Lauri Robinson - In The Sheriff's Protection

He will protect her

But can the sheriff resist his forbidden desire?

Oak Grove sheriff Tom Baniff might be hunting Clara Wilson’s criminal husband, but that doesn’t mean he won’t help protect Clara and her young son from the outlaw’s deadly threats. When he invites Clara to his hometown, Tom is determined to keep her safe. But with her so close, can he resist the allure of the only woman he’s ever wanted?

“A delightful, charming and gasp-filled romance.”

—RT Book Reviews on Winning the Mail-Order Bride

“Robinson’s new book is enjoyable and endearing... [A] classic western adventure with strong characters, authentic setting and quick pace.”

—RT Book Reviews on Unwrapping the Rancher’s Secret

A lover of fairy tales and cowboy boots, LAURI ROBINSON can’t imagine a better profession than penning happily-ever-after stories about men—and women—who pull on a pair of boots before riding off into the sunset...or kick them off for other reasons. Lauri and her husband raised three sons in their rural Minnesota home and are now getting their just rewards by spoiling their grandchildren. Visit: laurirobinson.blogspot.com, Facebook.com/lauri.robinson1or Twitter.com/LauriR.

Also by Lauri Robinson

Saving MarinaWestern Spring WeddingsHer Cheyenne WarriorUnwrapping the Rancher’s SecretThe Cowboy’s Orphan BrideMail-Order Brides of Oak GroveWinning the Mail-Order BrideWestern Christmas BridesMarried to Claim the Rancher’s Heir

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

In the Sheriff’s Protection

Lauri Robinson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-07361-5

IN THE SHERIFF’S PROTECTION

© 2018 Lauri Robinson

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To my husband, Jess.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text He will protect her But can the sheriff resist his forbidden desire? Oak Grove sheriff Tom Baniff might be hunting Clara Wilson’s criminal husband, but that doesn’t mean he won’t help protect Clara and her young son from the outlaw’s deadly threats. When he invites Clara to his hometown, Tom is determined to keep her safe. But with her so close, can he resist the allure of the only woman he’s ever wanted? “A delightful, charming and gasp-filled romance.” —RT Book Reviews on Winning the Mail-Order Bride “Robinson’s new book is enjoyable and endearing... [A] classic western adventure with strong characters, authentic setting and quick pace.” —RT Book Reviews on Unwrapping the Rancher’s Secret

About the Author A lover of fairy tales and cowboy boots, LAURI ROBINSON can’t imagine a better profession than penning happily-ever-after stories about men—and women—who pull on a pair of boots before riding off into the sunset...or kick them off for other reasons. Lauri and her husband raised three sons in their rural Minnesota home and are now getting their just rewards by spoiling their grandchildren. Visit: laurirobinson.blogspot.com , Facebook.com/lauri.robinson1 or Twitter.com/LauriR .

Booklist Also by Lauri Robinson Saving MarinaWestern Spring WeddingsHer Cheyenne WarriorUnwrapping the Rancher’s SecretThe Cowboy’s Orphan BrideMail-Order Brides of Oak GroveWinning the Mail-Order BrideWestern Christmas BridesMarried to Claim the Rancher’s Heir Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk .

Title Page In the Sheriff’s Protection Lauri Robinson www.millsandboon.co.uk

Copyright ISBN: 978-1-474-07361-5 IN THE SHERIFF’S PROTECTION © 2018 Lauri Robinson Published in Great Britain 2018 by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental. By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher. ® and ™ are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries. www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication To my husband, Jess.

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

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

“Ma, a rider’s comin’ up the road!” Billy exclaimed, his legs going the same speed they always were. At a run. “A man on horseback! Maybe it’s Pa, Ma! Maybe he’s come home!”