Susan Mallery: The Rancher and the Runaway Bride Part 2

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 2

Since Randi Howell fled her own wedding—and sinister gunmen—and made a new home at Brady Jones’s Texas ranch, she knows this is where she belongs, with the work, the horses and especially Brady.

Randi doesn’t know who the gunmen were planning to kill, but she heard enough that they’re still after her. She’s safe for now far away in Texas. But she hasn’t told Brady about her past. The strong, handsome rancher is everything she has ever wanted in a man. He’s a man of honor—how could he accept her if he knew she’d left her fiancé at the altar?

Read the conclusion in The Rancher and the Runaway Bride Part 3.

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 the 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 Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

The average runaway bride doesn’t have hit men after her but Randi Howell does. Calling herself Rita Howard and working on Brady Jones’s ranch, everything is going great for Randi. She loves her job, the animals, her coworkers…and (gulp!) her boss, Brady. She has created her own family. But they don’t even know her real name. It’s all a charade. The situation is a ticking time bomb and it’s about to explode, sending all of her secrets into the open before she is ready.

“Cooperate, damn you,” Brady Jones muttered when the large gelding took an unexpected side step and bumped him. Brady scrambled back to keep from falling on his butt. “I own you,” he reminded the horse. “Keep this up and I’ll sell you for glue. Or dog food.”

Rita laughed. “That’s telling him, boss. Remind him who’s in charge and how you hold his life in your hands.” She stroked the horse’s head. “Are you scared, big fella? Don’t be.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “He’s all bark and no bite. Yes, it’s true. Cheap talk. Can you say cheap?”

The horse snorted.

“She’s got a way about her, that one does,” McGregor said as he finished shaping the shoe and returned to the horse’s side. “Come on, laddie. Don’t be givin’ an old man trouble.”

The farrier bent over and deliberately bumped the gelding’s right front shoulder. The horse obligingly shifted his weight to the other three legs and allowed the man to pick up his hoof.

“Good boy,” the Scotsman crooned. “Stay steady just a wee bit longer. We’ll be gettin’ you a nice new shoe. The ladies will be impressed.” He set the shoe over the hoof and grabbed a handful of nails from a pocket in his oversize leather apron.

A few minutes later the shoe was in place, the edges filed to insure a perfect fit. McGregor released the hoof and straightened.

“I do fine work, if I say so myself. No doubt you’ll be thinkin’ the same, Brady.”

“You’re the best, McGregor. I appreciate you taking the time to see to my horses.”

Rita giggled. Brady shot her a quick look and winked. The old Scotsman was the best farrier in the business. He was also the only one close enough to come by on a moment’s notice. The gelding had thrown a shoe the day before. Until it was replaced, he couldn’t be worked.

The horse stamped his foot as if checking the fit. He tossed his head, then blew out air.

“See,” McGregor said. “He approves. You’ll be wantin’ me to look at the other three?”

Brady nodded. “I think that back shoe is coming loose.”

“Shoddy workmanship, and not mine. Who have you had around pretendin’ to shoe these horses?”

“Your nephew. Remember? You took off for a cruise.”

“Aye. I remember.” McGregor looked at Rita and smiled. “The Caribbean, it was. Very lovely. You ever been?”

“No. I haven’t.”

“You’d like it. Lots of pretty girls, but not as pretty as you.”

“Aren’t you sweet?”

Brady held in a sound of disgust. Not only was McGregor old enough to be her father, but his lines weren’t that good. Yet women everywhere always fell for him. “It’s the accent,” he muttered under his breath.

“What did you say?” Rita asked, but the glint in her blue eyes told him that she’d heard his comment.

“Nothing.”

“Gee, I could have sworn you said—”

“Rita.” Brady cut her off with a look designed to remind her he was her boss. She wasn’t the least bit intimidated, either.

She turned her attention to McGregor and said, “I adore your accent. It’s very charming.”

“Accent? Me?” McGregor moved around the gelding and lifted his left rear hoof. “You’re the one who sounds funny, lass.” He tapped at the shoe. “This one’s loose, like you said. I’ll be havin’ a talk with my nephew. I taught him better than this. The boy’s lazy. You know how young men are. Still, that’s a lame excuse for bad work.” He smiled at his pun, then set the hoof down and headed for his truck. “Let me get another shoe and I’ll replace it.”

The gelding shifted, again bumping into Brady. He pushed back. Unfortunately, the horse didn’t budge. “What’s your problem?”

“He’s establishing dominance,” Rita said.

“I thought we’d taken care of that already.”

“Not really.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I think the basic problem is that he doesn’t understand enough English to know that you’re threatening him. Otherwise, I’m sure he’d be terribly respectful.” She spoke seriously, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

“Right,” he said, fighting a grin of his own. “Sort of like you.”

“I’m very respectful.”

“To whom?”

She laughed.

The gelding took another step. Brady saw it coming and ducked under the animal’s head. The horse was just as quick. He shifted back, catching Rita unaware, pulling her forward and making her stumble. As Brady moved to keep her from falling, the gelding stepped between them. Rita hit the ground, knees first.