To protect the love he lost, this rugged Texas rancher will risk everything
When FBI agent Maria Belasco is mysteriously attacked, her soon-to-be ex-husband, Austin OâBrien, is instantly on the scene. Problem is, she canât remember what happened or the case she was working on. Or how, months before, tragedy had driven her and the reserved rancher irrevocably apart...
Now Austin must pretend that nothing has changed between them to help Maria get her memory backâand discover who wants her dead. But protecting her 24/7 is reigniting desires even more explosive than before. Austin will do whatever it takes to expose the enemy on their trail. But putting his heart on the line a second time could prove the most lethal risk of all...
Cattlemen Crime Club
âWhat was it, Austin? Is that the reason we donât talk about anything?â
âLook. I donât mean to be. . .Itâs just. . .complicated.â
âSo I gathered,â Maria said under her breath. She slipped into her running shoes. Movement still hurt but it felt good to be going outside.
Her hand was on the door handle, ready to go, when Austin placed his hand on the door. His gaze was intense. He looked tormented and. . .hungry. Before Maria knew what had hit her, her back was against the door and Austin pressed his lips to hers. Her body ached to be touched by her husband. Her hands splayed out on his chest and she could feel his rapid breathing through her fingertips. Her fingers flexed along the smooth lines of his muscled chest.
Austin pulled back way too fast. âThat was a mistake.â
âReally, Austin? Was it? You kissed your wife. I donât think anyoneâs going to arrest you for doing what every married couple across the nation does,â she whispered.
âI donât want to take advantage of the fact that you canât remember and the doctor says that I canât bring you up-to-date. It would be so much easier if I could,â he said. âBut youâd feel different about me, about this.â He kissed Maria again and her knees almost buckled. . .
USA TODAY bestselling author BARB HAN lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com.
Many thanks to Allison Lyons, who is a dream editor! Also, my thanks to Jill Marsal, who is the best agent! Itâs my great fortune to work with both of you.
Brandon, Jacob and Tori, the three of you inspire me in so many ways every day. I love each of you so much and appreciate all of the adventures we share!
Babe, how lucky are we to get to spend every day with so much love and laughter! Youâre the best person I could hope to be on this adventure with and I love you with all my heart.
Chapter One
âYou didnât have to take a bullet to get me to stop by and see you,â Austin OâBrien teased Sheriff Tommy Johnson as he entered room 119 at Bluff General Hospital. Tommy was more like family and had grown up on the ranch alongside all six OâBrien sons. At six feet tall with light brown hair and eyes that matched, he looked like he could be an OâBrien.
âIf Iâd known thatâs all it would take, Iâd have done it years ago,â Tommy retorted. Heâd been shot in the line of duty a few days ago. A two-hour surgery later to remove a bullet fragment from a rib and heâd been recovering nicely. At least his sense of humor was returning. That was a good sign. The first day heâd been too full of morphine to crack a smile and no one had felt like joking.
Between Austin and his five brothers, one of the OâBriens had been at Tommyâs bedside since the incident. Theyâd been taking turns stopping by, making sure he had everything he could ever want.
âI figured youâd be tired of trying to choke down hospital food by now.â Austin opened the container of homemade spaghetti, set it on the tray table next to the bed, and positioned the stand where Tommy could access it. âJust donât rat me out to the nurses.â
âJanis made this?â Tommy asked with a smile. Sheâd been employed at the ranch for more years than Austin cared to count. So much so, she was more family than employee and the boys had voted to give her shares of the family ranch and Cattlemenâs Crime Club now that theyâd inherited the place.
âYou know it,â Austin said, taking a step back and crossing his arms as Tommy picked up the fork and dug in.
âI forgot how good a cook she is,â he said after swallowing the first bite.