Carla Cassidy - Snowbound with the Bodyguard & The Cowboy's Secret Twins

Two fan-favorite stories of romance and suspense from New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy!

Snowbound with the Bodyguard

Dalton West has no time for love and family. But protecting is in his blood. When Janette Black and her baby show up in the midst of a snowstorm, Dalton can tell she has plenty to hide. Still, he takes the pair in to wait out the storm, and bars the door from any danger. But that danger shows up sooner than they expect.

The Cowboy's Secret Twins

One cold December night, Henry James Randolf III wanted to escape, and ended up with the sexy Melissa Monroe in his arms. Now, a year later, she shows up at his Texas ranch with adorable twin boys. Was their night of passion a premeditated snare, or a Christmas surprise? But when shots ring out, his instincts take over. He'll stop at nothing to keep Melissa and the boys safe.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy

“The strong hero in Jimmy and the snappy dialogue between him and Sheri draw the reader into the story. The sweet chemistry between them, along with Cassidy’s expert storytelling and engaging plot, keeps the pages turning.”

— RT Book Reviews on Lone Wolf Standing

“Cassidy creates strong conflict and tension. An intricate plot, sympathetic characters and hot chemistry between Debra and Trey make this a great read.”

— RT Book Reviews on Her Secret, His Duty

“Cassidy just keeps getting better.”

— RT Book Reviews

“Carla Cassidy has done a good job of portraying the fragility but resilience of the survivor and the detailed work of investigation…Crime fans will get hold of Deadman’s Bluff and be determined to solve the mystery by themselves.”

— Fresh Fiction

“A terrific, enthralling addition to [Cassidy’s] Cowboy Café series.”

— Goodreads on Cowboy with a Cause

Snowbound with the Bodyguard & The Cowboy’s Secret Twins

Carla Cassidy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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SNOWBOUND WITH THE BODYGUARD Snowbound with the Bodyguard Carla Cassidy

THE COWBOY’S SECRET TWINS

Snowbound with the Bodyguard

Carla Cassidy

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

Chapter 15

Epilogue

“Order up.” Smiley Smith, owner and short-order cook at Smiley’s Café, banged the small bell on the counter to punctuate his words.

Janette Black wiped her hands on her cheerful red-and-white apron, then walked over to retrieve the Thursday special.

She grabbed the plate and served it to the man seated at the long counter. “Here you go, Walter.” She smiled at the old man who came in every Thursday afternoon regular as clockwork for Smiley’s meatloaf.

“Thank you, honey. Can I bother you for another cup of coffee?” Walter offered her a sweet smile.

“For you, Walter, it’s no bother.” She turned around and went to get the coffeepot, grateful that the lunch rush was over and she only had two more hours in her shift. Then she could go home and snuggle her little boy and visit with Nana until it was time for her to be back here first thing in the morning.

“How’s that grandmother of yours?” Walter asked as she poured his coffee.

Janette’s heart warmed at thoughts of her grandmother. “She’s okay. We have her heart condition under control. She tires easily, but she’s doing just fine.”

Walter laughed. “She’s a corker, that one. It will take more than a couple of strokes to keep her down.”

As Janette began to wipe down the countertop, she smiled. Her grandmother wasn’t just a corker, she was the woman who had raised Janette from the time she was three and the woman who was now helping Janette raise her little boy. Nana’s last stroke had been nearly a year ago, but she had astounded the doctors with her recovery.

Janette was just giving the shiny surface a final swipe when the tinkle of the bell over the front door indicated another diner arriving.

She looked up and her blood froze. There were three of them, all wearing the khaki uniforms of law enforcement. Sheriff Brandon Sinclair led the way, swaggering in followed by two of his trusted deputies.

There were only two cafés in Sandstone, Oklahoma, and she’d chosen to work at Smiley’s because the other place, Lacy’s, was where Sinclair and his men usually ate their lunch.

Sheriff Sinclair surveyed the café like a king overseeing his domain, his ice-blue eyes narrowing just a touch as his gaze landed on Janette.

Take a table, she mentally begged. If they sat at the table, then Heidi, Janette’s coworker, would wait on them. Janette had spent the past year of her life doing everything possible to avoid contact with the sheriff.

As he and his deputies headed toward the counter, her stomach bucked with a touch of nausea and her heart began to beat the rhythm of panic.

She couldn’t lose it. Not here. Not now. She refused to let him know how he affected her, knowing that he would relish her fear.

He’s just another customer, she told herself as the three seated themselves at the counter. “Can I take your orders?” she asked, surprised to hear her voice cool and collected despite all the emotions that quivered inside her.

“Coffee,” Sinclair said. “What kind of pie is good today?”

“Apple,” Janette replied tersely, then added, “the apple is always good.”

“Then let’s make it coffee and pie for all of us,” Sinclair said.

Janette nodded and turned to get the coffeepot. She could do this. As long as she didn’t look at him too long, as long as she didn’t get close enough to smell his cologne. She had a feeling if she got a whiff of that cheap, cloying smell she might vomit.

She filled their cups, trying to ignore the way Sinclair’s eyes lingered on her breasts. Her throat tightened and her heart banged harder against her ribs.

“Never guess what I heard through the grapevine,” Sinclair said to his deputies.

“What’s that, Sheriff?” Deputy Jed Billet asked.

“I heard that Janette has a little baby boy. What is he, about five months old, Janette?” Sinclair gazed at her knowingly.

She turned to get their pie, her hands trembling as she opened the display case that held the desserts. He knew. Dear God, he knew.

“Gonna be tough, being a single parent,” Deputy Westin said.

As she placed the pie in front of Sinclair he reared back on the stool. “A boy. There’s something special about a boy, don’t you think so, Jed? I mean, I love my three little girls, but I always dreamed about how great it would be to have a son. Unfortunately, all my wife could pop was girls. Still, a boy needs a father, don’t you agree?”