Linda Lael - McKettrick's Heart

A classic tale of cowboys staking claim to their land—and the women they love…

Keegan McKettrick has learned the hard way that women can’t be trusted. The only female in his life these days is the young daughter he sees all too rarely, and his sole passion is for his job overseeing his family’s corporation. Until beautiful but mysterious Molly Shields comes to Indian Rock on a mission—and keeping a suspicious eye on her becomes Keegan’s full-time hobby….

Molly doesn’t know why she’s attracted to a man who’s determined to dig up dirt on her, even if he is gorgeous. But cynical Keegan might be the one person who can truly understand her shadowy past—and if the two can risk opening their hearts, they just might forge a brighter future.

Praise for the novels of #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

“Miller tugs at the heartstrings as few authors can.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Miller crafts amazing, deep characters…

Thoroughly entertaining!”

—RT Book Reviews

“The amazing Miller…steals your heart

with good stories about good people. Her overall theme

of strength in family never fails to grab your attention

and keep you coming back for more.”

—Fresh Fiction on A Lawman’s Christmas

“Great reading for anyone who loves a family saga

full of romance, adventure and handsome cowboys.”

—BN.com on The Creed Cowboys series

“Miller once again tells a memorable tale.”

—RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek

“Miller’s got major storytelling mojo for the

second adventure set in Cave Creek, AZ.”

—Publishers Weekly on Deadly Deceptions

“Miller…is at her steamiest. This should delight any fan of family-centric romance, and followers of the McKettricks will be pleased to find Miller corralling all the series’ characters together and tying up all their loose ends with grace and conviction.”

—Publishers Weekly on McKettrick’s Heart

“This heartwarming and heartbreakingly poignant story

is a fitting finale to Miller’s McKettrick Men trilogy.

Her characters just come to life and may produce both

tears and laughter…this story [is] one not soon forgotten.”

—RT Book Reviews on McKettrick’s Heart

McKettrick’s Heart

Linda Lael

Miller

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dear Readers,

I hope you’ve enjoyed revisiting the McKettrick men and the women they manage to turn into cowboys’ brides. After reading Jesse and Cheyenne’s story in McKettrick’s Luck, then Rance and Echo’s happy ending in McKettrick’s Pride, I’m proud to present the final book in the McKettrick Men trilogy, McKettrick’s Heart.

When Keegan McKettrick first encounters Molly Shields, he’s furious to find her in his hometown of Indian Rock, Arizona. At the same time he’s never been so attracted to a woman before. Both Molly and Keegan are deeply wary of love—and need to learn to trust their hearts.…

I’m also delighted to announce that a brand-new trilogy of cowboys is coming your way! Be sure to look for the first title, Big Sky Country, from HQN Books in June. Set in Parable, Montana, this series will feature half brothers, headstrong women and big dreams under an even bigger sky. You won’t want to miss this!

With love,

To Jerry and Anna Lael, with love

Contents

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

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

MOLLY SHIELDS FORCED herself to pause on the sidewalk in front of the huge brick house, draw a deep breath and let it out slowly. If she hadn’t, she would have vaulted over the gate and covered the flagstone walk at a dead run.

Lucas.

Lucas was somewhere inside that enormous place.

But so was Psyche. And Psyche Ryan, at least in the eyes of the world, was legally Lucas’s mother.

Everything within Molly rebelled against that single fact.

Purposefully Molly adjusted her perspective, along with the canvas backpack she’d carried from the gas station at the far end of Indian Rock, Arizona, after getting off the afternoon bus from Phoenix. Lucas wasn’t her child; he was Psyche’s.

The little boy was eighteen months old now—eighteen months, two weeks and five days. He’d been a newborn, pink and squalling, when she’d last seen him, held him in her arms—all too briefly—before giving him up. Psyche had sent a few snapshots in the interim—Lucas was solid, handsome and blond, with bright green eyes. Molly’s own coloring, though her hair had darkened over time, but despite that, he resembled his late father more than her.

Now, in a very few minutes, maybe even moments, Molly would see the baby she still thought of as her own, at least in weak moments.

Perhaps she’d be allowed to hold Lucas. She ached to do that. To breathe in the scent of his hair and skin…

Careful, her practical side admonished.

It was miracle enough that Psyche, a virtual stranger and, it was to be remembered, a betrayed wife, had summoned Molly to this little town, with its shady streets, given all that had happened. She mustn’t move too fast, or make a wrong move—miracles were rare and fragile things, to be handled with infinite care.

Molly worked the latch on the shiny black iron gate. The metal felt hot and smooth to the touch. A discreet little sign, fastened to the ornate fence, proclaimed the place a registered historic site.

Psyche had explained, in one of her emails, that the house on the corner of Maple and Red River Drive, her childhood home, had stood empty for nearly a decade. But today the vast lawn looked manicured, lilacs and roses bloomed in freshly mulched beds and the many mullioned windows shone. The white wooden trim looked freshly painted, and the brick, though time worn, was still damp in places from a recent power wash.

Molly forced herself to walk slowly up the walk, toward the front porch, part of which was screened in. No doubt there were patio chairs there, a little table and maybe even a wooden swing.

Molly pictured herself sitting in that swing, rocking Lucas to sleep on a warm summer evening, and her heart beat a little faster.

Psyche’s child, she repeated to herself in a silent mantra. Psyche’s child.

She had no idea why Psyche had summoned her, or how long she’d be staying. The woman had graciously offered first-class airfare from LAX, with a car and driver to meet her in Phoenix. But Molly, perhaps as a form of penance, had chosen to take the bus instead.

She’d have been wiser not to come at all, of course, but she hadn’t been able to resist the chance to see Lucas.

The heavy front door swung open just as Molly reached the bottom step, jolting her out of her travel-weary speculations, and a middle-aged black woman appeared, thin and tall, clad in a crisp white uniform and sensible, crepe-soled shoes.