The Texanâs Dilemma
Bounty hunter Tom McCain works alone. He couldnât save his childhood friend, but heâll deliver her six-year-old daughter, Sarah Jane, to the only family she has left: a wealthy great-grandfather in Texas. But that means tangling with the fiery schoolteacher who wants to adopt her.
Katie OâMalley is determined to give Sarah Jane a fresh start away from the tragedy of her early life. Even the high-handed Mr. McCain canât stop her. But when a secret from Sarah Janeâs past threatens the young girlâs life, joining forces with Tom is Katieâs only option. Theyâll need all their courage to turn a perilous future into a home, a familyâand a dream come true.
âWhat kind of husband would you like, Katie?â
A slow smile stretched across Tomâs face, sparking a glimmer in his eyes.
Katie stood tall and crossed her arms.
âI donât want a husband at all.â
âWhy not?â Tom scanned the length of her, then back again, as though assessing her.
Had he somehow found her lacking?
The momentary insecurity took Katie aback, and she chided herself. His opinion didnât matter in the least.
âI donât think thereâs much chance youâll need to worry about that.â
Heat rose to her cheeks. âWhat do you mean?â
Tomâs lighthearted smile faded. âYou might be able to recite poetry or quote ancient philosophers, but I doubt you know enough to come in out of the rain. A man would have to be plain loco to consider asking for your hand. Youâd argue even if obedience would save your own hide.â
Katieâs hands went to her hips. âAnd I suppose you think a woman would find you appealing?â
âYou doâ¦.â
JUDY DUARTE
always knew there was a book inside her, but since English was her least favorite subject in school, she never considered herself a writer. An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy couldnât shake the dream of creating a book of her own.
Her dream became a reality in March 2002, when Silhouette Special Edition released her first book, Cowboy Courage. Since then she has published more than twenty novels. Her stories have touched the hearts of readers around the world. And in July 2005 Judy won a prestigious Readersâ Choice Award for The Rich Manâs Son.
Judy makes her home near the beach in Southern California. When sheâs not cooped up in her writing cave, sheâs spending time with her somewhat enormous but delightfully close family.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
âEphesians 4:31â32
To my editor, Susan Litman, for going above and beyond. Thank you for believing in me and this book.
Chapter One
Summer, 1884
Pleasant Valley, Texas
âCaroline Graves is dead. And your job is done.â
Tom âLone Wolfâ McCain turned in his saddle, the leather creaking with his movement as he faced Trapper Jack, his crotchety old traveling companion. âShe left a six-year-old daughter behind.â
âAnd the kidâs being raised by a woman whoâs known her since she was born.â Trapper Jack lifted his battered hat and mopped his weathered brow with the dusty red flannel sleeve of the shirt heâd worn for the past several days. âWhat are you going to do? Uproot her?â
âIf I have to.â As Tom met the manâs glare, he had to admit that when push came to shove, he wasnât sure what heâd do. But he owed it to Caroline to see to it that her daughter was safe and well cared for.
If only Harrison Graves had hired Tom to find his granddaughter six months earlier, Caroline might have been alive when heâd followed her trail to Taylorsville. Then Tom would have had a chance to talk to her. He might have convinced her to go back where she belonged, to her grandfatherâs ranch in Stillwater.
âYou ought to just tell the old man that Caroline died,â Trapper added, as he surveyed the typical Texas town that lay nestled in the valley below. âAnd let that be the end of it.â
âHarrison Graves is looking for an heir.â
Trapper spit a wad of tobacco to the side. âSeems to me that Graves isnât too fond of illegitimate heirs.â
Tom knew that better than anyone. And heâd given that some thought, too. After all, when Harrison had learned that his granddaughter was with child, heâd sent her to Mexico to have her baby, instructing her to leave it there. And heâd never mentioned anything to Tom about searching for the baby Caroline was supposed to have left behind in a Mexican orphanageâheâd only wanted his granddaughter back.
So how would the dying cattleman feel when Tom returned with Carolineâs illegitimate child in tow? Would that appease him? Would he rewrite his will, leaving everything to the little girl? Or would he insist that Tom leave her where heâd found her?