Colleen Thompson - Lone Star Survivor

A soldier’s memories are more dangerous than anything he’s encountered in the line of duty

“Killed in action” a year ago, US Army captain Ian Rayford shocks everyone when he stumbles half-dead onto his family’s Texas ranch. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Ian can barely remember his relatives. His former fiancée, a psychologist specializing in PTSD, arrives to help Ian recover. But not everyone wants her to unearth the dangerous secrets he’s carrying.

Now engaged to another man, Dr. Andrea Warrington fights her feelings for Ian even as she helps him remember how much they once loved each other. Yet the closer Ian gets to his past, the more someone else has to ensure the treacherous truth stays buried.

“You really think you’re up to riding fences with me all day?” Ian asked.

Andrea nodded. “I want to try.”

“Well, maybe I don’t want to play nursemaid to some greenhorn.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, he felt a stab of regret. He was being a jerk, he realized, punishing her for…

Had she broken up with him, or was he the one who’d left her? When he reached back for the memory, he found only a black fog of loss and pain—that, and the nameless anxiety that stalked him day and night.

There’s something important you’re forgetting. Something so big the weight of it will crush you flat when it finally comes.

“You don’t know what you want, Ian. That’s the problem. But I might be able to help you with that.”

“I want to be left to my work, alone.”

“I’m coming with you,” she insisted. Emotion rippled through her words, real emotion as the mask of compassionate professionalism slipped a little. “I’ve really missed the man I knew.”

“That man’s gone forever.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Extract Copyright ,

I’ve always loved stories of second chances, of lovers or siblings or parents and lost children reunited long after hope was lost of a successful reunion. There is something about severed bonds that the mind keeps turning back to in quiet moments, probing the wound the way one might check an empty socket for a missing tooth.

Maybe because we’ve all pondered impossible reunions I was drawn to this story of a “lost soldier,” Ian Rayford, who, long after having been presumed dead, miraculously finds his way home, his journey made possible by the memory of the woman he loves. But so many other memories are missing, from those of what really happened during a torturous period of confinement to an earlier breakup with his love and the estrangement with his proud but troubled ranching family.

Finding his way back home from hell required one miracle. But finding his way back to his grieving family and especially to Andrea, who believes she has moved on with her life since Ian’s death was initially reported, may take the greatest miracle of all…especially when it’s clear that someone—perhaps the government itself—is willing to go to almost any lengths to stop Ian from remembering the secrets still locked up inside him.

I hope you’ll enjoy this story of a true Lone Star survivor and take a moment to appreciate the sacrifices of so many still struggling to find their own way home.

Colleen Thompson

Lone Star Survivor

Colleen Thompson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Colleen Thompson

After beginning her career writing historical romance novels, in 2004 Colleen turned to writing the contemporary romantic suspense she loves. Since then, her work has been honored with a Texas Gold Award, along with nominations for a RITA® Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and multiple reviewers’ choice honors. She has also received starred reviews from RT Book Reviews and Publishers Weekly. A former teacher living with her family in the Houston area, Colleen has a passion for reading, hiking and dog rescue. Visit her online at colleen-thompson.com.

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To the father who first taught me that a true hero is not the man who talks about it but the man who quietly, steadfastly loves and supports throughout the years.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A soldier’s memories are more dangerous than anything he’s encountered in the line of duty “Killed in action” a year ago, US Army captain Ian Rayford shocks everyone when he stumbles half-dead onto his family’s Texas ranch. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Ian can barely remember his relatives. His former fiancée, a psychologist specializing in PTSD, arrives to help Ian recover. But not everyone wants her to unearth the dangerous secrets he’s carrying. Now engaged to another man, Dr. Andrea Warrington fights her feelings for Ian even as she helps him remember how much they once loved each other. Yet the closer Ian gets to his past, the more someone else has to ensure the treacherous truth stays buried.

Introduction “You really think you’re up to riding fences with me all day?” Ian asked. Andrea nodded. “I want to try.” “Well, maybe I don’t want to play nursemaid to some greenhorn.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, he felt a stab of regret. He was being a jerk, he realized, punishing her for… Had she broken up with him, or was he the one who’d left her? When he reached back for the memory, he found only a black fog of loss and pain—that, and the nameless anxiety that stalked him day and night. There’s something important you’re forgetting. Something so big the weight of it will crush you flat when it finally comes. “You don’t know what you want, Ian. That’s the problem. But I might be able to help you with that.” “I want to be left to my work, alone.” “I’m coming with you,” she insisted. Emotion rippled through her words, real emotion as the mask of compassionate professionalism slipped a little. “I’ve really missed the man I knew.” “That man’s gone forever.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Extract Copyright , I’ve always loved stories of second chances, of lovers or siblings or parents and lost children reunited long after hope was lost of a successful reunion. There is something about severed bonds that the mind keeps turning back to in quiet moments, probing the wound the way one might check an empty socket for a missing tooth. Maybe because we’ve all pondered impossible reunions I was drawn to this story of a “lost soldier,” Ian Rayford, who, long after having been presumed dead, miraculously finds his way home, his journey made possible by the memory of the woman he loves. But so many other memories are missing, from those of what really happened during a torturous period of confinement to an earlier breakup with his love and the estrangement with his proud but troubled ranching family. Finding his way back home from hell required one miracle. But finding his way back to his grieving family and especially to Andrea, who believes she has moved on with her life since Ian’s death was initially reported, may take the greatest miracle of all…especially when it’s clear that someone—perhaps the government itself—is willing to go to almost any lengths to stop Ian from remembering the secrets still locked up inside him. I hope you’ll enjoy this story of a true Lone Star survivor and take a moment to appreciate the sacrifices of so many still struggling to find their own way home. Colleen Thompson