B.J. Daniels - Cardwell Christmas Crime Scene

A conman’s daughter takes refuge with the family she never knew she had in New York Times bestseller B.J. Daniels’s latest addition to the Cardwell family saga.

Dee Anna Justice had thought that her convict father was her only living relative. Now Walter Justice, fearing for his daughter’s safety, urges her to seek out her cousins in Montana. Calling in a decades-old debt, he also enlists private investigator Beau Tanner to protect her.

Despite their fiery attraction, she resents the bodyguard her dad foists on her. Trust doesn’t come easy to DJ. But the warm, embracing family she finds at Cardwell ranch just might begin to soften her suspicious nature, and learning to trust the sexy PI may be the key to saving her life.

“What was that?”

DJ began brushing the snow off her backside. “A kiss. Apparently it’s been a while for you, as well,” Beau said. He began helping her brush off the snow.

“I can do it myself,” she snapped. She wanted to tell him that she’d only kissed him back because he’d taken her by surprise. But he didn’t give her a chance to lie.

“Don’t look so shocked. It was just a kiss, right? It wasn’t like either of us felt anything.”

“I was asking why you thought you could get away with kissing me like that. Or was that part of the bargain you made with my father?” She hoped he caught the sarcasm.

“I was merely doing my job protecting you. Since the one thing your father didn’t make clear is who I’m protecting you from. As for the kiss, it just seemed like a good idea. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re right about that, because I don’t need your so-called protection.”

Cardwell Christmas Crime Scene

B.J. Daniels

www.millsandboon.co.uk

B.J. DANIELS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor.

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Beau Tanner—The cowboy private investigator made a promise years ago, and he never goes back on his promises.

Dee Anna Justice—DJ’s life began to unravel the moment she realized someone had been in her apartment—and left her a “present”…

Marietta Pisani—She would do anything to protect her family.

Carlotta Pisani Justice Gianni—Her deathbed confession changed everything.

Roger Douglas—The attorney had his own reasons for wanting the Pisani legacy upheld.

Ester Brown—The loyal housekeeper couldn’t keep the family secrets any longer.

Walter Justice—He kept the truth from his daughter to protect her from the family she knew nothing about.

Zinnia Jameson—She lost the love of her life when Walter married someone else.

With utmost appreciation I dedicate this Cardwell book

to Kimberly Rocha, the craziest, most loving, generous,

truly beautiful fan I’ve yet to meet.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A conman’s daughter takes refuge with the family she never knew she had in New York Times bestseller B.J. Daniels’s latest addition to the Cardwell family saga. Dee Anna Justice had thought that her convict father was her only living relative. Now Walter Justice, fearing for his daughter’s safety, urges her to seek out her cousins in Montana. Calling in a decades-old debt, he also enlists private investigator Beau Tanner to protect her. Despite their fiery attraction, she resents the bodyguard her dad foists on her. Trust doesn’t come easy to DJ. But the warm, embracing family she finds at Cardwell ranch just might begin to soften her suspicious nature, and learning to trust the sexy PI may be the key to saving her life.

Introduction “What was that?” DJ began brushing the snow off her backside. “A kiss. Apparently it’s been a while for you, as well,” Beau said. He began helping her brush off the snow. “I can do it myself,” she snapped. She wanted to tell him that she’d only kissed him back because he’d taken her by surprise. But he didn’t give her a chance to lie. “Don’t look so shocked. It was just a kiss, right? It wasn’t like either of us felt anything.” “I was asking why you thought you could get away with kissing me like that. Or was that part of the bargain you made with my father?” She hoped he caught the sarcasm. “I was merely doing my job protecting you. Since the one thing your father didn’t make clear is who I’m protecting you from. As for the kiss, it just seemed like a good idea. It won’t happen again.” “You’re right about that, because I don’t need your so-called protection.”

Title Page Cardwell Christmas Crime Scene B.J. Daniels www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author B.J. DANIELS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com , on Facebook or on Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor .

Cast of Characters CAST OF CHARACTERS Beau Tanner—The cowboy private investigator made a promise years ago, and he never goes back on his promises. Dee Anna Justice—DJ’s life began to unravel the moment she realized someone had been in her apartment—and left her a “present”… Marietta Pisani—She would do anything to protect her family. Carlotta Pisani Justice Gianni—Her deathbed confession changed everything. Roger Douglas—The attorney had his own reasons for wanting the Pisani legacy upheld. Ester Brown—The loyal housekeeper couldn’t keep the family secrets any longer. Walter Justice—He kept the truth from his daughter to protect her from the family she knew nothing about. Zinnia Jameson—She lost the love of her life when Walter married someone else.

Dedication With utmost appreciation I dedicate this Cardwell book to Kimberly Rocha, the craziest, most loving, generous, truly beautiful fan I’ve yet to meet.

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

DJ Justice opened the door to her apartment and froze. Nothing looked out of place and yet she took a step back. Her gaze went to the lock. There were scratches around the keyhole. The lock set was one of the first things she’d replaced when she’d rented the apartment.