The Rebel's Return
Maddie Delarue didn't know who was kissing her until Dylan Bridges–the rebel she once lusted after–whispered his name in her ear. Yet the magic of the moment was soon eclipsed when the body of Dylan's father was found floating in the pond.Accusing fingers pointed at Dylan, who had just returned to Mission Creek, but the former bad boy claimed to have mended his ways. And as far as he was concerned, clearing his name was easy compared to proving himself a gentleman of substance in Maddie's eyes.
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CLUB TIMES
For Membersâ Eyes Only
Murder-Mystery Gala Turns Deadly
Last night Maddie Delarueâs murder-mystery gala was filled with more drama than a soap opera when the body of Judge Carl Bridges was found floating in the clubâs front pond! Sources say our very own members were questioned and then released by authorities, but before long, the most likely suspect emerged from the darknessâDylan Bridges, bad-boy son of Judge Carl who had recently returned to Mission Creek to make amends with dear old dad. If the wealthy stockbroker truly believes an Armani suit can cover up the scoundrel that lies beneath, heâs been watching too many Dallas reruns. Word has it, though, that Maddie was quick to give Dylan an airtight alibi, claiming she was with him all night. It doesnât take a genius to figure out what those two were up toâ¦.
On a lighter note, all members will be happy to know that the investigation into the abandoned baby found on the links is making some headway, thanks to P.I. Ben Ashton and his team. And the Club Times has also learned that newlyweds Flynt and Josie Carson are about to expand their little family. Talk about some Texas two-stepping!
As always, members, make your best stop of the day right here at the Lone Star Country Club!
About the Author
BEVERLY BARTON
was delighted to take part in the LONE STAR COUNTRY CLUB continuity series and was especially pleased to write The Rebelâs Return because the bad boy/poor boy and good girl/rich girl theme is one of her favorites. She found it challenging to incorporate characters from other series books into her story and discovered that the residents of Mission Creek, Texas, were quite fascinating. Being able to include a murder mystery in the plot was an added bonus, and turning Dylan and Maddie into multifaceted people with personal histories that bound them together was gratifying indeed.
Award winning, USA TODAY bestselling author Beverly Barton is a very happy wife, mother and grandmother, a sixth-generation Alabamian and a proud American, with deep family roots in this country that go back over two centuries.
Welcome to the
Where Texas society reigns supremeâand appearances are everything.
A shocking murder rocks the town of Mission Creekâ¦.
Dylan Bridges: When this hard-hearted loner makes a stunning entrance at the LSCCâs murder-mystery gala, romance reignites with the woman of his dreams. But an evening of passion is not in the works when a grisly discovery is made and all fingers point to him as his own fatherâs murderer!
Maddie Delarue: This good-girl socialite canât believe her eyes when the roguish rebel from her past strides into the LSCC and boldly sweeps her into his arms for the kiss of a lifetime. Can their newfound love withstand a devastating turn of events?
Mission Creek Musings: What is visibly bereft waitress Daisy Parker doing at Carl Bridgesâs funeral? Could the real murderer still be at large? And is there any truth to the rumor that missing-in-action international playboy Luke Callaghan could be Baby Lenaâs proud papa?
To Melanie Davis Austin, who grew up with my daughter as a cousin and as a dear friend.
Because of who you are and what youâve meant to us, you will always have a special place in my heart.
Contents
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
Chapter Fourteen
Prologue
Dylan Bridges glared across the courtroom at his father and for one horrific moment felt nothing but hatred for the man. He had kept hoping, up to the very last minute, that his dad would do somethingâanythingâto help him. But the high and mighty, all-important Judge Carl Bridges hadnât lifted a handâhell, hadnât lifted his damn pinky fingerâto help his only child.
Dylan felt like a fool for believing that his father would somehow find a way to stop the inevitable, that heâd pull strings, call in favors or at the very least speak in Dylanâs defense. But oh, no, not Carl Bridges, the by-the-book, high-principled, no-excuses lawyer, judge and absentee father. For the past four years, ever since Dylanâs mother died, Carl had had no use for him. Leda Bridges had been the buffer between father and son, keeping peace in the family. It seemed to Dylan that once his mother was gone, his father had stopped loving him, and had devoted all his time and attention to his job.
Well, youâve had it now, Dylan told himself. Youâre on your way to the Texas Reform Center for Boys. Two years! He wouldnât be getting out until he turned eighteen. How the hell had this happened to him? Heâd done a lot of stupid things in the past few years, even had some skirmishes with the law; but stealing a car had been a major screwup, even for him. A string of misdemeanors was one thingâauto theft was something else entirely.
âIâve never been more disappointed by anyone in my entire life,â Carl Bridges had said. âSon, what were you thinking? You took that car for a joyride and dragged Jock Delarueâs daughter into this mess with you.â
