Lindsay McKenna - Deadly Identity

“McKenna’s latest is an intriguing tale…a unique twist on the romance novel, and one that’s sure to please.”

—RT Book Reviews on Dangerous Prey

“Riveting.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Quest

“An absorbing debut for the Nocturne line.”

—RT Book Reviews on Unforgiven

“Gunfire, emotions, suspense, tension, and sexuality abound in this fast-paced, absorbing novel.”

—Affaire de Coeur on Wild Woman

“Another masterpiece.”

—Affaire de Coeur on Enemy Mine

“Emotionally charged…riveting and deeply touching.”

—RT Book Reviews on Firstborn

“Ms. McKenna brings readers along for a fabulous odyssey in which complex characters experience the danger, passion and beauty of the mystical jungle.”

—RT Book Reviews on Man of Passion

“Talented Lindsay McKenna delivers excitement and romance in equal measure.”

—RT Book Reviews on Protecting His Own

“Lindsay McKenna will have you flying with the daring and deadly women pilots who risk their lives… Buckle in for the ride of your life.”

—Writers Unlimited on Heart of Stone

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Dear Reader,

I’m very excited to offer the second book in my new series set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! This place is a little-known gem in the Rocky Mountains and is near the Grand Tetons, a magnificent row of dragon’s-teeth mountains. Jackson Hole is fifty miles south of Yellowstone National Park. And, if you have been to the Grand Tetons National Park (only fifteen miles north of Jackson Hole), then you’ve been through this town created by fur trappers. Jackson Hole, the Palm Springs of the Rockies, has an amazing mix of ranchers, cowboys, miners, oil barons, new millionaires, old money, Washington, D.C. power players, Hollywood stars and international tycoons, all thrown together with fascinating results.

Many of you have continued to read my Morgan’s Mercenaries stories. Don’t worry! More stories are on the way. In the meantime, Deadly Identity introduces you to sheriff’s deputy Cade Garner, who has just adopted his best friend’s baby girl and needs a nanny. By sheer luck, he runs into Rachel, a beautiful young woman who is new to town. The only problem is that Rachel is not who she seems to be. Cade falls for her beauty and gentleness. Her love of his new daughter is genuine. And yet, something is wrong. Can he sort out this mystery before danger strikes? Turn the page and find out!

Lindsay McKenna

To the Teton County Sheriff’s Department.

Thank you.

And to Tara Parsons, Senior Editor for HQN Books, who is giving me a chance to spread my wings even more.

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

“YOU’RE A DEAD WOMAN if you don’t get over here.”

The voice sent a chill down Susan’s back and she did all she could to keep from screaming. As they stood in the kitchen, her husband of five years, Dirk Payson, cocked his fist. She had just dropped the plate with his breakfast eggs on them. The moment it shattered on the floor, Dirk leaped up from the table, rage in his face. It had been an accident, and yet, as she peered into his wild-looking blue eyes, she knew. A sickening dread washed over her while she quickly picked up the pieces of the broken plate off the floor.

“I—I’m sorry, Dirk…it won’t happen again,” she whispered, her hands trembling as she gathered up the pieces. One of the shards of the glass plate cut her index finger. Susan didn’t feel the pain or the warm blood that flowed from the deep cut. The agony and fear clutching at her heart took most of her attention—that and not making Dirk even angrier. Breathing like an enraged bull, he stood near the table, as if frozen for a second. Was he ready to hit her again? Oh, God, no!

Susan’s mind sought the closest escape. She was six months pregnant and had to protect her growing baby. The last time Dirk had struck her—two months earlier—he’d broken her nose. Why did he want to hurt her like this? Why couldn’t she do anything right for him? No matter what Susan did, it was wrong for Dirk. And Dirk was there to correct her with his fists.

“You bitch!” he rasped savagely, taking a step forward. “You ruined my breakfast, dammit! I was hungry!”

“I—I’m sorry, Dirk. I—I’ll make you another plate of eggs. Just give me a chance?” Her voice sounded breathless and frightened. Susan placed pieces of the plate on the granite counter. With a dishcloth, she rapidly cleaned the eggs up off the floor, as well. Susan could feel adrenaline shooting through her. She needed to run! The look in Dirk’s eyes was deadly this time. He wanted to do more than break her nose. Mouth dry, her hands shaking, Susan cleaned herself up under a stream of water from the faucet.

“Please…give me just a few minutes, Dirk. I’ll fix some more eggs just the way you like them.”

“I’m tired of you. I bet that baby isn’t even mine!” That’s when he lunged.

Susan screamed as his fingers wrapped around the long, blond hair that hung down her back. Wrenched backward, she felt her feet fly out from beneath her. Red-hot pain radiated from her scalp. She slammed onto the cold, hard floor. Susan threw up her hands to try and stop Dirk’s other fist from striking her face.

But as she tried to twist away, he leaned over, his fist sinking hard into her protruding belly.

“No!” Susan shrieked from the impact, the pain flooding her. On instinct, she pulled out of his grip, strands of her hair still in his fist.

“Bitch! You’re gonna die!”

Everything became slow motion for Susan. Somehow, she found the strength to rise, her hand across her belly where her baby lay. The pain was far too intense but she had to get away. She grabbed the handle of the black iron skillet and swung it at Dirk as he launched himself at her once again. Her entire arm vibrated from the sudden impact with his skull.

To her disbelief, he fell like a pile of rags on the floor. He had a huge gash across his brow, but at least she’d stopped him. Maybe forever. Tears splattered from her eyes. Tears of pain. She could have stood there for hours but for the sudden ripping sensation through her abdomen.

Please don’t let me lose my baby! A baby she’d wanted all her twenty-three years of life. Susan had endured Dirk’s beatings just to bring this beautiful, clean, innocent baby into the world.

Gasping, Susan saw everything begin to gray before her eyes. She had to escape! She had to get out of here before Dirk woke up! When he did, he’d kill her and her baby. Something raw and primal surged through her. Susan staggered forward, both hands covering her belly. Though she prayed to God that He would save her baby, Susan felt she might die.