The Survivor
Treasure hunter Bess Cantrell is used to picking through junk, looking for elusive gems that she can sell. Undiscovered antiques, rare finds…it's her world. But then her shop is ransacked. Someone is looking for the "Wicked" Bible–a rare and valuable edition–and they'll do anything to get it!Former Ranger Lex Sanborn is trying to pull his life together after almost losing it in battle. But being assigned to watch over the quirky and irresistible Bess is distracting him from thinking about his military past–by getting him out of his pants!Because when Bess wants something, she knows exactly how to get it….
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Check out what RT Book Reviews is saying about Rhonda Nelsonâs heroes inâand out ofâuniform!
Letters from Home
âThis highly romantic tale
is filled with emotion and wonderful characters. Itâs a heart-melting romance.â
The Soldier
âWonderfully written and heart-stirring, the story
flies by to the deeply satisfying ending.â
The Hell-Raiser
âA highly entertaining story that has
eccentric secondary characters, hot sex and a heartwarming romance.â
The Loner
âA highly romantic story with two heartwarming
characters and a surprise ending.â
The Ranger
âWell plotted and wickedly sexy,
this oneâs got it allâincluding a completely scrumptious hero. A keeper.â
Dear Reader,
November is one of my favorite months of the year here in the South. Summer clings determinedly through the bulk of October, so November really ushers in our fall. The leaves turn, the breeze gets crisp and my husband and I are often on our deck in front the chimenea, warming our feet by a fire. We get to enjoy Thanksgiving without the rush of the Christmas holidays. And itâs a great time to curl up with a good book, isnât it? (Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.)
When Lex Sanborn comes out of the military and goes to work for Ranger Security, the last thing he expects is to be paired up with Bess Cantrell, on the hunt for one of the few remaining âWickedâ Bibles. A printing error in the 1600s edition, which says, âThou shalt commit adultery,â makes this particular Bible one of the most valuable books on the market. And the forced proximity with the sexy âpickerâ is most definitely keeping sinning at the forefront of his mind.
Nothing brings a smile to my face faster than hearing from my readers, so be sure to check out my website at www.ReadRhondaNelson.com. Also, the Blaze Authors have taken on a Pet Project. Be sure to visit www.blazeauthors.com to see what weâre up to and how you can help.
Happy reading!
Rhonda
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A Waldenbooks bestselling author, two-time RITA>® Award nominee and RT Book Reviews Reviewersâ Choice nominee, Rhonda Nelson writes hot romantic comedy for the Harlequin Blaze line and other Harlequin imprints. With more than twenty-five published books to her credit and many more coming down the pike, sheâs thrilled with her career and enjoys dreaming up her characters and manipulating the worlds they live in. In addition to a writing career, she has a husband, two adorable kids, a black Lab and a beautiful bichon frise. She and her family make their chaotic but happy home in a small town in northern Alabama. She loves to hear from her readers, so be sure and check her out at www.readrhondanelson.com.
For Beverly. I miss you.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Prologue
LEX SANBORN HAD NEVER wondered what his last thoughts before dying would be, but he certainly hadnât expected an intense craving for pineapple sherbet and having lines from American poet Alan Seegerâs I Have a Rendezvous with Death running through his mind.
I have a rendezvous with Death, at some disputed barricade, when Spring comes back with rustling shade, and apple blossoms fill the airâ¦
The initial pain from the hit had receded, leaving a contented warmth in most of his body, an odd coldness at the site of the wound. His shoulder, he knew, more from the remembered pain of the injury and the absence of any real feeling now. Though he couldnât open his eyes, he could hear them working above him, knew they were doing everything they could, and a part of him wanted to tell them to stop, to save someone who wasnât going to die, that their efforts were wasted on him. He was finished. He could feel himself sliding further and further away, feel the blood leaving his body. Must have hit an arteryâ¦
But Iâve a rendezvous with Death, at midnight in some flaming town, when Spring trips north again this yearâ¦
âLex! Lex, damn you, can you hear me?â Jeb, his best friend and fellow soldier, shouted near his ear.
He could, but as much as he wanted to, he couldnât respond. Couldnât do anything but drift away. He could feel himself getting smaller and smaller, shrinking into nothingness, and the nothingness felt wonderful, better than anything heâd ever felt before. A glow of euphoria started in his center and spread, his limbs going weightless. If he could have smiled, he would.
And I to my pledged word am true, I shall not fail that rendezvous.
1
Six months laterâ¦
FORMER RANGER TURNED newly minted security agent Lex Sanborn looked at the photocopied page of the Bible heâd been handed and felt his eyes widen in shock. âThou shalt commit adultery?â Granted, he hadnât been to church in years, but he certainly didnât remember learning this particular version in Sunday school class.
Brian Payne, Jamie Flanagan and Guy McCann, owners of the elite security company whoâd just hired him, all chuckled, presumably at his slack-jawed expression.
