Barbara Daille - The Texan's Little Secret

Hiding The Truth

Coming home might be the worst decision Carly Baron has ever made. Each minute on her family’s busy ranch is one minute closer to seeing him—her first love—the man who broke her heart seven years ago. While coming face-to-face with Luke Nobel again brings back painful memories, Carly quickly realizes there are other strong feelings just under the surface….

Luke would be a lot better off if Carly had stayed away. Being a single dad to an adorable two-year-old girl and managing the Roughneck is tough enough, but resisting the sparks that fly whenever he and Carly are together is near impossible. But first she must tell him her secret. The truth could heal their past…or forever destroy their chances of becoming a family.

“Okay, what body part do you rely on most when you’re riding a bull?”

Carly braced her hands on either side of her, just inches below her belt. “Right here. It’s all in the hip action.”

Smiling, Luke leaned forward, till their lips almost met. “Well, now,” he breathed, “you are…absolutely…wrong.”

“What?” She recoiled in astonishment and almost toppled off the fence.

He grabbed her around the waist to brace her, then took her hands and placed them on her thighs. He pressed his hands flat atop hers, his warm palms covering her fingers.

“Not the hips, Carly. A little lower. Here.”

He rested his hands on her knees. Then he slid his palms upward again. A bolt of heat shot through her.

When he’d reached the midpoint of her thighs, he paused. “This is what’ll keep you hanging on tight.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Her voice sounded too shaky.

Now she was sure he would make his move. Instead, he simply stepped back, leaving her to stand, stunned, on legs shakier than her voice.

Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

One of my favorite story lines is a second chance at love, in which a hero and heroine—often with a troubled history together—split up but meet again years later. They long to triumph over whatever drove them apart, yet their conflict hasn’t resolved itself. In fact, things have gotten worse.

That story line definitely fits Luke Nobel and Carly Baron. An argument and mutual pride once forced them to go their separate ways. Now Carly has come back home to find Luke managing her family’s ranch. Instantly, their old attraction sparks to life. But Carly’s hiding a secret she can never tell Luke….

I’m proud to have this book be part of a Mills & Boon American Romance continuity, in the lineup between such wonderful authors as Trish Milburn (The Texan’s Cowgirl Bride, July 2014) and Pamela Britton (The Texan’s Twins, September 2014). It has been a great pleasure to work with all the authors and editors involved in the series.

I hope you enjoy The Texan’s Little Secret. I’d love to hear what you think about the story and to stay in touch. You can reach me at: P.O. Box 504 Gilbert, AZ 85299 or through my website: www.barbarawhitedaille.com. You can also find me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille, and Twitter, twitter.com/barbarawdaille.

All my best to you.

Until we meet again,

Barbara White Daille

The Texan’s Little Secret

Barbara White Daille

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

BARBARA WHITE DAILLElives with her husband in the sunny Southwest, where they don’t mind the lizards in their front yard but could do without the scorpions in the bathroom.

A writer from the age of nine and a novelist since eighth grade, Barbara is now an award-winning author with a number of novels to her credit.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

She’d also love to have you drop by and visit with her at her website, www.barbarawhitedaille.com.

To Kathleen Scheibling and Johanna Raisanen

Thank you for your support of my writing

and for always helping to bring out the best in my books.

And, as always and for everything, to Rich.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Hiding The Truth Coming home might be the worst decision Carly Baron has ever made. Each minute on her family’s busy ranch is one minute closer to seeing him—her first love—the man who broke her heart seven years ago. While coming face-to-face with Luke Nobel again brings back painful memories, Carly quickly realizes there are other strong feelings just under the surface…. Luke would be a lot better off if Carly had stayed away. Being a single dad to an adorable two-year-old girl and managing the Roughneck is tough enough, but resisting the sparks that fly whenever he and Carly are together is near impossible. But first she must tell him her secret. The truth could heal their past…or forever destroy their chances of becoming a family.

Introduction “Okay, what body part do you rely on most when you’re riding a bull?” Carly braced her hands on either side of her, just inches below her belt. “Right here. It’s all in the hip action.” Smiling, Luke leaned forward, till their lips almost met. “Well, now,” he breathed, “you are…absolutely…wrong.” “What?” She recoiled in astonishment and almost toppled off the fence. He grabbed her around the waist to brace her, then took her hands and placed them on her thighs. He pressed his hands flat atop hers, his warm palms covering her fingers. “Not the hips, Carly. A little lower. Here.” He rested his hands on her knees. Then he slid his palms upward again. A bolt of heat shot through her. When he’d reached the midpoint of her thighs, he paused. “This is what’ll keep you hanging on tight.” “Thanks for the tip.” Her voice sounded too shaky. Now she was sure he would make his move. Instead, he simply stepped back, leaving her to stand, stunned, on legs shakier than her voice.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright , One of my favorite story lines is a second chance at love, in which a hero and heroine—often with a troubled history together—split up but meet again years later. They long to triumph over whatever drove them apart, yet their conflict hasn’t resolved itself. In fact, things have gotten worse. That story line definitely fits Luke Nobel and Carly Baron. An argument and mutual pride once forced them to go their separate ways. Now Carly has come back home to find Luke managing her family’s ranch. Instantly, their old attraction sparks to life. But Carly’s hiding a secret she can never tell Luke…. I’m proud to have this book be part of a Mills & Boon American Romance continuity, in the lineup between such wonderful authors as Trish Milburn (The Texan’s Cowgirl Bride, July 2014) and Pamela Britton (The Texan’s Twins, September 2014). It has been a great pleasure to work with all the authors and editors involved in the series. I hope you enjoy The Texan’s Little Secret. I’d love to hear what you think about the story and to stay in touch. You can reach me at: P.O. Box 504 Gilbert, AZ 85299 or through my website: www.barbarawhitedaille.com . You can also find me on Facebook, www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille , and Twitter, twitter.com/barbarawdaille . All my best to you. Until we meet again, Barbara White Daille