Myrna Mackenzie - Her Sweet Talkin' Man

CLUB TIMES

For Members’ Eyes Only

Smooth Operator on the Loose!

While I checked out some vehicles at the used car lot of Lone Star County, my ears perked up at the sound of sweet words. When I looked up, I was staring at the newest hotshot of Mission Creek—Ace Turner Carson—and he’d coated me with a thick layer of honey. Ladies, I’m warning you, this man is lethally charming. Because I’m a sharp woman of a certain sophistication (stop laughing, Ford), I knew Ace was just talkin’ purdy.

Change of topic, isn’t that Crystal Bennett as sweet as can be? She’s done such a bang-up job on the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new maternity wing at Mission Creek Memorial. Of course, I care more about whether or not her red hair is real. While we shared a brioche in the Yellow Rose Café, I asked her if she dyed her hair. Crystal giggled and said, “Don’t be silly.” (In LSCC-speak, this means “drop dead.”)

Having received hot and cold reactions from Ace and Crystal this week, I’m ready for a Jacuzzi with some of Lone Star’s finest (as long as I don’t have to see them in their swimwear). Why don’t you come along with us and cool off at the Lone Star Country Club!

MYRNA MACKENZIE,

married to her high school sweetheart, with two (very tall and always hungry) teenage sons, has been blessed by the joys of family. She’s had the chance to be a teacher and to learn all the cool things that kids can teach us about human nature. She’s traveled, hiked mountains, rafted white water and seen bear and elk up close. And, since 1993, when she began writing for Silhouette, she’s also had the privilege of being able to share the stories she loves to write with readers around the world. Winner of the Holt Medallion honoring outstanding literary talent, and a finalist in the Readers’ Choice Awards and the Orange Rose contest, Myrna likes to think of herself as a professional (but hardworking) daydreamer.

Myrna was thrilled when she was asked to be part of the LONE STAR COUNTRY CLUB continuity. The opportunity to work with some of her favorite authors, to be a part of such an exciting and complex story and to have the chance to flesh out characters who were so much fun to work with has been a joy. You can contact Myrna by writing to her at P.O. Box 225, LaGrange, Illinois 60525 or by visiting her Web site at www.myrnamackenzie.com.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Where Texas society reigns supreme—and appearances are everything.

A sexy playboy and an irresistible single mom get more than they bargained for when a stalker threatens their newfound romance.

Ace Turner Carson: He’s in Mission Creek to claim an inheritance he feels is rightfully his. But spending just a few days with the wealthy Carsons—and a beautiful “little lady”—gives Ace a sense of belonging he’s never experienced…and a family to come home to.

Crystal Bennett: While stuck in a broken-down elevator, a smooth-talking playboy quickly insinuates himself into Crystal’s heart, and she is forced to rethink her ability to trust men. Especially once Ace puts his own life on the line for her child…

A shadow in Mission Creek: The ribbon is cut on the new maternity wing of Mission Creek Memorial Hospital. Everyone who’s anyone attends the ceremony…as does a stranger who lurks in the background with ulterior motives of his own.

To my sister-in-law, Pat—Thanks for umpteen favors, for making my brother a happy man and for hosting all those holiday dinners.

You’ve been a blessing.

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

“Whoa, this is going to be some family reunion. Especially since the rest of the family doesn’t even know I exist,” Ace Turner Carson said to himself as he pulled his white sedan into the above-ground parking garage of the Mission Creek Memorial Hospital.

No surprise, though, since he himself hadn’t even known his true roots until three months ago when his mother died.

But now he knew. Something he almost wished he didn’t know, he thought with a grimace. And he’d had to take the next step and come to Mission Creek, Texas. His mother had suffered years of humiliation and pain after she’d been abandoned by the man she loved. Ford Carson deserved to suffer a little humiliation in kind.

Who better to engineer that than a hell-raising bad seed of an unwanted son?

“So bring on the family reunion,” Ace whispered. “And let’s make it as public an event as possible. Past time to get in the dance, buddy.”

Besides, Ace had to admit, this could be fun—in spite of all his misgivings about being here in this unfamiliar town where the wealthy Carsons had so much influence, in spite of his reluctance even to meet the man who had given him life. He smiled. Could be real fun. Especially if he hammed things up a bit and worked hard at being an embarrassment to his dear old dad.

“Oh, yes, this is going to involve some intense concentration, Carson. Some single-minded devotion.”

Which was why when he saw a petite, well-curved redhead making a beeline for the parking-garage elevator, which was where he was headed, Ace ignored his automatic response to her undeniably appealing body.

“No distractions,” he reminded himself. “You came here for a reason.”

Yes, but that didn’t mean he’d gone completely numb to the world and blind to the things that made a man a man and a woman a woman. He might be on a single-minded quest, but this was no ordinary woman. And, after all, he wasn’t going to do anything but look, anyway. And maybe flirt—just a bit. An elevator ride didn’t leave a man time for much more.

As she drew nearer and scanned her surroundings, clearly on the alert for thugs and wolves on the prowl, he noted her wide hazel eyes, which held a hint of innocence in spite of the fact that she appeared to be in her early thirties. Interesting. What was even more interesting was that below the hemline of her knee-length ice-blue suit was a pair of the finest legs ever to grace Texas, or even the planet. Her hair was a mass of silk held back with silver clips. The strands practically begged for a man to unsnap those clips and sift through the silk with his fingertips.

Of course, touching her was absolutely out of the question. He wanted to admire her, not distress her. So when an elderly couple turned down the aisle on their way to the elevator, too, Ace grinned at them and moved forward. The red-haired beauty would know she was safe now.

He sauntered toward the elevator, his long legs taking him there ahead of her.

“Allow me to get that for you, darlin”’ he said, stepping forward to push the elevator button. “Looks like your hands are full.”