Carla Cassidy - Sheltered By The Cowboy

In New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy’s latest thriller, a loner cowboy meets his match!

A man who keeps his secrets close to his chest, gruff rancher Brody Booth is used to things being complicated. The last thing he expects is for a beautiful woman to be his undoing. But Mandy Wright’s as unpredictable as the snowstorm that traps them together.

Mandy is independent and trusts no one. When it comes to relationships, she’s always the first to walk away. Letting Brody close enough to protect her from a killer feels strange—and thrilling. Having feelings for him is as risky as surrendering to the threat. Can she find a way to outrun danger and fall in love?

“I hope you don’t mind the candles. I always light a couple before I go to sleep.”

“I don’t mind,” he replied. Hell yes, he minded the candles that painted her face in beautiful shadows and light. Hell yes, he minded the candles that made the room feel so much smaller and much more intimate.

He walked over to the sofa and found a bed pillow and a soft, hot-pink blanket. He placed his gun on the coffee table, unfolded the blanket and then stretched out.

“Brody?”

“Yeah?” He answered without opening his eyes.

“Somehow, someway I’ll make this all up to you.”

Visions instantly exploded in his head, erotic visions of the two of them making love. He jerked his head to halt them. “You don’t have to make anything up to me.”

He couldn’t be her friend. She was too much of a temptation and he couldn’t be friends with a woman he wanted. He didn’t want to be friends with anyone.

He’d see her through this threat and then he had to walk away from her and never look back.

* * *

Be sure to check out the next books in this exciting series:

Cowboys of Holiday Ranch—Where sun, earth and hard work turn men into rugged cowboys…and irresistible heroes!

Sheltered by the Cowboy

Carla Cassidy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CARLA CASSIDYis an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who has written more than one hundred and twenty novels for Mills & Boon. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny . In 1998, she won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews . Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text In New York Times bestselling author Carla Cassidy’s latest thriller, a loner cowboy meets his match! A man who keeps his secrets close to his chest, gruff rancher Brody Booth is used to things being complicated. The last thing he expects is for a beautiful woman to be his undoing. But Mandy Wright’s as unpredictable as the snowstorm that traps them together. Mandy is independent and trusts no one. When it comes to relationships, she’s always the first to walk away. Letting Brody close enough to protect her from a killer feels strange—and thrilling. Having feelings for him is as risky as surrendering to the threat. Can she find a way to outrun danger and fall in love?

Introduction “I hope you don’t mind the candles. I always light a couple before I go to sleep.” “I don’t mind,” he replied. Hell yes, he minded the candles that painted her face in beautiful shadows and light. Hell yes, he minded the candles that made the room feel so much smaller and much more intimate. He walked over to the sofa and found a bed pillow and a soft, hot-pink blanket. He placed his gun on the coffee table, unfolded the blanket and then stretched out. “Brody?” “Yeah?” He answered without opening his eyes. “Somehow, someway I’ll make this all up to you.” Visions instantly exploded in his head, erotic visions of the two of them making love. He jerked his head to halt them. “You don’t have to make anything up to me.” He couldn’t be her friend. She was too much of a temptation and he couldn’t be friends with a woman he wanted. He didn’t want to be friends with anyone. He’d see her through this threat and then he had to walk away from her and never look back. * * * Be sure to check out the next books in this exciting series: Cowboys of Holiday Ranch —Where sun, earth and hard work turn men into rugged cowboys…and irresistible heroes!

Title Page Sheltered by the Cowboy Carla Cassidy www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author CARLA CASSIDY is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author who has written more than one hundred and twenty novels for Mills & Boon. In 1995, she won Best Silhouette Romance from RT Book Reviews for Anything for Danny . In 1998, she won a Career Achievement Award for Best Innovative Series from RT Book Reviews . Carla believes the only thing better than curling up with a good book to read is sitting down at the computer with a good story to write.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Amanda Wright hummed the tune of “Let It Snow” under her breath as she stamped her feet in an effort to get warm.

The short red Mrs. Santa costume she wore with the white faux fur around the bottom, the neckline and at the cuffs looked cute but did little to provide any real warmth. Wearing flesh-colored tights was almost like being bare-legged, and the short black leather boots on her feet were fashion-forward, but definitely not keeping her toes warm.

She could always step into the small wooden booth’s tiny back room, where an oil heater spewed out a bit of warmth, but it was almost time for her to pack it in for the day and she didn’t want to miss her last chance to help make a difference.

Darkness had fallen an hour before, and yet the streets of Bitterroot were aglow with the merry lights of the Christmas season. Illuminated red-and-white candy canes hung from every light pole and shoppers still scurried along the sidewalks, trying to get in last-minute supplies before a predicted big snowstorm struck.

Mandy loved this time of year, when the air smelled of evergreen wreaths and cinnamon sticks, and Christmas carols spilled out of every store doorway. Even though the holiday was still a little over two weeks away, Bitterroot was already in the spirit.

She smiled as she saw Butch Cooper approaching the booth. She had dated Butch for about a month and had only recently broken up with him. Thankfully, despite the breakup they had remained good friends.

“Buy a kiss for a dollar,” she said. “All proceeds go to the youth program.”

Butch pulled his wallet out of his pocket and withdrew a five-dollar bill. “I’ll just donate this to the cause,” he said and handed her the money.