Restless Spirit
THE LAWMAN'S TOUCHWhen called to a crime scene, Native American sheriff Mace Sheridan found not only evidence of foul play but also a beautiful woman in her own private hell. Small-town waitress Nicole Ferris didn't ask for help, yet every protective bone in his body yearned to carry her off to his ranch.As Mace conducted his investigation, he didn't like how Nicole avoided answering his questions about her life. Except he felt a growing need to reassure her she'd be safe with him, no matter what secrets she kept. The farther Mace followed a dangerous trail, the more he and Nicole discovered a terrifying truth–you can never escape your past. But would this keep them from having a future together?
Читать Restless Spirit онлайн беплатно
âAre you hurt?â Mace asked her
Only in her heart. Her cold black heart. âIâm not hurt.â
âThatâs good,â he said. âNow I want you to give me that knife.â
She nodded at him and handed him the blade. The chill sank deeper into her flesh, into her bones. She thought she was safe here, but everything was falling apart, brick by brick.
âNicole.â
At the sound of her name, she started as if waking from an endless nightmare.
âI need to take care of you before I do anything else,â he said, holding out his hand toward her. Dumbly, she stared at the very masculine appendage, all muscle and tendon. Her gaze lifted to his face. His high cheekbones, dark brown eyes and well-tanned complexion hinted at Native American heritage.
âCome on,â he urged. âTake my hand. Youâre going to be okay.â
She pulled herself up and slumped against him. His kindness stirred the lonely emptiness inside her. A tear spilled down her cheek as she buried her face against his coat. It would be so good to have someone to lean on, someone she could trust.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
Those April showers go hand in hand with a welcome downpour of gripping romantic suspense in the Harlequin Intrigue line this month!
Reader-favorite Rebecca York returns to the legendary 43 LIGHT STREET with Out of Nowhereâan entrancing tale about a beautiful blond amnesiac who proves downright lethal to a hard-edged detectiveâs heart. Then take a detour to New Mexico for Shotgun Daddy by Harper Allenâthe conclusion in the MEN OF THE DOUBLE B RANCH trilogy. In this story a Navajo protector must safeguard the woman from his past who is nurturing a ticking time bomb of a secret.
The momentum keeps building as Sylvie Kurtz launches her brand-new miniseriesâTHE SEEKERSâabout men dedicated to truth, justiceâ¦and protecting the women they love. But at what cost? Donât miss the debut book, Heart of a Hunter, where the search for a killer just might culminate in rekindled love. Passion and peril go hand in hand in Agent Cowboy by Debra Webb, when COLBY AGENCY investigator Trent Tucker races against time to crack a case of triple murder!
Rounding off a month of addictive romantic thrillers, watch for the continuation of two new thematic promotions. A handsome sheriff saves the day in Restless Spirit by Cassie Miles, which is part of COWBOY COPS. Sudden Recall by Jean Barrett is the latest in our DEAD BOLT series about silent memories that unlock simmering passions.
Enjoy all of our great offerings.
Sincerely,
Denise OâSullivan
Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
From the balcony of her high-rise, Cassie Miles has a view of the gold dome of the Colorado State Capitol and the front range of the Rockies. If she could find a way to add the ocean, sheâd have the best of all possible worlds. The southern Colorado setting for Restless Spirit is a fascinating area with spectacular vistas and a strong Native American influence from the nearby Ute Mountain, Navajo and Hopi reservations.
Recently voted Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Cassie attends critique groups specializing in mystery and in romance, the perfect balance for Harlequin Intrigue books. One of her daughters once described her writing this way, âRomantic suspense. You know, kiss-kiss, bang-bang.â If only it were that simple.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Nicole FerrisâA waitress at the Elkhorn Cafe. Sheâs on the run from big cities and dark secrets in her childhood and not-so-distant past.
Mace SheridanâSheriff of Sterling County, Colorado. Half Ute and half rancher, he feels responsible for all the folks in his county.
Joey WentworthâNicoleâs roommate is an irresponsible artist who helped Nicole when she needed a friend.
Blake WentworthâJoeyâs uncle is CEO of Wentworth Oil Exploration.
Luke HeflinâThe special agent for the FBI takes over jurisdiction in the Elkhorn crimes.
Barry ThompsonâMaceâs dispatcher and former partner is a computer whiz.
Don BlackbirdâA local man who knows some of Joeyâs secrets.
Jewel SheridanâMaceâs sister would like to see her big brother settle down.
Derek BrewerâA wealthy Denver attorney who married Nicole as a trophy.
For a brilliant critique group: Janet, Sue, Robin, Peggy, Teresa, Alice and Leslee. And, as always, for Rick.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter One
The little blue Ford Escort sputtered and died.
Nicole Ferris coasted the car to a stop on the shoulder. Her headlights shone on a two-lane black asphalt road that sliced through snow-dusted fields and disappeared into the mountains.
She pumped the gas pedal and cranked the ignition. âCome on, baby. You can do it.â
The Escort coughed, but the engine didnât catch. In the glow of the dashboard lights, Nicole read the gas gauge. Empty? But that was impossible! Yesterday there was half a tank, and she hadnât gone anywhere but to work and back. How could she be riding on empty?
