A Man Of Honor
A man of honor always protects the woman he lovesCord Greer was one such man. Tessa Draper had been his brother's woman, but no matter how it broke his heart, Cord would do whatever it took to keep her safe. Even marry her in name only.Tessa was pregnant and alone, and her life–as well as Cord's–was threatened. Marriage provided them temporary security–and the ultimate temptation. As danger closed in, was it fear that drove Tessa into Cord's arms–or something more than Cord had dared to hope for?A Crookseye Canyon Story: A small town full of strong men and women–and love as everlasting as the wide Texas sky.
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A man of honor always protects the woman he loves
“I’m suggesting you protect me by giving my child a father and a name. In return, as your wife, I will be unable legally to say anything that might implicate you. I think this is a fair trade.”
Maybe it was. It just wasn’t the way he wanted her. And Cord didn’t know if he could settle for less. She reached out to touch his forearm, and something like lightning sizzled across his conscience.
Maybe Tessa was thinking straighter than he was. Maybe her idea was a good one. His pride stood in the way of his seeing clearly, because he so badly wished Tessa would see him as a real husband, a lover, a friend.
But at least you’d have her, an eager voice prompted. Under your roof for good is a step closer…to having her forever.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
Sunscreen, a poolside lounge—and Harlequin Intrigue: the perfect recipe for great summer escapes!
This month’s sizzling selection begins with The Stranger Next Door (#573) by Joanna Wayne, the second in her RANDOLPH FAMILY TIES miniseries. Langley Randolph is the kind of Texan who can’t resist a woman in trouble. Can he help unlock a beautiful stranger’s memories…before a killer catches up with her first?
Little Penny Drake is an Innocent Witness (#574) to a murder in this suspenseful yet tender story by Leona Karr. The child’s desperate mother, Deanna, seeks the help of Dr. Steve Sherman. Can Steve unlock her daughter’s secrets…and Deanna’s heart?
Dr. Jonas Shades needs a woman to play his wife. Cathlynn O’Connell is the perfect candidate, but with time running out, he has no choice but to blackmail his bride. Each minute in Jonas’s presence brings Cathlynn closer to understanding her enigmatic “husband” and closer to danger! Don’t miss Blackmailed Bride (#575) by Sylvie Kurtz.
Bestselling Harlequin American Romance author Tina Leonard joins Harlequin Intrigue with a story of spine-tingling suspense and dramatic romance. She’s created the small town of Crookseye Canyon, Texas, as the backdrop for A Man of Honor (#576). Cord Greer must marry his brother’s woman to keep her and her unborn baby safe. But is it fear that drives Tessa Draper into Cord’s arms, or is it something more than Cord had hoped for?
Indulge yourself and find out this summer—and all year long!
Sincerely,
Denise O’Sullivan
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As a child, Tina Leonard cut her teeth on Alfred Hitchcock black-and-white TV shows, enjoying late-night summer episodes with her stepmother, Judy. To this day, Tina has an affinity for the old, scary movies—the hokier, the better! Tina in person is a self-avowed chicken, however. The only brave thing she has ever done is scare a large rat away from an open car door! She eschews the blood-and-guts movies and books, preferring instead more psychological bogeys, and believes fervently that the most compelling part of any good romantic mystery is the timeless and magical love between a man and a woman.
Books by Tina Leonard
HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE
576—A MAN OF HONOR
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
748—COWBOY COOTCHIE-COO
758—DADDY’S LITTLE DARLINGS
771—THE MOST ELIGIBLE…DADDY
796—A MATCH MADE IN TEXAS
811—COWBOY BE MINE
829—SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Tessa Draper—The father of her baby is gone. Are her growing feelings for his brother real or caused by the danger that surrounds them?
Cord Greer —Protecting Tessa is second nature, as is hiding the love that burns in his heart.
Hunt Greer—Two strangers claim he’s dead. So why are they still looking for him?
Nan Ashley—Cord’s neighbor treats him like a son. Now she wants Tessa for a daughter.
Hester Draper—Tessa’s mother has nothing good to say about anyone. Will becoming a grandmother melt her cold heart?
Sheriff Grimes —A cop on a mission or a crook looking for an easy arrest?
Colonel John West—Hunt’s mentor was a second father to him.
Salvador and Rossi—Their code demands a life for a life.
Eleanor—Tessa’s new puppy is darling, but no watchdog.
Many thanks to my father, Tom Sites, for his military advice and plotting assistance.
Also my mother, Sylvia Kalberer, who liked this story from the get-go.
Lisa and Dean, I love you. Thanks for always being supportive of “Mumsie.”
To Denise O’Sullivan, thanks for believing in this book from the start, and Natashya Wilson, more thanks than I can possibly give you for helping me make it what I wanted it to be.
Contents
Prologue
For each man must look into his own soul
—John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage
The north Texas night was colder than most, stinging Cord Greer’s face as he went out into the February storm to get firewood. Sleet-driven wind slashed across his cheeks, but he merely lowered his black Stetson a little more and tried to ignore the chilling sensation that had been bugging him for the past two hours.
