Crossing Nevada
After the attack that ended her modeling career, Tess O'Neil wants only to feel safe. She thinks she's found a sanctuary on a Nevada ranch, where she can live in solitude. Too bad rancher Zach Nolan isn't getting the message. The single dad wants to lease her land, and he won't quit until she says yes. That means he's always around!Letting the cowboy with the see-right-through-her baby blues into her life is too dangerous. Almost as dangerous as the wild hope and yearning Zach and his three daughters are awakening in Tess. She's already risked so much. Maybe it's time to take the biggest gamble of all on the one thing she never dreamed she'd find–a home.
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Is he her chance to stop running?
After the attack that ended her modeling career, Tess O’Neil wants only to feel safe. She thinks she’s found a sanctuary on a Nevada ranch, where she can live in solitude. Too bad rancher Zach Nolan isn’t getting the message. The single dad wants to lease her land, and he won’t quit until she says yes. That means he’s always around!
Letting the cowboy with the see-right-through-her baby blues into her life is too dangerous. Almost as dangerous as the wild hope and yearning Zach and his three daughters are awakening in Tess. She’s already risked so much. Maybe it’s time to take the biggest gamble of all on the one thing she never dreamed she’d find—a home.
The dogs growled, reminding Tess that she was tough
A survivor. Plus she had two big dogs and a gun.
She could see her visitor through the slit in the curtains. He was of average height and weight—as her attacker had been.
Tess unlocked the dead bolt and opened the door a crack, reassured by the dogs behind her.
“Hi,” the guy said. The corners of his mouth tilted up and the result was rather breathtaking. In another time or place Tess could have appreciated this man. Blue eyes, incredible angles to his face, dark hair under his cowboy hat.
But not now. She did not smile back. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Zach Nolan. I called yesterday about renting your pasture for my cows.”
And she’d said no. So what was he doing here?
Renting the pasture meant the dogs getting used to the sounds of someone being around. Which seemed like a good way to compromise her safety.
“I’m sorry. I’m not interested.”
Zach stared at her in seeming disbelief as she pushed the door shut and then snapped the dead bolt in place.
Believe it, cowboy.
Dear Reader,
I’m delighted to announce exciting news: beginning in January 2013, Harlequin Superromance books will be longer! That means more romance with more of the characters you love and expect from Harlequin Superromance.
We’ll also be unveiling a brand-new look for our covers. These fresh, beautiful covers will showcase the six wonderful contemporary stories we publish each month.
So don’t miss out on your favorite series—Harlequin Superromance. Look for longer stories and exciting new covers starting December 18, 2012, wherever you buy books.
In the meantime, check out this month’s reads:
#1818 THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
Liz Talley
#1819 THE TIME OF HER LIFE
Jeanie London
#1820 THE LONG WAY HOME
Cathryn Parry
#1821 CROSSING NEVADA
Jeannie Watt
#1822 WISH UPON A CHRISTMAS STAR
Darlene Gardner
#1823 ESPRESSO IN THE MORNING
Dorie Graham
Happy reading!
Wanda Ottewell, Senior Editor, Harlequin Superromance
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeannie Watt lives off the grid in a historic Nevada ranching community. Before being published, Jeannie made Western belts and bridles out of hitched and braided horsehair, and her gear was featured in several Western art shows and museums. Jeannie no longer has time to make cowboy gear—instead she gets to write about cowboy life, which she likes even better. She still displays gear at the occasional rodeo, where she spends most of her time observing the participants and dreaming up story lines.
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
IT HAD BEEN another in a long string of sleepless nights.
Tess O’Neil finally drifted off from sheer exhaustion just after sunrise, only to be awakened by a sharp bark and the bounce of the mattress as her dogs leaped to the floor.
For one terrifying second she thought Eddie had found her, and she automatically reached for the weapon she kept under the bed. Her hand had just touched metal when the phone rang again and she realized what had sent her dogs on alert.
The two Belgian Malinois shepherds, Blossom and Mac, stood shoulder to shoulder next to her bed, their amber eyes fixed on the bedroom door on the other side of the room, ears pricked forward at the unfamiliar sound of the phone. Tess pushed back the covers, heart pounding. It had to be a wrong number, but if it wasn’t...
The ringing continued as she and the dogs crossed the hall to the old-fashioned ranch house kitchen where the plain white phone hung on the wall next to the refrigerator. She’d had the landline connected so she could send and receive faxes and have ridiculously slow internet. She never expected the damned thing to actually ring.
Tess hesitated for a few seconds, decided it was better to know than not, and snatched the receiver off the hook.
“Hello.” She fully expected to hear her stepfather’s drug-roughened voice either threatening or taunting her and unconsciously put a hand on Mac’s head for reassurance.
“Ms. O’Neil?” The voice was deep, somewhat hesitant, definitely not Eddie. But how the hell did this guy know her name? Or rather, her assumed name?
