That Reckless Night
Miranda Sinclair, reeling on the anniversary of her sister’s death, has a passionate night with a stranger. The next day she’s shocked to discover he’s her new boss, Jeremiah Burke! And he got the job she thought was hers.Still, she’s nothing if not practical. She wants to forget about their night together and focus on tracking the poachers killing black bears on her mountain. Besides, she’s not looking for a relationship, and her instincts tell her Jeremiah is hiding something.Too bad the attraction between them won’t go away. Miranda starts to wonder if one night together will ever be enough…
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Heâs just a warm body on a cold Alaskan nightâ¦
Miranda Sinclair, reeling on the anniversary of her sisterâs death, indulges in a passionate night with a stranger. The next day sheâs shocked to discover heâs her new boss, Jeremiah Burke! And he got the job she thought was hers.
Still, sheâs nothing if not practical. She wants to forget about their night together and focus on tracking the poachers killing black bears on her mountain. Besides, sheâs not looking for a relationship, and her instincts tell her Jeremiah is hiding something. Too bad the attraction between them wonât go away, and Miranda starts to wonder if one night will ever be enoughâ¦.
âMy place is just around the corner.â
Miranda seemed to read his mind with those words. âInterested?â
Jeremiah wanted to shout hell, yes but a sliver of reserve had him counter, âNot that Iâm not interested, but how about you? Didnât your father ever warn you about taking off with strange men from bars? I could be a pervert or a serial killer.â
She slid from her barstool and graced him with a dazzling smile that was a bit menacing as she said, âMy daddy taught me to shoot a gun, gut a fish and break a kneecap if need be. Strange men in bars donât scare me.â
She slung her pack onto her back and headed for the door. She shot him a single questioning look, then kept walking. The message was clear: Come or stay, it doesnât matter to me.
Dear Reader,
As a fan of the rugged beauty of a forest landscape, the startling vibrancy of Alaskaâs wild frontier seemed a natural choice for my next series. It was easy to find inspiration in the endless photos of this gorgeous, untamed state, but it wasnât as easy to find the perfect characters to build a series around. But as they say, nothing worth enjoying comes easily, so I am more than excited to invite you to step into the lives of the Sinclair family as they struggle to find their way to healing and, ultimately, love, while navigating the harsh conditions of their breathtaking state.
Miranda and Jeremiahâs love story is no soft climb to paradiseâitâs fraught with danger, grief, emotional healingâbut I hope you find their journey all the more satisfying for their struggle.
Hearing from readers is a special joy. Please feel free to drop me a line via email through my website at www.kimberlyvanmeter.com or through snail mail at Kimberly Van Meter, P.O. Box 2210, Oakdale, CA 95361.
Happy reading,
Kimberly Van Meter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kimberly Van Meter wrote her first book at sixteen and finally achieved publication in December 2006. She writes for the Mills & Boon Superromance and Mills & Boon Romantic Suspense lines. She and her husband of seventeen years have three children, three cats and always a houseful of friends, family and fun.
I would like to thank Antoinette Ryun for her invaluable insight into Alaskan living.
Without her, I wouldâve been unsure where to start, where to inquire, and ultimately lost in pages and pages of research. Thank you, girl!
To my family, twenty books in and youâre all still my biggest fans.
Iâm a lucky girl and I will never forget how blessed I am.
To the residents of Alaska, you are so lucky to live in such an amazing place. Please forgive my poetic license regarding certain areas of the landscape. My creative vision of Homer is a pale imitation of this vibrant and thriving place!
Lastly, to my sister Kamrin, who in spite of becoming a new mom, acquiring her first home and still being a newlywed, agreed to become my assistant to help keep me (a flighty creative type!) on track. Thank you, Kikikins! I love you!
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
MIRANDA SINCLAIR TOSSED the tequila popper to the back of her throat, relishing the burn as the liquor warmed her in all the right places, loosening up the tension in her shoulders from a craptastic day in the field and an even crappier anniversary.
âKeep âem cominâ.â She motioned to Russ, a hard-bitten man with cheeks made ruddy by countless years spent in the harsh Alaskan air, who owned and bartended The Rusty Anchor. She offered a grim smile as he slid the shooter across to her in a practiced move, and after sheâd dispatched it in the same efficient manner, she swiveled on her barstool to survey the prospects for the night.
That was rightâtonight she was going to take home one lucky SOB, ride him as if the world was going to end tomorrow, and then when the first tender rays of light hit the windowsill, sheâd send him on his way with a cup of coffee and a boot print on his hindquarters.
