Memory Reload

“Aren’t you?”

AJ opened her mouth to deny it, but the words caught in her throat. “I…I don’t know…. It seems as though, if I am married, I should feel something, some sense of urgency to get back. And I don’t.”

“So you’re running from something,” Ryan said. “Maybe it’s not a good marriage. Are you afraid to go back?”

“No. It’s not that. It’s more like…”

“Like what?”

“Sadness. Like I’ve lost something and I’ll never find it again.”

Ryan knew that sadness too well. He could no more ignore the pain in AJ’s voice than he could stop the tide from rising.

He wanted to pull her into his arms, to apologize for the pain his conversation had brought. The need to protect her kept growing.

All he would allow himself was a touch. Only one touch. He tucked her hair behind her ear and traced the line of her jaw with the tip of his finger. The velvet softness of her skin sent a bolt of desire crashing headlong into his best intention to keep his distance…

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

We have a superb lineup of outstanding romantic suspense this month starting with another round of QUANTUM MEN from Amanda Stevens. A Silent Storm is brewing in Texas and it’s about to break….

More great series continue with Harper Allen’s MEN OF THE DOUBLE B RANCH trilogy. A Desperado Lawman has his hands full with a spitfire who is every bit his match. As well, B.J. Daniels adds the second installment to her CASCADES CONCEALED miniseries with Day of Reckoning.

In Secret Witness by Jessica Andersen, a woman finds herself caught between a rock—a killer threatening her child—and a hard place—the detective in charge of the case. What will happen when she has to make the most inconceivable choice any woman can make?

Launching this month is a new promotion we are calling COWBOY COPS. Need I say more? Look for Behind the Shield by veteran Harlequin Intrigue author Sheryl Lynn. And newcomer, Rosemary Heim, contributes to DEAD BOLT with Memory Reload.

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Rosemary Heim grew up on a dairy farm, attended a one-room schoolhouse, lived in an English castle and settled in Minneapolis. She shares a charming (needs work) old house with her husband and four cats. Rosemary would love to hear from readers. You can visit her Web site at www.rosemaryheim.com or mail her c/o Midwest Fiction Writers, P.O. Box 24107, Minneapolis, MN 55424.

AJ—woke with a camera, a loaded gun and no memory. All she wants is to find her home.

Ryan Williams—FBI Special Agent. Between assignments, he’s returned to this island hideaway for a little R and R.

Jacquelyn Kingston—FBI Special Agent in Charge. She watches over her team members from a distance.

Justin Angelini—He started an investigation and ended up dead.

David Angelini—He picked up the investigation after his brother’s death. Now he’s disappeared.

Jamison McRobbie—Mysterious and gifted, he offers shelter to his friends.

Kimo Kealoha—Photo lab owner and friend to AJ. He seems to have information everyone wants.

Tim Pela—FBI Special Agent. He has a few secrets of his own.

Frank Sullivan—A man pulling the strings behind the scenes.

John Danse, Carly and Matt Adams—FBI Special Agents. Will their help cost Ryan and AJ their chance for a future?

First, last, always,

To Will

As with many books, especially first books,

there is a plethora of people to thank.

First off, thank you to Susan Litman,

for opening the door and providing gentle (and patient) guidance on this new journey.

On the technical side, thank you to Maureen Lease

and David Kitchen for answering my questions about the FBI. Any errors or inaccuracies are due to my flights of fancy, not their information.

Thank you to Jackye Plummer, Penelope Neri and

Andi Sisco Pike for answering my Hawaii questions and to Sandy Morris for the medical info.

Kat Baldwin and Karen Sanders, there aren’t words

enough to express my appreciation of your patience while I learned all those pesky writing skills.

Jade Taylor, thank you for the wonderful title.

Stacy Verdick Case, your “drainstorming” led to a satisfying A.F. and so much more. Yea to the power of three!

Thanks to my friends and family who believed

in the dream and encouraged me, to the wonderful members of MFW, and Rex, the best German shepherd I never knew.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Ryan Williams ran as if the devil was dogging his tail. Too bad some devils couldn’t be outrun. Like memories of betrayal.

He slowed from his flat-out run. Wave-packed sand gave a little with each step, cushioning his bare feet as he raced along the shoreline. Bloodred fingers of light streaked the sparse clouds as the sun breached the horizon.