Cynthia Thomason - This Hero for Hire

He’s more than her protector…

Being a cop in a small Georgia town is a pretty peaceful job, and one that Boone Braddock takes pride in. Babysitting the governor’s daughter, however, isn’t Boone’s idea of police duty. Especially when it’s Susannah Rhodes, who has an impulsive streak a mile wide.

Boone was Susannah’s crush in high school. He’s still unmistakably handsome. Worse yet, it’s impossible to keep anything from him—like the real reason she’s returned home. And it’s more impossible still to keep her distance. Because a long time ago, the two had shared something special. Something that was never finished....

“I was impulsive with you once before…”

Susannah pressed that wonderfully impulsive mouth to his.

The kiss was meaningful in a way that hinted they were no longer just friends, protector and charge. But the contact was short, too short. Just when Boone was moving to take her into his arms, she pulled away.

She stared at him for a few moments. Her head tilted to the side as she studied his reaction, his dumb, totally blindsided reaction. And then she frowned.

“Just as I guessed.” She hugged the passenger door and glared out the windshield. “Drive on, Officer. We’re done here.”

He had no intention of starting his truck at that moment. They were so not done.

“What do you want from me, Susannah?” he said. “What do you want me to do right now? What do you expect?” When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “Because I do have a reaction in mind.”

She twisted in the seat. Her lips curled in a tempting grin. “Yeah? Is Boone Braddock learning that spontaneous can be fun?”

He took her into his arms and held her close. “Among other things.”

He could play her game. Only right now, it didn’t feel like a game at all.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN Copyright ,

Farming techniques may seem like an odd subject for a Heartwarming romance book, but I truly became fascinated with the topic a few months ago while at my local farmers’ market. I began studying the signs above the produce. Words like all natural, organic, free-range, etc., lit a fire in the research side of my brain.

I’ve never paid much attention to the food I ate. If it was on a grocery shelf, it was good, right? But not everyone thinks so, and the conflict for This Hero for Hire was born. Take an educated agroecologist who wants to change the tried-and-true farming practices in her old hometown and pit her against a traditional small-town cop who’s hired to protect her by his state’s most influential citizen, and boom, you’ve got sparks. Watch what happens when Susannah and Boone grapple over the same fertile acres of prime north Georgia land, and discover that love is the best compromise of all.

I love to hear from readers. Contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website at

www.cynthiathomason.net.

Cynthia Thomason

This Hero for Hire

Cynthia Thomason

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CYNTHIA THOMASON

inherited her love of writing from her ancestors. Her father and grandmother both loved to write, and she aspired to continue the legacy. Cynthia studied English and journalism in college, and after a career as a high school English teacher, she began writing novels. She discovered ideas for stories while searching through antiques stores and flea markets and as an auctioneer and estate buyer. Cynthia says every cast-off item from someone’s life can ignite the idea for a plot. She writes about small towns, big hearts and happy endings that are earned and not taken for granted. And as far as the legacy is concerned, just ask her son, the magazine journalist, if he believes.

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I come from good old Kentucky farm stock,

and so I dedicate this book to all those who put

healthy food on our tables.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text He’s more than her protector… Being a cop in a small Georgia town is a pretty peaceful job, and one that Boone Braddock takes pride in. Babysitting the governor’s daughter, however, isn’t Boone’s idea of police duty. Especially when it’s Susannah Rhodes, who has an impulsive streak a mile wide. Boone was Susannah’s crush in high school. He’s still unmistakably handsome. Worse yet, it’s impossible to keep anything from him—like the real reason she’s returned home. And it’s more impossible still to keep her distance. Because a long time ago, the two had shared something special. Something that was never finished....

Introduction “I was impulsive with you once before…” Susannah pressed that wonderfully impulsive mouth to his. The kiss was meaningful in a way that hinted they were no longer just friends, protector and charge. But the contact was short, too short. Just when Boone was moving to take her into his arms, she pulled away. She stared at him for a few moments. Her head tilted to the side as she studied his reaction, his dumb, totally blindsided reaction. And then she frowned. “Just as I guessed.” She hugged the passenger door and glared out the windshield. “Drive on, Officer. We’re done here.” He had no intention of starting his truck at that moment. They were so not done. “What do you want from me, Susannah?” he said. “What do you want me to do right now? What do you expect?” When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “Because I do have a reaction in mind.” She twisted in the seat. Her lips curled in a tempting grin. “Yeah? Is Boone Braddock learning that spontaneous can be fun?” He took her into his arms and held her close. “Among other things.” He could play her game. Only right now, it didn’t feel like a game at all.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN Copyright , Farming techniques may seem like an odd subject for a Heartwarming romance book, but I truly became fascinated with the topic a few months ago while at my local farmers’ market. I began studying the signs above the produce. Words like all natural, organic, free-range, etc., lit a fire in the research side of my brain. I’ve never paid much attention to the food I ate. If it was on a grocery shelf, it was good, right? But not everyone thinks so, and the conflict for This Hero for Hire was born. Take an educated agroecologist who wants to change the tried-and-true farming practices in her old hometown and pit her against a traditional small-town cop who’s hired to protect her by his state’s most influential citizen, and boom, you’ve got sparks. Watch what happens when Susannah and Boone grapple over the same fertile acres of prime north Georgia land, and discover that love is the best compromise of all. I love to hear from readers. Contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website at www.cynthiathomason.net . Cynthia Thomason