The Sheriff
TEXAS STYLE PROTECTIONSheriff Pete Morrison knew the the secret in his past could destroy his father. Yet instead of resigning his job and exposing the lie, he found himself protecting Andrea Allen—a beautiful astronomer who had witnessed a gun smuggling operation and a college student’s abduction. Determined to be independent, a relationship with her conflicted protector wasn’t in the cards. No matter how safe she felt in Pete’s strong arms. But when things take a turn for the worse and Andrea exchanges herself for the abducted student, only Pete can save her from the horrible fate that awaits her.
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TEXAS-STYLE PROTECTION
Sheriff Pete Morrison knew the secret in his past could destroy his father. Yet instead of resigning his job and exposing the lie, he found himself protecting Andrea Allenâa beautiful astronomer who witnessed a gun-smuggling operation and a college studentâs abduction. Determined to be independent, a relationship with her conflicted protector isnât in the cards. No matter how safe she feels in Peteâs strong arms. But when things take a turn for the worse and Andrea exchanges herself for the abducted student, only Pete can save her from the horrible fate that awaits her.
âYouâre serious?â Pete challenged. âSomeoneâs trying to kill you and you want me to leave you here, defenseless?â
âAnd I appreciate you saving me. Twice. But I canât tell you anything else, so isnât it more important to catch that creep and find clues at the accident?â
âThe scene and Suit Man arenât my priority. You are.â
His blue eyes searched hers. If sheâd known what he needed to hear, she would have said it. But she was a little frightened or worried or maybe just confused from the blow to her ear.
What was she thinking? These men had rammed her car off the road with the intention to kill her. And in all probability they had killed the man sheâd been trying to help.
âIâll concede that you donât know me, but Iâm not defenseless.â The soreness in her jaw screamed otherwise. âI can take care of myself.â
âNot tonight.â He stepped back, one hand pushing through a thick head of short, light brown hair. âIâm escorting you home until someone decides what to do with you.â
ANGI MORGAN writes Mills & Boon>® Intrigue novels âwhere honor and danger collide with love.â She combines actual Texas settings with characters who are in realistic and dangerous situations. Angi and her husband live in north Texas, with only the four-legged âkidsâ left in the house to interrupt her writing. They recently began volunteering for a local Labrador retriever foster program. Visit her website, www.angimorgan.com, or hang out with her on Facebook.
Pete MorrisonâActing Sheriff of Presidio County, Texas. Adopted by a deputy who became sheriff, he was raised at the department and has been in law enforcement since high school.
Andrea AllenâWorking on her PhD in Star Studies. A daughter who would like to succeed without the help of either of her very successful parents. If she finishes her paper, she can secure a job at one of the top observatories in the world.
Joe MorrisonâRetired as sheriff after suffering a heart attack. He adopted Pete twenty-five years ago. Everyone in Marfa knows and loves him. But everyone has secrets.
Honey & PeachâSisters who dispatch for the Presidio County Sheriffâs Department.
Commander Tony AllenâAndreaâs father, a former astronaut working for Homeland Securityâs Customs and Border Protection Office.
Cord McCreaâTexas Ranger and ranch owner, head of the newly formed West Texas task force tracking drug and gun runners.
SharonâAn undergrad working at the McDonald Observatory.
PatriceâA woman who delivers messages for the drug/gun runners.
Mr. RookâA sadistic man of perfection who plays chess like heâs playing with peopleâs lives.
Thanks so much, Jan, youâve been a rock star this year. Jill and Allison, your understanding and support is unsurpassed.
Contents
Cast of Characters
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
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
âThis is not happening. Aliens are landing and I canât find the camera.â
Lights moved in an erratic pattern low in the sky. Not aliens, but it was fun to think so. Someone on the ground? No. The lights were moving too swiftly. It had to be a chopper. It could not be a phenomenon. And especially not a UFO.
Andrea Allen was very familiar with everything that flew. She had to be when she was the only child of an astronaut and a pretty good pilot herself. It was definitely not a plane. It didnât look like a chopper, but it had to be. The lights werenât in the correct place. It hovered and disappeared.
Pulling the cords from her ears, she heard the faint drumbeat of âBohemian Rhapsodyâ rocking in the background, but no mechanical sounds echoing in the distance. She rubbed her eyes and found the hovering object with the telescope. Whatever it was, it just wasnât producing enough light to distinguish an outline above the desert with a mountain ridge in the background.
