Harper George - The Innocent And The Outlaw

Outlaws of the Wild West

Pistols at dawn, seduction at sunset!

Meet Hunter Jameson, Castillo Jameson and Zane Pierce. These notorious outlaws make men quake in their shoes and set women’s hearts aflutter wherever their cowboy boots take them!

They pride themselves on their skill in the saddle and their prowess in the bedroom, but now these outlaws will be facing their greatest battle yet as they meet the only women with the power to tame their wild ways!

First read Hunter’s story in

The Innocent and the Outlaw

And look for Cas and Zane’s stories, coming soon!

Author Note Author Note Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

The Wild West is one of my most favourite periods in history. It’s an era that was only a little more than a lifetime ago, but was such a time of change and lawlessness that it spawned legends we still know today. I am so happy and excited to revisit that time for this new Outlaws of the Wild West series, and to share with you my first full-length Western romance.

When choosing a setting for my first Western series I immediately thought of the Montana Territory. Aside from its majestic natural beauty, it’s a place as tempestuous as any you’d find in the Old West. Home to mining barons, brothel madams, outlaws and average people just trying to get by, it really is the perfect setting for adventure and romance. I chose Helena specifically because at one time it was home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world. It epitomised opulence set against a rough backdrop, which is what first intrigued me with this story. I loved the idea of Hunter the rough outlaw juxtaposed with Hunter the wealthy gentleman.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Hunter and Emmy as much as I did. And I hope you’ll join me later as I delve into the lives of his brothers. Thank you so much for reading.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

HARPER ST GEORGEwas raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was this setting, filled with stories of the old days, that instilled in her a love of history, romance and adventure. At high school she discovered the romance novel, which combined all those elements into one perfect package. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two young children. Visit her website: harperstgeorge.com.

For my grandfather, who loved all Westerns—even the romances.

I want to thank my amazing critique partners, Tara Wyatt and Erin Moore, for holding my hand through the entire process of writing this book. I also want to thank my agent, Nicole Resciniti, and my editor, Kathryn Cheshire, for their excellent advice and for believing in my writing.

Contents

Cover

Introduction Outlaws of the Wild West Pistols at dawn, seduction at sunset! Meet Hunter Jameson, Castillo Jameson and Zane Pierce. These notorious outlaws make men quake in their shoes and set women’s hearts aflutter wherever their cowboy boots take them! They pride themselves on their skill in the saddle and their prowess in the bedroom, but now these outlaws will be facing their greatest battle yet as they meet the only women with the power to tame their wild ways! First read Hunter’s story in The Innocent and the Outlaw And look for Cas and Zane’s stories, coming soon!

Author Note Author Note Author Note Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright The Wild West is one of my most favourite periods in history. It’s an era that was only a little more than a lifetime ago, but was such a time of change and lawlessness that it spawned legends we still know today. I am so happy and excited to revisit that time for this new Outlaws of the Wild West series, and to share with you my first full-length Western romance. When choosing a setting for my first Western series I immediately thought of the Montana Territory. Aside from its majestic natural beauty, it’s a place as tempestuous as any you’d find in the Old West. Home to mining barons, brothel madams, outlaws and average people just trying to get by, it really is the perfect setting for adventure and romance. I chose Helena specifically because at one time it was home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world. It epitomised opulence set against a rough backdrop, which is what first intrigued me with this story. I loved the idea of Hunter the rough outlaw juxtaposed with Hunter the wealthy gentleman. I hope you enjoy getting to know Hunter and Emmy as much as I did. And I hope you’ll join me later as I delve into the lives of his brothers. Thank you so much for reading.

Title Page The Innocent and the Outlaw Harper St George www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author HARPER ST GEORGE was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was this setting, filled with stories of the old days, that instilled in her a love of history, romance and adventure. At high school she discovered the romance novel, which combined all those elements into one perfect package. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two young children. Visit her website: harperstgeorge.com .

Dedication For my grandfather, who loved all Westerns—even the romances. I want to thank my amazing critique partners, Tara Wyatt and Erin Moore, for holding my hand through the entire process of writing this book. I also want to thank my agent, Nicole Resciniti, and my editor, Kathryn Cheshire, for their excellent advice and for believing in my writing.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Emmaline Drake knew trouble when it walked through the door. Five years of serving drinks had taught her that only three kinds of strangers ever entered Jake’s Saloon in the tiny backwater town of Whiskey Hollow. The first two were drifters and loners who sought the saloon as a refuge from a world that didn’t accept them. They kept to themselves and rarely caused trouble. A drink, a meal and conversation with a pretty girl were enough to send them on their way. But then there were men like the three who stood just inside the saloon’s swinging, slatted doors. These men were the third type and just looking at them caused a knot of dread to churn tight in her stomach.

These men were outlaws.

If there was anything Emmaline knew, it was how to spot an outlaw. Thanks to her stepfather’s profession, she’d had years of experience identifying the variations in that type of man. As a rule they were notoriously badly dressed, though the clothing of this particular group belied that rule. Even with their dusters covered with a layer of dust, the fine cloth and texture of their breeches and coats were apparent and their boots were obviously high quality. But it wasn’t the clothing that made the outlaw. It was the eyes. Outlaws had the eyes of predators—full of violence and aggression.