Downtown Debutante
Diamond In The RoughBrenna Thompson's dreams of making it big in the world of jewelry design come to a screeching halt when her ex-fiance takes off with the precious gemstones she's been working on. Enter FBI agent Heath Packer, who claims he's there to help–but whose ulterior motives he can't possibly share with impulsive Brenna. Watching Brenna's every move is Heath's job, but believing the attractive artist could be involved in this crime is becoming increasingly difficult. And the more time he spends with her, the more he feels himself falling in love.But what will happen when she finds out the truth about the investigation? Does she share his growing feelings? Or will she feel twice betrayed?
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“Wow! Kara Lennox’s BLOND JUSTICE series has it all—smart, determined heroines, ya-gotta-love-’em macho heroes, taut suspense and romance that will steam your glasses while it melts your heart. Each book is a winner; together they’re pure magic.”
—Bestselling author Merline Lovelace
Dear Reader,
I often write about heroines who are slightly offbeat, but Brenna Thompson, my debutante-in-denial, takes the cake. Perhaps that’s because she’s a lot like me—petite, unconventional, creative. I even gave her my hair (which is currently in blond spikes), my former downtown loft and my love for silver charms. (Unlike Brenna, however, I’m not an heiress, darn it.)
Who better to match up with Brenna than uptight FBI special agent Heath Packer, who would never dream of breaking the rules. Or would he? I’ll just tell you that Heath isn’t all he first appears to be.
I hope you have fun with Brenna and Heath as they continue the search for con man Marvin Carter, which began in Hometown Honey (HAR #1068). This story will take you on a wild romp from Cottonwood, Texas, to New Orleans, Dallas and finally New York. I don’t want to give too much away, but vengeance is sweet, and it involves an ice sculpture and an empty elevator shaft.
All my best,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Texas native Kara Lennox has been an art director, typesetter, textbook editor and reporter. She’s worked in a boutique, a health club and an ad agency. She’s been an antiques dealer and even a blackjack dealer. But no work has made her happier than writing romance novels.
When not writing, Kara indulges in an ever-changing array of weird hobbies. (Her latest passions are treasure hunting and creating mosaics.) She loves to hear from readers. You can visit her Web page and drop her a note at www.karalennox.com.
Books by Kara Lennox
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
934—VIXEN IN DISGUISE*
942—PLAIN JANE’S PLAN*
951—SASSY CINDERELLA*
974—FORTUNE’S TWINS
990—THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR
1052—THE FORGOTTEN COWBOY
1068—HOMETOWN HONEY†
My gratitude to FBI Special Agent
Jennifer Coffindaffer for her help with researching FBI procedures. Any mistakes are mine.
Contents
Prologue
Brenna Thompson drew herself deeper into the down comforter, trying to reclaim the blessed relief of sleep. But instead of drifting back down, she awoke with a jolt and smacked into hard reality. She was stranded in Cottonwood, Texas, without a dime to her name, her entire future hanging by a thread.
And someone was banging on her door at the Kountry Kozy Bed & Breakfast.
Wearing only a teddy, she slid out of bed and stumbled to the door. “I told you to take the key,” she said grumpily, opening the door, expecting to see Cindy, her new roommate. “What time is it, any—” She stopped as her bleary eyes struggled to focus. Standing in the hallway was a broad-shouldered man in a dark suit, a blindingly white shirt and a shimmering blue silk tie. He was at least a foot taller than Brenna’s own five foot three, and she had to strain her neck to meet his cool, blue-eyed gaze. Another man stood behind the first, but he was in shadow—like he was trying to be in the background.
In a purely instinctual gesture, she slammed the door in his face. My God, she was almost naked. A stranger in a suit had seen her almost naked. Her whole body flushed, then broke out in goose bumps.
The knock came again, softer this time, but firm.
“Uh, just a minute!” She didn’t have a robe. She wasn’t a robe-wearing sort of person. But she spied a robe belonging to Sonya, her other roommate, lying at the foot of her bed. The white silk garment trailed the floor, the sleeves hanging almost to Brenna’s fingertips—Sonya was tall—but at least it sort of covered her.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door again. “Yes?”
Still there. Still just as tall, just as imposing, just as—handsome. Not her type, she thought quickly. But there was a certain commanding presence about this stranger that made her stomach swoop and her palms itch.
“Brenna Thompson?”
Deep voice. It made all her hair follicles stand at attention.
“Yes, that’s me.” He didn’t smile, and a frisson of alarm wiggled through her body. “Is something wrong? Oh, my God, did something happen to someone in my family?”
He hesitated fractionally. “No. I’m Special Agent Heath Packer with the FBI. This is Special Agent Pete LaJolla.”
The other man stepped closer and nodded a greeting. They both looked as if they expected to enter.
Brenna glanced over her shoulder. The room was a complete wreck. Every available surface was covered with clothes and girlie stuff, not to mention baby things belonging to Cindy’s little boy. Even fastidious Sonya’s bed was unmade. Sonya was used to servants doing that sort of thing for her.
Special Agent No. 1 didn’t wait for her consent. He eased past her into the room, his observant gaze taking everything in.
