Abbie's Outlaw by Victoria Bylin

Abbie's Outlaw is a Harlequin Historical and apart of a series, MEN AND ANGELS, and WEST OF HEAVEN are the first two. This is the first I have read. Reverend John Leaf (this is as close to inspirational reading as I get) is a reformed bad boy. He was a gun-slinger, virginity taking, teen murdering, bank robber, excon who found God while in jail. Abigail Windsor has contacted him asking for help. It has been 15 years since he has seen Abbie and when she gets there he learns that even though he took her virginity he left her something behind. secret baby plot! sort of cuz the baby is already 15 and looking for her daddy Abbie's life has been shit. Married to an abusive husband that her father pretty much bought for her so she would have a 'father' for her baby. Widowed now, she just wants to have a quiet life and raise her children. She doesn't want to get remarried and after her marriage, the idea of intimacy with any man turns her stomach. Both characters are scarred, physically and emotionally. Bylin shows how they heal through each other. Throw in a father daughter reunion, a 'marriage of convenience', a bratty son, and a friend named Silas and you have a good read.