The Innocent And The Outlaw
This man is dangerous in more ways than one…The step-daughter of a bank robber, innocent barmaid Emmaline Drake knows Hunter Jameson is trouble the second he walks into her saloon. Though his gaze holds her captive, she vows to keep her distance.When Hunter kidnaps Emmaline to retaliate against her step-father, she escapes to the brothel where she was born. In desperation, she auctions off her virginity… But when she looks out into the gathered crowd of men, there’s only one she sees. Hunter has tracked her down and is about to place his bid for her . . . !
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Outlaws of the Wild West
Pistols at dawn, seduction at sunset!
Meet Hunter Jameson, Castillo Jameson and Zane Pierce. These notorious outlaws make men quake in their shoes and set womenâs hearts aflutter wherever their cowboy boots take them!
They pride themselves on their skill in the saddle and their prowess in the bedroom, but now these outlaws will be facing their greatest battle yet as they meet the only women with the power to tame their wild ways!
First read Hunterâs story in
The Innocent and the Outlaw
And look for Cas and Zaneâs stories, coming soon!
The Wild West is one of my most favourite periods in history. Itâs an era that was only a little more than a lifetime ago, but was such a time of change and lawlessness that it spawned legends we still know today. I am so happy and excited to revisit that time for this new Outlaws of the Wild West series, and to share with you my first full-length Western romance.
When choosing a setting for my first Western series I immediately thought of the Montana Territory. Aside from its majestic natural beauty, itâs a place as tempestuous as any youâd find in the Old West. Home to mining barons, brothel madams, outlaws and average people just trying to get by, it really is the perfect setting for adventure and romance. I chose Helena specifically because at one time it was home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world. It epitomised opulence set against a rough backdrop, which is what first intrigued me with this story. I loved the idea of Hunter the rough outlaw juxtaposed with Hunter the wealthy gentleman.
I hope you enjoy getting to know Hunter and Emmy as much as I did. And I hope youâll join me later as I delve into the lives of his brothers. Thank you so much for reading.
HARPER ST GEORGE was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was this setting, filled with stories of the old days, that instilled in her a love of history, romance and adventure. At high school she discovered the romance novel, which combined all those elements into one perfect package. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two young children. Visit her website: harperstgeorge.com.
For my grandfather, who loved all Westernsâeven the romances.
I want to thank my amazing critique partners, Tara Wyatt and Erin Moore, for holding my hand through the entire process of writing this book. I also want to thank my agent, Nicole Resciniti, and my editor, Kathryn Cheshire, for their excellent advice and for believing in my writing.
Contents
Emmaline Drake knew trouble when it walked through the door. Five years of serving drinks had taught her that only three kinds of strangers ever entered Jakeâs Saloon in the tiny backwater town of Whiskey Hollow. The first two were drifters and loners who sought the saloon as a refuge from a world that didnât accept them. They kept to themselves and rarely caused trouble. A drink, a meal and conversation with a pretty girl were enough to send them on their way. But then there were men like the three who stood just inside the saloonâs swinging, slatted doors. These men were the third type and just looking at them caused a knot of dread to churn tight in her stomach.
These men were outlaws.
If there was anything Emmaline knew, it was how to spot an outlaw. Thanks to her stepfatherâs profession, sheâd had years of experience identifying the variations in that type of man. As a rule they were notoriously badly dressed, though the clothing of this particular group belied that rule. Even with their dusters covered with a layer of dust, the fine cloth and texture of their breeches and coats were apparent and their boots were obviously high quality. But it wasnât the clothing that made the outlaw. It was the eyes. Outlaws had the eyes of predatorsâfull of violence and aggression.
Violence crackled like energy in the eyes of these men.
They paused to boldly survey the room and all conversation died. A quiet wave sucked out the sound as it moved throughout the handful of tables, silencing the patrons and leaving tension in its wake. Even Lucy, Jakeâs wife, whoâd been pounding away on the woefully out of tune piano in the corner, faltered and let her fingers fall still. No one overtly acknowledged the newcomers, unless you counted the sideways glances from behind hunched shoulders as the men in the room took note of them without shifting their positions. The customers were like dogs, bristling at potential intruders.
After taking note of every occupant in the room, they did another pass, no doubt noting the bare wood floors and rough edges of the place. Jake hadnât spent much money on making the place appealing. There was no need when the nearest competition was more than a two daysâ ride away.
