Karen Whiddon - A Secret Colton Baby

A new addition to Wyoming’s most scandalous family

Is Theo Colton the father of a baby dropped at his doorstep by a dying socialite? Even more shocked than the sexy bronc-riding champ is his beautiful cook, Ellie Parker. Just as she becomes the baby’s nanny, she discovers a terrifying stalker has followed her to Dead River.

What’s worse—as a mysterious virus quarantines the town, danger goes viral, too. But to Theo and Ellie, the biggest dangers are their sizzling attraction and profound new feelings. Can Ellie tame the cowboy who wants nothing more than a wild ride with women? Or must she deny her heart to save his life?

“Why’d you kiss me?”

The simple question took him by surprise. In all his life, he didn’t think a woman had ever asked him that question.

He had to think. He knew he could give her the glib answer, say something like, Because I wanted to. Which he had. But he figured he owed it to Ellie to give her the truth.

“When I saw him knock you to the ground, my heart stopped,” he answered quietly. “I jumped him. If not for my damn injuries, I would have had him. You would have been safe, and that piece of trash wouldn’t have bothered you ever again. My blood was pumping, but he got away, and I let you down. When I saw you watching me, you looked scared and disappointed and…”

He dragged his hand through his too-short hair. “I wish I was better with words. I’m not saying it right.”

* * *

The Coltons: Return to Wyoming—One family’s scandalous homecoming

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Extract Copyright ,

I love the Coltons. Yes, I admit it. The Colton family is my guilty pleasure! I wrote Colton’s Christmas Baby in 2010 and ever since then, I’ve been hoping I could visit the family again. This time, instead of Montana, we’re in Wyoming. And yes, the story does have another baby. And more. In fact, there is so much going on in the little town of Dead River, Wyoming, that writing it was like watching a television drama. Something new lurks around every corner. Fascinating and fun.

I hope you enjoy reading this story—and Theo Colton’s journey toward happiness and love—as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thanks!

Karen Whiddon

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KAREN WHIDDON

started weaving fanciful tales for her younger brothers at the age of eleven. Amid the Catskill Mountains of New York, then the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she fueled her imagination with the natural beauty that surrounded her. Karen now lives in north Texas, where she shares her life with her very own hero of a husband and three doting dogs. Also an entrepreneur, she divides her time between the business she started and writing. You can email Karen at KWhiddon1@aol.com or write to her at P.O. Box 820807, Fort Worth, TX 76182. Fans of her writing can also check out her website, www.karenwhiddon.com.

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As always, to my supportive husband. He reads every book once it comes out and has been wonderful about letting me live my dream of being a full-time writer.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A new addition to Wyoming’s most scandalous family Is Theo Colton the father of a baby dropped at his doorstep by a dying socialite? Even more shocked than the sexy bronc-riding champ is his beautiful cook, Ellie Parker. Just as she becomes the baby’s nanny, she discovers a terrifying stalker has followed her to Dead River. What’s worse—as a mysterious virus quarantines the town, danger goes viral, too. But to Theo and Ellie, the biggest dangers are their sizzling attraction and profound new feelings. Can Ellie tame the cowboy who wants nothing more than a wild ride with women? Or must she deny her heart to save his life?

Introduction “Why’d you kiss me?” The simple question took him by surprise. In all his life, he didn’t think a woman had ever asked him that question. He had to think. He knew he could give her the glib answer, say something like, Because I wanted to. Which he had. But he figured he owed it to Ellie to give her the truth. “When I saw him knock you to the ground, my heart stopped,” he answered quietly. “I jumped him. If not for my damn injuries, I would have had him. You would have been safe, and that piece of trash wouldn’t have bothered you ever again. My blood was pumping, but he got away, and I let you down. When I saw you watching me, you looked scared and disappointed and…” He dragged his hand through his too-short hair. “I wish I was better with words. I’m not saying it right.” * * * The Coltons: Return to Wyoming—One family’s scandalous homecoming

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Extract Copyright , I love the Coltons. Yes, I admit it. The Colton family is my guilty pleasure! I wrote Colton’s Christmas Baby in 2010 and ever since then, I’ve been hoping I could visit the family again. This time, instead of Montana, we’re in Wyoming. And yes, the story does have another baby. And more. In fact, there is so much going on in the little town of Dead River, Wyoming, that writing it was like watching a television drama. Something new lurks around every corner. Fascinating and fun. I hope you enjoy reading this story—and Theo Colton’s journey toward happiness and love—as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks! Karen Whiddon

Title Page A Secret Colton Baby Karen Whiddon www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author KAREN WHIDDON started weaving fanciful tales for her younger brothers at the age of eleven. Amid the Catskill Mountains of New York, then the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, she fueled her imagination with the natural beauty that surrounded her. Karen now lives in north Texas, where she shares her life with her very own hero of a husband and three doting dogs. Also an entrepreneur, she divides her time between the business she started and writing. You can email Karen at KWhiddon1@aol.com or write to her at P.O. Box 820807, Fort Worth, TX 76182. Fans of her writing can also check out her website, www.karenwhiddon.com .

Dedication As always, to my supportive husband. He reads every book once it comes out and has been wonderful about letting me live my dream of being a full-time writer.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

A whisper of sound, so fragile it might have been only a fragment left over from a dream. Another woman might have burrowed back under the blankets, refusing to open her eyes as she willed herself back to sleep. Not Ellie Parker. Not only had the infant recently entrusted to her care awakened every protective instinct she possessed, but her past had made her overly wary.