Virginia Vaughan - Ranch Refuge

HER COWBOY BODYGUARD

Laura Jackson trusts no man—especially after her father’s gambling debts force her into the crosshairs of a ruthless loan shark. But when fearless army-ranger-turned-cowboy Colton Blackwell charges in to save her from the barrel of a gun, the self-reliant nurse must accept his help. Whisking Laura away to his secluded Louisiana ranch doesn’t provide the sanctuary Colton planned. But he intends to keep his promise to protect her, despite secrets in his past that could drive her away. Laura may have a bounty on her head, but the only thing at risk under Colton’s care will be her heart.

“Have you ever fired a gun?”

”No.” Nor did she want to. Although she had a feeling she might have to.

“You should know that I always have one on me.” He opened his jacket to reveal a holstered weapon. “As a ranger, it was my job to go into an area and clear it of enemy risks. It taught me never to be afraid. Fear is your worst enemy in battle.”

She suspected he didn’t fear anything or anyone. He’d swooped in to save her, facing death to protect someone he didn’t even know.

She felt a rush of gratitude. So much for keeping a level head around him. She stared up into his face. “Thanks for helping me, Colton. I don’t know what would have happened to me…” She fought back tears.

His eyes met hers. “I’ll keep you safe, Laura. I promise.”

How long had it been since she’d been able to trust a man?

And why did she want so badly to believe in this one?

VIRGINIA VAUGHAN is a born-and-raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself. You can connect with Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com, or through the publisher.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,

nor His ear too dull to hear.

—Isaiah 59:1

This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have seen me through the ups and downs of life, always preparing me for what is to come and helping me to stand strong against the storms.

Also, to my sister, Lisa, for your nursing expertise that greatly added to the authenticity of this story.

Contents

COVER

BACK COVER TEXT HER COWBOY BODYGUARD Laura Jackson trusts no man—especially after her father’s gambling debts force her into the crosshairs of a ruthless loan shark. But when fearless army-ranger-turned-cowboy Colton Blackwell charges in to save her from the barrel of a gun, the self-reliant nurse must accept his help. Whisking Laura away to his secluded Louisiana ranch doesn’t provide the sanctuary Colton planned. But he intends to keep his promise to protect her, despite secrets in his past that could drive her away. Laura may have a bounty on her head, but the only thing at risk under Colton’s care will be her heart.

INTRODUCTION “Have you ever fired a gun?” ”No.” Nor did she want to. Although she had a feeling she might have to. “You should know that I always have one on me.” He opened his jacket to reveal a holstered weapon. “As a ranger, it was my job to go into an area and clear it of enemy risks. It taught me never to be afraid. Fear is your worst enemy in battle.” She suspected he didn’t fear anything or anyone. He’d swooped in to save her, facing death to protect someone he didn’t even know. She felt a rush of gratitude. So much for keeping a level head around him. She stared up into his face. “Thanks for helping me, Colton. I don’t know what would have happened to me…” She fought back tears. His eyes met hers. “I’ll keep you safe, Laura. I promise.” How long had it been since she’d been able to trust a man? And why did she want so badly to believe in this one?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR VIRGINIA VAUGHAN is a born-and-raised Mississippi girl. She is blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted around the dinner table. She was a lover of books from a young age, devouring tales of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself. You can connect with Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com , or through the publisher.

TITLE PAGE Ranch Refuge Virginia Vaughan www.millsandboon.co.uk

BIBLE VERSE Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. —Isaiah 59:1

DEDICATION This book is dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You have seen me through the ups and downs of life, always preparing me for what is to come and helping me to stand strong against the storms. Also, to my sister, Lisa, for your nursing expertise that greatly added to the authenticity of this story.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

EPILOGUE

DEAR READER

EXTRACT

COPYRIGHT

ONE

Laura Jackson quickened her pace as she headed for her car. The parking lot had been full of activity when she’d arrived for work at the River City Medical Center at seven this morning, but now, after a nearly sixteen-hour shift, the employee parking lot was all but deserted. Her car sat in the back of the lot, along with a handful of other vehicles of shift workers, abandoned for the night.

The streetlamps illuminated a scattered area of the dark lot, but her car was on the back row, past the safety of the bright lights. Although she’d initially toyed with the idea of calling the security office for an escort, she’d opted against it because she hadn’t felt like waiting for them to arrive. She was ready to get home, into her own bed, and try to get some rest. Wiping away a trickle of sweat from her brow, Laura hiked her backpack up on her shoulder as she crossed the parking lot. The Louisiana summer night was muggy and added to the lethargy she was already feeling. As an ER nurse, she was accustomed to the long shifts at the hospital, used to operating on only a few hours of sleep, but lately something else had been keeping her up, even on her nights off work.

She stopped short when a man stepped from between two rows of cars. He nodded at her, then leaned against the back of a truck, seemingly paying her no more attention. He was tall and good-looking, dressed in boots and jeans, and, even without a hat on his head, she could tell he was a cowboy. Laura continued past him, her senses on high alert for anything suspicious. As she walked past, she felt his eyes follow her, watching as she neared her car.

She readied her keys, prepared to do battle against him if necessary. She hated how her mind automatically moved toward evil intentions. A few weeks ago she might have smiled flirtatiously at the ruggedly handsome cowboy or confronted the man and demanded to know why he was lurking around the parking lot. But that was before the notes began...before the late-night visits from Chuck Randall and his goon squad...before she’d learned her father had done the unthinkable and promised loan sharks and bookies that Laura would cover his gambling debts. Was this cowboy one of those men who’d come to try to collect from her? She’d made herself clear. She wasn’t paying. And she certainly wasn’t interested in anything else Randall wanted from her, either.