Joanna Wayne - Midnight Rider

THIS COWBOY WON’T BACK DOWN

Houston homicide detective Brittany Garner just got hit with a one-two punch. The twin sister she never knew existed has been found dead, leaving behind a three-month-old daughter. Brittany’s vow to find her sister’s murderer, as well as the father of the orphaned infant, leads straight to Cannon Dalton. A bull rider who spends his life roaming from rodeo to rodeo, Cannon has only one mission now: protect the beautiful cop and the child who could be his. Caught in the crosshairs of escalating danger—and his powerful desire for Brittany—Cannon races to stop a desperate killer...and a revenge that’s been a long time coming.

Brittany knew she should back away, but her body ignored her brain.

His lips were soft at first, then more demanding. The thrill of their mingling breaths roared through her like fire. The inhibitions that had become part of her being melted away and she kissed him back, letting the heat of him wash though her.

The unexpected hunger for him was primal, untamed. Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him closer as her body arched toward his.

When he had the good sense to pull away, her body went weak.

“Don’t think the doctor would approve of this.” His voice was a husky whisper.

“Probably not,” she agreed, though it wasn’t her physical health she was worried about but her inability to control her emotions where Cannon was concerned. It wasn’t the time or the place. Likely not even the right man, no matter how right it felt right now.

“Good night, Detective.”

“Good night, cowboy.”

Midnight Rider

Joanna Wayne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JOANNA WAYNEbegan her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series such as Sons of Troy Ledger and the Big “D” Dads series. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, USA, with her husband. You may write Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, Texas 77356, USA, or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Title Page About the Author Cast of Characters 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

Cannon Dalton—A bull rider and R. J. Dalton’s youngest son.

Brittany “Brit” Garner—Houston homicide detective whom someone wants dead.

Sylvie Hamm—Brit’s twin sister and Kimmie’s mother.

Rick Drummond—Brit’s partner.

Carla Bradford—Brit’s supervisor who plays by the rules.

Clive Austin—A criminal capable of anything.

Melanie Crouch—Recently released from prison.

Marcus and Joyce Dalton—Brit’s deceased parents.

Aidan McIntosh—Marcus’s best friend, before Marcus was instrumental in sending Aidan to prison.

Louise McIntosh—Aidan’s unforgiving wife.

R. J. Dalton—The owner of Dry Gulch Ranch, a dying father attempting to reconnect with his estranged adult children.

The rest of the Dalton Family—

Adam Dalton, rancher; his wife, Hadley; their twin daughters, Lila and Lacy.

Leif Dalton, attorney; his veterinarian wife, Joni; and his teenage daughter, Effie.

Travis Dalton, Dallas homicide detective; his wife, Faith; and her teenage son, Cornell.

Jade Dalton, R.J.’s youngest daughter, still estranged.

Jake Dalton, R.J.’s oldest son, still estranged.

To my twin sisters, Linda and Brenda, and to all my readers from big families who know what it’s like to love, chat, laugh, eat and sometimes cry with a houseful of siblings.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text THIS COWBOY WON’T BACK DOWN Houston homicide detective Brittany Garner just got hit with a one-two punch. The twin sister she never knew existed has been found dead, leaving behind a three-month-old daughter. Brittany’s vow to find her sister’s murderer, as well as the father of the orphaned infant, leads straight to Cannon Dalton. A bull rider who spends his life roaming from rodeo to rodeo, Cannon has only one mission now: protect the beautiful cop and the child who could be his. Caught in the crosshairs of escalating danger—and his powerful desire for Brittany—Cannon races to stop a desperate killer...and a revenge that’s been a long time coming.

Introduction Brittany knew she should back away, but her body ignored her brain. His lips were soft at first, then more demanding. The thrill of their mingling breaths roared through her like fire. The inhibitions that had become part of her being melted away and she kissed him back, letting the heat of him wash though her. The unexpected hunger for him was primal, untamed. Her arms slid around his neck, pulling him closer as her body arched toward his. When he had the good sense to pull away, her body went weak. “Don’t think the doctor would approve of this.” His voice was a husky whisper. “Probably not,” she agreed, though it wasn’t her physical health she was worried about but her inability to control her emotions where Cannon was concerned. It wasn’t the time or the place. Likely not even the right man, no matter how right it felt right now. “Good night, Detective.” “Good night, cowboy.”

Title Page Midnight Rider Joanna Wayne www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JOANNA WAYNE began her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series such as Sons of Troy Ledger and the Big “D” Dads series. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, USA, with her husband. You may write Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, Texas 77356, USA, or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com .

Cast of Characters

Dedication To my twin sisters, Linda and Brenda, and to all my readers from big families who know what it’s like to love, chat, laugh, eat and sometimes cry with a houseful of siblings.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Brit Garner woke to the irritating rattle of her cell phone vibrating against her bedside table. She pulled the pillow over her head and tried to ignore it. It finally stopped only to start again a few seconds later. If this was her partner, she was going to kill him.

She checked the caller ID and then took the call. “This had better be of life-threatening importance, Rick Drummond.”