Cathy Thacker - The Texas Lawman's Woman

The Best Man In Laramie

She’s no damsel in distress, but Shelley Meyerson may just need a white knight like deputy sheriff Colt McCabe. Thanks to her scheming ex-husband, Shelley’s about to lose her home. The last person she wants to turn to for help is Colt, the guy who broke her heart the night of the high school prom. But now that she’s back in Laramie, there’s no avoiding him—especially when they’re both serving in the same wedding party.

True, the handsome, gallant lawman is a valuable ally. And he seems genuinely interested in Shelley and her little boy. She could definitely use a friend…and maybe something more. Rekindling their romance is easy—but learning to trust again is hard. Especially when Shelley learns that Colt’s been keeping a secret that could cost him his badge….

Colt shifted her over onto his lap, much the way he had, years ago, when they were dating.

He sifted his fingers through her hair. “I could still help you, you know.”

Shelley moved so she could look into his eyes. She stared at him a long, careful moment. “I appreciate the thought,” she said finally, biting her lip again.

“But…?” Colt tried his best to figure out what kind of assistance she needed.

Shelley let out a shaky breath and wreathed her arms around his shoulders. “This is the only kind of help I need….”

Shelley hadn’t expected the night to end with her kissing Colt. But it was what she wanted. He was what she wanted.

She traced the contours of his face with her fingertips, reveling in the abrasion of his evening beard. “Don’t turn me down tonight,” she whispered, inhaling the sandalwood and leather scent of his cologne.

His mouth was on her neck, tracing her racing pulse. “Not planning to.”

Dear Reader,

Home is where the heart is. It can be an investment in the future, serve as safe harbor or even be anywhere you hang your hat. Most of all, it’s the place we all long for. We want a roof over our head, a place to store our stuff, somewhere we belong, a cherished haven where we can hopefully find and nurture the kind of love that makes relationships and families strong.

In my new series, McCabe Homecoming, four of Josie and Wade McCabe’s sons are still looking for that special someone and that special space. Deputy Colt McCabe knows he wants to be in Laramie, and he already has a house, yet love has eluded him. Philanthropist Justin McCabe thinks starting a ranch for troubled boys will fill the void in his life. Venture capitalist and single dad Derek McCabe wants a high-end home in Dallas that, while impressive, is still baby-friendly. Environmental engineer Rand McCabe is constantly on the road; hence he’s learned to think home is a hotel room.

What every one of them is missing, is true intimacy in their lives. The kind that comes only when you let down your guard, and open up your heart….

For more information on these and other titles, please visit cathygillenthacker.com.

Best wishes,

Cathy Gillen Thacker

The Texas Lawman’s Woman

Cathy Gillen Thacker

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathy Gillen Thacker is married and a mother of three. She and her husband spent eighteen years in Texas and now reside in North Carolina. Her mysteries, romantic comedies and heartwarming family stories have made numerous appearances on bestseller lists, but her best reward, she says, is knowing one of her books made someone’s day a little brighter. A popular Harlequin Books author for many years, she loves telling passionate stories with happy endings, and thinks nothing beats a good romance and a hot cup of tea! You can visit Cathy’s website at www.cathygillenthacker.comfor more information on her upcoming and previously published books, recipes and a list of her favorite things.

For Daphne and Lilah and all the joy

they’ve brought to our lives.

Contents

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

Epilogue

Excerpt

Chapter One

Shelley Meyerson’s heart leaped as she caught sight of the broad-shouldered lawman walking out of the dressing room. She blinked, so shocked she nearly fell off the pedestal. “He’s the best man?”

Colt McCabe locked eyes with Shelley, looking about as pleased as she felt. His chiseled jaw clenched. “Don’t tell me she’s the maid of honor!”

“Now, now, you two,” their mutual friend, wedding planner Patricia Wilson, scolded, checking out the fit of Shelley’s yellow, silk bridesmaid dress. “Surely you can get along for a few days. After all, you’re going to have to...since you’re both living in Laramie County again.”

Don’t remind me, Shelley thought with a dramatic sigh.

Looking as handsome as ever in a black tuxedo and pleated white shirt, Colt sized Shelley up. “She’s never going to forgive me.”

For good reason, Shelley mused, remembering the hurt and humiliation she had suffered as if it were yesterday. She whirled toward Colt so quickly the seamstress stabbed her with a pin. But the pain in her ribs was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She lifted up her skirt, revealing her favorite pair of cranberry-red cowgirl boots, and stomped down off the pedestal, not stopping until they were toe-to-toe. “You stood me up on prom night, you big galoot!”

Lips thinning, the big, strapping lawman rocked forward on the toes of his boots. “I got there.”

Yes, he certainly had, Shelley thought, staring at the enticing contours of his broad muscular chest. And even that had been the stuff of Laramie, Texas legend. The town had talked about it for weeks and weeks. “Two hours late. Unshowered. Unshaven.” Shelley threw up her hands in exasperation. “No flowers. No tuxedo...”

Because if he had looked then the way he looked now... Well, who knew what would have happened? Certainly they would have followed through on their secret, incredibly romantic plans. Instead, she’d spent the evening alone, crying her eyes out into her pillow, the gorgeous dress and silky lingerie she’d spent weeks picking out crumpled beneath her.

Colt stepped nearer, inundating her with the smell of soap and cologne and the intoxicatingly familiar essence that was him. “I told you where I’d been,” he reminded quietly.

That night, and many days after.

Shelley glared up at him, crushed all over again. “With Buddy.”

Colt stood, legs braced apart, hands on his waist. To her fury, he was no more apologetic now than he had been then. “He needed me, Shelley.”

I needed you.

“Right,” Shelley retorted with a cool indifference that belied the emotion churning inside her. “So you said, Colt. Many times.”

When was she going to get over this? Over him? Shelley had thought she was. Until the moment they came face-to-face again. Then, it was as if no time at all had passed. As if they were still as deeply in love as she’d once dreamed them to be.

But maybe it would be best if she did just forget it all and move on. Otherwise, her heart would remain broken forever. At least when it came to her sexy former boyfriend...

Colt shoved a hand through his short, dark brown hair, and turned back to the wedding planner. “This isn’t going to work.”

Patricia stepped between them. “The heck it isn’t. Kendall and Gerry chose the two of you to be maid of honor and best man, so you’re both going to suck it up and get along until the nuptials are over. Got it? The bride and groom have been through enough.”