Warrior Son
A NATIVE SON ON A STRANGER’S LANDDeputy Sheriff Roan Whitefeather never thought he’d set foot on Horseshoe Creek. He was from a different world, but when the ranch's patriarch died unexpectedly, Roan suspected foul play. And so did Dr. Megan Lail. Roan had been trying to avoid the beautiful medical examiner since the one incredible night they'd spent in each other's arms. After all, they had work to do. But crossing paths again only stirred up old feelings–and an even older web of murder and deception. The deeper he investigated, the more he realized everyone had secrets. What would they do when they realized Roan held the biggest secret of them all?
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He wanted to make love to her.
Sweat beaded on his brow, and he silently cursed.
He couldnât do any of those things because as hard as heâd tried not to care about her, he was starting to have feelings for her.
She looked up at him with that sweet, seductive look as they walked into her den, and he gruffly ordered her to go to bed and get some sleep.
Hurt flickered in her eyes, but he assured himself it was for the best. She didnât argue. She hurried to her bedroom, making him feel like a heel.
Exhaustion tugged at his limbs, and even though he didnât think he could sleep, he stretched out on Meganâs sofa. He laid his gun by his side just in case of trouble, then closed his eyes.
He could practically hear her whisper his name as if she wanted him to come to her.
Furious with himself, he rolled to his side to face the door, a reminder of the reason he couldnât leave. Megan was in danger, and he wouldnât let anything happen to her.
If anyone tried, theyâd have to kill him first.
USA TODAY bestselling author RITA HERRON wrote her first book when she was twelve but didnât think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesnât have to get a real job. A former nursery school teacher and workshop leader, she traded storytelling to kids for writing romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. Rita lives in Georgia with her family. She loves to hear from readers, so please visit her website, www.ritaherron.com.
For Sue, a cowboy lover!
Contents
Deputy Roan Whitefeather didnât belong on McCullen land.
Yet here he stood at the edge of the party celebrating Ray McCullenâs marriage to Scarlet Lovett like the outsider he was.
Even though he was blood related to the McMullen men. Even though Joe McCullen was also his father.
He was alone. And he would keep it that way.
Maddox, Brett and Ray had no idea that he was their half brother. Hell, he hadnât known until a few months ago when his mother died and heâd found that damn birth certificate.
And after the trouble the McCullens had this past weekâtwo fires on the ranchâand the bombshell that Joe had a son named Bobby with his mistress, Barbara, Roan would keep the truth about his paternity quiet.
A noise sounded from the hill to the right, and he pivoted, senses honed. Since they still hadnât apprehended the person responsible for the fires, he had to keep an eye out for trouble. With the entire family in celebratory mode, their guards were down. Which would give anyone with a grudge against the McCullens the perfect opportunity to attack.
Maddox, the town sheriff and Roanâs boss, stepped in front of the group gathered on the lawn by the creek and raised his champagne glass to toast the happy couple.
For a moment envy mushroomed inside him as he watched Ray kiss Scarlet, and the other brothers and their wives congratulating and hugging one another.
They had weathered some storms, but they were one big happy family now.
The only family heâd ever known was his mother and the people on the res.
He didnât need family or anyone else, he reminded himself.
Still, heâd protect the McCullens because it was his job. And his job was all that mattered to him.
Although questions nagged at him. If Joe McCullen had known about Roan, would he have spent time with him? Would he have brought him to Horseshoe Creek and introduced him to his half brothers?
Or would he have hidden him away like he had his other illegitimate son Bobby Lowman?
The wind blew the trees rustling the leaves, and he scanned the horizon again. The ranch spread for hundreds of miles, livestock and horses roaming the pastures. Joe McCullen had definitely built a legacy here for his sons. And although Ray and Brett had been gone for years, theyâd recently returned and planned to help Maddox run the ranch.
Someone didnât want the McCullens to thrive, though. Someone who might have a grudge against Joe besides his mistress and son, Bobby. For all he knew, the problems could be about the land or the way Joe did business.
Hell, if Maddox, Brett or Ray knew Roan was blood related, they might accuse him of sabotage.
All the more reason to keep quiet about who he was.
And all the more reason to keep his questions about Joeâs death to himself until he found out if there was any substance to his suspicions.
* * *
DR. MEGAN LAIL finished her autopsy report on a man named Morty Burns, a ranch hand whoâd been shot and left dead outside Pistol Whip, Wyoming. So far, the police had no idea whoâd shot him, but sheâd done her jobâestablished time and cause of death and recovered the bullet that had taken the manâs life.
