Irresistible Forces

14 Nov ’92

Dear Samantha,

Since you’ve refused my calls, please accept this letter. Honey, I’m sorry I came down on you again. You’re right, I can be an overbearing ass. It’s just…you’re so damned trusting. It’s one of the reasons I love you, yes. But, sweetheart, I’ve seen things—life—and I’m not just talking about the war. There’s so much I want to spare you, mistakes and pain I’d give anything to help you avoid. But you’re right, I can’t. It is your life and I don’t want to live it for you. I want to live it with you. I know there’s a balance. Help me find it, Sam. Help me find my way back to us. The air force can’t do anything about my orders, I tried. I’m stuck in Alaska for the next year. Please accept this ticket, and visit so we can talk about it, about us. The dates are open-ended. I’ll be waiting. For as long as it takes.

Lost without you,

Griff

Dear Reader,

What better way to start off a new year than with six terrific new Silhouette Intimate Moments novels? We’ve got miniseries galore, starting with Karen Templeton’s Staking His Claim, part of THE MEN OF MAYES COUNTY. These three brothers are destined to find love, and in this story, hero Cal Logan is also destined to be a father—but first he has to convince heroine Dawn Gardner that in his arms is where she wants to stay.

For a taste of royal romance, check out Valerie Parv’s Operation: Monarch, part of THE CARRAMER TRUST, crossing over from Silhouette Romance. Policemen more your style? Then check out Maggie Price’s Hidden Agenda, the latest in her LINE OF DUTY miniseries, set in the Oklahoma City Police Department. Prefer military stories? Don’t even try to resist Irresistible Forces, Candace Irvin’s newest SISTERS IN ARMS novel. We’ve got a couple of great stand-alone books for you, too. Lauren Nichols returns with a single mom and her protective hero, in Run to Me. Finally, Australian sensation Melissa James asks Can You Forget? Trust me, this undercover marriage of convenience will stick in your memory long after you’ve turned the final page.

Enjoy them all—and come back next month for more of the best and most exciting romance reading around, only in Silhouette Intimate Moments.

Yours,

Leslie J. Wainger

Executive Editor

As the daughter of a librarian and a sailor, it’s no wonder Candace’s two greatest loves are reading and the sea. After spending several exciting years as a U.S. naval officer sailing around the world, she decided it was time to put down roots and give her other love a chance. To her delight, she soon learned that writing romance was as much fun as reading it. A finalist for both the coveted RITA^>® Award and the Holt Medallion, as well as a two-time Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee, Candace believes her luckiest moment was the day she married her own dashing hero, a former U.S. Army combat engineer with dimples to die for. The two now reside in the South, happily raising three future heroes and one adorable heroine—who won’t be allowed to date until she’s forty, at least.

Candace loves to hear from readers. You can e-mail her at [email protected] or snail mail her c/o Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

For Tony Newcomb,

the coolest Special Forces dude ever!

A special thanks to fellow military veteran Cindy Dees for her awesome help with all things U.S. Air Force.

And as always, my eternal gratitude to CJ Chase for her vigilant eye and razor pen.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

The truth is rarely pure, and never simple.

—Oscar Wilde

The rules of the game were about to change.

United States Air Force Captain Samantha Hall knew it the moment she spied the crisp envelope amid the stack of manila folders she’d grabbed from her overflowing in-box. The envelope wouldn’t have given her pause were it not for the tastefully embossed medical insignia in the upper left corner—and the tiny, inked script at the lower edge.

Personal.

That single word was enough to put the fear of God into her. Or at the very least, the fear of man-made medicine.

Why had she decided to bring the files, anyway? She had enough to worry about. She should stuff the letter back into her briefcase and forget about it. In less than two hours their C-130 Air Force transport would be touching down in Moscow and she’d yet to polish her presentation. A presentation she’d scripted while mourning her boss of four years, no less. If she opened that envelope, she’d have to read the reprimand that was undoubtedly inside. Where would her hard-earned concentration be then?

Damn it, she didn’t need this, especially now. Frankly, there were times when dealing with possibilities and conjecture were easier than dealing with reality.

Pretty scary admission for a scientist, Sam.

She frowned. The heck with it. It wasn’t as if she’d been able to keep her mind on her work anyway. Sitting in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules wasn’t conducive to concentration of any kind. The Herc crews were right, the cargo compartment had been designed to keep noise in. Even with foam plugs and a set of rabbit ears layered on top, she could still make out the distinctive drone of the Herc’s four turboprop engines, muffled though they were. Might as well get it over with. She wouldn’t be concentrating on anything until they landed.