Susan Mallery - The Rancher and the Runaway Bride Part 3

36 Hours Serial

As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty-six hours will change the town and its residents forever….

The Rancher and the Runaway Bride Part 3

Time is running out for runaway bride Randi Howell. The hitmen are hot on her trail, and soon no one will be safe at Brady’s ranch. Texas feels a lifetime away from Grand Springs, but going home and facing up to her old life may be the only way to hang on to the new one. Randi’s days of running are over—she just hopes that Brady can face his fears about love and stop running, too….

Don’t miss the continuing drama of Grand Springs in Marriage by Contract by Sandra Steffen.

Dear Reader,

In the town of Grand Springs, Colorado, a devastating summer storm sets off a string of events that changes the lives of the residents forever….

Welcome to Mills & Boon exciting new digital serial, 36 Hours! In this thirty-six part serial share the stories of the residents of Grand Springs, Colorado, in the wake of a deadly storm.

With power knocked out and mudslides washing over the roads, the town is plunged into darkness and the residents are forced to face their biggest fears—and find love against all odds.

Each week features a new story written by a variety of bestselling authors like Susan Mallery and Sharon Sala. The stories are published in three segments, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the first segment of every three-part book is free, so you can get caught up in the mystery and drama of Grand Springs. And you can get to know a new set of characters every week. You can read just one, but as the lives and stories of each intertwine in surprising ways, you’ll want to read them all!

Join Mills & Boon E every week as we bring you excitement, mystery, fun and romance in 36 Hours!

Happy reading!

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women. Publishers Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Susan lives in Seattle with her husband and her tiny but intrepid toy poodle. Visit her at www.susanmallery.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Randi Howell, a.k.a. Rita Howard, has been hiding out on Brady’s ranch for several weeks, but all good things must come to an end. To leave the only place she’s ever considered “home” will be devastating, but it would be even worse to have her past track her down before she’s had time to explain. Randi just wants a few more days of happiness before running again. But time is not on her side. The hit men are already on her trail. How long until they find and kill her? The countdown has begun…

The crowd surged around them like water in a river. Randi Howell, a.k.a. Rita Howard, tried to remain calm.

“You okay?” Brady Jones asked.

She nodded. “I think I’ve been isolated too long. I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be out among people.”

“I get that feeling myself.” Brady slipped his hand through hers. “I won’t let them steal you away,” he promised.

“Thank you.” As his fingers entwined with hers and he tugged her close to his side, she was able to smile. With Brady around, she might actually start to relax.

The livestock and horse show drew buyers and exhibitors from all the western states. In addition to the animals, booths displayed everything necessary for a well-run ranch as well as plenty of items for the home. There were western clothing manufacturers and leather companies, people selling odd jars of spices for making everything from beef to rattler more tasty. Various universities sold sweatshirts, while conservationists preached about the value of recycling.

Then there was the food. Beef on a stick, churros, ice cream, hot dogs, pretzels, Mexican entrées, and more exotic fare including venison and snake.

Randi wanted to get lost in the crowd, but for now, she was too nervous. Part of what she’d told Brady was true—she did find it uncomfortable to be around so many people. When she’d first gone on the road, she’d stayed away from busy places because it was safer…or so she’d thought. But over the past couple of months, she found she liked a more solitary existence. On the ranch, there were plenty of people around if she wanted to have a conversation, but Brady and the cowboys were different from a crowd full of strangers.

The other reason she was nervous was that she kept expecting to see someone she knew. The idea was ridiculous. What were the odds of a friend from Grand Springs showing up here? Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling of impending disaster. If not a friend, what about those men with guns from her wedding?

She clutched Brady’s hand tighter, enjoying both the physical connection and the feeling of safety. With him around, she knew she was going to be all right, no matter what happened.

But as the mass of people increased, she found her nerves drawn tight. Telling herself she was unlikely to be recognized didn’t help. While the crowd protected her, it also made it impossible for her to stare at every face. She shouldn’t have come with him.

Yet she hadn’t had a choice. In the past week, she’d had a sense of time running out. Soon, she would have to move on to another temporary place, or back to Grand Springs and face what she’s done. Either way, she was going to have to leave Brady behind. And she didn’t want to. Not yet. Not ever.

“You hungry?” Brady asked.

Randi touched her free hand to her stomach and tried to sense anything but faint fear. “I could probably eat.”

“Rattler tacos?”

She glanced up at his smiling face and wondered how she would survive without him. She grinned in return. “Sure, but I want to watch you eat one first.”

“I’ve had rattler before.”

“Let me guess, it tastes like chicken.”

He raised his eyebrows. “How’d you know?”

“Everything weird tastes like chicken. At least that’s what people try to convince us unsuspecting types. I’ve yet to taste anything other than chicken that really tastes like chicken. I’m convinced it’s all a ploy so that we have to eat the nasty thing you guys just tried.”

He bent down and kissed the tip of her nose. “That made no sense at all.”

“My point is that I think I want beef on a stick.”

“Sounds good to me.” He headed them in that general direction.

“When does the bull auction start?” she asked.

“Tomorrow. I want to buy at least two, maybe three. I’ve been tracking bloodlines on the computer. I’m going for the leaner stock. If I could come up with a low-fat filet mignon, I’d be rich.”

Two young boys darted toward them. Brady released her hand and stepped aside. When the kids had zoomed past, he moved close again and put his arm around her shoulder.

“Any horses?” she asked.

“I think we have enough for now. What do you think?”

“I agree. They get worked steadily, but they all have a couple of days off to rest.”

“Agreed. So I’ll concentrate on the bulls.”

She leaned against him, absorbing his heat. The sun was bright, the afternoon warm. Smells from the livestock blended with barbecue and meat smokers. Conversation and laughter surrounded them in a pleasing cacophony.

She would remember this, she told herself. Whatever happened, they would have had this time together.