Alice Sharpe - Cowboy Cavalry

A cowboy with a lot to prove meets his match when he falls for a mysterious beauty...

The truth about his family’s past has always haunted rancher Frankie Hastings. Determined to prove what happened more than a century ago, the black-sheep brother plans to chronicle the story in a documentary. But a mysterious descendant connected to that truth could jeopardize everything. So charming Kate West becomes the first step in securing her support. Falling for the gorgeous skeptic is a welcome follow-up. And yet, despite their electric attraction, it’s clear Kate’s mind is filled with things beyond their sizzling kisses. Then his simple project turns deadly and Frankie has more questions than answers. Like how far will he go to protect the woman he suddenly can’t live without?

He could not shake the feeling something was wrong or deny his desire to try to get her to open up.

“See you tomorrow,” she said, still holding on to her pack.

“It shouldn’t take me long,” he said. “I’ll be back before noon.”

“Noon,” she repeated as though committing it to memory.

“Yes. Well, good night,” he said, and damn if he didn’t feel a pull toward touching her lips with his, and double damn if she didn’t seem to broadcast the hope he would do just that.

They both stepped back at the same time. As he walked down the short hallway back to the kitchen, he heard the door close and the lock click behind him.

He’d never been around a woman who sent so many mixed messages. Messages he was desperate to explore.

Cowboy Cavalry

Alice Sharpe

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ALICE SHARPEmet her husband-to-be on a cold, foggy beach in Northern California. Their union has survived the rearing of two children, a handful of earthquakes, numerous cats and a few special dogs. Alice and her husband now live near Portland, Oregon, where she devotes the majority of her time to pursuing her second love, writing. Please visit her at www.alicesharpe.comfor information about upcoming titles.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

Frankie Hastings—The youngest of the Hastings brothers, Frankie has been living with secrets his whole life—not only his but his mother’s unrevealed past, as well. A run-in with an enigmatic beauty fuels his desire to take back his future. Now the goal becomes making sure they both survive to see it.

Kate West—She’s desperately trying to keep her ailing grandmother afloat. When an opportunity to ensure security arises, she vows she’ll take it no matter the cost to her peace of mind; she doesn’t count on the cost to her heart.

Dave Dalton—He has something he wants to talk to Frankie about, something that could change everything. Is it true a dead man can’t tell tales?

Gary Dodge—A producer intent on helping Frankie realize his dream to film a documentary about a one-hundred-year-old event. Is that his only intention?

Jay Thurman—He represents a part of Frankie’s past that Frankie has tried to overcome. He’s back now, meaner than ever, more determined to get “what’s his,” and he doesn’t care who he has to destroy to do it.

Patrick Lowell—The documentary team’s fuddy-duddy historian is positive there’s gold buried on Hastings land. If he’s right, its discovery will make a heck of an ending for the film.

Ed Hoskins—Does this numismatist hold the key Frankie needs to unlock the deadly mystery of his past?

Gerard, Chance and Pike Hastings—Frankie’s brothers swear to stand—or fall—together.

Sara Kane—This grieving daughter has a hundred thousand reasons to support her conviction that her father did not commit suicide.

This book is dedicated to my family, who make

everything worth doing. I love you all.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Dedication

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Kate took a seat at an outdoor waterfront table and settled back to wait. She was purposefully early, wanting time to catch her breath, to go over what she would say and how. Normal life as of late afforded few opportunities for introspection and as she closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun, she realized she was a little rusty when it came to intrigue.

No matter. She may have grown up here in Seattle, but she’d spent the last eight years in Arizona and appreciated the rare May warmth currently caressing her skin. When was the last time she’d been free to just sit for a few moments without distraction? She couldn’t remember, and even now, the urge to get back prevented her from fully living in this moment.

“Kate West?” a male voice inquired and she opened her eyes with a start. She glanced up to find a man of about thirty staring down at her. Sun-streaked brown hair combed away from his forehead framed bluish gray eyes that echoed the water sparkling behind him.

“Yes, I’m Kate,” she said.

“I knew it.” His smile was dazzling as he offered his hand. “Gary Dodge told me to look for a stunning blonde.”

“You must be Frank Hastings,” she said, suppressing laughter and an eye roll. She was well aware she looked dog-tired, worn-out and frazzled.

“Please, call me Frankie,” he said as he released her fingers. “May I sit down?”

She nodded and watched as he took a seat across from her. She’d seen his picture so she’d known he was attractive, but the photograph hadn’t caught the energy pulsing through his body. It also hadn’t caught the lively curiosity behind his eyes. Her confidence in her ability to stay one step ahead of him took a nosedive as he returned her gaze with open appraisal.

She knew that along with his father and brothers he ran a huge ranch in Central Idaho. Assumedly, he had picked up the golden tan of his skin the honest way, by being outside but there was also something decidedly uncowboylike about him, too, and that was interesting.

He smiled again as though aware she was sizing him up. The whites of his eyes and teeth almost glowed in his face and she found herself comparing him to her ex. She looked down at her hands immediately. Thinking about an ex-boyfriend wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She warned herself to concentrate on her grandmother.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

She ran fingers across her brow and shook her head. “No.”

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me,” he added as a waiter showed up. He ordered crab cakes and a salad, without glancing at the menu. She ordered iced tea and nothing else. “I’ve heard about your...issue with our project,” he added after the waiter left. “I’m anxious to set your mind at ease.”