Leann Harris - Shotgun Bride

Hawk wondered.

When he’d grabbed her to prevent her from falling, and plastered her body against his, that was all he’d needed to touch off the inferno he’d been fighting this past week.

Being near her in the apartment had slowly driven him mad. Every moment, he’d had to pretend he wasn’t affected by her, didn’t remember their time together. He’d thought he would die if he didn’t hold her once more.

His reaction wasn’t so uncommon when it came to Renee. That was one of the things that had worried him when he and Renee were dating—his uncontrollable reaction to her.

Why was it so difficult to keep himself detached? After the fiasco of his first marriage, he’d learned his lesson and managed to stay away from any emotional ties. He hadn’t had any trouble until he’d met Renee, but then everything changed….

Dear Reader,

What is there to say besides, “The wait is over!” Yes, it’s true. Chance Mackenzie’s story is here at last. A Game of Chance, by inimitable New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard, is everything you’ve ever dreamed it could be: exciting, suspenseful, and so darn sexy you’re going to need to turn the air-conditioning down a few more notches! In Sunny Miller, Chance meets his match—in every way. Don’t miss a single fabulous page.

The twentieth-anniversary thrills don’t end there, though. A YEAR OF LOVING DANGEROUSLY continues with Undercover Bride, by Kylie Brant. This book is proof that things aren’t always what they seem, because Rachel’s groom, Caleb Carpenter, has secrets…secrets that could break—or win—her heart. Blade’s Lady, by Fiona Brand, features another of her to-die-for heroes, and a heroine who’s known him—in her dreams—for years. Linda Howard calls this author “a keeper,” and she’s right. Barbara McCauley’s SECRETS! miniseries has been incredibly popular in Silhouette Desire, and now it moves over to Intimate Moments with Gabriel’s Honor, about a heroine on the run with her son and the irresistible man who becomes her protector. Pat Warren is back with The Lawman and the Lady, full of suspense and emotion in just the right proportions. Finally, Leann Harris returns with Shotgun Bride, about a pregnant heroine forced to seek safety—and marriage—with the father of her unborn child.

And as if all that isn’t enough, come back next month for more excitement—including the next installment of A YEAR OF LOVING DANGEROUSLY and the in-line return of our wonderful continuity, 36 HOURS.

Leslie J. Wainger

Executive Senior Editor

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I would like to thank the following people

for their help with this book:

Warren Spencer of Plano Police for his insight on a cop who’s

a lawyer. Tammy, Betty, Leanna and Jane for your input.

Faustino M. Perez of Houston PD for his input.

Any errors are strictly mine.

When Leann Harris first met her husband in college, she never dreamed she would marry him. After all, he was getting a Ph.D. in the one science she’d managed to avoid—physics! So much for first impressions. They have been happily married for over twenty years. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Leann taught math and science to deaf high school students until the birth of her first child. It wasn’t until her youngest child started school that Leann decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and began writing. She presently lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children.

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

“You want me to what?” Renee Girouard asked the old man lying in the hospital bed.

Emory Sweeney looked haggard and lifeless. “I want you to marry Hawk.” He turned his head and nodded to the corner of the room where the other man stood, staring out the window.

Renee’s gaze went to Matthew Hawkins. He glanced over his shoulder and met her stare. She searched his face for some clue to explain her employer’s bizarre request, but Hawk’s expression gave nothing away. Her mind flew back to the last time they’d talked. It hadn’t been a good parting. Had he told Emory about their relationship…or what was left of it? But that didn’t make sense.

“What’s going on here?” she asked, directing her question to Hawk.

Hawk’s brow arched, and he turned to face the other man. “Emory, you’d better tell her the reason you want her to marry me. From her expression it looks as though she’s not too taken with the idea.” He leaned back against the wall.

Unfortunately, Matthew Hawkins was handsome as sin: six foot two; wavy dark brown hair; deep, penetrating brown eyes; and a mouth that could be tender and seductive.

Renee pushed aside her thoughts and turned back to the older man. “Are you going to be okay, Emory?”

The colon cancer that had sent Emory Sweeney, the founder and president of Texas Chic to the hospital for surgery had worried everyone in the firm. Renee had visited St. Luke’s hospital numerous times this last week.

Emory took Renee’s hand. “There are some things I need to tell you.”

A chill swept over her, and she had the awful premonition that this man, her boss for the past three years, was going to tell her something that would forever change her life. Maybe she didn’t want to know what was going on. She’d heard a rumor that swindling had recently been uncovered within the company. But what did that have to do with the request Emory just made? And why ask her to marry Hawk?

A look of regret filled Emory’s eyes. “When you came to work for me after your parents were killed in the car accident, you thought it was a lucky twist of fate.”

The turn of the conversation surprised her. She’d been expecting talk of missing money or the reason why she needed to marry Hawk, but Emory was recalling the time he hired her.

“Yes,” she slowly answered. She’d often commented how fortunate it was that she’d gotten the internship with Emory’s company four years ago, after the accident as Emory’s assistant. The job had given her enough money to finish her schooling. Then when she graduated from Texas A&M, she’d been offered a permanent position with the firm. “Of course I remember.”

“Well, it wasn’t a coincidence.”

Her heart beat faster.

“I knew all about you and the tough situation you were facing, and I wanted to help you.”

“I’m glad you did.” She glanced from Emory to Hawk. Their expressions were dark. There was something more here that she wasn’t getting.

“You’d better tell her the rest, Emory, because I don’t think she’s going to marry me if you don’t,” Hawk urged. He moved away from the window and came to the bed.

Renee’s heart caught at the sight of him. He’d always had that effect on her. She thought she’d found the love of her life until—

Emory cleared his throat. “I’ve always known about you, Renee.”

She frowned. “You knew my parents before I was born?”

“I knew your mother.”