buildings lining the main street of Sweet Creek. Its wide porch was tidy and inviting. Up until a short time ago, it had been the town boardinghouse. Now it was simply the home of his friends, the Lagranges. A broom leaned against the house next to the front door, while a petite woman sat at the end of the porch rocking a sleeping baby in the fresh afternoon air.
“Mrs. Rosie,” said Hans, “sorry I’m late.” His chest heaved from his hustle down the street.
“No need to apologize. I knew you’d be along sometime.” Soft lines creased her face as she smiled sweetly at the young man.
“I’ll go ahead and let myself in. We don’t want to disturb that little one,” he said.
He’d only been about his work tearing out water-damaged boards beneath one of the upstairs windows for a short time when he heard a commotion in the street below. The excited squeals and giggles of children put a smile on his face. He peeked out the window and saw Rosie helping them down from a wagon that had stopped in front of the house.
His eyes were drawn to the woman sitting in the driver’s seat, reins in hand. There was something about the way she moved her head when she spoke that made him feel that he should know her. If only he could hear her voice, but its sound was swallowed up by the clatter of children chasing each other this way and that.
For an instant, the woman glanced up at the house. His stomach catapulted into his throat when he saw her face full on. He whispered a name he hadn’t said in a very long time. “Clara …”
Thanks for reading a preview of Loving a Toymaker: A Lone Star Christmas. CLICK HERE to find out what happens when Hans and Clara are brought together for Christmas and what might be her last chance at love.
Clara Hargrove is no stranger to hardship. A loveless marriage and lean times caused her to lose all hope for a happy future. Now widowed, the expectant mother of six young children is determined to face her challenges alone, until danger drives her into the waiting arms of a man she once loved.
Hans Christoph only ever loved one woman. When Clara chose another suitor over him, the master craftsman buried himself in his work for years. Now, he’s finally ready for more out of life. Hope for a second chance at love reignites in his heart when their paths happen to cross once again.
Just weeks remain before Clara moves her young family hundreds of miles away, crushing all hope of a future together. Hans only has until Christmas to break through Clara’s walls and remind her how to love again if he doesn’t want to risk losing her for a second time.
Get your copy today!
A Note to the Reader
Thank you for taking the time to read Loving a Lawman! Do you love to read clean romance? Visit www.KristenIten.com and sign up for my newsletter. I work hard to find the best deals on new clean romance to share with you. I’ll also let you know when my next book comes out!
About the Author
Kristen Iten is a night owl-ish author, and mother of three happy little owlets. She spends her working hours solving mysteries, bringing evil doers to justice, and meddling in the love lives of her imaginary friends. She suffers from an over active imagination, but doesn’t really mind because it helps with the whole ‘writing books thing’. She lives in a cute little town, in a cute little house, with her cute little family, and couldn’t possibly be happier.