The Marshal's Hostage
Secrets had torn them apart…and reunited them in a way neither had expectedShe is the last person Dallas Walker ever wants to see again. Still, this U.S. Marshal has no problem taking Joelle Tate into "protective custody"–on her wedding day. To save his family from unjust charges, he'd take on a lot worse than an ex-flame he couldn't trust. But Dallas doesn't know Joelle has put her freedom on the line to protect him. Now with only two days to investigate a long-buried crime no one wants solved, they must confront their past mistakes, and the shattering secret that drove them apart. Giving in to the simmering desire may lead to an impossible second chance–or help set a trap one calculating killer can't wait to spring.…
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SECRETS HAD TORN THEM APART…AND REUNITED THEM IN A WAY NEITHER HAD EXPECTED
She Is the last person Dallas Walker ever wants to see again. Still, this U.S. Marshal has no problem taking Joelle Tate into “protective custody”—on her wedding day. To save his family from unjust charges, he’d take on a lot worse than an ex-flame he couldn’t trust. But Dallas doesn’t know Joelle has put her freedom on the line to protect him. Now with only two days to investigate a long-buried crime no one wants solved, they must confront their past mistakes, and the shattering secret that drove them apart. Giving in to the simmering desire may lead to an impossible second chance—or help set a trap one calculating killer can’t wait to spring.…
“Tell me why this is a bad idea,” Dallas said.
He slid his hand around the back of Joelle’s neck, angling her head. Angling her body, too, with the grip he still had on her waist. They were pressed against each other like lovers now.
“Because you can’t forgive me?” she managed. “Because you hate me?”
He was right in her face, and she saw that register in his eyes. Both valid reasons. Well, the first one anyway. That didn’t look like hate in all those swirls of blue in his eyes. No hate in his body, either. His breath was uneven. Heart racing.
“Because we don’t have time for this.” Joelle tried again. “And because you’d regret it.”
Dallas kept staring for what seemed an eternity, and even though he didn’t move, her body seemed to think it was about to get lucky with Dallas. Everything inside her was melting, urging her to do what Dallas had so far resisted.
Like kiss him…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Imagine a family tree that includes Texas cowboys, Choctaw and Cherokee Indians, a Louisiana pirate and a Scottish rebel who battled side by side with William Wallace. With ancestors like that, it’s easy to understand why USA TODAY bestselling author and former air force captain Delores Fossen feels as if she were genetically predisposed to writing romances. Along the way to fulfilling her DNA destiny, Delores married an air force top gun who just happens to be of Viking descent. With all those romantic bases covered, she doesn’t have to look too far for inspiration.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Marshal Dallas Walker—He was raised in the notorious Rocky Creek orphanage, and the past he’d rather forget comes crashing back when his old flame is assigned to investigate a murder that could ultimately send him or his foster father to jail. Dallas has to walk a fine line between the law, family duty and a woman he just can’t get out of his mind.
Joelle Tate—She, too, was brought up at Rocky Creek, and even though she’s fighting the old attraction with Dallas, she also has secrets that put them on a collision course with not just the past but with new danger.
Kirby Granger—Sixteen years ago this now retired marshal rescued Dallas and five other boys from Rocky Creek, but he might have cut corners to do that.
Sarah Webb—The widow of the tyrannical headmaster at Rocky Creek. She could know more about her husband Jonah’s murder than she’s saying.
Owen Palmer—He and Dallas and Joelle have a shared past that wasn’t always pleasant, and now he seems to be willing to do anything to make Joelle his wife.
Lindsey Downing—Owen’s assistant, who is jealous of Joelle. But is she behind the attempts to kill Joelle and Dallas?
Rudy Simmons—The crusty groundskeeper at Rocky Creek. He claims he knows nothing about the headmaster’s murder, but Dallas and Joelle aren’t so sure.
Contents
Chapter One
Marshal Dallas Walker studied the three men milling around in front of the Maverick Springs church. All were dressed in nondescript black suits, but judging from the bulges beneath their coats, they were carrying weapons.
So, what were armed guests doing at a wedding?
Joelle’s wedding.
Just thinking those two words put a knot in his gut, and seeing those armed men only made the knot even tighter.
Something wasn’t right here—on many levels.
Dallas eased his hand over the Glock .22 in his holster and walked up the limestone path that led to the front door. As expected, he got the attention of all three men. They snapped toward him, and one whispered something into the communicator that he had strapped to his wrist.
The biggest one, a bald guy with linebacker-size shoulders, stepped forward to block Dallas’s way. “Are you a guest of the bride or groom?” he asked, none too friendly.
Dallas debated his answer for a split second and decided to go with what would get him inside the church the fastest and with the least amount of trouble.
If that was possible.
He tapped his badge, which was clipped to his belt. “I’m Marshal Dallas Walker. Move or I’ll move you.”
