This month, in
THE BACHELOR TAKES A WIFE
by Jackie Merritt
Meet Keith Owensâthe most eligible millionaire in Royal, Texas. Heâs a businessman who always gets what he wants, and what he wants now is Andrea OâRourke, his high school sweetheart. Keith will do just about anything to reignite the passion he and Andrea once sharedâbut will he stick around when he discovers Andreaâs little secret?
SILHOUETTE DESIRE
IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE
Five wealthy Texas bachelorsâall members of the stateâs most exclusive clubâset out to uncover the traitor in their midstâ¦and find true love.
Dear Reader,
Summer vacation is simply a state of mindâ¦so create your dream getaway by reading six new love stories from Silhouette Desire!
Begin your romantic holiday with A Cowboyâs Pursuit by Anne McAllister. This MAN OF THE MONTH title is the authorâs 50th book and part of her CODE OF THE WEST miniseries. Then learn how a Connelly bachelor mixes business with pleasure in And the Winner Getsâ¦Married! by Metsy Hingle, the sixth installment of our exciting DYNASTIES: THE CONNELLYS continuity series.
An unlikely couple swaps insults and passion in Maureen Childâs The Marine & the Debutanteâthe latest of her popular BACHELOR BATTALION books. And a night of passion ignites old flames in The Bachelor Takes a Wife by Jackie Merritt, the final offering in TEXAS CATTLEMANâS CLUB: THE LAST BACHELOR continuity series.
In Single Father Seeks⦠by Amy J. Fetzer, a businessman and his baby captivate a CIA agent working under cover as their nanny. And in Linda Conradâs The Cowboyâs Baby Surprise, an amnesiac FBI agent finds an undreamed-of happily-ever-after when heâs reunited with his former partner and lover.
Read these passionate, powerful and provocative new Silhouette Desire romances and enjoy a sensuous summer vacation!
Joan Marlow Golan
Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire
The Bachelor Takes a Wife
Jackie Merritt
is still writing, just not with the speed and constancy of years past. She and hubby are living in southern Nevada again, falling back on old habits of loving the long, warm or slightly cool winters and trying almost desperately to head north for the months of July and August, when the fiery sun bakes people and cacti alike.
âWhatâs Happening in Royal?â
NEWS FLASH, JuneâAs usual, Royalâs Texas Cattlemanâs Club ball was a smashing success! Could there have been any doubt? Glamorous women, sexy gents, fabulous foodâ¦and all for a wonderful cause. This yearâs charity is Royalâs very own New Hope battered womenâs shelter. New Hopeâs representative, Andrea OâRourke, was on hand at the ball to receive the hefty donation, along with the exclusive attentions of millionaire Keith Owensâ¦.
Ms. OâRourke has refused to discuss her relationship to the debonair tycoon, but sources tell us that Andrea and Keith were a hot item back in their high school daysâ¦. Is there still something simmering between them? If so, the ladies of Royal are going to have to look elsewhere for an eligible man. This elusive executive may be going down for the count.
Do the members of the Texas Cattlemanâs Club know who murdered Eric Chambers? Rumor has it that the culprit may be a club memberâ¦. Is there a traitor among them? If so, the murderer had better watch out, because justice is closing inâ¦.
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
Keith Owens was well aware of Jason Windoverâs air of contentment as he and his friends prepared cups of coffee for themselves at a serving cart, then sat in comfortable chairs around a table in one of the Cattlemanâs Clubâs private meeting rooms. Jason good-naturedly laughed off the teasing remarks about his and Merryâs honeymoon, from which theyâd returned only the day before, because it was all in fun and heâd expected some tongue-in-cheek banter from his buddies. But he wasnât above giving back at least part of what he was getting, and Keith, being the only bachelor remaining in the group, just naturally seemed to be his best target.
âJust you wait, old pal,â Jason drawled. âSome sweet-lookinâ little gal is out there this very minute, just biding her time for the right moment to rope and hog-tie Royalâs most elusive executive.â
âElusive executive?â Keith repeated with a laugh, and looked around the table for confirmation or denial from Sebastian Wescott, William Bradford, Robert Cole and, of course, Jason, all of whom wore big smiles. âIs that what I am?â
âSounds like an apt description to me,â Sebastian said. âGood work, Jason.â
âThanks,â Jason said with a cocky grin at Keith.
âAll right, I get it,â Keith said. âIâm the last bachelor among you jokers, and youâre not going to let me forget it. Well, put this in your pipes and smoke it, old friends. I happen to enjoy bachelorhood.â