Tina Leonard - Belonging to Bandera

Bandera watched the rearview mirror. Holly was getting on the back of her cousin’s giant motorcycle. Even from this distance, it was easy to admire her nice long legs. “I never kiss women who practice seduction on the rebound,” he said.

The motorcycle was coming up behind them, traveling at a good clip. It passed them, and Holly waved, her long hair flying out from underneath the helmet. Watching the motorcycle carefully, he passed, wondering why it was slowing. Holly waved at him, her eyes alight with mischief; she raised her fingers and shot something through his open window.

He snatched it from his lap.

Mason sat up to stare over the seat at the lacy white missile. “It’s that thing the groom is supposed to throw to his groomsmen,” Mason said, shocked. “Whoever catches it is next to get married.” He recoiled as if the satin-and-lace circle might fly his way. “I’ve known grown men who wouldn’t even be in the same room with a garter!”

Bandera met his brother’s wide gaze in the mirror, his heart thundering harder than it ever had in his life. The satin felt slippery and unusual between his rough fingers.

“You caught it,” Mason said. “I hope you’re ready.”

Tina Leonard loves to laugh, which is one of the many reasons she loves writing Harlequin American Romance books. In another lifetime Tina thought she would be single and an East Coast fashion buyer forever. The unexpected happened when Tina met Tim again after many years—she hadn’t seen him since they’d attended school together from first through eighth grade. They married, and now Tina keeps a close eye on her school-age children’s friends! Lisa and Dean keep their mother busy with soccer, gymnastics and horseback riding. They are proud of their mom’s “kissy books” and eagerly help her any way they can. Tina hopes that readers will enjoy the love of family she writes about in her books. Recently a reviewer wrote, “Leonard has a wonderful sense of the ridiculous,” which Tina loved so much she wants it for her epitaph. Right now, however, she’s focusing on her wonderful life and writing a lot more romance! You can visit her at www.tinaleonard.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Mason (38), Maverick and Mercy’s eldest son— He can’t run away from his own heartache or The Family Problem.

Frisco Joe (37)—Fell hard for Annabelle Turnberry and has sweet Emmie to show for it. They live in Texas wine country.

Fannin (36)—Life can’t get better than cozying up with Kelly Stone and his darling twins in Ireland.

Laredo (35), twin to Tex—Loves Katy Goodnight, North Carolina and being the only brother with a reputation for winning his woman without staying on a bull.

Tex (35), twin to Laredo—Grower of roses and other plants, Tex fell for Cissy Kisserton and decided her water-bound way of life was best.

Calhoun (34)—Loves to paint nude women and he’s finally found Olivia Spinlove, the one woman who holds his heart.

Ranger (33), twin to Archer—Fell for Hannah Hotchkiss and will never leave the open road without her.

Archer (33), twin to Ranger—Sassy Aussie Clove Penmire came all the way from Australia to Texas and took his heart.

Crockett (31), twin to Navarro—He was the first artist in the family! And he wants everyone to know it.

Navarro (31), twin to Crockett—Fell for Nina Cakes when he was supposed to be watching her sister, Valentine, who is the mother of Last’s child.

Bandera (27)—Spouts poetry and has moved from Whitman to Frost—anything to keep his mind off the ranch’s troubles.

Last (26)—The only brother who has become a new father with no hope of marrying his child's mother. Will he ever find the happy ending he always wanted?

Many, many heartfelt thanks to my friends, the Gal Pals and the Scandalous Ladies, for being an endless source of support and enthusiasm. Georgia Haynes, thank you for being such an awesome proofreader and cheerleader.

Much love to Lisa and DeanO, for being my best friends.

As always, thank you to the wonderful people at Harlequin and eHarlequin for giving me a career—especially Stacy Boyd, for keeping me focused and working!

Finally, many thanks to all the readers out there who have enjoyed the Jefferson bad boys—your support has meant so much to me!

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

Epilogue

Effort separates the quitters from the rest— Maverick to his sons when they wanted to quit studying the great classics and read comics instead

“What I think,” Bandera Jefferson said, “is that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. Ernest Hemingway, in a not too kind moment, if you ask me.”

“What are you blabbing about?” Mason, Bandera’s oldest brother and head of the Jefferson family, demanded.

“I’m talking about our moved-to-town, much-missed next-door neighbor, Mimi. If she, as the new sheriff, wants you to be her deputy, you’d probably be the happiest you’ve ever been, because the path of the sword has always been your way.”

Mason grunted. “That soliloquy was philosophical and annoying all at once. And incorrect, I might add.”

“I took the road less traveled,” Bandera recited. “Frost, of course. I’ve been looking through Maverick’s old books, and did you know Dad liked to underline famous quotations?”

“Which is why you have a healthy respect for them. That doesn’t mean you know what you’re talking about, though.” Mason put his hat on before getting into his truck. “Famous quotations are only useful if you abide by their advice, Dad’s notwithstanding.”

“Where are you going?” Bandera demanded.

“None of thy business,” Mason said, “quoting me, in my favorite conversational tone, Butt-Out-Ski.”

“I don’t like it. It’s too lowbrow, not that I ever really understood the terminology of low and high brows. Where does a brow come into the picture, anyway?” Bandera murmured, his voice trailing off as he stared into Mason’s truck. “Hey, you’ve got a duffel in there! Stuffed full.”

Bandera remembered all too well the months that Mason had recently spent Lord knows where, leaving his younger brothers to run the family ranch, affectionately known as Malfunction Junction. “You can’t go off and leave us again! We’re bone thin at our place as it is. The ranch needs you. We need you.” He frowned, staring at his brother, who clearly wasn’t listening to him. “This is because of Mimi and that deputy stuff, isn’t it? Mason, listen. If you don’t want to run for deputy, tell her you’re not interested. Tell Mimi you’ll help with her campaign and that’s it. No more adventures. Say, ‘Mimi, our high jinks are at an end. You and I are no longer wayward kids.’ Quoth Bandera, from a trough of desperation, on an unseasonably hot Texas day in June.”

Mason shook his head. “I need to talk to Hawk, and maybe Jellyfish.”

“The phone’s in the kitchen,” Bandera said helpfully. “Or you can use my cell if yours is dead.”

“Gotta be in person.” Mason cranked the truck engine.