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After five years leading the Lord’s flock in King’s Ford, Nebraska, The Reverend James Hathaway is used to the demands on his time. But nothing could prepare him to find a baby in a basket on his front step. He always expected to marry before becoming a father. Then a young widow agrees to help him learn to care for the child and he wonders if he hasn’t found his future.
Widow Esther Travers is still reeling over the loss of her newborn baby girl when she’s asked to help care for another baby. Vowing to get the little one off to a good start, she doesn’t plan to fall for the very handsome preacher, too.
Widow Esther Travers is still reeling over the loss of her newborn baby girl when she’s asked to help care for another baby. Vowing to get the little one off to a good start, she doesn’t plan to fall for the very handsome preacher, too.
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2020
154 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 28, 2021
GOD HAD PUT THEM ALL HERE FOR A REASON, AFTER ALL
While the story is part of the Bachelors and Babies series, it is a stand-alone story. The story is a clean historical western-based book. The story takes place in King’s Ford and mainly involves Reverend James Hathaway and widow Esther Travers.
The story will have Reverend Hathaway being summoned for an emergency and shocked when he opens the door, and there is a basket with an infant inside. But that isn’t the emergency he is being called to attend. Arriving at Doctor Finney’s office, he learns that a young woman traveled from the goldfields in the Dakota territory and came, fallen off a horse, and delivered a stillborn daughter.
Esther: Why couldn’t the doctor save her and let me die? Why?
James: I don’t know, but I believe there is a reason, just as there’s a reason that little boy was left with me.
Esther: What will you name the boy?
James: I’m not sure, really. I’m not sure he should even stay with me.
Esther: He has to. Someone felt you were the right person to raise him. If they hadn’t cared, they’d left him in the middle of the street for the first person who came along.
James: It’s common for foundlings to be left with the preacher.
Esther: To raise, not to give away life an extra loaf of bread.
James: But I’m a bachelor. I know nothing about babies other than what I’ve observed of others’ children, and that isn’t much, believe me.
Esther: Then you’ll learn. I’ll help. I was prepared to learn to care for my daughter. I guess I can help you learn to care for your son.
James: Then I’ll name him James Robert Hathaway, the Fifth, after my father, his father, and his father’s father. I’ll call him Robbie.
The reality of fate will have an infant needing mother’s milk and a woman who lost her child but can be a wet nurse to another. When a health epidemic hits the small town of King’s Ford, the doctor cannot allow Esther to stay in his home/clinic, and she will need to stay at the one-room parsonage while the preacher stays in the church.
“You go ahead and yell at God for as long as you need to. He can take it. But, when you’re ready, remember to listen—and look for His answer.”
The story includes a town dealing with a health crisis, one that will take the lives of a few of its citizens. It will consist of Esther nursing Robbie—and him thriving due to her care and attention. It will include a town of self-righteous people who want to stir up trouble regarding the preacher—but that doesn’t work too well when he turns it on them. James and Esther slowly are becoming friends, and she can see that not all men are like her late husband—but can she trust him to stay faithful?
“The Lord knew what He was doing when he led you to our little piece of paradise.”
I loved the people of King’s Ford and how they all worked together when needed. I liked the slow-build relationship that developed between James and Esther—brought together under unusual circumstances but strong enough to withstand pain and sorrow.
“She left the Dakota territory to find a home for herself and her child and found a home for her heart, instead.”
While the story is part of the Bachelors and Babies series, it is a stand-alone story. The story is a clean historical western-based book. The story takes place in King’s Ford and mainly involves Reverend James Hathaway and widow Esther Travers.
The story will have Reverend Hathaway being summoned for an emergency and shocked when he opens the door, and there is a basket with an infant inside. But that isn’t the emergency he is being called to attend. Arriving at Doctor Finney’s office, he learns that a young woman traveled from the goldfields in the Dakota territory and came, fallen off a horse, and delivered a stillborn daughter.
Esther: Why couldn’t the doctor save her and let me die? Why?
James: I don’t know, but I believe there is a reason, just as there’s a reason that little boy was left with me.
Esther: What will you name the boy?
James: I’m not sure, really. I’m not sure he should even stay with me.
Esther: He has to. Someone felt you were the right person to raise him. If they hadn’t cared, they’d left him in the middle of the street for the first person who came along.
James: It’s common for foundlings to be left with the preacher.
Esther: To raise, not to give away life an extra loaf of bread.
James: But I’m a bachelor. I know nothing about babies other than what I’ve observed of others’ children, and that isn’t much, believe me.
Esther: Then you’ll learn. I’ll help. I was prepared to learn to care for my daughter. I guess I can help you learn to care for your son.
James: Then I’ll name him James Robert Hathaway, the Fifth, after my father, his father, and his father’s father. I’ll call him Robbie.
The reality of fate will have an infant needing mother’s milk and a woman who lost her child but can be a wet nurse to another. When a health epidemic hits the small town of King’s Ford, the doctor cannot allow Esther to stay in his home/clinic, and she will need to stay at the one-room parsonage while the preacher stays in the church.
“You go ahead and yell at God for as long as you need to. He can take it. But, when you’re ready, remember to listen—and look for His answer.”
The story includes a town dealing with a health crisis, one that will take the lives of a few of its citizens. It will consist of Esther nursing Robbie—and him thriving due to her care and attention. It will include a town of self-righteous people who want to stir up trouble regarding the preacher—but that doesn’t work too well when he turns it on them. James and Esther slowly are becoming friends, and she can see that not all men are like her late husband—but can she trust him to stay faithful?
“The Lord knew what He was doing when he led you to our little piece of paradise.”
I loved the people of King’s Ford and how they all worked together when needed. I liked the slow-build relationship that developed between James and Esther—brought together under unusual circumstances but strong enough to withstand pain and sorrow.
“She left the Dakota territory to find a home for herself and her child and found a home for her heart, instead.”
January 15, 2021
Nebraska 1877. Oh this is so well written. I was totally involved with these characters. Reverend James Hathaway one day finds a baby boy in a basket on his doorstep. What does a single man do with a baby? He takes the little tyke to the doctor of course. The doctor will know what to do with the baby. When he gets there, it is to find that a woman has ridden long and hard pregnant, to get to the doctors. She has lost her baby girl. Esther can feed the baby boy and after a bit her mother instincts kick in and she gives in. Doc puts both Esther and the baby boy into James capable hands. What? The town has come down with influenzas and the good doctor wants the three of them safe and healthy. Never mind what it would look like to the town. This is a delightfully sweet and wonderful story of two people who learn to trust each other and hope for the future. It is a story of God directing the paths of the right people together, as well as the town to support them. Come and enjoy a very special read.Now I need to go and read the other books in this series. Woohoo cant wait.
May 28, 2022
i did love James. my only criticism is that I liked how the author showed the grief with Esther but i and i like the outwardly build of friendship between characters but i didn't like how Esther was so closed off. She didn't wanna marry because she kept comparing her deceased husband to James character. and she was almost obsessed with moving out. then suddenly she is saying yes to marrying James and he is perfect. could have been done better on her part. Also Really liked Hank Givens. Was hoping there would be a mention of Barclay that would have been a lovely little cameo.
June 12, 2020
James and Esther
This is a sweet love story about a bachelor minister that find an abandoned infant on the parsonage porch. The one doctor has a strange woman arrive by horseback collapsed and in labor. Esther looses her baby and is called upon to wetnurse to abandoned infant boy. She agreed and eventually James made and Esther fall in love. You will enjoy discovering how they find their happily ever after.
This is a sweet love story about a bachelor minister that find an abandoned infant on the parsonage porch. The one doctor has a strange woman arrive by horseback collapsed and in labor. Esther looses her baby and is called upon to wetnurse to abandoned infant boy. She agreed and eventually James made and Esther fall in love. You will enjoy discovering how they find their happily ever after.
August 26, 2020
Delightful
Esther was truly brought to James by divine intervention. An infant was left in the doorstep of James cabin and needed someone who could take care of him. Esther needed baby Robbie after she lost her baby girl at birth. James and Esther were perfect for each other because she could help out with so many duties that a minister's wife needed the knowledge to do. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story and how she learned to open her heart to true love.
Esther was truly brought to James by divine intervention. An infant was left in the doorstep of James cabin and needed someone who could take care of him. Esther needed baby Robbie after she lost her baby girl at birth. James and Esther were perfect for each other because she could help out with so many duties that a minister's wife needed the knowledge to do. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story and how she learned to open her heart to true love.
June 19, 2020
Reverend James opened his door, stumbled over a basket and heard a boy yelling his name. The baby found in the basket was hungry, no mom and left as a foundling. This is the story of the first few months of that infants life as a woman became the wet-nurse, cooked, cleaned and played the organ for the church. It’s a clean story that can be read by anyone.
January 30, 2021
James: Bachelors and Babies Book 13
The love story of James and Esther. Esther came to King's Ford to save her baby but she lost it when she fell from the house. James is the minister of King's Ford, on his way to the doctor's office, he found a baby on the church's porch. Can a mother who just lost her baby take care of someone else baby and find love? Great story.
The love story of James and Esther. Esther came to King's Ford to save her baby but she lost it when she fell from the house. James is the minister of King's Ford, on his way to the doctor's office, he found a baby on the church's porch. Can a mother who just lost her baby take care of someone else baby and find love? Great story.
June 3, 2020
James finds a baby and love.
Another fantastic book in the series. James finds a baby on his porch and falls in love with the woman who lost her baby but agrees to help him with the baby boy. He names the baby Robbi. This is a page turner.
Another fantastic book in the series. James finds a baby on his porch and falls in love with the woman who lost her baby but agrees to help him with the baby boy. He names the baby Robbi. This is a page turner.
June 6, 2020
Great Story
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great characters with a single reverend put to the test when he is left a baby to raise. He finds help, but the heroine battles her own demons. I enjoyed the insight into Nebraska life during the time period. Great ending.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great characters with a single reverend put to the test when he is left a baby to raise. He finds help, but the heroine battles her own demons. I enjoyed the insight into Nebraska life during the time period. Great ending.
June 8, 2020
Bachelor's and Babies ( Book 13)
James is the bachelor in this story. He is a minister and gets called to go to the doctors house. As he opens the door he almost trips over a basket. In the basket is a baby. Now the story begins. Read and enjoy this book. I did!!!!!
James is the bachelor in this story. He is a minister and gets called to go to the doctors house. As he opens the door he almost trips over a basket. In the basket is a baby. Now the story begins. Read and enjoy this book. I did!!!!!
June 8, 2020
Grief softened
A very good story of two lives entertwined. A baby dies, a founding left. Pastor James never wanted to marry. He never considered bring a father, but a baby left on his doorstep and a widow whose baby did not survive changes his life.
A very good story of two lives entertwined. A baby dies, a founding left. Pastor James never wanted to marry. He never considered bring a father, but a baby left on his doorstep and a widow whose baby did not survive changes his life.
June 28, 2020
A son is given
She was going to give birth and road in to town in labor. She had falling from her horse.Her baby girl was still born. Read the book to see how her life changed .When a baby boy needed her .
She was going to give birth and road in to town in labor. She had falling from her horse.Her baby girl was still born. Read the book to see how her life changed .When a baby boy needed her .
July 7, 2020
Loved it!
Esther and James met under very unusual terms, but they fit together so nicely! It took a while for them each to see it but of course in the end they got their happily ever after!!
Esther and James met under very unusual terms, but they fit together so nicely! It took a while for them each to see it but of course in the end they got their happily ever after!!
August 7, 2020
Wonderful story
A sweet story of restoration and divine Providence, this was a perfect summertime read. There were even some unexpected but welcome plot turns to keep things interesting. A few typos didn’t detract much from the story either.
A sweet story of restoration and divine Providence, this was a perfect summertime read. There were even some unexpected but welcome plot turns to keep things interesting. A few typos didn’t detract much from the story either.
January 8, 2021
James: Bachelors and Babies Book 13 By Tracy Garrett
I really enjoyed Rev.James Hathaway and Esther Travers they are perfect together . James: Bachelors and Babies Book 13 By Tracy Garrett . I recommend 18 and up .
I really enjoyed Rev.James Hathaway and Esther Travers they are perfect together . James: Bachelors and Babies Book 13 By Tracy Garrett . I recommend 18 and up .
February 5, 2021
A sweet story where an abandoned baby brings together a single preacher and a widowed woman who just lost her own infant. They need each other more than they knew and though it takes a long while to realize it, the finally come together and realize that love has grown between them.
March 3, 2022
Good story needs a few edits
Lovely sweet romance. I finished it in one sitting. Characters are very clear and situations are interesting. There are a few edits needed. Small glitches that interfere in the process. Nice wrap-up.
Lovely sweet romance. I finished it in one sitting. Characters are very clear and situations are interesting. There are a few edits needed. Small glitches that interfere in the process. Nice wrap-up.
June 2, 2020
In God's hands
What a inspiring story with excellent characters to round out the storyline.
She lost her child and he gained one as their lives entwined.
What a inspiring story with excellent characters to round out the storyline.
She lost her child and he gained one as their lives entwined.
June 9, 2020
Loved this book
I have loved this whole series I can't wait for the next 2 to come out.my elder sister has enjoyed them as well
I have loved this whole series I can't wait for the next 2 to come out.my elder sister has enjoyed them as well
July 11, 2020
JAMES Bachelors and Babies Book 13
This is the thirteenth book in this series about the preacher and a boy left. On his doorstep and the preacher fell in love
This is the thirteenth book in this series about the preacher and a boy left. On his doorstep and the preacher fell in love
July 19, 2020
Good
Loved this book.great story line.looking for more by this author.first time reading any of her books. Great characters, finding loke
Loved this book.great story line.looking for more by this author.first time reading any of her books. Great characters, finding loke
July 22, 2020
Fabulous story! Highly recommended.
July 21, 2021
Couldn't put it down
I love the Bachelors and Babies series so I enjoyed every bit of it beautiful sweet, best thing about these series are happy endings.
I love the Bachelors and Babies series so I enjoyed every bit of it beautiful sweet, best thing about these series are happy endings.
September 10, 2021
Loved it!
June 26, 2020
A great story
James- towns preacher, who founded a baby on his doorstep.
Esther- she road 40 miles on horse back to a new town, her baby died during delivery.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story that is well written with charismatic characters. James showed her even through hardships, there's a reason for everything. Their story has a sweet HEA.
James- towns preacher, who founded a baby on his doorstep.
Esther- she road 40 miles on horse back to a new town, her baby died during delivery.
I enjoyed reading this intriguing story that is well written with charismatic characters. James showed her even through hardships, there's a reason for everything. Their story has a sweet HEA.
June 6, 2020
Really lovely short story.
I really love this series and don't know what I will have to look forward to each month when the series ends. This story was so sweet, Rather was such a strong and delightful heroine who despite her tragedies helped others and James was a lovely man. It was so nice to read about their small community and get to know their neighbours. Even though life was harder at this time the sense of neighbourhoods was so good.
I really love this series and don't know what I will have to look forward to each month when the series ends. This story was so sweet, Rather was such a strong and delightful heroine who despite her tragedies helped others and James was a lovely man. It was so nice to read about their small community and get to know their neighbours. Even though life was harder at this time the sense of neighbourhoods was so good.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews