Lindsay McKenna - Night Hawk

ONCE UPON A RANCH IN WYOMING…

After losing his comrade, Sergeant Gil Hanford thought a visit to the man’s widow would be the decent way to honor his late friend. But Gil found more than comfort in Kai Tiernan—he had always secretly desired beautiful Kai, but a sudden, mutual passion helped assuage their grief…until duty reared its head, removing him from her arms, seemingly forever.

Four years later, Kai is starting over at the Triple H Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born a rancher, she is looking for a new beginning—but her new boss is unforgivably familiar. Kai has tried to move past the memory of what happened between her and Gil, even though she’s never forgiven him for leaving her. But even as they begin their journey toward something new and oh-so-uncertain, a shadow emerges, determined to claim Kai for itself.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author

Lindsay McKenna

“A treasure of a book…highly recommended reading that everyone will enjoy and learn from.”

—Chief Michael Jaco, US Navy SEAL, retired,

on Breaking Point

“Heartbreakingly tender…readers will fall in love with the upstanding hero and his fierce determination to save the woman he loves.”

—Publishers Weekly on Never Surrender (starred review)

“McKenna skillfully takes readers on an emotional journey into modern warfare and two people’s hearts.”

—Publishers Weekly on Down Range

“…Packed full of danger and adventure. Fans of military romance will appreciate the strong female characters, steamy sex scenes, and details of military life.”

—Booklist on Taking Fire

“This was a beautiful and heartwarming story. Grayson and Skylar are an awesome alpha pair.”

—Night Owl Reviews on Wolf Haven

“Readers will find this addition to the Shadow Warriors series full of intensity and action-packed romance. There is great chemistry between the characters and tremendous realism, making Breaking Point a great read.”

—RT Book Reviews

Night Hawk

Lindsay McKenna

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To the best editors I’ve ever had:

Alicia Condon, Tara Gavin and Linda Curnyn.

From the “good ole days” where we kicked butt

and took names in the romance world of publishing…

taking romance at Silhouette to new heights! Creativity!

Thinking outside the box! We, and so many others,

changed the course of romance publishing. Many thanks

to my wonderful readers for showing us the way!

Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright ,

I love what-ifs because they lead me down some interesting, twisted, turning paths. In Night Hawk, you will meet former Delta Force sergeant Gil Hanford, who went into the US Army at eighteen.

Gil met and worked with Sam Morrison. Sam was married to US Army Apache combat helicopter mechanic Kai Tiernan. Gil fell in love with Kai but, respectful of their marriage, he kept his distance. It was a painful time for Gil because he saw how unavailable Sam was to his wife, Kai. He could only sympathize with their plight.

Sam is killed in a firefight, and Gil is there when it occurs. Feeling grief-stricken, wanting to console Kai, he goes to her to offer his condolences. They end up in one another’s arms for five days, dealing with conflicting emotions. On the morning of the fifth day, Gil is ordered out on an undercover op. He thinks it’s for a few days, but it ends up being two years.

Kai is left without her husband and without Gil. She never finds out what happens to Gil. Thinking he’s used her to soothe his grief, Kai goes back to Wyoming and drifts from one ranch to another. Few ranchers are willing to hire a woman to be a mechanic.

Finally, four years later, she ends up at the Triple H Ranch near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s only half a day later that she meets the ranch foreman: Gil Hanford…

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I hope you enjoy Night Hawk.

All the best,

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text ONCE UPON A RANCH IN WYOMING… After losing his comrade, Sergeant Gil Hanford thought a visit to the man’s widow would be the decent way to honor his late friend. But Gil found more than comfort in Kai Tiernan—he had always secretly desired beautiful Kai, but a sudden, mutual passion helped assuage their grief…until duty reared its head, removing him from her arms, seemingly forever. Four years later, Kai is starting over at the Triple H Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Born a rancher, she is looking for a new beginning—but her new boss is unforgivably familiar. Kai has tried to move past the memory of what happened between her and Gil, even though she’s never forgiven him for leaving her. But even as they begin their journey toward something new and oh-so-uncertain, a shadow emerges, determined to claim Kai for itself.

Praise Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lindsay McKenna “A treasure of a book…highly recommended reading that everyone will enjoy and learn from.” —Chief Michael Jaco, US Navy SEAL, retired, on Breaking Point “Heartbreakingly tender…readers will fall in love with the upstanding hero and his fierce determination to save the woman he loves.” —Publishers Weekly on Never Surrender (starred review) “McKenna skillfully takes readers on an emotional journey into modern warfare and two people’s hearts.” —Publishers Weekly on Down Range “…Packed full of danger and adventure. Fans of military romance will appreciate the strong female characters, steamy sex scenes, and details of military life.” —Booklist on Taking Fire “This was a beautiful and heartwarming story. Grayson and Skylar are an awesome alpha pair.” —Night Owl Reviews on Wolf Haven “Readers will find this addition to the Shadow Warriors series full of intensity and action-packed romance. There is great chemistry between the characters and tremendous realism, making Breaking Point a great read.” —RT Book Reviews

Title Page Night Hawk Lindsay McKenna www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication To the best editors I’ve ever had: Alicia Condon, Tara Gavin and Linda Curnyn. From the “good ole days” where we kicked butt and took names in the romance world of publishing… taking romance at Silhouette to new heights! Creativity! Thinking outside the box! We, and so many others, changed the course of romance publishing. Many thanks to my wonderful readers for showing us the way!

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright , I love what-ifs because they lead me down some interesting, twisted, turning paths. In Night Hawk, you will meet former Delta Force sergeant Gil Hanford, who went into the US Army at eighteen. Gil met and worked with Sam Morrison. Sam was married to US Army Apache combat helicopter mechanic Kai Tiernan.