Barb Han - Texas Takedown

He pulled his hand back, gathered up used supplies and tossed them into the garbage.

“Okay.” She bit back a yawn as he turned off the light.

He hadn’t wanted to admit just how freaked out he’d been when he saw that she’d been shot. He’d stayed calm for her benefit.

Dylan couldn’t even think about losing her, too. Where’d that come from?

Thankfully, Samantha would be all right.

“Will you come over here?” Her sweet, sleepy voice wasn’t helping with his arousal.

The room had just enough light to see big objects without being able to tell what they were. His own adrenaline was fading, leaving him fatigued.

He walked over and sat down. She took his hand. Hers was so small in comparison, so soft.

“Will you lie next to me?” she asked in that sexy sleepy voice. “Just until I fall asleep?”

Texas Takedown

Barb Han

www.millsandboon.co.uk

BARB HANlives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com.

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My deepest thanks go to my editor, Allison Lyons, and agent, Jill Marsal. The chance to work with both of you is truly a gift.

There are three people in this world who always inspire me, bring me joy and laughter, and teach me to be the best person I can be. I love you, Brandon (Hook’em Horns), Jacob and Tori.

To my husband, John, because you are the best part of all of it.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “You haven’t slept. Do me a favor and try to close your eyes.” He pulled his hand back, gathered up used supplies and tossed them into the garbage. “Okay.” She bit back a yawn as he turned off the light. He hadn’t wanted to admit just how freaked out he’d been when he saw that she’d been shot. He’d stayed calm for her benefit. Dylan couldn’t even think about losing her, too. Where’d that come from? Thankfully, Samantha would be all right. “Will you come over here?” Her sweet, sleepy voice wasn’t helping with his arousal. The room had just enough light to see big objects without being able to tell what they were. His own adrenaline was fading, leaving him fatigued. He walked over and sat down. She took his hand. Hers was so small in comparison, so soft. “Will you lie next to me?” she asked in that sexy sleepy voice. “Just until I fall asleep?”

Title Page Texas Takedown Barb Han www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author BARB HAN lives in north Texas with her very own hero-worthy husband, three beautiful children, a spunky golden retriever/standard poodle mix and too many books in her to-read pile. In her downtime, she plays video games and spends much of her time on or around a basketball court. She loves interacting with readers and is grateful for their support. You can reach her at www.barbhan.com .

Dedication My deepest thanks go to my editor, Allison Lyons, and agent, Jill Marsal. The chance to work with both of you is truly a gift. There are three people in this world who always inspire me, bring me joy and laughter, and teach me to be the best person I can be. I love you, Brandon (Hook’em Horns), Jacob and Tori. To my husband, John, because you are the best part of all of it.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Difficult didn’t begin to cover the past year for Dylan Jacobs. Not only had he discovered that he was a father, but he’d learned the mother who’d kept the baby from him was terminally ill. He’d wanted to be angry with her on both counts, but his frustration had died on the vine with every step toward the hospital where she lay losing her grip on life. And once he’d looked into his daughter’s green eyes—a perfect reflection of his—he’d been wrapped around that little girl’s finger.

Falling in love with Maribel had been the easy part. She had rosy cherub cheeks, dark curls for days and a laugh brighter than the Texas sun. Caring for a two-year-old who’d just lost everything known to her, everything comfortable, had been harder than his tour in Afghanistan.

What a difference a year made.

Dylan squatted at the end of the hallway just out of sight, listening intently as the sounds of Maribel’s electric toothbrush hummed, then died. The pitter-patter of her bare feet on bamboo flooring in the hallway came next. She knew the drill, the same ritual they’d performed every morning since she’d come to live with him in Mason Ridge. She’d be on the lookout, ready to find Da-da.

Her giggle was like spring air, breathing life into everything around her. And he’d been on a certain path of destruction before she came into his life.

The tap-tap-tap of her footsteps stopped at the end of the hall. She’d expected to find him by now.

“Da-da.”

He rolled and landed with his back against the floor a few feet away, arms spread open.

She jumped, squealed and clapped all at once. A second later, she launched herself on top of him. “Da-da!”

Thanks to reflexes honed by the US Army, he caught her in time.

“Airplane, Da-da,” she said. Her r came out as a w .

Dylan extended his arms and made her fly. “Mrrrrrr, mrrrrrrr.”

A knock at the back door interrupted their playtime. It was probably for the best. Maribel shouldn’t be late to preschool again. Dylan didn’t think he could stomach another disapproving look from Mrs. Applebee. He might not be the most punctual guy when it came to dropping his daughter off at school, but no one could argue his love for the child. Not even stern-faced, disapproving Applebee. She might run a tight ship, but her heart was pure gold. More important, she loved Maribel.

He set his little girl on her feet next to him. “Daddy needs a favor. Go to your room, put on your shoes and grab your backpack.”

She planted her balled fist on her little hip and argued for a little more time as a plane.

The knock came louder this time. Dylan didn’t like the sense of urgency it carried. “When you get home from school today, I promise. Okay, Bel?”

She pursed her lips and narrowed her gaze.

“And we can have ice cream after,” he threw in to tip the scale in his favor. “You don’t want to miss your field trip to Dinosaur Park.”

“Ho-kay” came out on a sigh. She turned and bolted toward her room. Toddlers had one speed. It was full tilt.

Dylan popped to his feet in one swift motion and crossed to the kitchen, his muscles still warm from his early-morning push-ups. He liked to get his workout in before Maribel opened her eyes. When she was awake, his full attention was on her, had to be on her. Three-year-olds had no sense of danger.