âThereâs an intruder in my cabin!â
The moment he heard Kim Longâs terrified voice on the phone, Brandon Woodstock knew he had to help her and her little girl. Once, heâd promised to love and protect Kim forever. Now, in spite of the secrets that had come between them, the Texas rancher intended to keep that promise. But rescuing Kim riled all the wrong peopleâand rekindled the attraction heâd thought ended with their broken relationship. Honoring his role as Kimâs fiercest protector, he whisked her and her daughter to safety without considering the consequences. With a target on Kimâs back and old wounds reopened, Brandon thought thereâd be no more surprises. Heâd never been more wrong.
Kim knocked softly, then stepped into the doorway.
Brandon was pacing. A pair of well-worn jeans hung low on his lean hips, his broad chest shirtless, muscles bunching in his arms as he clenched the phone.
He pivoted as if he sensed she was there, then his gaze locked with hers. His eyes glittered with turmoil and other emotions she couldnât define. But his hard, lean, muscular body robbed her breath and vaulted her back to a time when she would have run into his arms without a secondâs hesitation.
So much had changed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author Rita Herron wrote her first book when she was twelve, but didnât think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesnât have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded her storytelling to kids for writing romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. She lives in Georgia with her own romance hero and three kids. She loves to hear from readers, so please write her at P.O. Box 921225, Norcross, GA 30092-1225, or visit her website, www.ritaherron.com.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Brandon WoodstockâThis rough-and-tumble cowboy had his reasons for leaving Kim five years ago. But now she and their daughterâa baby he never knew aboutâare in danger. He will give his life to protect them; but will he ever earn Kimâs trust and love again?
Kim LongâShe needs Brandon to help her find her daughter, but she cannot lose her heart to him again.
Lucy LongâAll this four-year-old wants is to come home to her mommy and daddy.
Carter FlagstoneâPrison escapee, Brandonâs former best friend and Kimâs former lover. Has he come back to claim the little girl he believes is his and get revenge against Brandon for not giving him an alibi and keeping him out of jail?
Marty Canterberry WoodstockâRumors claim Brandonâs ex is on the verge of marrying again. Are the rumors true, or is she still in love with Brandon?
Herbert BaxterâHe owned the land where the kidnapper demanded Kim make the ransom drop. Is he behind the kidnapping?
Farley WillsâBrandonâs ranch hand recently came into a large sum of money. Was it a payment for the kidnapping?
Boyd TombsâHe hasnât shown up for work since the kidnapping. Did he abduct the little girl for the money?
To my cousin Linda for being a great cousin, teacher and reader!
Chapter One
âCarter escaped from prison.â
âWhat?â Brandon Woodstockâs heart began to race as he heard the worry in his best friendâs voice. âHow?â
âI donât have all the details yet,â Johnny said, clearly agitated. âAfter the rodeo, I went to see him in prison and gave him the number of a P.I. I hired to investigate his case.â
âAnd he accepted your help?â Brandon asked. âI thought he hated both of us.â Brandon sank into the desk chair at the Bucking Bronc Lodgeâs office wishing he was home on his own spread. He would be in a few hours. He couldnât handle being on the ranch when Johnnyâs sister, Kim, was here.
Kim, his first love, his only love.
The woman whoâd betrayed him with Carter. The woman whoâd had Carterâs child instead of his.
That hurt the worst....
âNot at first,â Johnny said. âBut I convinced him to take the P.I.âs card and talk to him.â
âNow you believe he was innocent of murder?â
The three of them, Carter, Johnny and him, had been inseparable as kids. Kim had tagged along, the tomboy little sister, and aggravated the hell out of them.
Until sheâd hit her teens and become a raging beauty. Heâd fallen for her, then slept with her, much to Johnnyâs consternation, although eventually Johnny had accepted them as a couple.
Then heâd made the worst mistake of his life by leaving her for another woman, one heâd thought would help him climb from the gutter of his trailer-park-trash past to success.
And it had worked initially. But then Brandon realized heâd crawled into bed with a snake and had been running from the venomous bite ever since.