B.J. Daniels - Dead Ringer

Can a stubborn cowboy recapture the one who got away?

Ledger McGraw may know all about horses, but he doesn’t know anything about the lie that broke up his first romance with waitress Abby Pierce. Abby, tricked into marrying the wrong man, is at the end of her tether in her abusive relationship. When she learns the truth about her terrible marriage, she becomes desperate to escape it—before her jealous husband kills her.

Though Ledger’s heart was wounded by Abby, he’ll still do anything to protect her and free her from her violent spouse. He’s determined to win her back and reignite their passion…

“Where are you taking me?” Abby asked from the passenger seat of the pickup.

He could tell that each word hurt her to speak. He would have brought the Suburban so she could lie down in the back but he hadn’t known how badly she was hurt.

“To the hospital,” he said.

“No!” She tried to sit up straight but cried out in pain and held her rib cage. “That’s the first place he’ll look for me.”

“Abby, you need medical attention.”

“Please.”

He quickly relented. He couldn’t let Wade near this woman, which meant no hospital. At least for now.

“I’ll take you to the ranch and call our family doctor. But, Abby, if he says you have to go to the hospital—”

“Then I’ll go.” She lay back and closed her eyes. “I didn’t want you involved.”

“I’ve always been involved, because I’ve always loved you.”

She said nothing. He could tell that she was in a lot of pain. It had him boiling inside. If he could find Wade right now…

Dead Ringer

B.J. Daniels

www.millsandboon.co.uk

B.J. DANIELS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor.

This book is dedicated to JoAnn Hammond, who was one of the first in Whitewater to read one of my books :) So glad we got to know each other—and share a love for quilting and reading.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Can a stubborn cowboy recapture the one who got away? Ledger McGraw may know all about horses, but he doesn’t know anything about the lie that broke up his first romance with waitress Abby Pierce. Abby, tricked into marrying the wrong man, is at the end of her tether in her abusive relationship. When she learns the truth about her terrible marriage, she becomes desperate to escape it—before her jealous husband kills her. Though Ledger’s heart was wounded by Abby, he’ll still do anything to protect her and free her from her violent spouse. He’s determined to win her back and reignite their passion…

Introduction “Where are you taking me?” Abby asked from the passenger seat of the pickup. He could tell that each word hurt her to speak. He would have brought the Suburban so she could lie down in the back but he hadn’t known how badly she was hurt. “To the hospital,” he said. “No!” She tried to sit up straight but cried out in pain and held her rib cage. “That’s the first place he’ll look for me.” “Abby, you need medical attention.” “Please.” He quickly relented. He couldn’t let Wade near this woman, which meant no hospital. At least for now. “I’ll take you to the ranch and call our family doctor. But, Abby, if he says you have to go to the hospital—” “Then I’ll go.” She lay back and closed her eyes. “I didn’t want you involved.” “I’ve always been involved, because I’ve always loved you.” She said nothing. He could tell that she was in a lot of pain. It had him boiling inside. If he could find Wade right now…

Title Page Dead Ringer B.J. Daniels www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author B.J. DANIELS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at www.bjdaniels.com , on Facebook or on Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor .

Dedication This book is dedicated to JoAnn Hammond, who was one of the first in Whitewater to read one of my books :) So glad we got to know each other—and share a love for quilting and reading.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Abby Pierce opened her eyes and quickly closed them against the bright sunlight. She hurt all over. As she tried to sit up, a hand gently pushed on her shoulder to keep her flat on the bed.

“Don’t sit up too fast,” her husband said. “You’re okay. You’re in the hospital. You took a nasty fall.”

Fall? Hospital? Her mouth felt dry as dust. She licked her lips. “Can you close the drapes?”

“Sure,” Wade said and hurried over to the window.

She listened as he drew the drapes together and felt the room darken before she opened her eyes all the way.

The first thing she saw was her husband silhouetted against the curtains. He was a big imposing man with a boyish face and a blond crew cut. He was wearing his sheriff’s deputy uniform, she noted as he moved back to the bed to take her hand.

She’d known Wade for years. She’d married him three years ago. That was why when she saw the sheepish look in his brown eyes, she knew at once that he was hiding something.

Abby frowned. “What was I doing that I fell?”

“You don’t remember?” He cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. “You asked me to bring up some canning jars from the garage? I’m so sorry I didn’t. If I had you wouldn’t have been on that ladder...” He looked at her as if expecting... Expecting what?

“Canning jars?” she repeated and touched her bandaged temple. “I hit my head?”

He nodded, and taking her hand, he squeezed it a little too hard. “I’m so sorry, Abby.” He sounded close to tears.

“It’s not your fault,” she said automatically, but couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to the story. There often was with Wade and his family. She frowned, trying to understand why she would have wanted canning jars and saying as much.

“You said something about putting up peach jam.”

“Really? I wonder where I planned to get peaches this time of year.”

He said nothing, avoiding her gaze. All the other times she’d seen him like this it had been after he’d hurt her. It had started a year into their marriage and begun with angry accusations that led to him grabbing her, shaking her, pushing her and even slapping her.

Each time he’d stopped before it had gone too far. Each time he’d been horrified by what he’d done. He’d cried in her arms, begging her to forgive him, telling her that he couldn’t live without her, saying he would kill himself if she ever left him. And then promising he’d never do it again.

She touched her bandaged head with her free hand. The movement brought a groan out of her as she realized her ribs were either bruised or maybe even broken. Looking down, she saw the bruises on her wrists and knew he was lying. Had he pushed her this time?