Carol Finch - Cooper's Woman

“I’m not completely without resources,” she murmured as she moved toward him. “I brought a bottle of wine. Would you like a drink?”

“No, thanks. I’m already drunk on the sight of you.”

“I didn’t come here for flattery,” she said. “I told you that I get all the empty praise I can stand from other men.”

“Then what do you want from me, princess—?”

His breath gave out when she reached up to unfasten the top button of his shirt. Then the second and third buttons came undone—along with his willpower. His heart thudded against his chest so hard he thought the blow might have broken a rib.

“I’ve decided I want the same thing from you that you said you wanted from me,” she whispered. “I want to be naked with you, Coop. Do you have any objections?”

Cooper’s Woman

Harlequin ®Historical

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“Carol Finch is known for her lightning-fast, roller-coaster-ride adventure romances that are brimming over with a large cast of characters and dozens of perilous escapades.”

—Romantic Times BOOK reviews

McCavett’s Bride

“For wild adventures, humor and Western atmosphere, Finch can’t be beat. She fires off her quick-paced novels with the crack of a rifle and creates the atmosphere of the Wild West through laugh-out-loud dialogue and escapades that keep you smiling.”

—Romantic Times BOOK reviews

The Ranger’s Woman

“Finch delivers her signature humor, along with a big dose of colorful Texas history, in a love and laughter romp.”

—Romantic Times BOOK reviews

Lone Wolf’s Woman

“As always, Finch provides frying-pan-into-the-fire action that keeps the pages flying, then spices up her story with not one, but two romances, sensuality and strong emotions.”

—Romantic Times BOOK reviews

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

This book is dedicated to my husband, Ed, and our children

Christie, Jill, Kurt, Jon and Shawnna. And to our grandchildren,

Kennedy, Blake, Brooklynn and Livia with much love.

Call of the White Wolf #592

Bounty Hunter’s Bride #635

Oklahoma Bride #686

Texas Bride #711

The Last Honest Outlaw #732

The Ranger’s Woman #748

Lone Wolf’s Woman #778

The Ranger #805

Fletcher’s Woman #832

McCavett’s Bride #852

Cooper’s Woman #897

Other works include:

Silhouette Special Edition

Not Just Another Cowboy #1242

Soul Mates #1320

Harlequin American Romance

Cupid and the Cowboy #1055

Harlequin Duets

Fit To Be Tied #36

A Regular Joe #45

Mr. Predictable #62

The Family Feud #72

* Lonesome Ryder? #81

* Restaurant Romeo #81

* Fit To Be Frisked #105

* Mr. Cool Under Fire #105

#895 WESTERN WEDDINGS

Jillian Hart, Kate Bridges and Charlene Sands

You are cordially invited to three weddings in the Old West this May!

Three favorite authors, three blushing brides, three heartwarming stories—just perfect for spring!

#896 NOTORIOUS RAKE, INNOCENT LADY

—Bronwyn Scott

Her virginity would be sold to the highest bidder! Determined not to enter into an arranged marriage, Julia could see no way out—unless she could seduce the notorious Black Rake…. Harlequin ®Historical is loosening the laces with our newest, hottest, sexiest miniseries, Undone!

#898 TAKEN BY THE VIKING—Michelle Styles

A dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland. Now she must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive and a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms! Viking’s slave or Viking’s mistress? Annis must choose in this powerful, sensual story!

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

Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, 1880s

Alexa Quinn stood tensely in the doorway of the ballroom. Although the last half-dozen guests were milling about, her attention and her thoughts fixated on her father and Elliot Webster. The pair stood beside the fireplace, each with a drink in hand. Elliot had dogged Alexa’s steps most of the evening and she sincerely hoped he hadn’t pulled her father aside to ask for her hand in marriage. Dissatisfied as she was with her life, it would be infinitely more boring if she married Elliot. Even his dashing good looks, wealth and outward charm couldn’t overshadow the fact that Alexa didn’t like him.

She had learned to trust her instincts, as they pertained to zealous suitors, and they hadn’t failed her yet.

“You’ve done it again, my dear,” Benjamin Porter praised as he approached. “No one hosts a better party in Santa Fe. I’m sure your father is exceptionally proud of your skills.”

Alexa dragged her anxious gaze away from her father and Elliot Webster to nod graciously to the short, pasty-faced math whiz who was one of her father’s closest advisors. “Thank you, Ben. I appreciate that.”

The truth was that Alexa didn’t give a whit if she could organize a political or social function for her father and see that it ran smoothly. Harold Quinn might have fulfilled his ambitions as the territorial governor’s appointed director of finance, who also served in several other capacities, and was considered the governor’s most trusted counselor. She even understood that her father was preoccupied with his administrative duties to serve the greater good. Still, it was hard on her pride to know that her father saw right past her more often than not. Furthermore, he hadn’t realized her potential. That cut her to the core.

Her ambition extended beyond social director for his political gatherings. Her soul was screaming for the opportunity to find her true calling. She definitely couldn’t find it if her father consented to a match with Elliot Webster.

After Ben Porter strode out the door, Ambrose Shelton approached. “Your party was passable,” he remarked as he straightened the cuff of his black jacket.

You sourpuss, thought Alexa. The puffy-jowled, round bellied gent never failed to find more fault than praise with his acquaintances. According to her father, Ambrose Shelton had a brilliant political mind. His perspectives and guidance were invaluable.