Cathy Gillen - A Texas Soldier's Family

His eyes crinkled mischievously at the corners. “Alpha Man?”

Had she really said that? She must be punchier than she thought.

“It was an insult. A friendly one.” Hope bit down on an oath. She was just making it worse.

He laughed, his husky baritone like music to her ears. Continued giving her the long, sexy onceover. “Sounded more like a compliment to me.”

He was twisting everything around, embarrassing her and putting her off her game. Indignant, she trod closer. “Of course you would think that.”

He held his ground, arms folded in front of him. Again, that long, steady appraisal. “Because I’m alpha?”

He definitely was not a beta man.

“Can we end this repartee?”

He gathered her in his arms. “With pleasure.”

“What are you doing?”

“What any alpha male would do in this situation.” Grinning, he lowered his face to hers.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CATHY GILLEN THACKERis married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com, for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

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Contents

Cover

Introduction “Dream on, Alpha Man.” His eyes crinkled mischievously at the corners. “Alpha Man?” Had she really said that? She must be punchier than she thought. “It was an insult. A friendly one.” Hope bit down on an oath. She was just making it worse. He laughed, his husky baritone like music to her ears. Continued giving her the long, sexy onceover. “Sounded more like a compliment to me.” He was twisting everything around, embarrassing her and putting her off her game. Indignant, she trod closer. “Of course you would think that.” He held his ground, arms folded in front of him. Again, that long, steady appraisal. “Because I’m alpha?” He definitely was not a beta man. “Can we end this repartee?” He gathered her in his arms. “With pleasure.” “What are you doing?” “What any alpha male would do in this situation.” Grinning, he lowered his face to hers.

Title Page A Texas Soldier’s Family Cathy Gillen Thacker www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CATHY GILLEN THACKER is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com , for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One Contents Cover Introduction “Dream on, Alpha Man.” His eyes crinkled mischievously at the corners. “Alpha Man?” Had she really said that? She must be punchier than she thought. “It was an insult. A friendly one.” Hope bit down on an oath. She was just making it worse. He laughed, his husky baritone like music to her ears. Continued giving her the long, sexy onceover. “Sounded more like a compliment to me.” He was twisting everything around, embarrassing her and putting her off her game. Indignant, she trod closer. “Of course you would think that.” He held his ground, arms folded in front of him. Again, that long, steady appraisal. “Because I’m alpha?” He definitely was not a beta man. “Can we end this repartee?” He gathered her in his arms. “With pleasure.” “What are you doing?” “What any alpha male would do in this situation.” Grinning, he lowered his face to hers. Title Page A Texas Soldier’s Family Cathy Gillen Thacker www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author CATHY GILLEN THACKER is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Mills & Boon author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website, www.cathygillenthacker.com , for more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things. 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

“Welcome aboard!” The flight attendant smiled. “Going home to Texas...?”

“Not voluntarily,” Garrett Lockhart muttered under his breath as he made his way through the aircraft to his seat in the fourth row.

It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate spending time with his family, he acknowledged, stowing his bag in the bulkhead and stuffing his six-foot-five-inch body into the first-class seat next to the window. He did.

It’s just that he didn’t want them weighing in on what his next step should be. Or what he should do with his inheritance. The decision was hard enough. Should he sell out or stay and build a life in Laramie, as his late father had wanted?

Reenlist and take the considerable promotion being offered?

Or take a civilian post that would allow him to pursue his dreams?

He had twenty-nine days to decide.

And an unspecified but pressing family crisis to handle in the meantime.

And an expensive-looking blonde in a white power suit who’d been sizing him up from a distance, ever since he arrived at the gate...

He’d noticed her, too. Hard not to with that delicately gorgeous face, a mane of long, silky hair brushing against her shoulders, and a smoking-hot body that just wouldn’t quit.

Two years ago...before Leanne...he might have taken her up on her invitation...