Rita Herron - Redemption At Hawk's Landing

A missing sister, a murdered father and a dangerous reunion years in the making.

The last place Honey Granger wants to be is Tumbleweed, Texas—the judgmental town that made her childhood a living hell. But when Sheriff Harrison Hawk informs her that her alcoholic father has been murdered, she reluctantly joins his investigation. The sexy sheriff has long suspected Honey’s father in his sister’s disappearance and vows to solve both mysteries. But keeping his professional distance from the vulnerable blonde proves nearly impossible. He’ll guard her 24/7 until her life is out of danger. But how will she feel if Harrison proves her father was a murderer?

Badge of Justice

“I’m going to find out who did this,” Harrison said. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Honey.”

She started to say something but he stopped her. “Shh.” He pressed his finger to her lips to quiet her. “I mean it. People in this town haven’t been nice to you and it’s not right. I should have stood up for you a long time ago, when we were kids.”

A blush stained her face and she averted her eyes as if bad memories had assaulted her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you of the past.”

“I can’t ever forget the past,” Honey said. “Not until we figure out if my father killed your sister.”

Their gazes locked. Tension escalated. Emotions and desires flamed between them.

She shivered and Harrison realized he’d wanted to soothe and protect and touch her ever since he’d seen her at the morgue.

No longer able to resist, he stroked her cheek with the back of his thumb, then lowered his head and kissed her.

Redemption at Hawk’s Landing

Rita Herron

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling author RITA HERRON wrote her first book when she was twelve but didn’t think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded storytelling to kids for writing romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. Rita lives in Georgia with her family. She loves to hear from readers, so please visit her website, www.ritaherron.com.

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To the fans of The Heroes of Horseshoe Creek series

who asked for another family—meet the Hawks!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A missing sister, a murdered father and a dangerous reunion years in the making. The last place Honey Granger wants to be is Tumbleweed, Texas—the judgmental town that made her childhood a living hell. But when Sheriff Harrison Hawk informs her that her alcoholic father has been murdered, she reluctantly joins his investigation. The sexy sheriff has long suspected Honey’s father in his sister’s disappearance and vows to solve both mysteries. But keeping his professional distance from the vulnerable blonde proves nearly impossible. He’ll guard her 24/7 until her life is out of danger. But how will she feel if Harrison proves her father was a murderer? Badge of Justice

Introduction “I’m going to find out who did this,” Harrison said. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Honey.” She started to say something but he stopped her. “Shh.” He pressed his finger to her lips to quiet her. “I mean it. People in this town haven’t been nice to you and it’s not right. I should have stood up for you a long time ago, when we were kids.” A blush stained her face and she averted her eyes as if bad memories had assaulted her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you of the past.” “I can’t ever forget the past,” Honey said. “Not until we figure out if my father killed your sister.” Their gazes locked. Tension escalated. Emotions and desires flamed between them. She shivered and Harrison realized he’d wanted to soothe and protect and touch her ever since he’d seen her at the morgue. No longer able to resist, he stroked her cheek with the back of his thumb, then lowered his head and kissed her.

Title Page Redemption at Hawk’s Landing Rita Herron www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author RITA HERRON wrote her first book when she was twelve but didn’t think real people grew up to be writers. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job. A former kindergarten teacher and workshop leader, she traded storytelling to kids for writing romance, and now she writes romantic comedies and romantic suspense. Rita lives in Georgia with her family. She loves to hear from readers, so please visit her website, www.ritaherron.com .

Dedication To the fans of The Heroes of Horseshoe Creek series who asked for another family—meet the Hawks!

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

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Excerpt

Copyright

Chapter One

The dead man lay sprawled on the mountain ridge at Dead Man’s Bluff, his eyes blank, his arm twisted at an odd angle.

He’d probably broken it in the fall. Blood matted his graying hair from where he’d hit the rock as he’d gone over the edge of the ridge.

Sheriff Harrison Hawk cursed. Dammit, he’d recognized him immediately.

Waylon Granger.

The man his mother blamed for his sister’s disappearance eighteen years ago. They’d never been able to prove he was at fault, though.

And now he was dead; they might never know the truth.

Curiosity over what had happened nagged at Harrison. Granger was a known drunk, and a mean one. Even his daughter, Honey, had left home after high school graduation to escape the bastard.

What was Granger doing here at Dead Man’s Bluff?

This was the teenage hangout—just as years ago he and his friends had been drawn to the swimming hole and dark mines with the mysterious ghost stories that surrounded them, the local high schoolers still frequented it.

The two thirteen-year-old boys who’d called in the body sat hunched by Granger’s rusty pickup, their young faces etched in horror.

The scent of death hit Harrison, the summer heat accentuating it.

Memories of the night his little sister, Chrissy, had gone missing bombarded him. The years since hadn’t dulled the pain or trauma. It felt as if it had happened yesterday.

He was seventeen at the time and supposed to babysit his siblings that night while his parents attended a party. Instead, he’d sneaked out to meet his buddies at this very place.