He wasnât supposed to be here. Not in the diner. This was her part of town!
âBrie?â
In her fantasies, they met one day in Salem or Boston or some other big city where she was a respected businesswoman. She would, of course, be perfectly dressed and not at all troubled by the sight of the only man she had ever loved. In reality, she couldnât utter a word.
âWhat are you doing here?â he asked.
His incredulous expression made it a whole lot easier to swallow the emotions churning inside her. She sensed his pity, and that steadied her. Conscious of the roomful of people, she settled for a terse reply.
âI work here. What are you doing? Out slumming?â
Again fluttered unspoken in the heavy air.
His eyes narrowed. She couldnât help but notice his thick black lashes, tipped with goldâjust like their daughterâs.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
Weâve got another explosive lineup of four thrilling titles for you this month. Like youâd expect anything less of Harlequin Intrigueâthe line for breathtaking romantic suspense.
Sylvie Kurtz returns to east Texas in Red Thunder Reckoning to conclude her emotional story of the Makepeace brothers in her two-book FLESH AND BLOOD series. Dani Sinclair takes Scarlet Vows in the third title of our modern Gothic continuity, MORIAHâS LANDING. Next month you can catch Joanna Wayneâs exciting series resolution in Behind the Veil.
The agents at Debra Webbâs COLBY AGENCY are taking appointments this monthâfortunately for one woman whoâs in serious jeopardy. But with a heartthrob Latino bodyguard for protection, itâs uncertain who poses the most dangerâthe killer or her Personal Protector.
Finally, in a truly innovative story, Rita Herron brings us to NIGHTHAWK ISLAND. When one womanâs hearing is restored by an experimental surgery, sheâs awakened to the sound of murder in Silent Surrender. But only one hardened detective believes her. And only he can guard her from certain death.
So donât forget to pick up all four for a complete reading experience. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Denise OâSullivan Associate Senior Editor Harlequin Intrigue
Special thanks and acknowledgment
are given to Dani Sinclair for her contribution to the MORIAHâS LANDING series.
An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didnât discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when sheâd come for a visit. Daniâs been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didnât take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. Since the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Daniâs kept her computer busy. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA>® Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place sheâs found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!
You can write to her in care of the Harlequin Reader Service.
Andrew âDrewâ PierceâHe had no idea his decision to run for mayor would have so many consequences.
Brianna âBrieâ DudleyâHer daughterâs no secret, but the father is.
Nancy BellâShe planned to be more than Drewâs publicist.
Dr. David BrysonâDrew blames the reclusive scientist for the death of his sister.
Claire CavendishâHas the person who kidnapped and tortured her five years ago returned?
Nicole DudleyâBriannaâs three-year-old daughter truly is a little witch.
Carey EldrichâDrewâs best friend and fiercest competitor loves women, but did he love one to death?
McFarland LearyâHe may be dead, but heâs far from forgotten.
Dr. Leland ManningâThe geneticist is called a vampire behind his back.
Ursula ManningâLelandâs much younger wife set everything in motion with her shocking death.
Geoffrey PierceâDrewâs uncle feels unappreciated by his peers, but he plans to change all that with his secretive research.
Edgar âRazzâ RazmuessonâRazz and his friend Dodie are probably behind a lot of the mischief in Moriahâs Landing, but how far is he willing to go for money and a little revenge?
Frederick ThaneâIs the current mayor intending to keep his position at any cost?
My thanks to Priscilla Berthiaume for the concept;
to Denise OâSullivan for allowing me to participate; to my fellow writers for their efforts to make it all gel; to Officers Kelly Flannigan, Melissa Parlon and Gary Sommers, whose information and instruction were terrific; to Susan King and Mary McGowan for their support; and a special, GREAT BIG THANKS to Josh King, whose time and information was invaluable. Any errors are mine alone.
And as always, for Roger, Chip, Dan and Barb. Love you!
Prologue
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
Eerie stillness blanketed the morning air over Moriahâs Landing. The troubled town brooded beneath the sweltering heat, expectantly waiting.
Her customers all served for the moment, Brianna Dudley pushed at the damp tendril of hair clinging to her forehead and wiped her hands on her apron. Even in the air-conditioned diner it was too hot. A sense of something about to happen crawled over her skin.