Then an unexpected snowstorm and an injured foot soon landed her in the home of Sam Hardin. Sam's two little girls wrapped themselves around her heart...while they schemed to make Cheryl not a guest or temporary nanny but their new mom.But staying with the Hardin family made Cheryl uneasy. She feared confessing past secrets to Sam, and she had even greater fear of the present. Because the more Cheryl stayed with Sam, the more it all felt so right....

    After all, the boy looked up to him, and desperately needed a role model. Though a childhood spent in foster care had hardened Collin, Mia "would" reveal the caring man she knew was inside. After all, breaking through his gruff exterior would fulfill a boy's Christmas wish... and maybe even her own.

    Even so, Bill Wellington held Lindsay Jones's hands around that tree years ago...and then left her behind. He chose the big city, and now he wants to bring his grandmother there. But to his amazement, he finds that Granny has a boyfriend--and a vibrant life. A life that includes Lindsay, Granny's caregiver. Bill never thought he'd want to come home, yet Magnolia clearly has its charms. As does Lindsay, who makes him long for a second chance at forever love.

    But as they help Jared's sister deal with her own personal demons, they begin to fall in love.

    Yet though he had reached the Pacific Northwest, he still felt broken, empty and alone. When a sudden storm stranded him on Orcas Island, he sought refuge with the local widow, who was no elderly matron, but a reclusive young woman. What was it about shy Jill Whelan and her charming cottage that made Keith want to stop his wandering ways? Did faith and love await him at Rainbow's End?

    When handsome single father Mitch Fowler and his two sons take shelter with Bree Bailey, the reclusive young writer's world is turned upside down! Stuck together for a week during a storm, they quickly find love and happiness together as a family.

    His new business partner for the next six months is Beth Carrigan. His ex-wife. This might prove Dev's most difficult mission yet. He's never stopped loving the sweet bookstore owner, but his military career broke them apart.Now, as Beth and Dev work together helping others get a new start on life, Dev hopes that he can break down the walls between them. And explore the possibilities of a new life and love together.

    The little girl hopes he'll come home for Christmas--and see her in the holiday pageant. With his harrowing past, Wade has always doubted his ability to be a good father, but he heads home to Arizona, determined to try. His daughter's loving new nanny, Connie Ladden, works overtime to help turn him into the father he longs to be. And with some help from his little girl, Wade just might turn his holiday nanny into a permanent wife and mother.

    I'm eight and have cancer. I want to meet a Special Forces soldier more than anything. Well, almost anything. Having a family would be nice.U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper Joel Montgomery promised to make a sick child's wish come true. Well, not the family part--not with Joel's past. And so despite vowing never to set foot back in Refuge, Illinois, Joel parachuted onto the boy's school lawn to a huge smile. But another smile unexpectedly stole Joel's heart: that of Bradley's beautiful teacher, Amber Stanton, who was trying to adopt the boy. And trying to show Joel it was time for new vows.

    Who'll run the company while Wallace is in the hospital?In more Hamilton news, quiet Heather has had a makeover — who knew she was so stunning? Maybe photographer Ethan Danes, who seems to have taken an interest in Heather now that she's started this butterfly summer.…

    Her faith and belief in happy endings all but destroyed, April threw herself into working her father's ranch. But as she struggled with this new life, she found herself headlong in a romantic attachment she never thought possible.Rancher Reed Garrison resented April's leaving Texas so long ago, but he loved her still. Now Reed wanted her to succeed, to recapture her joy and love of God. He hoped the tender feelings between them would grow—and that this time, April would be willing to put down roots...with him.

    I wanted to call it Maggie Black's Higher Grounds. So when banker William Grey III denied my loan, I was crushed. But then Mr. Grey (who's a tea drinker; figures!) explained that if I took his small-business course, the bank might reconsider my application. It would take the help of some of my fab coffee, but I was sure I could stay awake long enough to learn something. Besides, despite Grey's stuffy facade, his velvety British accent could make even financial analysis sound interesting.

    But a family crisis brings her back home -- and back to Michael Hunter, the man she'd once loved. Michael helps Rachel come to terms with life's challenges, and they soon realize that they belong together forever.

    Special education teacher Molly Manning thinks the answer is threefold: love, time--and a dog. But Brent can barely let his nephew into his heart, let alone a golden retriever. With his tragic past, Brent knows what can happen when you love anything: you can lose it. Until Molly asks this dad-in-training to start with the basics by letting her stay...forever.

    He's a pastor and a cowboy—not a daddy! Haunted by family tragedy, he's not sure he can risk his heart to baby Noelle—or to anyone else. But he needs help. Experienced foster mom Heather Lewis was anticipating a quiet holiday. When Shawn pops up at her door, she's happy to show him the ropes of baby care—but isn't prepared for the way he melts the walls around her heart. Can Shawn and Heather give each other the best Christmas gift of all—family and love? Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas