âIâll think about your proposal.â
âYou do that,â Judah said, âand donât forget to tell the good doc your business mergerâs off.â He crossed to the door, putting his hand out to open it for herâat least thatâs what she thought he was going to doâbefore pressing his lips against her cheek, his stubble grazing her ever so slightly.
âJust so you know, Darla, I donât plan on mixing business with my marriage.â
His meaning was unmistakable. His hand moved to her waist in a possessive motion, lingering at her hip just for a second, capturing her. She remembered everythingâhow good heâd made her feel, how magical a night was in his armsâand wished his proposal was made from love and not possessiveness.
Judah pulled the door open. âNext time I see you will be at the altar.â
Dear Reader,
I hope Creedâs story made its way to your keeper shelf! With the third installment of the Callahan Cowboys, Judah Callahan gets set to avoid Aunt Fionaâs matchmaking, Bode Jenkinsâs scheming, his brothersâ mischief and anyone else who might think about pressing him toward the altar. Judah would secretly love to win Rancho Diablo, if only he didnât have to marry to get it! But when he finds his dream girl, Darla Cameron, naked in his bed, Judahâs determination to stay away from all women wavers. Itâs just too hard to stay away from the wedding shop owner and his own heartâs desire.
As school begins and carpool lines form and fall starts to tease us with football and cooler weather, letâs watch Judah âsufferâ the joys of home life and earn the love of a good woman in The Bull Riderâs Twins. It promises to be a season heâll enjoyâeven if he doesnât realize it right away. So hereâs to the mystical, wild Diablos at Rancho Diablo, and to joy in your own corner of the world.
All my best,
Tina
www.tinaleonard.com
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TINA LEONARD is a bestselling author of more than forty projects, including a popular thirteen-book miniseries for Harlequin American Romance. Her books have made the Waldenbooks, Ingram and Nielsen BookScan bestseller lists. Tina feels she has been blessed with a fertile imagination and quick typing skills, excellent editors and a family who loves her career. Born on a military base, she lived in many states before eventually marrying the boy who did her crayon printing for her in the first grade. Tina believes happy endings are a wonderful part of a good life. You can visit her at www.tinaleonard.com.
Many thanks to my editor Kathleen Scheibling, for believing in this series, always having faith in me and editing my work with a sure hand.
There are many people at Harlequin who make my books ready for publication, most of whom I will never have the chance to thank in person, and they have my heartfelt gratitude.
Also many thanks to my children, who by now are both off to college, leaving me with an empty nest. Itâs not hard to envision me writing a series about babiesâI had an extremely blessed experience with my two kids, and I thank you for your faith and encouragement.
And many, many thanks to the very generous readers who are the reason for my success. I could not write without your caring words and loyal support.
âJudah is my seeker,â Molly Callahan said of her toddler son, to which her husband, Jeremiah, replied, âThen the apple didnât fall far from the tree, my love.â
Judah Callahan couldnât believe the woman of his dreams was waiting in his bed. Unless he missed his guess, Darla Cameron was as naked as the day she was born.
âIâve been waiting for you,â she said, sitting up and holding the sheet to her chest. His throat went dry as a bone in a New Mexico desert. Blond hair cascaded over pale shoulders, and big blue eyes gazed at him with apprehension. She was nervous, Judah realized, closing the door and locking it behind him.
He wanted to say heâd been waiting for her for years. âIâd think youâd been in the champagne, but I noticed you didnât go near it except to toast Creed and Aberdeen.â
She shook her head. âIt was a lovely wedding. Really beautiful. All the valentine decorations were so romantic.â
He couldnât take his eyes off her. Whatever she thought was romantic about Creedâs wedding was nowhere near as attractive as Darla showing up nude in his bed. A little worry crossed her face, and he realized she was afraid he might turn down what she was obviously offering.
Not a chance.
He seated himself on the foot of the bed, the sight of her creamy skin setting him on fire. âIf not an excess of champagne, why tonight?â
She blushed. âI wish I could tell you.â
That didnât sound like the Darla he knew. Darla was forthright. An excellent businesswomanâher new calling since sheâd hung up her nurseâs badge and gone into business as wedding shop owner with Jackie Samuels. âTry.â
She shook her head. âBe with me.â