Joanna Wayne - Ambush At Dry Gulch

Jake met Carolina’s steely gaze. “I’ve been way out of line. I jumped to conclusions and made a fool of myself.”

She gazed at him, the anger subsiding as a look of pleading burned in her eyes. “I don’t care what you think of me, Jake, but I’m begging you to contact your father, soon, before it’s too late. It would mean the world to him—and to me.”

Jake’s insides twisted. It was tearing him apart to look into her eyes and refuse her, but she had no idea what she was asking of him.

“I’ll think about it.” That was the most he could promise.

“Then I guess I’ll have to settle for that for now.” She turned away and resumed packing.

A protective urge hit him hard and fast. “I know I don’t really have a say in the matter, but I’d really like it if you’d spend the rest of the week at the

Silver Spur.”

“Why?”

To keep her safe. To keep her close. He wasn’t sure exactly which need was stronger at this moment.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JOANNA WAYNEbegan her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series, such as Sons of Troy Ledger and Big “D” Dads. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. You may write Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com.

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To my very patient and supportive editor, Denise Zaza, who believed in me enough to stand by me during recent health problems, and to my wonderful readers, who came to love the Lamberts and the Daltons (especially Texas rounder R.J. Dalton) as much as I do.

Contents

Cover

Introduction Jake met Carolina’s steely gaze. “I’ve been way out of line. I jumped to conclusions and made a fool of myself.” She gazed at him, the anger subsiding as a look of pleading burned in her eyes. “I don’t care what you think of me, Jake, but I’m begging you to contact your father, soon, before it’s too late. It would mean the world to him—and to me.” Jake’s insides twisted. It was tearing him apart to look into her eyes and refuse her, but she had no idea what she was asking of him. “I’ll think about it.” That was the most he could promise. “Then I guess I’ll have to settle for that for now.” She turned away and resumed packing. A protective urge hit him hard and fast. “I know I don’t really have a say in the matter, but I’d really like it if you’d spend the rest of the week at the Silver Spur.” “Why?” To keep her safe. To keep her close. He wasn’t sure exactly which need was stronger at this moment.

Title Page Ambush at Dry Gulch Joanna Wayne www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JOANNA WAYNE began her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series, such as Sons of Troy Ledger and Big “D” Dads. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. You may write Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com .

Dedication To my very patient and supportive editor, Denise Zaza, who believed in me enough to stand by me during recent health problems, and to my wonderful readers, who came to love the Lamberts and the Daltons (especially Texas rounder R.J. Dalton) as much as I do.

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

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Carolina Lambert shifted in the porch swing so that she could look her neighbor R.J. Dalton in the eye while they talked. He rocked back and forth in his chair, sometimes looking at her, more often staring into space.

Her heart ached at the way his body grew weaker each day. He had already beaten the odds by more than two years, but the inoperable tumor in his brain was relentless. It was only a matter of time and yet there was a peace to his spirits that she envied.

He sipped his black coffee, his wrinkled hands so unsteady that it took both of them to hold his mug. “I reckon Brit told you that you better get over here and check on the old man while she took Kimmie in for her checkup.”

“No one has to coax me. Spending time with you is always my pleasure,” Carolina said truthfully.

But he was right. Even with a precious baby girl to keep her busy, his daughter-in-law Brit had pretty much taken over the job of coordinating the family’s schedule so that R.J. was never alone for more than a few minutes at a time.

“I swear you dropped off Saint Peter’s coattail, Carolina. You’re the best danged neighbor a scoundrel like me ever had. Best looking, too. Can’t believe you’re still running around single. Hugh’s been dead what? Three? Four years now?”

“Four and a half.”

“That’s a long time to put your life on hold.”

“My life’s not on hold. I’m busy all the time with my family, friends like you and countless projects.”

“Not the same as having a lover.”

“Now, what are you doing even thinking about lovers at your age?”

“I’m not dead yet. If I was thirty years younger and not playing hide-and-seek with the grim reaper, I’d be after you quicker than hell can scorch a feather.”

“You’ve done more than your share of chasing women, Reuben Jackson Dalton.”

“I caught a few mighty fine ones, too.”

“So I’ve heard.”

He smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes cutting deep into the almost-translucent flesh. “Lived life on my terms, sorry as it was. By rights I ought to be drowning in regrets. Wasn’t for taking your advice about what to do with my ranch, I would be.”

“I can’t take credit for you turning your life around.”

“You don’t have to take it, by jiggers. I’m a-givin’ it to you. I offered to give you the Dry Gulch Ranch free and clear. You turned me down. Didn’t leave me much choice except to try your idea.”

“I suggested you leave the Dry Gulch Ranch to your family. That’s not a particularly inventive idea.”

“Sounded like crazy talk to me. Leave this ranch and what lottery winnings I had left to a bunch of strangers who wouldn’t have tipped their hats if I’d passed them on the street.”

“Until they got to know you.”

He nodded and rubbed his weathered, bony chin. “Blessing was I got to know them. Listen at me, talking about blessings. You have really rubbed off on me. Surprise, ain’t it, after me being a worthless rounder most of my eighty-plus ornery years?”